Helping Empower Women through Reskilling and Advancement (HERA)
The HERA Project (Helping Empower Women through Reskilling and Advancement) is a Europe-wide initiative aimed at increasing the participation of women over 45 in lifelong learning and adult education. As industries undergo rapid transformation due to digitalisation and sustainability goals, many women face barriers to upskilling and career advancement. HERA seeks to bridge this gap by providing tailored learning opportunities that empower women with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to navigate the changing labour market.
Through innovative HERA Labs, the project fosters experimentation with new learning methodologies tailored to the needs of women at risk of exclusion. It also promotes policy innovation by engaging governments, businesses, and education providers in shaping inclusive labor policies. With a diverse consortium of 10 partner organizations across eight countries, HERA represents a collaborative effort to make reskilling more accessible and effective.
A key focus of the project is upskilling and reskilling women for the twin digital and green transitions, ensuring they can participate fully in the evolving job market. By equipping women with future-proof skills, HERA contributes to a more inclusive and resilient workforce, where technological and environmental changes create new opportunities rather than deepen inequalities.
The project also prioritises knowledge-sharing and policy development, aiming to create a lasting impact beyond its direct participants. HERA’s findings, best practices, and policy recommendations will be published and disseminated at the national and European levels, providing valuable insights for educators, policymakers, and organisations committed to fostering inclusive lifelong learning systems.
The Role of Reshaping Work
As a key partner in HERA, Reshaping Work is responsible for leading efforts in policy experimentation and impact measurement. We play a central role in:
- Organising HERA Labs in the Netherlands to test innovative lifelong learning approaches.
- Engaging with policymakers, businesses, and education providers to create sustainable solutions.
- Conducting impact assessments to measure the effectiveness of reskilling programs.
- Hosting events and roundtables to drive discussions on policy innovation and inclusivity.
Why HERA Matters to Us
At Reshaping Work, we believe that the future of work must be inclusive, adaptable, and sustainable. The HERA project aligns with our mission to drive informed discussions and policy actions that support underrepresented groups in the workforce. By actively contributing to this initiative, we help shape policies that promote equal opportunities, lifelong learning, and economic empowerment for women across Europe.
