WYG International undertook this complex project as part of the programme of the Romanian Ministry of Education and Research designed to assure education for all and give equal access in the labour market for young people. The work, which was a continuation of a previous Phare-funded Romania TVET programme (2002), also managed and implemented by WYG International, gave priority to various forms of pre-professionalisation and professionalisation, to enable young people to access both education and the labour market at different stages in their lives.

The overall objectives of the project were to:

• strengthen and consolidate the reforms achieved at 100 schools selected through the previous TVET programme in order to further assist the modernisation of the TVET system;
• consolidate reviewed responsibilities, governance and accountability mechanisms in the provision of the initial TVET, in line with social and economic development as stated in the National Development Plan and based on further recommendations delivered through the activities of the previous programme;
• provide equal opportunities for all young people, including those with disabilities to obtain good professional qualifications on a par with European standards, by providing TVET which corresponded to the needs of each individual.

Specifically, the programme was designed to assist the Ministry of Education and Research in technical and vocational education and training through development and implementation of policies and actions, specific curriculum and training activities and preparation of technical specifications for specialised equipment and supply tender documents. All work was channelled through a project implementation unit located in the National Centre for the Development of Technical and Vocational Education and Training, the specialised agency of the Ministry of Education and Research.