Enhancing cross-border cooperation to harmonize vocational training supply and labour market demand focusing on dual training

Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-A Romania-Hungary

Date of latest update: 2025-09-24

Description

Description (EN):

Enhancing cross-border cooperation to harmonize vocational training supply and labour market demand focusing on dual training – CROSSDUAL Common Challenge: The CROSSDUAL project intends to jointly tackle some common challenges of the programme area. The program area faces persistent labour market imbalances, including shortages of skilled labour in some sectors and structural unemployment in others. These challenges are exacerbated by an aging population and the economic impacts of external factors like the COVID-19 pandemic and energy price increases. Overall Objective: The project's overall objective is to strengthen mutual trust and foster cross-border cooperation between vocational education institutions, enterprises, and business support organizations in Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg and Satu Mare counties through joint actions and events focusing on dual training. This contributes to align vocational training programs with labour market needs, fostering demand-driven vocational education, and thereby in long term to the economic development in the border area. Main Outputs: - Complex labour market survey in both counties: conducting questionnaire surveys and focus group interviews among employers to understand their needs. - Cross-border dual vocational training action plan: development a plan based on the survey findings and a good practice catalogue (to be developed in the framework of the project too), that outlines the specific steps and activities required to harmonize vocational training with labour market demands. - Joint online database and website of a labour market forecasting system: creating a labour market database and a bilingual website to establish a balance between vocational training output and labour market input. - Cross-border Vocational Education Days in Hungary and in Romania: organisation of joint events to foster cross-border collaboration and knowledge exchange among vocational education stakeholders, including teachers and students as well. - Dissemination and networking workshop: organising a closing event to facilitating information sharing and foster collaboration and networking. - Communication tools: including websites, press releases, and marketing materials to promote project awareness, and printed publication highlighting project achievements. The project's outcomes will benefit various stakeholders, including vocational education institutions, enterprises and employers, students and young graduates, business support organizations and the local communities and public of both counties. Cross-border approach: The project adopts a cross-border approach due to the shared challenges faced by both counties and the potential benefits of collaborative solutions. It emphasizes the importance of dual training to bridge the skills gap and improve employment prospects for local youth. By facilitating cooperation between vocational education institutions and businesses on both sides of the border, the project aims to create a more prosperous and sustainable future for the entire region. New/original elements: CROSSDUAL project builds on the existing experience of the project partners and the conclusions of projects implemented in similar areas as well. The project's novelty lies in its focus on dual training as a solution to labour market imbalances. It leverages cross-border collaboration to ensure that vocational training programs are demand-driven and responsive to the evolving needs of employers. Additionally, the development of a labour market forecasting system represents an innovative tool to inform decision-making and bridge the gap between education and employment.

Actual Achievements (EN):

LP: In this report, we intend to reimburse the costs of external expertise for the preparation of the project application, according to Chapter 2.2.1.3 of the Applicant's Guide - and the relevant flat-rate costs as well. The following activities were implemented during the reporting period: - the person participating in the project management team was selected by the lead beneficiary, PM team meetings were held regularly; - two external service providers were selected: 1.Performing the professional activities (Implementation of a complex labour market survey, Developing a joint action plan, Compilation of the structure and thematic content of the database and the joint website of a labour market forecasting system) and the external project management tasks: In the reporting period they started to create a common methodology for the complex labour market survey. There were regular PM team meetings. 2. Conducting the event organization and communication tasks: During the implementation period they started to prepare the A3 size poster and the information about the project on the official website and the social media site of the LP. They also began preparing a press release regarding the start of the project. - representatives of the lead beneficiary participated in the project opening workshop organized by the Chamber of Craftsmen Association (March 13, 2025, Satu Mare). PP2: Chamber of Craftsmen Association (ACM) set up the project team and started project implementation, signed the co-financing contract. It organised public procurement procedures for external management services, event organisation, and procurement of IT equipment, procured IT equipment (laptop, video projector, multifunctional printer) and organised the project launch workshop and press conference in Satu Mare. Participated in joint (online) meetings with partners and representatives of the programme structures. Published press releases and press articles related to the launch of the project, and assured the visibility of the project by posting an A3 poster at its headquarter, and a roll-up at the project launch workshop. The project launch workshop and press conference was organised on 13.03.2025 at the headquarters of ACM in Satu Mare, with the participation of the lead partner, the representatives of firms from Satu Mare County and representatives of local media. A specialized firm was contracted for the organisation of these events, which elaborated customized folders distributed to the participants, the project rollup and A3-size posters. Press releases were published related to project launch in Romanian and Hungarian languages. The approval of the JS is attached in the "Report annexes" section, along with the list of participants, photos, PPT presentation, invitations, and also press articles in Romanian, Hungarian and German languages. Bilingual press releases, photos, video spot taken at the project launch workshop are also available at: https://cameramestesugarilor.ro/proiect-rohu00320/ . The IT equipment (laptop, video projector, multifunctional printer) was purchased from a specialized firm. Customized stickers were applied on each item, in accordance with the provisions of the "Visual Identity Manual" of the Programme. Photos and accounting documents are attached in the "Report annexes" section.

