The low number of enrolled students in secondary vocational schools, low employment rates of young people in the demanding and changeable labor market and the outdated curriculum for vocational education and training represent a major challenge to the modern system of vocational education in the Republic of Croatia. Migration and depopulation are more pronounced and more noticeable in rural areas and small towns, such as Osijek, than in larger cities in Croatia. Migration has increased due to the search for better jobs and higher incomes, since Croatia joined the European Union. The number of enrolled students in secondary schools decreases because families with children move to other countries of the EU. Changes take place very slowly in a big and tedious education system. Financial resources are limited, and teachers’ salaries are fixed, with no incentives. Creating the new curriculum that would adapt to labor market demands is a slow and lengthy process. Teachers, creators of the new curriculum, need support from the principals and competent authority, as well as cooperation with businessmen. The principals play an important role in encouraging proactivity and motivating teachers. Given that there is very little room for incentives, bonuses, promotions and special awards in the Croatian education system, teachers have a lack of interest in additional unpaid work, such as making a new curriculum. The Vocational School of Commerce ˝Davor Milas˝ in Osijek has been facing the same problem (drop in the number of students) for the last few years. This vocational school offers only two programmes. Pupils who want to attend The Vocational School of Commerce ˝Davor Milas˝ can become either shop assistants (three-year programme) or sales associates (four-year programme). There is a possibility of one-year programme for adults, for a sales associate. Given the problem of low student enrollment, the teachers' fear of losing teaching hours and jobs is growing. The purpose of recommending proactive behavior in teachers and principals is to increase the pupils’ interest in vocational schools.