Author: PM

How can policymakers and implementers involve regional partners, education providers and other organisations to build a sustainable support system for adult learning?

On 14 June, the State Education Development Agency (SEEDA) and the Latvian Association for Adult Education (LPIA) organised a virtual study visit within the Erasmus+ centralised project “Partnerships and cooperations for Upskilling Pathways” or “PartnerUP,” which involves adult education organisations and agencies. The visit was to learn about experiences and examples of good practices from different countries in Europe.

During the virtual visit, the project partners were introduced to the adult education system in Latvia. Ms Jelena Muhina, senior expert at the Department of Vocational and Adult Education, Ministry of Education and Science, gave the project participants insights into developing adult education policy and providing support measures in Latvia.

VIAA has a long-standing experience in coordinating adult education through the implementation of the European Social Fund project “Improvement of Professional Competence of Employed Persons”. Zanda Rutkovska, Head of the Lifelong Learning Analytics and Support Unit of the VIAA, told more about the project results, cooperation with local governments and involved partners, as well as innovations in the development of adult education and the provision of professional qualification development opportunities in the next (2024-2029) period.

Adult education increasingly focuses on digital skills. One of the most active organisations in this field is Riga TechGirls, which regularly launches new online programmes for everyone, especially inspiring women. Aiva Stanevich, founder and board member of the organisation, stressed the need to strengthen digital skills among women in every sector for equality, community building, and stronger cross-sector collaboration. Ingus Zitmanis, Director of the BUTS Training Centre, shared the company’s experience providing vocational training opportunities for adults, giving practical examples of successful public-private cooperation and noting the challenges that must be addressed.

At the end of the seminar, Oksana Sorochina, Project Manager of the EPALE Latvia National Support Service, told the participants about the annual tradition of the adult educators’ community – the non-formal adult education award “Sun Boat”, which is open to educational institutions and organisations working in the field of non-formal adult education, ensuring a consistently high-quality learning process and promoting the development of non-formal adult education in Latvia.

The Latvian experience has generated interest and stimulated discussion among representatives of partner organisations on how policymakers and implementers can involve regional partners, education providers and other organisations in developing a coordinated and systematic approach to streamlining and improving adult learners’ skills development opportunities.

The Hellenic Adult Education Association hosted the 7th online study visit under the European project PARTNER UP framework. Discussions with project partners focused on upgrading pathways in Greece, with presentations from INE-GSEE, GSEVEE, KETHEA, KETHEA EXODOS, the 1st Second Chance School of Koridallos, and the Second Chance School of Korydallos Prison. These initiatives highlighted opportunities available for individuals with low qualifications.

Key Challenges
Previous study visits revealed that many challenges are common across partner countries. A significant issue is the lack of functional synergies among organizations and stakeholders involved in Upskilling Pathways. Often, these collaborations are ineffective or entirely absent, affecting the continuity and impact of upskilling initiatives. Additionally, changes in government frequently lead to abrupt shifts in strategies, disrupting efforts and making long-term planning difficult.

Insights from Greece and Beyond
Good practices from other countries, such as Cyprus and Romania, offered valuable insights, enabling partners to better understand Greece’s progress and challenges. While Greece has made efforts to address these issues, strong synergies among relevant bodies remain limited. As a result, the good practices presented from Greece are exceptions rather than widespread examples.

The exchange of knowledge during the study visit enriched participants’ understanding of approaches implemented in different countries. Many parallels and potential areas for collaboration were identified, providing partners with inspiration to adopt and adapt effective practices to their contexts.

Key Takeaways

• Collaboration among organizations and stakeholders can be challenging but becomes productive when based on shared goals and flexible frameworks.
• Training programs should be tailored to learners’ needs and aligned with labor market demands, using engaging methods.
• Additional funding is necessary to support the implementation of Upskilling Pathways.

The study visit underscored the importance of addressing common challenges collaboratively and leveraging good practices to build sustainable Upskilling Pathways.

Special thanks to all speakers and participants for their valuable contributions!

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

1. Welcome and Overview
   The visit began with a welcome and agenda overview.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Peer Learning and Reflections
   Participants discussed lessons learned and identified elements to adapt to their contexts. The session emphasized peer learning and knowledge exchange.
5. 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.

The fifth PartnerUp Study Visit was held in Cyprus between February 14th and 16th, 2024. During the three-day visit, partners explored successful strategies and approaches for promoting upskilling and lifelong learning in Cyprus and across Europe.

