The 6th Study Visit of PartnerUp was hosted online by the Associatia Euro Adult Education in Romania on May 17th 2024. The study visit focused on the following objectives:
- Examining the current implementation of the Upskilling Pathways (UP) initiative in Romania, with emphasis on the legislative and social context, key measures, target groups, and challenges.
- Sharing experiences and practices regarding cooperation mechanisms and stakeholder structures in Romania.
- Engaging key actors and stakeholders at the regional level in project activities.
- Identifying transferable or adaptable good practices for other partner countries.
Key Themes Addressed
The visit highlighted:
- Key measures in place for Upskilling Pathways in Romania, including the Second Chance program.
- Best practices and challenges in implementing Upskilling Pathways, along with cooperation mechanisms among stakeholders.
- Opportunities for sharing good practices and exploring their applicability in different national contexts.
Structure of the Study Visit
- Welcome and Overview
The visit began with a welcome and agenda overview. - National Context and Challenges
Key actors in adult learning and education (ALE) presented the Romanian system, outlining the state of the art for Upskilling Pathways, challenges, and cooperation mechanisms. - Regional and Local Practices
Stakeholders and experts shared examples of regional and local practices, including successful collaboration models and ongoing challenges in Upskilling Pathways implementation. - Peer Learning and Reflections
Participants discussed lessons learned and identified elements to adapt to their contexts. The session emphasized peer learning and knowledge exchange. - Summary and Lessons Learned
The visit concluded with a summary of insights and recommendations for stakeholder engagement and cooperation improvement.
Key Issues Discussed
- Overview of Upskilling Pathways in Romania, including challenges and the legislative framework.
- Examples of regional and national cooperation mechanisms supporting Upskilling Pathways.
- Identification of stakeholders and strategies for increasing their engagement.
- Contributions from experts across institutions and organizations, sharing practices to strengthen stakeholder collaboration.
- Lessons learned from European experiences and recommendations for further collaboration.
Key Messages
- Effective measures, such as the Second Chance program and adult literacy/numeracy initiatives, are in place, though regional disparities persist.
- Romania utilizes funding from ESF and Erasmus+ to support Upskilling Pathways for low-skilled adults, but results can improve with stronger stakeholder cooperation.
- NGOs and social partners are vital in identifying skill trends and facilitating labor market access, with bottom-up approaches proving impactful.
Follow-up actions include sharing presentations and fostering connections among stakeholders and partners.
