Romania is facing an increase in the unemployment rate, with ANOFM data showing a rise in this indicator in 2026 compared to the previous year. In an economic context where sustainable development depends directly on investing in people, the Amfiteatru Foundation comes to the support of employees through programs dedicated to adapting skills to labor market demands. A concrete example in this regard is the project implemented in Dorohoi, Botoșani County – “Skills Development for Career Excellence,” which started in 2024 and continues until 2027.
To show the real benefits behind this intervention, beyond the exact figures, we spoke with Mrs. Rotariu Corina-Daniela, a trainer within the project. She emphasized that the labor market in Dorohoi and the North-East region urgently needs adaptation to digital transformations. Because many local employees have not benefited from training programs in a long time, such an initiative becomes vital. The project brings free qualification opportunities directly into the community, supporting both companies to remain competitive and employees to secure job stability or advance in their careers.
How the courses were received by the community
At first, the community received the news of completely free courses with a natural dose of skepticism, as people feared potential hidden costs. However, this barrier quickly fell as they understood the benefits and flexibility of the program. Thus, employers quickly realized they could qualify their staff with no financial impact on the company’s budget, while employees were attracted by the practical aspect of the modules.
The courses were designed not to interfere with the trainees’ work schedule, so as not to disrupt their daily job activities. The offer is diverse, ranging from jobs such as commercial worker or human resources inspector to advanced skills in strategic management and digital communication.
Classes follow a flexible schedule, with an emphasis on a practical and interactive component through real case studies and modern digital tools. Behind these courses stands a team of certified trainers, professionals with solid experience in business, human resources, or technology, capable of offering knowledge immediately applicable at the workplace.
The role of career counseling
One of the support pillars of this project is career counseling, a component that particularly attracted participants. Mrs. Rotariu emphasizes that these services make the transition from theory to practice: “Professional counseling services represent the sustainability pillar of this project, because they make the transition from the simple accumulation of theoretical knowledge to its practical, personalized application. Building a career plan helps people objectively analyze their current skills, identify areas for improvement, and outline clear medium- and long-term goals. Directly at the workplace, this support translates into a major increase in self-confidence and a sense of ownership. Counselled employees become more proactive, learn how to efficiently manage crisis situations or stress, and improve their communication skills with management and colleagues. Practically, we transform the latent resources of each employee into visible performance for the company.”
The importance of subsidies and long-term motivation
Besides counseling, a decisive factor in attracting trainees was material support. Regarding the importance of subsidies in convincing the target group, the trainer explains that they play a crucial role: “Subsidies are extremely important, especially in communities from the North-East region, where an employee’s free time is a precious resource. Asking an employee who already has a busy schedule and family responsibilities to allocate good hours after work for courses is a challenge. In this context, the subsidy functions as a form of respect and recognition of the effort made for self-improvement.”
However, the dynamic changes throughout the program. As Mrs. Rotariu points out, if the financial facility is what initially convinces them to sign enrollment forms, “the quality of the lecturers, the interactivity of the courses, and the usefulness of the information are what keep them connected. By the end of the modules, the financial component takes a back seat, and the trainees realize that the true long-term gain is the acquired skill set.“
The impact of the courses on employees
The real value of the project is best seen in the impressions of the people who benefit from the intervention. A trainee enrolled in the digital communication and management module, who came with a dose of skepticism thinking it would be all about theory, stated: “This course completely changed the way I organize my workday. I learned to use digital tools that cut the time wasted on repetitive tasks in half.”
Moreover, the counseling sessions helped her overcome her fear of public speaking, successfully managing to propose an optimization of the department’s workflow to management that was implemented with success.
The long-term vision for the Dorohoi community
Looking toward the end of the project, its impact on the community is structural and profound: “My expectations for the horizon of 2027, when the project will be finalized, are related to mental sustainability. I want this project to leave behind a solid culture of lifelong learning. I want employers to understand that investing in people is the most profitable business strategy, and employees in Dorohoi to gain the courage to always aim for career excellence,” concludes Mrs. Rotariu.
Source: National Employment Agency (ANOFM), Statistical situation of registered unemployment as of July 31, 2026, Ministry of Labour, Family, Youth and Social Solidarity, 2026, URL: Statistical situation of unemployment as of July 31, 2026 – ANOFM