European DESign TechniciaNs lEague Erasmus Project

Project Title

European DESign TechniciaNs lEague

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 2020

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Recognition, transparency, certification; New innovative curricula/educational methods/development of training courses; Overcoming skills mismatches (basic/transversal)

Project Summary

Additive Manufacturing (AM) is seen as an enabler for the EU to secure a strong industrial base. Market forecasts predict that between 2031 and 2038, AM is expected to reach 50% of the market potential, while reaching 100% of the market potential between the year 2058 and 2065 (Thomas, D., 2016).

Qualifying personnel for the AM sector is crucial, as the technology is evolving at a much faster pace than the development of the workers` skills is being tackled. AM suffers from a “capability challenge” (Deloitte, 2019) characterized by a skills gap and a difficulty in finding well-trained workforce capable of applying AM to real world production. AM Profiles skilled in design are of outmost importance for companies, but the current shortage of talent is requiring systematic and innovative educational initiatives to deliver qualified professionals.

In this context, making Vocational Education and Training (VET) a first choice is critical to guarantee a smoother transition of students /youngsters into employment and maintain the workforce skills according to sectoral and national needs, thus avoiding shortage of people with VET qualifications in the future.

To meet this objective, DESTINE – European DESign TechniciaNs lEague – project aims at promoting VET excellence in the AM sector by introducing young people to multi-skilled technology careers in industry. The project will establish a strategic cooperation between educators and industry at National and European levels to:
– Develop a Metal AM Design Technician Qualification Standard (EQF level 4);
– Boost the implementation of this qualification at European and National levels;
– Promote a sectoral skills competition in the field of AM, structured in qualifying rounds starting from a regional and/or national phase up into a European phase;
– Prepare the European Metal Additive Manufacturing Design Technicians League to be integrated in the WorldSkills Competitions.

The consortium is composed by seven organisations in the field of Vocational Education and Training in Additive Manufacturing and related technologies, with expertise in Metal AM Qualifications development and Training /Skills Competitions and belonging to five European countries: IDONIAL and CESOL (ES), IIS (IT), IEFP and ISQ (PT), EWF (BE), LZH (DE).

DESTINE project results are fully aligned with the New Skills Agenda and EuroSkills initiatives, and consists of:
– New Curricula for European Metal AM Design Technician (EMAM-DT) , IO1 – (European Metal Additive Manufacturing Design Technician (EMAM -DT) Qualification Standard);
– Training Guide containing exercises for implementing Metal AM Technicians Qualification Standard, IO2 – (Metal AM Technicians Training Guide for Teachers and Trainers);
– Rules document for the implementation of Metal AM Design Technicians Skills League, IO3 – (Metal AM Design Technicians League Rules);
– Practical Guide for integration of European Qualifications in National Qualifications Frameworks/Systems, IO4 – (Practical Guide for integration of European Qualifications in National Qualifications Frameworks/Systems);
– One train the trainers capacity building event (C1) addressing the EMAM-DT Profile and innovative training materials;
– Eight National Skills Leagues (E1 to E8) with 160 invited participants to disseminate and promote EMAM – DT Qualification and Skills;
– Two transnational learning activities (C2 and C3) for 36 students (+12 accompanying teachers) within mobility context of European Skills Leagues;
– European Conference to promote the project final results and engagement with at least key stakeholders from 31 EU Countries.

Overall, more than 210 people will be directly involved in DESTINE activities, which will foster the EMAM-DT Qualification implementation opportunities in other European VET Systems other than partners’ countries, and foster VET excellence among young people, thus preventing early school leaving. Transnational learning activities are expected to inspire, develop and influence a career as European AM Design Technician, thus contributing to increase the level of skills on Additive Manufacturing and enhancing students motivation and engagement to learn about high technology.

The project results are expected to be spread and transfer to more students and professionals in each country. VET organizations, companies representatives and National Qualification Agencies will get familiarized with the EMAM-DT Qualifications during the National Skills League taking place in Spain, Portugal , Italy and Germany. These participants will benefit from both networking and practical guide to uptake the European Qualification at National level. Finally, the European Conference will allow to disseminate and explore DESTINE’s main results to key stakeholders connected to AM sector from 31 EU countries.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 284760 Eur

Project Coordinator

FUNDACION IDONIAL & Country: ES

Project Partners

• LZH Laser Akademie GmbH
• INSTITUTO DE SOLDADURA E QUALIDADE
• INSTITUTO DO EMPREGO E FORMACAO PROFISSIONAL
• IIS Progress s.r.l.
• ASOCIACION ESPANOLA DE SOLDADURA Y TECNOLOGIAS DE UNION
• EUROPEAN FEDERATION FOR WELDING JOINING AND CUTTING
• ISTITUTO ITALIANO DELLA SALDATURA ASSOCIAZIONE