Prevention of early dropout of VET through inclusive strategies for migrants and Roma Erasmus Project

Project Title

Prevention of early dropout of VET through inclusive strategies for migrants and Roma

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: Early School Leaving / combating failure in education; New innovative curricula/educational methods/development of training courses; Romas and/or other minorities

Project Summary

In the EU, 6 million young people between 18 and 24 do not have a finished VET or another secondary school. Consequently, these youngsters face deprivation and unemployment, which in turn influences the social and economic development of a country. Especially migrants and Roma face these difficulties. Furthermore, these groups face discrimination at the transition from general school to VET, as well. The ET 2020 strategy now aims at reducing the dropout rate to below 10% by 2020. The EU project PREDIS – Prevention of Dropout of VET through Inclusive Strategies for Migrants and Roma helps in reaching this goal.

1. The project partners developed a Blended-Learning Course (BLC, 10 month) for vocational education trainers, teachers and other multipliers. This form of further education is much more lasting than other forms of training: The contents, participants learned during the time of presence in their respective national contexts or other European countries can be practiced in everyday work during the online-phase. The final follow-up course fostered evaluation and reflection. Over the whole course, participants were assisted and supported by all PREDIS partners.

2. A toolkit was developed for Course Textual. It consists of a triad: Background information, pedagogical knowledge and innovative methods as well as Empowerment regarding the secondary target (migrants/Roma). In detail it deals with: a) background information about structural parameters of Roma and migrants, b) approaches in questioning own stereotypes, c) intercultural and conflict management competences, d) Empowerment strategies for trainees to strengthen their key competences, e) new approaches for successful labour market integration and finally, f) new methods for a better transition into VET.

3. The basis of the project consists – among other things – of an empirical needs analysis. Interviews with trainees, vocational training personnel and further experts ask for reasons for the high dropout rates of migrants and Roma. The results of the analysis gave initial indications for the conceptualization of the modules.

4. A Handbook was written and published in five languages. It includes the toolkit with all modules and a reflected summary of the BLC. An extensive edition of the toolkit was produced, which addresses all themes in more detail and includes important themes that could not be addressed in the Handbook due to space constraints. It is available in English. The Handbook and Toolkit – as well as all other relevant products and publications – are available for free downloading and sharing on the homepage as well as on other platforms.

Additionally the participants qualify as multipliers so that the outcomes of PREDIS can be used all over Europe. Thus, PREDIS contributes to the professionalization of vocational training in Europe. 522

All project outcomes and activities are conceptualized in transnational teams and are evaluated and, where necessary, modified. All six project partners (Leibniz Universität Hannover, University of Vienna, Inspectoratul Scolar Judetean Buzau, Liceul Tehnologic Economic Elina Matei Basarab, Znanstvenopaziskovalni Center Slovenske Akademije Znanosti in Umetnosti and Universita Degli Studi Di Trent) have long-time experience in project work and are familiar with developing trainings for pedagogues, teachers, trainers and other multipliers. Further, extensive expertise are in place in the area of migration, integration, interculturality, abandonment of VET and inclusion. Besides, the Romanian vocational schools also specifically work together with Roma trainees.

Extensive public relations, in particular involving educational authorities make the outcomes and conclusions accessible to teachers and educational stuff; processes of reflection with colleagues and educational policy makers are promoted in order to initiate structural changes and the establishing of new approaches. PREDIS reached 522 experts with its ten multiplier events. It will be established within university curriculars of the participating universities, who are heavily involved into VET-teachers training. Participants evaluated the products as highly relevant ans useful.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 321333,25 Eur

Project Coordinator

GOTTFRIED WILHELM LEIBNIZ UNIVERSITAET HANNOVER & Country: DE

Project Partners

• Inspectoratul Scolar Judetean Buzau
• ZNANSTVENORAZISKOVALNI CENTER SLOVENSKE AKADEMIJE ZNANOSTI IN UMETNOSTI
• STEIRISCHE VOLKSWIRTSCHAFTLICHE GESELLSCHAFT
• Liceul Tehnologic Economic ,, Elina Matei Basarab”
• UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI TRENTO
• UNIVERSITAT WIEN