The European Commission has just published a call for proposals with the aim of helping Member States to prepare the implementation of the Recommendation “Upskilling Pathways: new opportunities for adults”.

Full information about the call (reference VP/2017/011) can be found here. An information session in the format of a webinar will take place on 16th May from 14:00 to 16:00 (Brussels time). More details will follow soon on the call webpage and you can already send an email to empl-vp-2017-011@ec.europa.eu if you wish to sign up for this webinar.

The Recommendation aims to support low skilled individuals (whether in employment, unemployed or economically inactive) to improve their literacy, numeracy or digital skills or progress towards higher qualifications relevant on the labour market by supporting access to upskilling pathways.

An “Upskilling Pathway” is a progression through 3 steps for low-qualified and/or low-skilled individuals, along with outreach, guidance and support measures:

• Skills assessment: find out what knowledge and skills they already possess and have them recognised and identify any gaps
• Tailored learning offer meeting the needs identified by the skills assessment, delivered in close cooperation with relevant stakeholders and with flexible approaches, adapted to adult learners
• Validation and recognition of the newly acquired skills, which may be the first step towards a new qualification.

Successful applicants will receive funding for activities that prepare the ground for the implementation of “Upskilling Pathways” (e.g. by taking stock of existing provision and identifying any gaps, by identifying priority groups etc) and to foster sustainable arrangements for its implementation (e.g. by supporting stakeholders to disseminate information, by capacity building etc).

Applicants must be public entities in charge of national or regional policies and actions for upskilling adults; co-applicants can be public or private entities (profit-making or non-profit making) involved in the organisation, financing or provision of services such as skills assessment, validation, education and training and guidance targeted to adults.

The budget for the Call is €1 000 000 (minimum grant request: €250 000; maximum co-financing rate: 80%). It is estimated that a max of 4 projects could be supported.

The deadline for submitting proposals is 30 June 2017. Funded actions should start in late 2017 or early 2018.

Please address any questions to empl-vp-2017-011@ec.europa.eu.