Author: PM

On February 12, 2025, the final complementary webinar of the PartnerUp project brought together experts, policymakers, and educators to discuss the critical role of upskilling and reskilling in shaping a resilient European workforce. Hosted online via Zoom, the event explored the project’s key findings, the challenges encountered, and the path forward in workforce development across Europe.

Key Themes and Discussions

The webinar opened with a keynote speech by Klara Engels-Perenyi, Policy Officer at the European Commission’s Skills Agenda unit, emphasizing the growing importance of lifelong learning and targeted skill-building in the face of digital and green transitions.

Tina Mavrič from the European Association for the Education of Adults (EAEA) provided insights into the impact of the PartnerUp project, highlighting its contribution to the EU’s Upskilling Pathways initiative.

Panel Discussion: Lessons from PartnerUp and Future Directions

Moderated by Dr. Xanthia Aristidou (CARDET), the panel discussion featured key stakeholders, including:
🔹 Ms. Antonela Marjanušić (Adult Education Institution Dante, Croatia) – Discussed the role of cross-country collaboration in strengthening upskilling programs.
🔹 Ms. Ruby Cooney (AONTAS, Ireland) – Addressed community education’s role in making learning accessible, particularly for vulnerable groups.
🔹 Prof. Alexis Kokkos (Hellenic Adult Education Association, Greece) – Explored barriers to upskilling and the sustainability of lifelong learning programs.
🔹 Mr. Didzis Poreiters (State Education Development Agency, Latvia) – Shared experiences on policy implementation and long-term workforce strategies.

The discussion covered:
✅ Challenges in implementing upskilling programs and strategies to overcome them.
✅ The importance of multi-sector partnerships in developing inclusive and accessible learning pathways.
✅ Ensuring the sustainability of upskilling programs beyond the project’s lifecycle.

Looking Ahead: A Sustainable Impact

The PartnerUp project has demonstrated the power of collaborative learning models and evidence-based policymaking in addressing workforce challenges across Europe. The final webinar served as a launchpad for continued dialogue, with panelists and attendees emphasizing the need for long-term funding, digital inclusion, and policy alignment to sustain the progress achieved.

For more details on PartnerUp’s outcomes and future initiatives, visit the project’s website.

ARDET, in collaboration with EPALE Cyprus, hosted an engaging online discussion on supporting adults in developing digital skills and adapting to the evolving demands of the modern era on June 12th 2024. The event brought together key stakeholders to explore:

✅ The EU Council Recommendation on Upskilling Pathways
✅ Challenges and opportunities in adult education and reskilling in Cyprus
✅ Ongoing initiatives to enhance digital skills for adult learners

Distinguished speakers included:
🔹 Dr. Elias Markatzis, Director of Secondary Technical and Vocational Education and Training, Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth
🔹 Mr. Yiannis Mourouzides, Director General, Human Resource Development Authority
🔹 Ms. Maria Nicolaou Christou, Deputy Director, Productivity Centre
🔹 Dr. Xanthia Aristidou, Project Manager, Partner UP, CARDET

Participants had the opportunity to engage directly with experts, discussing the research findings of the Partner UP project and their relevance to Cyprus’ adult education landscape.

This webinar was co-funded by the European Commission and the Republic of Cyprus as part of EPALE’s efforts to promote lifelong learning and skills development.

On December 13, 2024, the Agency for Vocational Education and Training and Adult Education (AVETAE), with help from Adult Education Institution Dante, hosted an event at Hotel Dubrovnik in Zagreb, Croatia. The event presented the Partner UP project and focused on improving adult education through the Upskilling Pathways initiative. It brought together educators and policymakers to talk about challenges and opportunities in adult learning.

Partner UP is an international project that helps improve adult education in Europe and beyond. It looks for gaps in current systems, shares successful ideas, and creates long-term plans to help adults develop skills in reading, math, and digital technology. These skills improve their chances of finding jobs and being included in society. More about the project can be found at partnerup-project.eu.

The event began with a welcome speech and an overview of the project’s successes and future plans. A presentation shared that 21% of adults in Europe have only basic education, putting them at higher risk of unemployment and social isolation. The presentation stressed the need for learning programs tailored to individual needs, including skill assessments and personalized plans.

A virtual session highlighted successful adult education programs from other European countries. Tina Mavrič from the European Association for the Education of Adults and Sylvia Liuti from FORMA.Azione shared examples of international collaboration and key actions at the national level.

Participants joined group workshops to discuss key topics in more detail. One group talked about the role of different organizations, such as schools, employers, and community groups, in improving adult education. They looked at what works now and suggested ways to improve cooperation and get more people involved. Another group focused on the skills adults need for today’s job market, like using computers and solving problems. They also discussed how to encourage adults to keep learning and how employers can support this through training. A third group worked on how to design programs that fit different learners. They talked about making education flexible and using digital tools to make learning easier for people who are unemployed, older, or already working. The final group explored how to motivate more adults to join learning programs. They looked at barriers like lack of information or money and suggested public awareness campaigns and community activities to promote lifelong learning. Each group shared their ideas in a final session, offering useful advice and recommendations. Discussions highlighted the need for local and regional solutions that match the needs of specific communities while staying in line with European strategies.

The event ended with discussions on future steps, stressing stronger collaboration, innovative program designs, and better outreach efforts. Participants committed to advancing lifelong learning as a foundation for personal and societal growth.

