ZAGREB, 10 Dec 2021 - Lawmakers on Friday supported the better regulation of  adult education and life-long learning, expressing hope that new act under which vouchers to finance adult education and training will be introduced, will encourage adult education and retraining.

The 2030 target is to reach the EU average of 10.8% adult population covered by education, while Croatia's average is now 3.5% Science and Education Ministry's State Secretary, Tomislav Paljak told the parliament.

The bill has been proposed so that every adult citizen in the country can have access to education and retraining that will provide them with a better position on the labour market and consequently better social status, underscored Paljak.

One of the novelties in the bill is the introduction of vouchers to finance adult education and HRK 300 million has been earmarked for this scheme that will encompass about 30,000 beneficiaries by 2026. The vouchers can be used for all education levels of both employed and unemployed people, he explained.

Independent MP Marijana Petir asked if the measure would be available for residents in rural areas, with Paljak saying that that would be a difficult challenge but he believes, once the campaign starts it will reach everyone.

Dragana Jeckov (SDSS) said that there are about 600 institutions providing adult education with about 11,000 different programmes but they are obviously not achieving their set objectives. The labour market is yearning for certain occupations yet at the same time we have a lot of unemployed people.

The bill also regulates the obligation for permanent adaptation of adult education programmes in order to address the needs of the labour market and to monitor the quality of implementing programmes.

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ZAGREB, 22 July 2021 - The government on Thursday adopted the draft bill on adult education which will introduce significant changes in the adult education system, especially in terms of harmonizing education programs with the needs of the labor market and the quality of implementation of education programs.

Adult education in Croatia should be regulated in accordance with recent strategic documents adopted at the level of the European Union which underscore a significant role of the adult education system in the process of recovery and of the green and digital transition.

Key changes introduced by the new law include the recognition of non-formal and informal acquisition of knowledge and skills, financing lifelong learning through the Croatian Qualifications Framework Act with the aim of raising the quality and relevance of education programs, said Science and Education Minister Radovan Fuchs.

HRK 300 million to be made available for the education of 30,000 adults by 2026

A total of HRK 300 million has been earmarked for the education of 30,000 adults by 2026. The intention is to reach the EU average by 2030 because we are now at 3.5% in adult education, while the EU average is 10.8%.

Changes to the law are needed to better respond to the needs of the labor market and to help citizens gain a better social status through adult education, Fuchs said.

Also, the inclusion of low-skilled adults in lifelong learning is envisaged, as is the introduction of a system for ensuring the quality of adult education institutions.

(€1= HRK 7.5)

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