On 22 April 2026, the Angela Boškin Faculty of Health Care held an interactive knowledge-sharing meeting titled “CARE-ABILITY: Developing Inclusive and Accessible Learning Pathways in Vocational Education for Migrant Women”. 

In collaboration with partners from Srednja šola Jesenice, the interactive meeting was organised for policymakers, experts in vocational education and training (VET), specialists in employment and the integration of vulnerable groups into the labour market, representatives of educational institutions, non-governmental organisations, and other interested stakeholders active in education, social inclusion, and the care sector in the Gorenjska region of Slovenia.  

The agenda for the CARE-ABILITY meeting included: 

• a presentation of the broader context (demographic trends, labour market needs in the care sector, challenges in integrating vulnerable groups),
• a presentation of the CARE-ABILITY project and its key objectives,
• a presentation of the design of the 50-hour training programme as a flexible and accessible learning pathway,
• an overview of the programme’s core content areas,
• identification of interests in project implementation and opportunities for further collaboration.

We were pleased to host numerous experts and representatives of organizations, including the Employment Service, Jesenice Adult Education Center, the Upper Gorenjska Development Agency,  Jesenice General Hospital, the Dr. France Bergelj Jesenice Nursing Home, the IFISI Association, the Zarja Employment Center, and other key stakeholders. 

The CARE-ABILITY project addresses key challenges in modern vocational education systems by developing innovative, inclusive, and sustainability-oriented learning models that support the employability and social inclusion of vulnerable groups and contribute to strengthening the long-term care sector. This interactive knowledge-sharing session marked the first public presentation of the CARE-ABILITY project in Slovenia. Its main purpose was to familiarise key stakeholders with the project’s starting points, objectives, and expected results, and to encourage early engagement with relevant actors, particularly potential educators and policymakers who can contribute to the implementation and development of the project’s outcomes. 

An interesting discussion arose regarding experiences with female workers from other countries, particularly from the former Yugoslav countries – where women from Kosovo predominate – as well as migrants from Ukraine, Russia, and Asian countries, although the latter are in the minority. We discussed labour market needs and incentives for participation. Issues with mobility (which we address through online educational solutions) and with understanding the Slovenian language were highlighted, as well as, for some, difficulties with understanding English. 

We presented the CARE-ABILITY project, upcoming programs, and opportunities for collaboration to the participants. The discussion raised important questions and encouraged networking and the practical application of the project’s emerging content.