Project outputs: Joint cross-border dual vocational training and labour market action plan(EN)
Organisations cooperating in the project implementation(EN)
Participations in joint Vocational Education Day in Hungary(EN)
Participations in joint Vocational Education Day in Romania(EN)
Participations in dissemination and networking workshop(EN)

Thematic information

Labour market and employment Education and training Social inclusion and equal opportunities

Priority: (VI-A_RO-HU_P3) A more sustainable, community-based and effective cross-border cooperation

Priority specific objective: ISO6.3. Build up mutual trust, in particular by encouraging people-to-people actions (strands A, D and, where appropriate, strand B)

Priority policy objective (Interreg specific objective): PO6 (ISO1) A better cooperation governance

Type of intervention: 171 Enhancing cooperation with partners both within and outside the Member State

Partners (2)

Lead Partner: Mátészalkai Szakképzési Centrum

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 15832049-2-15

Address: Kölcsey, 4700 Mátészalka, Hungary

Department address: Kölcsey, 4700 Mátészalka, Hungary

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Education/training centre and school

Website: https://mateszalkaiszc.hu/

Total budget: EUR 115 317.14

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 92 253.71

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 23 063.43

Contractors:

Name: Kékfrankos-Trade Kft.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 24772668-2-15
Name: MEGAKOM Kft.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 11494887-2-15
Name: City-Lab Tanácsadó Kft.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 25837980-2-15

Asociația Camera Meșteșugarilor

Name: Asociația Camera Meșteșugarilor

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 23183349

Address: Fragilor , 440073 Satu Mare, Romania

Department address: Fragilor , 440073 Satu Mare, Romania

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Business support organisation

Website: http://www.cameramestesugarilor.ro

Total budget: EUR 84 203.28

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 67 362.62

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 16 840.66

Contractors:

Name: Geszteredi Andrea PFA
VAT registration or tax identification number: 19889347
Name: PFA Geszteredi Andrea
VAT registration or tax identification number: 19889347
Name: ATC Creativ&Unic SRL
VAT registration or tax identification number: 33550027
Name: Naturally View SRL
VAT registration or tax identification number: 46990704

Partners map

Partners and Projects info

Chamber of Craftsmen Association

Enhancing cross-border cooperation to harmonize vocational training supply and labour market demand focusing on dual training

Partners and Projects info

Mátészalka Vocational Training Centre

Enhancing cross-border cooperation to harmonize vocational training supply and labour market demand focusing on dual training

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): Enhancing cross-border cooperation to harmonize vocational training supply and labour market demand focusing on dual training

Project acronym: CROSSDUAL

Project ID: ROHU00320

Project start date: 2024-12-30

Project end date: 2025-12-29

Project status: ongoing

Relevant linked projects:

INTERSKILL 2021 (EN) | INTERSKILL 2021 - Improving the Institutional Capacity of Technical Vocational Schools Through Cross-Border Cooperation (Interreg Hungary-Slovakia 2021-2023): The project aimed at developing the professional cooperation of two major technical vocational training schools in order to enable students in upper secondary education to enter the world of work with a higher level of professional knowledge and competences. The main results of the project included the assessment of competencies of first-year students, purchase of robotic, computer-controlled machining machines and electronic training tools, as well as workshops and the collaborating schools sharing knowledge and experience. The CROSSDUAL project expands upon the objectives of INTERSKILL 2021, engaging a broader spectrum of educational, vocational training, and labour market stakeholders. Within CROSSDUAL, the envisioned activities are focused on enhancing mutual comprehension of vocational training systems in both countries, fostering trust and collaboration among communities, and advancing the alignment of vocational training offerings with labour market needs. (EN), LEARNING BY DOING (EN) | LEARNING BY DOING - Targeted capacity building of VET partnerships in the Danube Region for the effective modernization of VET systems (Interreg Danube Transnational Programme 2017-2019): The project aimed to improve capacities of all relevant VET (Vocational Education and Training) actors through reinforcing regional, national and transnational partnerships in order to ease the existing VET systems in the Danube countries. Although the Learning by Doing project used a somewhat similar approach as those planned in the CROSSDUAL project (e.g. preliminary analysis of the current situation of partner countries, developing strategies describing transition of VET systems), within the framework of a more focused partnership, the CROSSDUAL project aims to realize a cross-border exchange of knowledge and experience and a joint action plan, in addition to the mutual familiarization of vocational training opportunities and the adjustment of the vocational training offer to the expectations of employers. (EN), DUAL TRANSFER (EN) | DUAL TRANSFER - Good practices and institutional cooperation in the coordination of vocational training (Interreg Slovenia-Hungary 2019-2022): The aim of the project was to create conditions for both the dual and apprenticeship system and bring them closer to companies and youngsters through the exchange of good practices and experience. After the assessment of training needs of the region, the project continued with the collection of companies that would accept student apprentices and the organization of workshops, roundtable discussions, a joint course, and study tours. The CROSSDUAL project goes beyond the scope of the DUAL TRANSFER project by not only assessing the current situation of the training needs and ensuring good practice and knowledge exchange through workshops and study tours but also elaborating a detailed joint action plan for the region. (EN)

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 199 520.42

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 159 616.33

Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 80.00%

Co-financing sources:

ERDF: Amount, EUR 159 616.33. Co-financing rate, 80.00%.

