Interview with Ms. Tamara Vojvoda
1. Why did your organisation decide to join the RESCALE project?
The Vocational Adult Education Centre decided to join the RESCALE project because we recognize its importance in addressing current labour market challenges, especially in tourism, hospitality, and enogastronomy. We are facing a shortage of qualified workers and a misalignment between education programs and employer needs, as well as reduced sector attractiveness due to seasonality and workforce emigration. This makes it essential to develop modern, flexible, and sustainable adult education models.
The RESCALE project offers an innovative approach to reskilling through the development of “Reskilling Labs”, tools for skills assessment, new methods of career counselling, and practice-oriented training in basic, digital, green, and transferable skills. It also offers a practically oriented model that connects adult education, the labour market, and sustainable development – fully aligned with our goals of modernizing education and increasing adult employability.
2. What does “reskilling” mean to you personally, and why do you think it is important now?
For us, reskilling represents a structured process of professional transition that allows individuals to acquire new competences needed to engage in the changing labour market. It is both a process of empowerment and an opportunity for personal development, adaptability, and improved competitiveness.
Reskilling is especially important now due to accelerated technological changes, digitalization, and the green transition, all of which require continuous updating of knowledge and skills. In the context of modern tourism, marked by sustainability, digitalization, and personalized services, reskilling is essential for workforce relevance. It helps adults respond to market changes, develop new skills, and secure more stable, quality employment.
3. How does this model align with your organisation’s mission or strategic goals?
The Reskilling Lab model is fully aligned with the mission of the Vocational Adult Education Centre – to provide quality, accessible, and relevant adult education aimed at increasing employability and social inclusion. At the same time, the RESCALE model supports our broader goal of developing inclusive and labour market-relevant adult education.
Our program “Connecting Wine and Gastronomy” links education with the real sector, enhances employability, and promotes social inclusion, including for vulnerable and low-skilled groups. The project strengthens our strategic aim of developing individualized training programs and systematic support for individuals in transition, and contributes to lifelong learning, empowerment, and sustainable employment.
4. What specific needs or challenges in your region or sector do you hope to address through the Reskilling Labs?
Through the Reskilling Labs, we aim to address the shortage of skilled workers in crafts and green sectors, and high unemployment among long-term unemployed persons, women, and older workers. The Labs also respond to a significant deficit of basic and green skills among adults, particularly those in disadvantaged positions or with limited access to continuous education.
In tourism, gastronomy, and enology, there is a need for workers with not only technical skills, but also digital, communication, and sustainable competences.
We also aim to address:
- The lack of professionals in enogastronomy and wine service,
- The mismatch between workforce skills and modern tourism demands,
- The shortage of practical knowledge in digital marketing, sustainable practices, and wine expertise,
- Limited opportunities for flexible, applicable adult education.
The Lab enable the development of specialized competencies in food and wine pairing, wine list creation, wine presentation, sustainability, and digital visibility in hospitality – all while reducing the gap between education and the labour market, and enhancing employability and active local economic participation.
5. What is your organisation’s role in the implementation of the Lab?
We see our role as the main provider of educational and advisory activities, coordinator of local stakeholders, and partner ensuring professional, methodological, and organizational support throughout the entire reskilling process.
We act as a bridge between education and the labour market, focusing on creating quality learning conditions, mentorship, and career guidance.
Our responsibilities include:
- Designing and delivering curricula,
- Organizing logistics and fieldwork,
- Administering the program under the national voucher system,
- Ensuring quality, monitoring progress, and supporting learners.
We act as a central link between trainers, employers, the employment service, and participants to ensure the program is functional, relevant, and inclusive.
6. Can you share an innovative or inspiring activity that will take place in your Lab?
One planned activity is a workshop combining self-assessment tools, structured career counselling, and interactive workplace simulations. The goal is to help participants discover their potential, explore new career options, and develop individual career plans.
Another activity involves simulating a professional enogastronomic experience at Pupitres Wine Bar, where participants will create wine lists, lead tastings, and develop digital content for wine and food promotion. The activity blends sensory analysis, storytelling, sustainable practices, and digital marketing, providing an authentic experience in a real setting. It supports literacy, digital and communication skills, professional presentation, confidence, and teamwork.
7. Collaboration is at the heart of RESCALE. How do you see the value of cross-sector collaboration in this context?
Cross-sectoral collaboration is a key element of the project’s success, as it creates synergy between the education system, economy, public institutions, and civil society.
It ensures that programs are relevant and responsive to labour market needs, and enables sharing of resources, knowledge, and experience.
This approach supports the development of flexible and sustainable learning models that reflect real-world challenges and sectoral demands.
8. What have you learned so far from this collaboration?
So far, we’ve gained a deeper understanding of the importance of gender-sensitive and participatory approaches when working with vulnerable groups. We’ve also recognized the need for flexible, tailored models of guidance, mentoring, and counselling.
The collaboration has shown us the importance of open communication, adaptability, and co-planning in reskilling initiatives. We’ve learned how to better identify learner needs and how crucial it is to involve employers in program design.
We’ve also seen how practical experience and mentorship directly impact learner motivation and success.
9. What impact would you like Reskilling Labs to have?
We hope Reskilling Labs will have a lasting and measurable impact by improving employability, self-confidence, and empowerment, while also strengthening institutional capacities to deliver inclusive and innovative reskilling programs.
The desired outcomes include:
- Increased employability and mobility,
- Strengthened basic, green, digital, and professional skills,
- Improved quality of enogastronomic services,
- Empowered participation in society and the labour market.
We aim to create a sustainable learning model that promotes inclusion, gender equality, and a fair green transition – and a new generation of professionals who blend tradition with sustainable, digital, and modern approaches.
10. Looking ahead, what kinds of partnerships or follow-up activities would you like to see as a result of the Labs?
We hope to build long-term partnerships with employers, public employment services, and local communities, and to expand programs focused on green and digital skills.
We also aim to develop new specialized programs and micro-modules, engage in international cooperation, and jointly promote sustainable tourism.
We see the potential to institutionalize the Reskilling Labs model as a best practice in adult education and to create platforms for continuous learning and alumni networks – ensuring lasting impact on sectoral development and lifelong learning.