During the study visit, CARDET gave a presentation about its mission and role in adult learning while delving into the AdultDigitalUp project. This project, which focuses specifically on upskilling and reskilling the digital skills of adults, has also developed an interactive platform, which partners had the opportunity to navigate. By emphasizing the potential of technology-enabled learning solutions, CARDET provides flexible, accessible, and personalised learning opportunities that cater to diverse learner needs and preferences.

Apart from understanding the role of CARDET in adult learning, partners also had the opportunity to understand the pivotal role of HRDA in facilitating Upskilling Pathways, through its administration of various funding schemes and initiatives aimed at promoting lifelong learning and skills development among adults in Cyprus. Through these schemes, HRDA provides financial support and incentives to individuals, employers, and training providers to participate in training and upskilling activities, encouraging the uptake of formal and non-formal learning opportunities. Furthermore, the HRDA’s efforts to align training programs with labour market needs and industry demand ensure that participants acquire relevant, in-demand skills and conducive to sustainable employment and career progression. Through this study visit, partners will potentially draw connections with their country, seeking similar funding schemes that aim to draw connections between adult learning and the labour market.

Also, partners had the opportunity to visit the Cyprus Productivity Centre (CPC). The CPC plays a crucial role in promoting Upskilling Pathways by offering a range of training programs and initiatives to enhance the skills and competencies of the adult workforce in Cyprus. Through vocational training courses, workshops, and seminars, the CPC provides opportunities for adults to acquire new skills, update existing ones, and adapt to changing labour market demands. By focusing on digital literacy, entrepreneurship, and soft skills development, the CPC equips individuals with the necessary tools to pursue career advancement and participate more effectively in the workforce. Additionally, the CPC’s emphasis on practical, hands-on learning experiences ensures that participants gain relevant and applicable skills that directly contribute to their employability and overall productivity. During the study visit, partners were given a presentation by a CPC officer who explained the organisation’s role. Also, partners had the opportunity to observe an actual class course and discuss it with the trainer and the participants. Partners observed two courses, one for the elderly focusing on digital skills and one for employees on health and safety matters.

Finally, a senior officer of the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth, European and International Affairs Office, delivered a presentation on adult education in Cyprus. The presentation provided insights into the historical development of education in Cyprus and the emergence of adult education across all levels of education, primary, secondary, tertiary/higher. The presentation highlighted how adult education is fragmented in Cyprus. At the same time, it stresses the role of the European and International Affairs Office, which aims to serve as the focal point for managing issues related to Lifelong Learning and Adult Education. By integrating the perspectives and contributions of the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth, European and International Affairs Office into the discussion, partners gained a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted approach that Cyprus is taking to advance Upskilling Pathways and foster lifelong learning opportunities for its adult population.

Overall, the study visit in Cyprus offered an exemplary knowledge-sharing platform and best practice exchange. It also marked another key milestone for the PartnerUp project as it continues its work towards developing tangible tools and strategies to further support and promote lifelong learning opportunities across the EU.

The PartnerUp project focuses on Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement for Upskilling Pathways and recently hosted its second online European Study Visit on January 23rd 2024. The online event served as a platform to gather key insights into institutional perspectives, the influential role of social partners, and the vital engagement of the social sector for the effective implementation of Upskilling Pathways.

Sofie Doskorova (the Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs, and Inclusion at the European Commission) shared invaluable institutional perspectives, providing a comprehensive understanding of the foundations necessary for successful upskilling initiatives.

Rosella Benedetti (Federazione UILSCUOLA RUA) delved into the crucial involvement of the social sector, highlighting strategies and positive outcomes for upskilling pathways.

Robbie Stakelum (Social Platform) explored the crucial involvement of the social sector in upskilling pathways. Stakelum discussed strategies and positive outcomes, underlining the significance of the social sector’s active participation in the overall process.

The PartnerUp project is dedicated to enhancing the implementation of Upskilling Pathways for the benefit of adult learners, aiming to increase their participation in lifelong learning opportunities. The project employs methods such as peer learning and study visits, allowing partners to learn from one another and transfer successful practices to their respective contexts. The study visits facilitate the exchange of knowledge and best practices, offering participants insights into different structures in partner countries and various ways of engagement with partners, stakeholders, and adult learners. The next face-to-face study visit is scheduled to take place in Nicosia, Cyprus, on February 14th, 15th and 16th, with CARDET serving as the host organisation.