On February 6-7, 2025, the 2nd Experts’ Workshop was organized as part of the UPGRADE Project – Enhancing Graduates’ Employability Tracking in Moldova (GA number: 101129166). The event served as a platform for academic leaders, policy makers, and industry stakeholders to collaborate on improving the methods for tracking graduates’ career paths and employability outcomes in Moldova, with inspiration and insights from European partners.
Hosted by Ion Creanga State Pedagogical University in Chișinău, the workshop attracted a wide range of participants from key Moldovan Universities and European Institutions. Through detailed sessions, the event delved into data analysis, pilot results, and strategic recommendations for a national graduate employability monitoring framework.
During the Session 1 “Tracking Higher Education Graduates’ Employability in Moldova – Questionnaire Piloting Results and Lessons Learned”, Moldovan universities presented the results of their pilot surveys on tracking graduates’ employment outcomes and career paths. The session analyzed quantitative and qualitative data to identify key trends, gaps, and areas for improvement. Presenters focused on graduate employment status, skill alignment, and practical recommendations for enhancing university employability programs. Discussions also highlighted implementation challenges and proposed solutions for refining future data collection methods and country profile outline. The session emphasized collaboration between institutions and policymakers to achieve data-driven improvements in higher education.
Presentations:
- Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova – Survey Pilot Results on Employability and Career Path of Graduates. Speaker: Oxana BARBANEAGRĂ, Tatiana BUCOS
- State University of Moldova – Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis of Survey Results. Speaker: Otilia DANDARA
- Ion Creanga State Pedagogical University – Findings from Questionnaire Implementation. Speaker: Tatiana YAVUZ
- Alecu Russo State University of Balti – Careers and the Labor Market: Data Gaps and Insights from USARB Graduates. Speaker: Valentina PRIȚCAN
- State University “B.P. Hasdeu” from Cahul – Synthesis Report on Piloting Results. Speaker: Svetlana BÎRLEA
- Comrat State University – Analysis of Survey Results and Recommendations
Speaker: Maria IANIOGLO - European Institute for Initiatives, Reforms, and Education "ASPIRE" – Moldova’s Graduate Employability Country Profile. Speakers: Radu Mirza, Valeria Bobeica
The session successfully highlighted the importance of creating standardized data collection processes across universities and sharing best practices to address employability challenges nationwide.
Session 2 “Tools Used for Tracking the Employability of Higher Education Graduates – Experience of European Partner Universities”, focused on sharing practical tools and mechanisms developed by European universities for monitoring graduates’ employment outcomes. Participants discussed digital tools, alumni networks, and employer feedback systems as key components of successful tracking mechanisms. Presentations emphasized the importance of using real-time labor market data to adapt academic programs and career services. Special attention was given to building long-term partnerships with employers and fostering innovation through alumni engagement. The session provided actionable recommendations for implementing successful tracking mechanisms in Moldova and establishment of National Graduates’ Employability Tracking Platform.
Presentations:
- University of Valencia, Spain – Digital Tools for Graduate Employability Monitoring. Speaker: Alfredo ROSADO
- University "1 Decembrie 1918" from Alba Iulia, Romania – Tools and Mechanisms for Graduate Employability Tracking. Speaker: Larisa-Loredana DRAGOLEA
- Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova (ASEM) – Building a National Platform to Track Higher Education Gratuates’ Employability in Moldova: Key Requirements and Recommendations. Speaker: Tatiana BUCOS
The session was followed with Hands-On Workshop on Strengthening Sustainable Academic Relationships with Graduates moderated by Larisa CHIREV, Rodica BALAN.
On the second day, participants took part in a job fair aimed at exchanging innovative ideas and connecting university graduates with employment opportunities. Key presentations addressed topics such as graduate selection trends, balancing career and vocation, and fostering resilience and growth mindset in career development. The event facilitated direct interactions among students, university representatives, and employers, fostering meaningful networking and potential collaborations.
The workshop underscored the critical need for a national platform to systematically monitor graduates’ employability and recommended stronger partnerships between universities and employers to close the skills gap. By integrating European best practices and fostering national collaboration, Moldova’s higher education system can better prepare students for success in a dynamic labor market.
For more details, please consult the PROGRAM of the event.