PEO/1162/PEO_P9/OP4/ESO4.7/PEO_A36 - Conturi personale de învățare – Inovare prin formare (ILA), Smis 365749
Project title:
individual Learning Accounts – Innovation through Training (ILA)
Cod SMIS: 365749
The project is co-financed by the European Union through the Education and Employment Programme 2021–2027, Priority: P9, Specific Objective: ESO 4.7, Action 9.g.5: Implementation of the "Keep up" ("Ține pasul") programme.
OVERVIEW
Overview & Objectives
"Individual Learning Accounts – Innovation through Training (ILA)", SMIS code 365749, is a project implemented under the Education and Employment Program 2021–2027, piloting a new mechanism for accessing and participating in continuous vocational training within Romania's construction sector.
The project aims to develop and test an Individual Learning Account (ILA) scheme through which access to vocational training is centered around individual skill development needs and real labor market demands.
The construction sector thus serves as the pilot sector for testing the ILA mechanism in Romania. Over its 40-month implementation period (September 1, 2026 – December 31, 2029), the project will cover the entire process: from analyzing international models and assessing sector needs to developing the digital ILA platform, selecting and counselling participants, conducting training programs, evaluating impact, and formulating a public policy proposal.
The project is implemented in partnership by the Ministry of Labour, Family, Youth and Social Solidarity, as Leader, the Social House of Builders, Partner 1, and the National Institute for Scientific Research in the field of Labour and Social Protection, Partner 2. The partnership thus brings together institutional public policy competence, research and analysis expertise and direct access to employers and employees in the construction sector.
Developing and piloting, within Romania’s construction sector, a mechanism of individual learning accounts (ILA), to facilitate employees' access to continuous professional training and the development of the skills needed in the labor market.
Specific objectives
Analysing international models and best practices on individual learning accounts and adapting them to Romania's legislative, institutional, and socio-economic context.
THE ROLE OF The Social House of Builders (CSC)
The Social House of Builders (CSC), as Partner 1, ensures the direct link between the project and the construction sector, contributing to the development and testing of the ILA mechanism in response to the real needs of sector employers and employees.
Leveraging its experience and direct relationship with construction companies and workers, CSC is involved throughout the entire pilot life cycle: from analysing international models and identifying training needs to informing and engaging participants, testing the ILA mechanism, participating in training activities, and evaluating outcomes.
Within the project, CSC mainly contributes to:
• analysing and adapting international models and best practices on individual learning accounts;
• researching training needs and consulting employees, employers and training providers in the sector;
• informing about and promoting the ILA mechanism at the level of the construction sector;
• organizing territorial activities and site visits;
• identifying, engaging and selecting employers, employees and training providers involved in the pilot;
• supporting the implementation of training programmes and monitoring the participation of beneficiaries;
• contributing to the evaluation of the pilot mechanism and to the formulation of recommendations for its expansion.
The Social House of Builders (CSC)
represents the sectoral component of the project, facilitating the testing of the ILA mechanism in a real environment and integrating the practical experience of construction employers and employees into the solution that will form the basis of the future public policy proposal.
Activities and results
The ILA project aims to develop, test and evaluate a mechanism of individual learning accounts in the construction sector. Project activities cover the entire spectrum, from analyzing international experiences and identifying sector needs to the actual piloting of the mechanism, employee vocational training, and substantiating a future public policy.
A1. Analysis of International Models and ILA Scheme Development
The project begins with analyzing international experiences and models of individual learning accounts, holding consultations with experts, and conducting study visits. At least 8 international models will be comparatively analyzed and the results will be used for the design of an ILA scheme tailored to Romania’s construction sector. The proposed scheme will be discussed across 8 regional focus groups, with a minimum of 25 participants each, leading to a proposal for applying the mechanism at both sectoral and national levels.
A2. Analysis of sector needs and feasibility study
Employees, employers and vocational training providers will be directly involved in substantiating the ILA mechanism through quantitative and qualitative research. The surveys will target at least 1.200 employees and 600 employers; at a later stage, a minimum of 210 employers and 126 training providers will contribute to evaluating the proposed functionalities for the ILA platform. Collected data will support the feasibility study for implementing the ILA scheme in the construction sector.
A3. Information, Awareness and Sector Engagement
Information and promotion activities targeting employees, employers and other relevant stakeholders will run throughout the implementation period. The project includes information and awareness campaigns, 42 county-level events and 42 site visits to bring the ILA mechanism and training opportunities directly to companies and workers.
A4. Development of the ILA Digital Platform
A dedicated digital platform for individual learning accounts will be developed to operationalize and test the mechanism. The platform will enable individual accounts management, access to training provider and course information, tracking of fund utilization, training history logs, as well as monitoring and reporting. The project foresees the creation of 3.000 individual learning accounts and user onboarding for platform access and usage.
A5. Selection and Counselling of Participants
Distinct selection methodologies will be developed for employers, employees, and vocational training providers. The pilot will involve at least 105 employers, 518 construction employees, and 23 training providers. Employees will also receive career information and counseling services, yielding at least 518 personalized training recommendations.
A6. Vocational Training through the ILA mechanism
The mechanism will be field-tested by enrolling the selected employees in vocational training programs. Key outputs include mapping the vocational training ecosystem, delivering 37 training programs, and certifying at least 518 graduates.
A7. Pilot Evaluation and Substantiation of Public Policy
Pilot results will be evaluated to assess the efficiency, relevance, sustainability, and scalability of the ILA mechanism. An impact evaluation report, a set of recommendations, and a financial mechanism will be produced, with lessons learned forming the core of a public policy proposal for introducing ILAs sectorally and nationally. The proposal will be discussed across 4 public consultation sessions involving at least 100 total participants.
A8. Management, Communication and Visibility
Implementation is supported throughout the project lifetime by management, monitoring, procurement, reporting, communication, and dissemination activities. These ensure partnership coordination, tracking of metrics/results, transparent delivery and stakeholder engagement. The funding application explicitly mandates transferring and leveraging results for authorities, social partners, employers, training providers and other relevant bodies.
