The Adult Education Act: Companies want to provide training, but they lack answers

The new Adult Education Act came into force in January 2025. In practice, this means that employers are getting more options for developing their people. But at the same time they find themselves in a tangle of uncertainties – how to go about it, where to start and whom to turn to? That is also why we organised a round table with the aim of seeking answers where questions still prevail.

They want to provide training, but they don't know how

Employers want to develop their employees, but many of them still have no idea how to get involved in the new system. Act No. 292/2024 Coll. on adult education does create a framework, but for companies its practical application is still unclear.

For a discussion on the topic of lifelong learning, we invited to one table representatives of employers, the state and the sector councils – those who are seeking answers, as well as those who can offer them.

Main observations

Several important findings emerged:

• There are procedures for how an employer can become a certified educational institution – but a simple and clear explanation of them is lacking.
• The Ministry of Education and the Alliance of Sector Councils declared their willingness to cooperate and help.
• Employers need a clear and practical manual that guides them through the process of certification, accreditation and verification of education outputs.

Further steps to support employers

At APZD, we recognise the need to clearly communicate the new rules and to support companies that want to take education into their own hands. Therefore:

• We are preparing a round table for our members in the 2nd quarter of 2025, focused on the practical aspects of the act.
• We will arrange the provision of a professional seminar created by the Ministry of Education that will clarify the steps of certification, accreditation and verification of outputs.
• We will draw up a clear one-pager that will give employers quick orientation in the new rules and the milestones of implementation.

Lifelong learning can be a powerful tool for the development of companies. For the new act to work, the one who is to work with it must understand it – the employer. At APZD, we therefore want to provide our members with clear and practical information that will help them use the new options to their advantage.