According to the Regulation on Adult Education,  adult education providers are public or private legal entities that can offer general education services, initial and continuous professional training for adults, in compliance with professional training standards and legislation.

In the Republic of Moldova, around 300 adult education service providers were active in 2023, offering more than 700 continuing education programmes accredited by the Ministry of Education and Research of the Republic of Moldova. In the same year, approximately 16,250 adults completed continuing education programmes in various fields. The Ministry of Education and Research of the Republic of Moldova has published a list of Continuing Education Programmes authorised for temporary operation or accredited on its website.

Depending on the adult education framework (formal or non-formal), adult education service providers may vary. Adult education in the context of non-formal education can take place in the following institutions or organisations:

• extracurricular institutions;

• childcare and protection centres;

• enterprises;

• cultural institutions;

• professional, cultural, or trade associations;

• non-profit organisations;

• public or private community educational centres;

• all institutions that can provide formal adult education (listed below);

• other organisations.

In the context of non-formal education, adult education providers can issue participation certificates, which may later be part of a certification file for prior learning competencies.

Professional training of adults within formal education can be carried out in the following institutions or organisations:

• general, vocational, technical, and higher education institutions;

• public and private institutions or organisations that offer educational services and professional training programmes temporarily authorised or accredited;

• enterprises or organisations that provide their employees with temporarily authorised or accredited professional training programmes.

Requirements for adult professional training providers in the context of formal education:

• For temporary authorisation/accreditation, they must meet the following eligibility conditions:

  - be legally established;

  - have educational/professional training activities stipulated in their statute/operating regulations or founding document, as applicable;

  - fulfil their tax, fee, and contribution payment obligations according to the legislation in force;

  - provide proof of employing qualified staff appropriate to the field, with individual employment contracts;

  - develop and implement general adult education and/or professional training programmes in accordance with the methodological standards approved by the order of the Minister of Education and Research.

• They develop their programmes considering the current and prospective needs of the economically active population, employers, the labour market, job seekers, individuals directly engaged in household work or self-employment, individuals returning to work after a long break, contract soldiers, and citizens placed in reserve (retired), immigrants entering the country for permanent residence, unemployed people, individuals with special needs, and all those who wish to acquire and develop professional skills.

• They adapt programmes and technical conditions to the needs of people with special educational requirements, if they aim to train them as well.

• They conclude professional training contracts with participants in the programmes offered.