Artificial Intelligence skills for ICT professionals Erasmus Project

Project Title

Artificial Intelligence skills for ICT professionals

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 2019

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: New innovative curricula/educational methods/development of training courses; Open and distance learning; ICT – new technologies – digital competences

Project Summary

BACKGROUND & CHALLENGES
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionising the way the economy and society function, by automating tasks & business processes, and managing workflows & critical data more effectively. The fast-paced development of AI technologies in diverse economic and social realities is exponentially augmenting the demand for ICT professionals with the right combination of AI and transversal skills. Employers struggle to find suitable candidates from the existing workforce. Further to demand, the gap is amplified by the shortage and inadequacy of relevant skills expected via VET provision, given also that AI is currently a subject of ICT specialisation mostly offered at the highest level of tertiary education. The upgrading of initial and continuous VET provision in the field is therefore essential so that existing and future ICT professionals can acquire and develop the AI skills and competences required to respond to modern workplace requirements and succeed in a competitive labour market.

OBJECTIVES
ARIS forms a Strategic Partnership to strengthen the key digital competences in VET provision for ICT professionals by offering an up-to-date curriculum and Open Educational Resources (OERs) in AI to address the existing occupational skills needs and mismatches. The ARIS objectives are to:
1. Design a comprehensive and up-to-date training course in AI technologies and practical applications, to empower ICT professionals with initiative, entrepreneurship & updated digital skills required in the workplace.
2. Introduce modern training delivery methods and innovative open access pedagogical resources, enabling learners to acquire and self-assess ΑΙ related skills, including VET providers resources & methods to integrate in their training offerings.
3. Facilitate the integration of AI skills requirements into the EU certification and standardisation schemes.

THE ARIS PARTNERSHIP
The partnership comprises 5 organisations from 5 countries, from the world of VET, the ICT sector, technological research, as well as learning innovation experts. UPC and ISCT are at the forefront of AI related research & technological development, being also pioneers in the design/delivery of ICT courses on cognitive science & automation technologies. BT brings the expertise in the design and delivery of VET courses, covering the entire spectrum of Information and Communication Systems. LIKS represents occupational needs and workplace realities at national and EU level, committed to the continuous improvement of ICT training provision and enhancing digital literacy. EXELIA is an expert in R&D and delivery of innovative ICT-based methodologies.

ACTIVITIES & METHODOLOGY
– Analysis of current and future skills and knowledge needs leading to the development of learning outcomes.
– Development of the structure of a curriculum on AI technologies & practical applications.
– Creation of corresponding pedagogical materials to be offered as Open Education Resources.
– Development, testing, and delivery of Vocational Open Online Course infrastructures on AI applications, promoting the uptake of innovative and flexible practices in VET.
– Involvement of key policy makers & stakeholders for the recognition of ARIS learning outcomes as well for supporting the integration of AI skills into occupational standards.
– Sharing of outputs with multiplier events, inviting target groups to uptake ARIS results and to act as further multipliers.

RESULTS
The ARIS project is expected to have the following results:
– Learning outcomes for training provision in the different AI technologies & practical applications for ICT professionals.
– Learning units (curriculum structure), trainers’ toolkit, and VET integration guidelines.
– Open Educational Resources for AI technologies and applications.
-ARIS Vocational Open Online Course infrastructures & content on AI technology applications for ICT professionals.
– An AI Skills Certificate Supplement for the integration of AI skills into certification schemes.
– A position paper to support decision-making and promote the incorporation of AI skills requirements into the European e-Competence Framework.
– 5 national information days (one in each partnership country) to promote project results and set an open discussion on increasing the quality and effectiveness of VET provision.

POST-PROJECT SUSTAINABILITY
– Uptake of project materials & OERs from relevant VET providers across the EU.
– Participation of a growing number of initial and continuous VET learners in courses based on project outputs.
– Expansion of the strategic partnership towards a network of collaborating VET and sector stakeholders, including in-house training centres, VET providers & ICT companies.

Project Website

http://www.aris-project.eu

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 374710 Eur

Project Coordinator

BUSINESS TRAINING SA & Country: BE

Project Partners

• CONSIGLIO NAZIONALE DELLE RICERCHE
• Lietuvos kompiuterininku sajunga
• EXELIA E.E.
• UNIVERSITAT POLITECNICA DE CATALUNYA