Adaptation of the LEARNING-BY-DOING Methodology for the Development of Entrepreneurial Competencies for unemployed people formed in Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency in the sector of buildings and new constructions Erasmus Project

Project Title

Adaptation of the LEARNING-BY-DOING Methodology for the Development of Entrepreneurial Competencies for unemployed people formed in Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency in the sector of buildings and new constructions

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 2015

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: New innovative curricula/educational methods/development of training courses; Entrepreneurial learning – entrepreneurship education; Labour market issues incl. career guidance / youth unemployment

Project Summary

CONTEXT/BACKGROUND OF THE PROJECT
Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (R3E) is a clear priority for the European Union. It is part of the triple goal of the EU “20-20-20” initiative for 2020. Furthermore, boosting the green economy and a more sustainable energy model addresses the global problem of unemployment in Europe. The new Europe 2020 strategy makes employment as one of the five headline targets for the EU.
Energy efficiency in the construction sector is responsible of 40% of energy consumed in towns (first sector share). In consequence there is a high margin of improvement and job opportunities. According to the European Commission [see Green Employment Initiative: Tapping into the job creation potential of the green economy – COM(2014) 446], “increased investment in insulation and energy efficiency is likely to have a positive impact on job creation in the construction sector where more than four million workers will need up-skilling”.
Meanwhile the transition to a green economy is a priority, many people don’t have sufficient or adequate professional skills in the field of R3E due to a lack of quality training models, in order to enhance professional career development. Developing the VET training offer, and to bring it much closer to market needs will increase qualified people all over Europe.
The LBD-DECR3E or ‘GREENPRENEURS’ programme (from this point forward) was developed and piloted with unemployed and under-employed professionals and graduates with a background in renewable energy and/or energy efficiency in construction and buildings, with the aim of developing their entrepreneurial mindset and capacities. The pilot took place in 2016 in three countries simultaneously: Spain, Finland and the UK. The pilot programme was intensive and delivered over 12 weeks.

OBJECTIVES
GREENPRENEURS focuses key objectives of the strategic framework for European Cooperation in Education and Training (ET 2020) as well as ERASMUS + goals such as:
– reinforcement of links between VET and the labour market;
– acquisition of key competencies for employability in R3E sector;
– promote entrepreneurship;
– facilitate workers’ mobility through the official recognition of GREENPRENEURS training programme (ECVET).
GREENPRENEURS have developed an innovative training programme on energy efficiency in the sector of buildings and construction, using the “learning-by-doing” (LBD) and team academy methodology. The target group is unemployed people with previous trainingand/or professional experience in the field of R3E and EEB.
The GREENPRENEURS pilot courses did not seek to deliver professional certification in the technical competencies relating to energy efficiency. The partnership sought learners who already had some experience in the sector. The content of this Curriculum Design Guide reflects this and will guide educators on hands-on, practical ways in which entrepreneurship can be introduced into their own curricula.

NUMBER AND PROFILE OF PARTICIPATING ORGANISATIONS
1. Mondragon Innovation and Knowledge (MIK), Oñati (Spain) – Lead Partner: it is a research centre dedicated to the specialized Management social and organizacional innovation. Oriented to the applicability of research and takes advantage of the important practical knowledge created in companies
2. Servicio Navarro de Empleo (SNE), Pamplona (Spain): The Employment Service of Navarre is an autonomous entity of the Government of Navarre. Mission: planning and implementing the employment policies of Navarre.
3. University of The West of England (UWE), Bristol (UK): it is a university delivering learning teaching and assessment; research; enterprise and innovation and public engagement activities
4. Turku University of Applied Sciences (TUAS), Turku (Finland): it is a multidisciplinary institution of higher education. One of the main aimsis the development of higher professional education and expertise in Finland

DESCRIPTION OF UNDERTAKEN MAIN ACTIVITIES / RESULTS AND IMPACT ATTAINED
• Adaptation of the Learning‐by‐doing methodology to the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency – R3E sector
• Three pilot programmes were launched: 1 in Bristol (UK), 1 in Pamplona (Spain) and 1 in Turku (Finland) in spring 2016
• Pilot implementation report (IO1)
• 240 hours of training in each country
• 12 week intensive course addresed to unemployed, underemployed or entrepreneurs with previous professional experience or knowledge in the field (more info in the annex)
• 22 people selected for starting the programme in Spain
• 16 people selected for starting the programme in UK
• 6 people selected for starting the programme in Finland
• Six projects supported in Finland
• 3 projects launched and developed in UK
• 9 projects launched and developed in Spain
• Trainers’ Handbook report (IO2)
• “Train the Trainers” programme (TTT) implemented in SP, FN and UK
• 9 people attended the TTT in SP
• 16 people attended the TTT in UK
• 5 people attended the TTT in FN

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 154027 Eur

Project Coordinator

M.I.K. S.COOP & Country: ES

Project Partners

• SERVICIO NAVARRO DE EMPLEO
• UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST OF ENGLAND, BRISTOL
• TURUN AMMATTIKORKEAKOULU OY