Strategic approach to upskilling and(re)training of the workforce in long-term care (LTC).

• The approach adopted by Care4Skills is based on transnational cooperation, as well as cooperation between different sectors and disciplines. In particular, Care4Skills brings together 6 European platforms and national bodies from 10 countries (BE, BU, CZ, FI, FR, GR, HU, IT, NL, ES), which represent both long-term care service providers (in the field of elderly care and support for people with disabilities) as well as Vocational Education and Training bodies. In addition, 2 Higher Education Institutions and 1 certification body participate.
• The program will focus on two key skill areas that are considered critical for the sector: people-centric and digital skills
• To achieve its goals, Care4Skills will develop new training programmes, certify acquired skills and create a European long-term care skills strategy.
• The project will be implemented over a period of 4 years (1 March 2024 - 29 February 2028)
• Overall, the project is expected to have a positive impact on both the provision of care services and the quality of life of the people who receive them

The project will primarily focus on two main skills axes:

• Digital skills: with the aim of strengthening the ability of IT professionals to make the most of the digital transformation, integrating into their daily practice the use of supporting technologies and digital tools (e.g. mobile tablet devices, artificial intelligence, digital work processes, etc.). The aim is to improve the efficiency and quality of care provided, while at the same time facilitating the "green" transition of the sector and its long-term environmental sustainability.

• Person-centered skills that can also be seen as "resilience skills": (Re)training the workforce based on the principles of person-centered care in HF with the aim of strengthening individualized approaches by abandoning older, established and anachronistic training models ( purely biomedical, universal). By strengthening people-centred skills workers are expected to better respond to evolving care needs, manage change (providing services to the community or residents) and provide a higher quality of care.

• FINAL GOAL is the substantial empowerment of employees, through the improvement of their skills, so that they can apply modern digital tools and offer care services adapted to individual characteristics, with respect to the wishes and needs of the beneficiaries.

• The increasing demand for MH services due to the progressive aging of the population makes it imperative to strengthen the workforce.
• Changing conditions and the impact of COVID-19 have highlighted the need for flexibility and adaptability of the MF workforce.
• The existing skills gap in the field of HF, especially in the areas of digital transformation and the human-centred care delivery model, is a significant barrier to the provision of quality services.

• Creation and implementation of a training program to immediately respond to the urgent needs that emerged due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the aim of (re)training and upgrading the human-centered and digital skills of 1500 frontline workers in the MF, in the 10 European countries participating in the project, the 1st year of its implementation.
• Gathering Information on current and future skills needs in the field of long-term care and developing a common methodology to monitor developments around the supply and demand of skills in the field.
• Recognition of Professional Profiles of employees in the MF. Identifying existing profiles in need of upgrading as well as creating new ones suitable to respond to emerging needs, determining the required skill levels and ensuring a highly qualified workforce.
• Design of new professional training programs aligned with the evolving professional profiles in the field of MF. The training program will comply with the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) and utilize innovative teaching methods.
• Ensuring broad employee participation and accessibility of new curriculum materials, which will be freely available online through MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses).
• Development and Certification of study programs with the aim of their adoption at the European level, ensuring their quality and reliability.
• Adopting a European Strategy for Skills in Health Care: Ensuring the long-term sustainability and widespread implementation of the Care4Skills project. The project will seek to keep the issue of IT skills high on the European political agenda.
• Expansion of the European Partnership by inviting new members to participate at national and European level.
• Securing financial resources to expand the effectiveness and continue the project after the end of its 4-year implementation.

• Social workers
• Social care workers
• Nursing staff
• Directors of social welfare services

Care4Skills is set to deliver benefits on multiple levels, empowering all involved members employed in HF:

• For beneficiaries: Enhanced well-being and satisfaction, personalized care adapted to their needs, participation in decision-making, a greater sense of security.
• For providers: Improved quality of care, implementation of updated, best practices, reduction of staff attrition, attraction of new talent, increase of job satisfaction and engagement, creation of an attractive work environment.
• For employees: Increased satisfaction, specialized training and development of new skills, professional development, preparation for the future demands of the sector.
• For Europe: Increasing employability in the care sector, improving the quality of services provided, harnessing innovation and technology, creating a sustainable long-term care system, strengthening social cohesion.