Main funding principles 

The legal framework of adult education is stipulated in the Education Code, as part of lifelong learning. Adult education is carried out on the basis of the Regulation on adult education, approved by the Government.

Adult education is financed from:

• the state budget, 

• funds paid by individuals and legal entities, 

• funds from professional associations and patronages, 

• sponsorships, 

• donations, 

• tuition fees, 

• personal contributions, 

• external funds (projects),

• other legal sources. 

Adult education programmes that respond to special local development needs are the responsibility of first and second level local public administration authorities and can be financed from local budgets.

Adult education providers operate in a financial and economic self-management mode.

The programmes dedicated to special categories of learners, financed from the public budget, target in particular the unemployed individuals, the disabled people, national minorities, teaching staff, civil servants, etc.

Continuous professional training of teachers

Government Decision 807/2023 regarding the organisation and operation of the National Institute for Education and Leadership (INEL)

The Education Code provides the right, guaranteed by the state, to professional training internships in the field of teaching, at least once every 3 years, as well as the obligation of professional training for teaching staff. The creation, in 2024, of INEL aims to boost the continuous training of teaching staff through the network of 1000 mentors.

Funding of the institute's activity:

a) Subsidies and grants from the state budget through the Ministry of Education and Research;

b) Continuous training services and other consultancy services offered with payment;

c) Donations and internationally financed projects, other legal sources.

European funding plays a major role in the development of this type of professional training.

Vocational training as part of active employment measures is regulated by the Government Decision for the approval of procedures regarding access to employment measures. It is achieved by:

• Voucher-based vocational training courses;

• On-the-job training within the unit;

• Professional internships;

• Certification of knowledge and skills acquired in non-formal and informal education contexts.

Vocational training of the unemployed through voucher-based courses

The jobless persons can benefit from a single professional training course for free within a period of 24 consecutive months. Unemployed people who have completed the courses receive free of charge study documents.

The "Voucher for Professional Training" platform facilitates the management of training programmes. It operates by providing vouchers that support professional development and skill enhancement for individuals, streamlining access to educational resources and training opportunities.

The voucher is nominal, on paper or in electronic format, issued by ANOFM through the "Voucher for Professional Training" Platform, which can only be used by the holder of the voucher for the procurement of services training. The value of the voucher constitutes the average market amount of the professional training course for the respective profession, established on the basis of at least three offers from providers registered on the "Voucher for Professional Training" Platform. Only one voucher is used for each vocational training course.

Professional training for unemployed individuals through a voucher-based system is prioritised according to labour market demand, assessed by the ANOFM. This process is based on labour market forecasts, analyses, studies, and research, as well as requests from employers and unemployed individuals seeking professional training courses.

The annual number of unemployed individuals receiving professional training vouchers is determined based on the allocated budget for the year. This allocation aligns with employment indicators set by the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection for the ANOFM. Training expenses for the unemployed are funded within the limits of the approved annual budget.

Unemployed individuals can select professional training courses with costs exceeding the nominal value of their voucher. In such cases, they must cover the difference between the course fee and the voucher amount themselves.

The ANOFM covers the following expenses for unemployed individuals' professional training through courses:

• Training costs based on the voucher, paid to the service provider.
• A non-taxable monthly allowance equal to 35% of the average gross monthly wage from the previous year, granted proportionally based on attendance at the professional training courses.

Funding expenses for on-the-job training

The expenses related to on-the-job training of unemployed individuals are financed within the limits of the budget allocations approved annually. The covered expenses include:

• Training and monitoring costs: theoretical training and monitoring during practical training, conducted by the employer as per the professional training service contract.

• Monthly allowance: a non-taxable monthly allowance of 35% of the average gross monthly wage from the previous year, provided to the trainee proportionally based on attendance.

• Monthly subsidy: a monthly subsidy equal to 30% of the average gross monthly wage from the previous year, paid to the employer for each trainee throughout the duration of practical training.

These provisions aim to support both the trainees and employers during the training process, ensuring effective skill development and practical experience.

Carrying out the professional internship

The unemployed individuals can benefit from a professional internship for free in the profession (trade or occupation) held only once.

The professional internship of the unemployed includes the following expenses:

• Non-taxable monthly scholarship, equal to 35% of the average monthly salary in the economy for the previous year, which is granted to the unemployed trainee in proportion to the attendance at the professional internship programme;

• Monthly subsidy, equal to 30% of the average monthly salary in the economy for the previous year, for the entire duration of the internship, for each unemployed trainee, paid to the employer.

The expenses related to the professional internship are financed within the limits of the budget allocations approved annually.

