Romania pilots digital “virtual wallet” for professional training

Romania is launching a pilot project for Individual Learning Accounts (ILA), a digital “virtual wallet” designed to facilitate continuous professional training. Managed by the Ministry of Labor, the system allows employees to maintain an individual account for professional development that remains accessible even when changing jobs or during periods of unemployment.

Based on a 2022 European Council recommendation, the system shifts the control of training from the employer directly to the employee. The pilot phase will initially target the construction sector, an industry facing skilled labor shortages and rapid technological shifts. Through a digital platform, workers can identify training needs and select courses from an authorized catalog, covering both traditional trades and new competencies like energy efficiency. Once a program is selected, beneficiaries receive an electronic voucher to fund the training.