Workplace learning: what can we learn from each other Erasmus Project

Project Title

Workplace learning: what can we learn from each other

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; Cooperation between educational institutions and business; Quality Improvement Institutions and/or methods (incl. school development)

Project Summary

In the spirit of the Bruges Communiqué to develop a “vademecum / study” on successful work-based learning models ” we have learned with and from each other’s work-based learning models. Doing this we have used the peer evaluation methodology in this project. To achieve this, in a first training / learning activity, we have teached all participants who have carried out a peer evaluation the methodology of peer evaluation.
We have developed the necessary documents together that we have used throughout the project.
We did not limit ourselves to the use of this innovative learning method for youngsters in risk. We have focused on different target groups.
Throughout this project, we have hold discussions with staff members, teachers, trainers, mentors, CEOs and policy makers to get a good picture of workplace learning in the country we have visited.

For each peer evaluation we have performed, we have chosen a main focus beforehand:
– how to build a good network of companies: focus peer evaluation in Estonia;
– how to match a student with a company: focus peer evaluation in Germany;
– how does the student’s coaching / support in the workplace happen by the school/by the company: focus peer evaluation in Spain;
– how does the recognition, evaluation and validation of what one has learned takes place in workplace learning: focus peer evaluation in Slovenia;
– the common thread throughout the entire process will be the quality development and the communication between student, company and school: focus peer evaluation in Portugal.
Each peer evaluation has resulted in a report for the visited center in which we have named the strengths and formulated recommendations for improvement. With this report the relevant institution got started to improve its own system of workplace learning based on the main focus that was used during the peer evaluation.

In a final document we have described our “lessons we have learned”. This document has been published on the European platform for project results. With this document we hope that it can be used by others to introduce work-based learning or to strengthen their existing system of workplace learning.

Participants
We have used / developed a clear system inspired by the methodology that is known in Flanders as a “peer review”. During the firts training, together with our partners, we have “translated” and “redeveloped” this method into an adapted EU-level instrument. 20 participants have participated in this training. These people had knowledge of the way of workplace learning in their home country and had experience in working in European projects. These persons were able to transfer what they have learned during this training to colleagues from their own organization. The participants in this training have carried out the most of the planned collegial visitations together during this project.

Results and impact attained
The main result has been the strengthening of WBL within adult education VET of the partners concerned and in the regions concerned by exchangeing of good practices in WBL in adult education VET. This enhancement of WBL has been logical and strived for as a result of increasing the knowledge, experience, insights, vision development among the staff / employees of the partners in the field of WBL.
The joint “translation” and “redevelopment” of an existing Flemish methodology from peer review to an adapted European instrument has been done. We have set up together a methodology for peer evaluation to increase the Q of WBL for grown up learners and to improve the knowledge of our trainers/mentor on the issue of WBL. At the end of the visit to their region / organization, each of the receiving partners has received a critical review of their approach / organization, including some advice for innovation and improvement

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 131524 Eur

Project Coordinator

vzw Katholiek Onderwijs Vlaanderen & Country: BE

Project Partners

• JÄRVAMAA KUTSEHARIDUSKESKUS
• Esprominho
• Secretaría General – Consejería de Educación, Juventud y Deportes de la Región de Murcia
• ASOCIACION DE INNOVACION FORMACIONY EMPLEO PARA EL DESARROLLO SOSTENIBLE
• ZIB Zentrum für Integration und Bildung GmbH
• PCO – Poklicni center Obala
• Rakvere Ametikool