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)

Deliverables:

A common metholodogy for the complex labour market survey
Two targeted questionnaires involving employers
Two focusgroup interviews
A joint document summarizing the results of the surveys
Communication tools
Good practice catalogue
Joint cross-border dual vocational training action plan
Joint online database and website
Romanian-Hungarian Vocational Education Day in Hungary
Romanian-Hungarian Vocational Education Day in Romania
Communication tools
Dissemination and networking workshop
Printed publications

Contribution to wider strategies and policies:

EUStrategyDanubeRegion CROSSDUAL directly contributes to achieving the objectives of PA9 and PA10 of the Strategy. Moreover, the project is submitted under the Interreg Specific objective (ISO) 1 ‘A better cooperation governance’, under Priority 3 of the Interreg Romania-Hungary Programme ‘A more sustainable, community-based and effective cross-border cooperation’. Using a well-thought-out and well-founded methodology, CROSSDUAL aims to strengthen cross-border cooperation in order to harmonize vocational training supply and labour market demand, focusing on dual training by assessing the workforce needs of enterprises, identifying the most sought-after professions and professions in short supply, exchanging cross-border experience and developing a joint action plan.
TerritorialAgenda2030 CROSSDUAL contributes to the objective ’A Just Europe’, taking action to embed stable cross-border cooperation between vocational training and labour market stakeholders, supporting the development of joint action plans, promoting cooperation between communities and knowledge sharing across national borders. The partners possess expertise across various stakeholder levels. Through their collaboration, they are forging a joint strategy that holds the potential for long-term advancements in vocational training, dual training, and eventual harmonization of these two systems. The mutual exchange of experiences in the frame of CROSSDUAL across borders significantly enhances cross-border dialogue and fosters deeper regional cooperation. Furthermore, CROSSDUAL aims to explore the expected impact of Romania's Schengen accession and the development of highway connections on the region's labour market, which contributes to the better-balanced territorial development of the region.
Other European Skills Agenda for Sustainable Competitiveness, Social Fairness and Resilience:
CROSSDUAL contributes to the objectives of the New European Skills Agenda, by implementing activities that contribute to the alignment of education and training with labour market needs. The project contributes in particular to Action 2: Strengthening skills intelligence and Action 4: Proposal for a Council Recommendation on Vocational Education and Training for sustainable competitiveness, social fairness and resilience. Understanding the needs of employers and pinpointing occupations in high demand is crucial for students within the VET system. The cross-border collaboration of CROSSDUAL project partners plays a vital role in aligning vocational training with labour market requirements, especially in the realm of dual training.
Other Blueprint for Sectoral Cooperation on Skills:
CROSSDUAL fully contributes to the Blueprint’s objective of addressing skills shortages in specific economic sectors by enhancing cooperation between industry, education and training providers. Within the project framework, partners facilitate connections between education and labour market actors, serving as intermediaries linking future workers with potential employers. The objective of CROSSDUAL is to conduct a labour market demand survey, evaluating enterprises' demand for labour to pinpoint highly sought-after and deficient professions. The project encompasses cross-border knowledge sharing, particularly in the realm of dual training experiences, fostering stronger community collaboration, and crafting a joint action plan.

Programme Common Output Indicator:

RCO 081 - Participations in joint actions across borders, Measurement unit:
RCO 083 - Strategies and action plans jointly developed, Measurement unit:
RCO 087 - Organisations cooperating across borders, Measurement unit:

Delivered output indicator(s):

(RCO87) Organisations cooperating across borders: 4.0

Programme Common Result Indicator:

RCR 084 - Organisations cooperating across borders after project completion, Measurement unit:
RCR 085 - Participations in joint actions across borders after project completion, Measurement unit:
RCR 079 - Joint strategies and action plans taken up by organisations, Measurement unit:

Project part of European Union Macro-Regional or Sea Basin Strategy: EUSDR

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

Financing programme

2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-A Romania-Hungary

Last month that data in keep.eu was retrieved from the Programme's website or received from the Programme

2025-09-24

No. of projects in keep.eu / Total no. of projects (% of projects in keep.eu)

84 / 84 (100%)

No. of project partnerships in keep.eu / Total no. of project partnerships (% of project partnerships in keep.eu)

223 / 223 (100%)

Notes on the data

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Enhancing cross-border cooperation to harmonize vocational training supply and labour market demand focusing on dual training

Description

Thematic information

Partners (2)

Partners map

Summary

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

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