Organized for the first time in Romania, the National pilot for “Master the Act” project was held for 20 people on February the 11th, one day before the multiplier event planned in Bucharest by local partners. This full day workshop, which was organized in an open space conference room at the Hotel International of the capital, allowed participants to engage in a wider range of drama activities and gave them the possibility to familiarize with the results produced during the MTA project and to reply the main exercises and techniques exercised in Matera during the C2.
The participants were mainly professionals from the Employment (recruiters, HR), Vocational Training or coaches and the Theatre sectors (actors, screenwriters, students). Most of them were very interested in learning more about the new professional profile of “Creative Mentor for Employability”, one of the most innovative aspects of the project (especially for Romania).
The main aim of the event was to make people learn about the MTA methodology and discover the many tools and exercises it contains. This full pilot day was the concrete occasion for participants to practice theatrical and employability exercises while recalling the theoretical part and the skills developed through each exercise. The main objective of this pilot was to practice MTA methodology so that participants could in turn become the next “Creative Mentor for Employability” and use these methods in their future professional and personal activities. That is why we have tested and discussed the MtA Methodology and specific exercises, collecting feedback from the participants and training future “Creative Mentor for Employability” profiles on the Romanian market.
The criterion followed in the selection of the participants was to give the opportunity to those who had already completed the online course but were not present at the ToT in Matera to exercise face-to-face activities of the online course. At the same time, new interested profiles were invited, so that they can learn more about the project, start as soon the online training and implement MTA methodology in their daily activities.
All the intellectual results of the MTA project, including the e-learning platform, were also presented, especially in the first presentation (before starting exercises with the 2 trainers) managed by Tommaso Busini, who invited all participants to take part in the entire e-learning training and continue to be active in the discussion group.
In general, the training was aimed for helping pparticipants to review their current soft skills, to be aware of the MACT project and methodology and for supporting them to understand – group activities using the MACT methodology – how drama can improve confidence and employability.
Two participants of the workshop organized in Matera, Veronica Sula (in charge with session nr 1) and Oksana Rusu (in charge for session nr 2), were invited to be the facilitators of the 2 modules for the pilot workshop in Bucharest. Ms Sula, in particular, held the drama part of the training, stressing her attention on how important this can be for improving confidence, while Mrs. Rusu focused more on the job prospects and career progression. Tommaso Busini, as organizer and Ipazia Production’s CEO held the 3rd session, focusing its efforts with participants on the issue of the assessment of personal strengths and future goals. At the end of the session there was additional time given for networking and sharing contacts.
The trainers – which has been concerned by the compatibility of artistic (theatrical) techniques with those specific to the field of human resources – were receptive and responded with solicitude to the trainees’ proposals: practical activities, based on creativity, interactivity and the exercise of the playful spirit were much appreciated.
Regarding this first national pilot, it should be pointed out the excellent reception that the workshop has had among the participants who have taken part in it, especially regarding the selection of the venue, the support received by organizers and facilitators and for the perceived engagement in the learning process by participants. The initiative was greatly appreciated by all the participants, both in the individual contents and for the context (formal and informal) that was created to start to “create a community in Romania” and to make the experience of Bucharest the best possible for all of them. At the end, participants received a certificate of completion of the National Pilot.
