Training in the field

During 2022, a significant increase in the number of the Agency’s Operational Plans were recorded. The year started with 8 OPs in place (Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Malta, Spain, Belgium, Latvia and Lithuania), while new ones were signed during the year: Romania, Netherlands, Czechia, Bulgaria and Austria, with the total number of OPs reaching 13.  

In the framework of the EUAA Operational Plans, training is identified as one of the core areas of support, aiming to address the learning needs of staff being deployed by the EUAA as well as national administration officials in terms of knowledge, skills and competences. 

It is worth highlighting that apart from support in the area of asylum, a significant increase in training activities in the area of reception was recorded during the year, while training related to the implementation of the Temporary Protection Directive were developed and delivered.

The increase in the number of Operational Plans and training related activities is reflected in the relevant training data: 4476 individuals were trained during operational training sessions with the number of participations reaching 8076. This reflects a significant increase compared to 2021, during which 3207 participations in operational training sessions were recorded.

How training in the framework of OPs is organised and delivered?

Based on the identified areas of support, as well as the needs identified on the ground, learning paths are created, aiming to provide to EUAA deployed staff, as well as national asylum and reception officials, with the knowledge and skills needed to perform their tasks, in line with the EU acquis.  

A training plan is developed for each OP, in close cooperation with all stakeholders involved (C1 country offices, as well as national authorities, where relevant), with the main types of training activities being the following: 

• Training sessions on European Asylum Curriculum training modules (including support in the roll out of national training sessions);
• Induction courses for newly hired officers;
• Thematic tailor-made training sessions (e.g information provision, training in the area of vulnerability)
• On the job coaching, mainly on asylum and gradually being introduced in the area of reception

Finally, the EUAA Training and Professional Development Centre supports national administrations in strengthening their national pool of trainers through the participation in sessions for trainers.