EPALE - Electronic Platform for Adult Learning in Europe

On February 1st and 2nd, 2023, the Agency for Vocational Education and Adult Education organized a study visit for representatives of countries on the PartnerUp project in Zagreb. Among the project partners is the Agency for Vocational and Adult Education (AVETAE) with representatives. The goal of the project is to develop better cooperation between key stakeholders in adult education that would contribute to better promotion of training programs, the commonly named Upskilling Pathways, in Europe. The main coordinator of the project is the EAEA (European Association for the Education of Adults) from Belgium, and the partners are the AVETAE and:

• AONTAS, Ireland
• Asociatia Euro Adult Education (ASOCIATIA), Romania
• CARDET, Ciprus
• EUCEN, Belgium
• FORMA.Azione srl, Italy
• Hellenic Adult Education Association (HAEA), Greece
• Latvian Adult Education Association (LAEA) , Latvia
• State Education Development Agency (VIAA), Latvia
• Adult education institution Dante, Croatia

During the two-day study visit, the participants had the opportunity to learn about the adult education system in Croatia.

The study visit began with a visit to Craft College Zagreb, where representatives of the college gave a presentation from which the participants could get information about the work of the college itself, the programs they implement, the projects they are involved in, the challenges and shortcomings they face in their work and the importance of the role of vouchers in the adult education system.

On the second day of the study visit, a round table was held in which some of the key representatives from adult education in Croatia took part. Among the stakeholders were representatives from:

• the Agency for Vocational and Adult Education
• Community for the Development of Human Resources and Adult Education (The Croatian Chamber of Commerce)
• Croatian Androgogy Society
• Ministry of Labour, Pension System, Family and Social Policy
• Experts in the field of adult education

During the round table, the participants were able to get information about the characteristics of the adult education system in Croatia, about the news that occurred with the adoption of the new Law on Adult Education, and about the new Quality Assurance System and the importance of the role of vouchers in adult education.

At the end, the participants gave positive feedback related to the study visit and expressed their satisfaction with the information they received, which will be useful for their further work and development.

The day before, the first partnership meeting of all the participants of the PartnerUp project was held, which also marked the beginning of project activities.