Despite the COVID-19 restrictions, EASO continues training Member States’ asylum and reception officials through e-learning and virtual sessions.

Over the past seven years, 35 575 participants¹ from asylum and reception authorities of EU Member States and key external partners have taken part in training provided by the European Asylum Support Office (EASO). From 1 235 participants in 2012, last year the training curriculum included 24 modules, with 6 622 participants.

The training modules increasingly focus not only on training newly recruited asylum case workers in core skills such as interviewing techniques, but also on more specialised training aimed at capacity building through the EASO train-the-trainer system, as well as extensive training programmes tailor-made for the context of EASO’s operations. The latter includes training of EASO personnel deployed in Cyprus, Greece, Italy and Malta.

EASO has developed a blended learning approach, which combines theoretical knowledge gained during online studies with the opportunity to apply the knowledge during face-to-face sessions. Specialised training includes preparing case workers dealing with vulnerable persons and raising awareness on human trafficking. The scope of training has also broadened to include a variety of modules relevant to asylum caseworkers, but also managers of asylum units, policy officers, Country of Origin Information (COI) researchers, registration officers, interpreters and reception officers.

Training continues despite COVID-19 pandemic

Despite the restrictions to business activities resulting from the COVID-19 outbreak, EASO is sustaining its training activities through its established e-learning methodology and its Learning Management System. EASO continues to deliver the train-the-trainer sessions and operational training, as well as national training sessions. There are currently over 900 trainees who have been enrolled in the last two weeks to carry out online studies.

While the face-to-face sessions have been postponed until a later date, the online components of the sessions are being further enhanced through additional exercises for trainees, including virtual group activities.

Accredited training

The Agency is also pursuing the concept of ‘lifelong learning’, particularly in its application of vocational training, and will offer continuous professional development for more experienced officials to keep their qualifications up-to-date and relevant.

The ultimate goal is to develop EASO’s Training and Professional Development Centre so that it offers EU-recognised credits, certifying that the successful completion of modules gives the knowledge and skills necessary to apply the highest EU and international standards.

To find out more about EASO Training and Professional Development Centre please visit the EASO Training Web Portal.

Any further information may be obtained from the European Asylum Support Office on the following email address: press@easo.europa.eu

Photo: © gettyimages/metamorworks

^{[1] The figure refers to participants in EASO Training courses, which includes individuals who may have participated in multiple courses.}