On 28th November 2024, an engaging webinar on lifelong learning was held as part of the Partner UP initiative, bringing together Italian key stakeholders and experts in the field of adult education. Hosted online via Google Meet.

The webinar also marked the starting point for a path towards establishing the General States of Lifelong Learning, aiming to create a comprehensive framework for advancing adult education initiatives in Italy, providing an opportunity to discuss the current state of lifelong learning in Italy, share best practices and explore strategies to strengthen and expand territorial networks for lifelong learning.

The webinar, facilitated by Sylvia Liuti – FORMA.Azione, opened with an introduction and a discussion of the event’s objectives, led by Paolo Sciclone of GNAP (National Group for Lifelong Learning). This contribution set the tone for the discussions, highlighting the critical importance of lifelong learning in addressing societal challenges and fostering individual growth.

Chiara Marchetta from FORMA.Azione followed with a presentation on the status of the Partner UP project, outlining its current priorities and the intervention strategies needed to strengthen lifelong learning initiatives. Her insights provided a foundation for the subsequent exchanges, emphasising the necessity of collaboration and innovation in addressing the gaps in Italy’s adult education system.

The core of the event featured an enriching panel discussion with contributions from various regional representatives and networks. Claudio Meneghini from CPIA Monza Brianza and Raffaele Cavaliere from CPIA Caserta shared insights from their respective RETAP networks (Territorial Networks for Lifelong Learning). These networks exemplify regional efforts to build sustainable ecosystems for adult learning and demonstrated how localised approaches can create impactful outcomes.

Further enriching the discussion were presentations by Fausta Scardigno from the University of Bari, who shared the achievements of the Centro per l’Apprendimento Permanente (Centre for Lifelong Learning), and Lorenza Venturi of INDIRE (Italian Erasmus+ Agency), who introduced Erasmus+ initiatives for promoting adult education opportunities. Fabrizio Dacrema of Forum Terzo Settore and Daniela Venturi of RISCAT Toscana highlighted the role of community and third-sector organisations in enhancing adult education through collaborative frameworks.

The audience played an active role during the open discussion session moderated by Vittoria Gallina from GNAP. This segment allowed participants to ask questions, share insights, and engage directly with the speakers. The lively exchange underscored the diverse perspectives and challenges faced by stakeholders in adult education.

To close the event, Sylvia Liuti from FORMA.Azione and GNAP representatives synthesised the key takeaways, paving the way for future initiatives. The discussions revealed a clear need for a more structured and sustainable system to support lifelong learning. Identifying best practices, addressing resource gaps and strengthening collaboration were among the highlighted priorities.

On 26 November, 11.00-12.30, the Latvian Association for Adult Education in cooperation with the project “EPALE National Support Service” implemented by the Ministry of Education and Science organised a webinar on “Adult participation in education: challenges and solutions”.

The webinar for adult educators and other stakeholders, “Engaging adults in education: challenges and solutions,” addressed issues of engaging adults with low basic skills in education and planning for engagement, provided examples of good practices from local careers advisors, and discussed the importance of critical thinking in adult education.

Representatives of the Latvian Association for Adult Education and experts from the State Education Development Agency addressed the webinar.

On December 23, 2024, the Euro Adult Education Association (Romania) hosted an online webinar to disseminate the key findings of the Partner UP Upskilling Pathways project. The session brought together stakeholders from adult education, policy, and community organizations to reflect on the project’s impact and discuss next steps.

Main Outcomes:

🔹 Policy Analysis & Stakeholder Engagement: Participants explored the role of decision-makers in implementing Upskilling Pathways, emphasizing the need for stronger collaboration between policymakers and education providers.

🔹 Development Groups & Implementation Plan: The discussion highlighted the importance of localized action plans, tailored to address the specific needs of different learner groups. The Roadmap for Implementation was presented, outlining strategies to improve adult learning opportunities across Europe.

🔹 Challenges & Best Practices: Participants identified common barriers to participation, including lack of confidence, digital literacy gaps, and practical constraints such as childcare and financial limitations. Solutions discussed included wraparound support services, micro-credentials for soft skills, and enhanced community outreach to engage learners effectively.

🔹 Next Steps: The session reinforced the need for continued collaboration and policy alignment to ensure that Upskilling Pathways initiatives are accessible, inclusive, and impactful.

The event concluded with a call to action for increased stakeholder engagement and further research into innovative strategies for upskilling and reskilling adult learners.

On February 7, 2025, AONTAS hosted an insightful webinar as part of the Partner UP project, focusing on the implementation of the EU’s Upskilling Pathways initiative. The event brought together adult education experts, policymakers, and community organizations to discuss strategies for increasing participation in lifelong learning.

Aoife Crawford, Research and Policy Officer at the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA), presented key findings from the OECD’s 2023 Survey of Adult Skills in Ireland. The data highlighted persistent challenges in literacy, numeracy, and digital skills, with 21% of adults performing at or below Level 1 in literacy and 25% in numeracy. These gaps underscore the urgent need for targeted upskilling efforts.

Discussions also explored the role of community networks in bridging skills gaps, building confidence among learners, and addressing barriers such as childcare, financial constraints, and digital literacy. The webinar emphasized the need for stronger adult learning systems and policies that support inclusive education pathways.