FeASibility of Implementing the Essential Skills Program for Adult EducatIon ORganizations, Educators, and Learners

The Erasmus+ KA210-ADU project seeks to pilot the Essential Skills Program (ESP) in Europe, enhancing soft skills for adult learners in Croatia and the Netherlands. Prompted by the Covid-19 pandemic's impact on work, necessitating remote skills, the project will adapt the U.S. ESP for European adult education. It will offer free training to young adults, the unemployed, and migrants, and aid NGO workers through soft skills assessment. Exe-Leren and Ambitio College are collaborating to tailor the ESP to European needs, aiming to improve staff competencies and education quality. Exe-Leren's involvement complements their ComPas platform, which showcases skills in various contexts, while Ambitio College will develop relevant training programs. The initiative promises mutual benefits through shared expertise, capacity enhancement, and essential skills development in line with labor market trends. It also supports the European Commission's green economy goals by fostering adaptable, resilient, and innovative skill sets.

The Erasmus+ project aims to adapt and test the U.S.-developed Essential Skills Program (ESP) within adult education sectors in Croatia and the Netherlands. The ESP is centered on enhancing soft skills, crucial in today's labor market. The project's ambition is to assess the feasibility of ESP in Europe, providing free access to young adults with low skills, the unemployed, and migrants, and equipping NGO workers with a robust soft skills assessment tool. The initiative intends to define the prerequisites for successful ESP implementation in Europe, ensuring it supports stakeholders in up-skilling and reskilling efforts. This is particularly focused on creating employment pathways that are aligned with labor market trends, including the burgeoning green job sector. The project targets a diverse group, including young adults, school dropouts, NEETs, and migrants facing labor market entry challenges, aiming to enhance their employability through improved soft skills.

The project activities centered on assessing the viability of the Essential Skills Program in Europe. 1. Analysis of the needs and problems of target groups: This involves documenting assumptions about stakeholder and adult learner reactions, defining expected needs, and beginning segmentation for targeted approaches. 2.Building and Testing with Minimum Viable Product (MVP): The project managers from both organizations determined the feasibility of ESP through access to essential skills training courses, use of self-reflection guides, and analysis of survey data. 3. Analyzing and Comparing Results: This step includes interviewing participants, analyzing feedback, and iterating based on the responses to refine the MVP. 4. Determining Feasibility, Desirability, and Viability: The Dutch partner will lead in reporting on the feasibility and implementation of ESP, with results shared across networks to benefit stakeholders. 5.Implementation of Surveys and Usability Testing: To evaluate the interaction of targeted ESP users with the program and to assess the achievement of project goals. 6. Small experiments: Conducted to test the value and growth potential of the project, ensuring it provides better value for money than alternatives.

Conducted a comprehensive feasibility study to evaluate the ESP's introduction across Europe. Developed and rigorously tested Minimum Viable Products (MVPs), including tailored adult training courses, a train-the-trainer program, and employer-focused soft skills assessments. Implemented detailed surveys and usability testing to measure ESP's user engagement and project objectives achievement. Actively engaged a diverse group of stakeholders, incl. adults, educators, & employers, to test and provide iterative feedback on the ESP, which informed further MVP development. Enhanced professional development through strengthened partnerships and improved staff competencies in evaluation methods and skills-based training approaches. Results & best practices were disseminated via the Erasmus+ results platform, EPALE, own websites and social media enhancing the ESP's visibility. Utilized project insights to inform future Erasmus+ project applications and to broaden the ESP's integration within European adult education organizations. Linked ESP learning outcomes with labor market data from Cedefop and EURES, ensuring the training provided aligns with current and emerging job market demands, particularly in sectors prioritizing green skills.