Certification of knowledge and skills acquired in non-formal and informal education contexts The ANOFM covers expenses related to the certification of knowledge and skills acquired in non-formal and informal education for unemployed individuals. ANOFM pays service providers for the certification process, ensuring that the costs of evaluating these skills are covered.

Additionally, ANOFM reimburses unemployed individuals for public transportation expenses incurred while traveling from their place of residence to the certification service provider. This reimbursement is based on the travel tickets submitted by the unemployed person and covers each route between their residence and the location of the certification service provider. The reimbursement for transportation costs is processed after the certification exam, including in cases where the exam is not taken.

The expenses related to the certification of knowledge and skills acquired in non-formal and informal education contexts are financed within the limits of the budget allocations approved annually.

Professional rehabilitation of people with disabilities

Professional rehabilitation is a service that aims to restore, recover, or compensate for the disordered functions of the body and the work capacity of people with disabilities. This service is organised by specialized institutions and centres dedicated to professional rehabilitation. Disabled job seekers registered with the National Employment Agency (ANOFM) are referred to these centres through regional employment subdivisions.

Professional rehabilitation involves a range of measures, including educational interventions, to facilitate the social and professional integration of individuals with disabilities. This process follows an individual rehabilitation and social inclusion programme developed by the National Council for Disability and Work Capacity Assessment.

Disabled job seekers are eligible for free professional rehabilitation services once every 24 months. 

The annual number of beneficiaries is determined based on the budget allocated for that year and the employment indicators set by the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection for the National Employment Agency (ANOFM).

The cost and duration of professional rehabilitation services are set according to the Government Decision on providing rehabilitation services at the Republican Experimental Center for Prosthetics, Orthopaedics, and Rehabilitation, along with other relevant regulations. 

Expenses for the professional rehabilitation of unemployed individuals are financed within the limits of the annually approved budget allocations.

The national programme for studying the Romanian language

The national programme for studying the Romanian language, approved by the government, is also intended for adults who want to improve their knowledge or study the Romanian language from the very beginning. The courses are free, expenses are covered from the state budget.

The courses are organized both in person and online, in several regions of the Republic of Moldova, established according to the requests submitted by the applicants. About 2.5 thousand teachers and managers from general education institutions and about 4 thousand adults from various professional categories (justice, medicine, arts, central and local public administration, etc.), including refugees from Ukraine, are trained annually through this programme.

Source: Ministry of Education and Research (Accessed on 08.08.2024)

Fees paid by learners

Adults who are trained under state, employer, unemployment insurance, sponsorship or other funded programmes do not pay training fees. There are some exceptions – for example, unemployed people who have selected vocational training courses whose price exceeds the nominal value of the voucher, will cover the difference between the course fee and the value of the voucher from their own account.

Adults who are trained outside of programmes funded from the sources mentioned above pay tuition fees.

More details in the chapter above: Funding.

Financial support for adult learners

Vouchers, scholarships, subsidies, allowances

Unemployed people who follow vocational training through voucher-based courses, are trained at the workplace or carry out a professional internship within programmes financed from the public budget, benefit from a non-taxable monthly scholarship, a monthly subsidy, as described in the chapter above: Funding.

Tax incentives

The Fiscal Code allows the deduction of expenses borne and determined by the employer for the employee's transport, food and professional studies, including expenses related to the organisation and implementation of vocational training programmes through dual education.

Fully or partially paid study leaves

The terms and conditions for granting study leaves and compensation to employees, who combine work with studies, are established by a regulation approved by the Government. 

Employees sent by the employer to provisionally authorized or accredited study programmes are granted reduced working hours, additional holidays with full or partial maintenance of the average salary, and other facilities.

Employees enrolled in vocational and higher (cycles I and II) education institutions are entitled to additional paid holidays. During these holidays, they receive 75% of their average salary from their primary job. 

For people studying part-time in upper-secondary institutions (instituții liceale), during the year they are granted paid leave (no more than 36 days) with 50% of the average salary at the primary job.

People who study individually and are admitted to the graduation exams in upper-secondary institutions benefit from an additional paid leave, lasting up to 30 calendar days, with 75% of the average salary at the primary job. 

Travel expenses for employees who combine work with studies

Employees who combine work with studies at higher and vocational education institutions are entitled to have their round-trip travel expenses covered by their employer once a year. This applies to both railway and public road transport. The employer bears the full cost of these travel expenses, provided the employee presents the necessary travel documents. This support aims to facilitate the continuous education and professional development of employees while they maintain their work commitments.

Subsidies for private providers

After selecting the providers of professional training services following the conduct of public procurement, the National Employment Agency (ANOFM) concludes contracts for the purchase of professional training services according to the legislation, within the limits of the budget allocations approved annually.