Innovating Basic Skills Training for Vulnerable Adults: Flexible Formats, Learner-Centred Methods and Scalable Solutions
ESF+ Community of Practice on Employment, Education and Skills is organising the webinar āInnovating Basic Skills Training for Vulnerable Adults ā, which will take place on 12 March 2026 from 10:00 to 12:00 CET.
This online peer review event will bring together ESF+ stakeholders, Managing Authorities, practitioners, and experts in adult learning to explore innovative approaches to basic skills training for vulnerable groups. The main target group are adults with low basic skills who are affected by socioeconomic disadvantage, limited prior educational attainment and are out-of-labour force or at risk of labour-market exclusion.
The aim of the webinar is to:
- Examine innovative learning formats, pedagogical approaches and assessment methods that enhance participation and success among vulnerable adult learners
- Explore how training programmes can combine functional and critical skills, real-life relevance and psychosocial support
- Identify transferable practices and discuss conditions for scaling up successful initiatives within ESF+ and national systems
The event is dedicated to:
- ESF+ Managing Authorities responsible for the design, funding and monitoring of adult basic skills programmes
- ESF+ Implementing Organisations and training providers delivering basic skills education
- policy-makers, experts and stakeholders engaged in upskilling, reskilling and lifelong learning initiatives, including organisations working with migrants and other vulnerable groups
Download Agenda
Draft agenda
| Time (CET) | Topic and speaker |
|---|---|
| 09:45 - 10:00 |
Technical set-up and virtual welcome coffee
|
| 10:00 - 10:10 |
Opening and Welcome
Rasa MiceviÄienÄ, Coordinator of the Community of Practice on Employment, Education and Skills
ZoltƔn VƔrkonyi, Secretary General, European Basic Skills Network Jƶrg Markowitsch, Thematic expert of the Community of Practice on Employment, Education and Skills |
| 10:10 - 10:20 |
European Policies for Basic Skills for Adults
Klara Engels-Perenyi, Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, European Commission
|
| 10:20 - 10:40 |
Ireland’s Adult Literacy for Life Strategy & Using VR Technology to Support Job Seekers
Angela Boyle Shafer, SOLAS & Clare Campbell, Adult Literacy Organiser, City of Dublin FET College Ballymun, Ireland
|
| 10:40 - 10:50 |
Q & A
moderated by MƔrton Csillag, Thematic expert of the Community of Practice on Employment, Education and Skills
|
| 10:50 - 11:10 |
Austria’s “Level Up” Basic Skills Programme & Combining Learning, Childcare, and Family Support
Eva Steinheimer, 3s Research & Consulting & Julia Maier-Lehner, Project Basic Education, Interface Vienna, Austria
|
| 11:10 - 11:20 |
Q & A
moderated by MƔrton Csillag, Thematic expert of the Community of Practice on Employment, Education and Skills
|
| 11:20 - 11:55 |
Panel Discussion
Amira Bieber, Pro Arbeit - Kreis Offenbach & Chair of the Community of Practice on Migrant Integration
Brikena Xhomaqi, Director LLL Platform & member of the Steering Group of the Community of Practice on Employment, Education and Skills Julia Maier-Lehner, Project Basic Education, Interface Vienna, Austria Klara Engels-Perenyi, DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion Maria Riordan, SOLAS, Ireland Moderated by Jƶrg Markowitsch, Thematic expert of the Community of Practice on Employment, Education and Skills |
| 11:55 - 12:00 |
Closing
Rasa MiceviÄienÄ, Coordinator of the Community of Practice on Employment, Education and Skills
|