VET@Work – a Manual for implementing best practices of collaboration between VET and work Erasmus Project

Project Title

VET@Work – a Manual for implementing best practices of collaboration between VET and work

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for vocational education and training

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2018

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: New innovative curricula/educational methods/development of training courses; Pedagogy and didactics; Cooperation between educational institutions and business

Project Summary

VET@Work is a collaboration between VET providers and employers representing 5 European countries and several vocational sectors, e.g. business, hospitality, social and healthcare, agriculture, horticulture and technical sector. The project partners share a passion to improve and deepen collaboration between VET and the world of work. The project came from recognizing and analyzing current trends showcasing the need of improved collaboration between VET providers and employers.

Objectives
Our vision was to make links between VET & Work stronger! We recognized that development begins when you have the courage to step outside your comfort zone and open your mind to constructive criticism! Our main aim and objective was to develop methodologies that can be used by all when implementing and/or improving cooperation and collaboration between VET and work. The methodology used was collaborative learning, sharing, analyzing, testing and writing instructions for ways that VET and work can work side by side when educating and preparing VET students for work.
Our goal was to inspire each other as well as future beneficiaries to implement a new way of providing VET. This new way being built around collaboration where the VET providers and employers share responsibility of providing the world of work with skilled workers. We wanted to showcase how working together, sharing ideas, skills and knowledge results in an improved learning experience for the VET students.

Partners:
Axxell (Finland) – project coordinator and a Finland-Swedish VET provider
Raasepori Municipality (Finland) – Raasepori was represented by Villa Anemone in the project
Broadhoulders (UK) – a company specialized in providing mentor and leadership training to apprentices and companies
Het Idee (the Netherlands) – a company that focuses on supporting and empowering youngsters to get a VET degree and finding their place in the society.
Welzijen Lelystadt (the Netherlands) – an employer within social care who’s aim is to battle loneliness among different age groups
Verkmenntaskolinn a Akureyri (Iceland) – a VET provider
Medulla Harsnyrstistofa (Iceland) – a hairdressing company
Nantes Terre Atlantique (France) – a VET provider

Activities
The core partners worked with employers and VET providers throughout the project’s lifespan to collect information and knowledge and to involve them in the piloting of the 12 methodologies described in the VET@work manual.
5 transnational project meetings (1 per partner country) were held. During the meetings focus was on sharing best practices, learn from local VET providers and employers not directly involved in the project and to develop content for the different chapters of the manual. Between the project meetings, virtual work meetings were held to continue the work that commenced at the transnational meetings.
Each partner disseminated the project according to a set dissemination plan and collected useful information that was incorporated/used when working on the VET@work manual. Towards the end of the project each partner country organized one or more Multiplier Events to share the outcomes of the project to those interested.

Results and impact
The main result and output was the VET@work manual (https://vetatwork-project.eu/). The aim of the manual is to help VET providers and employers improve the quality of collaboration, whether it be a new form of or an existing collaboration between VET and an employer. The manual has information about 12 different collaboration methodologies, how to sell the idea of VET@work collaboration, what to avoid when starting a collaboration, how to overcome potential obstacles and what benefits can be expected from VET@work collaboration. The manual also has a simple self-evaluation tool that gives suggestions on what methodologies might be of interest based on their existing skills.

Impact
The project had a big impact on us involved in the project. It provided us with the opportunity to build a shared vision for greater collaboration. It gave us the confidence to take on new ideas and to share these ideas with others (employers, employees, work mentors, VET providers, teachers, students etc). It allowed us to STOP and REFLECT about the way we work, what we want to achieve and how we can achieve this through VET@work collaboration. It allowed us to improve our communication, cooperation and collaboration skills and showed us how important it is to share and celebrate success. It made us aware that even if VET and work collaboration does require resources it will pay back with interest!
Implementing the VET@work manual will help make the gap between VET providers and employers smaller and make communication more flexible as it gives practical examples on how employers and VET providers can work side by side to meet the needs of the student. VET@work encourages and enables the implementation of a holistic approach to provide VET.

Project Website

https://vetatwork-project.eu/

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 309184,5 Eur

Project Coordinator

Axxell Utbildning AB & Country: FI

Project Partners

• Harsnyrtistofan Medulla
• EPLEFPA Nantes Terre Atlantique
• Het Idee
• Raseborgs stad
• Stichting Welzijn Lelystad
• Verkmenntaskólinn á Akureyri
• Broadshoulders Ltd