PARC aims to provide its partners and stakeholders the opportunity to build and strengthen their skills and research capacities, and thereby contribute to their preparedness to address current and new challenges in the field of chemical risk assessment.

Considering the rationale behind Task 9.4 “Training”, that consists in setting a training plan fitted to PARC partners and stakeholders based on their reported needs, in this first year of PARC, a dedicated online survey to assess the training needs was developed and distributed by the National Hub Contact Points to all National Hub members (including PARC and non-PARC members). A total of 81 valid responses from 25 different countries, mostly PARC partners (82.7%), were registered, providing a great amount of valuable information that will feed upcoming activities. Topics indicated by the respondents were grouped in 43 categories, being: (1) risk assessment – fundamentals and approaches; (2) findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable (FAIR) data; (3) databases; (4) new approach methodologies (NAMs); (5) adverse outcome pathways (AOPs); and (6) statistical analysis, the more frequently indicated categories. It was also possible to identify some existing training, and possible trainers (some of them with experience in the identified fields of work) with this survey.

Building on the results of this first training needs survey, Task 9.4 partners will now search for existing training courses and programs, and pinpoint existing online learning resources that meet the identified training needs, starting by confirming those indicated by respondents, to be disseminated in the PARC website. The remaining gaps will be prioritized in collaboration with work package and task leaders, to outline a training plan for the second and third year of PARC (to be delivered by October 2023). A second and a third survey on training needs will be launched in 2025 and in 2027, respectively, and the results will be used to establish a training plan for the remaining years of PARC. Receiving feedback from all stakeholders is essential for the design of a tailor-made training plan, adjusted to the needs of partners and other stakeholders.

In parallel, to facilitate staff exchange (one-to-one training), and to promote an efficient and effective transfer of skills and knowledge between project partners, Task 9.4 co-leaders will circulate a form in the next few months, to identify research groups available to host researchers. A period of applications broadcasted on the website will follow.

Task 9.4 co-leaders will be delighted to receive any proposals or contributes you may have to PARC training activities. Please feel free to contact them:
Carla Trindade Costa, INSA, PT; carla [dot] trindadeinsa [dot] min-saude [dot] pt (carla[dot]trindade[at]insa[dot]min-saude[dot]pt)
João Paulo Teixeira, INSA, PT; joao [dot] teixeirainsa [dot] min-saude [dot] pt (joao[dot]teixeira[at]insa[dot]min-saude[dot]pt)