Future proofing a common and transparent VItal European learning and Workforce platform for sustainable AQUAculture practices Erasmus Project

Project Title

Future proofing a common and transparent VItal European learning and Workforce platform for sustainable AQUAculture practices

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: Agriculture, forestry and fisheries; Recognition, transparency, certification; New innovative curricula/educational methods/development of training courses

Project Summary

Context/background
Aquaculture is a sector with opportunities and challenges: production of high-quality food in a more sustainable way, and new breeding techniques, alternative raw materials for feed, and other innovations contribute to this.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) of the United Nations are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future. They address the global challenges we face related to the green sector, for example food, energy, and water.

This project contributes to the SDG’s and European objectives by targeting following subjects:
– Ensure the development of food security, food safety, and sustainability within the sector
– Levelling differences across Europe
– Optimize innovative effectiveness
– Promote new entrepreneurship with sustainability at the forefront of their operations
– Accountability to climate objectives
– Exchange of students, staff, professionals working in the sector between partners in international education and enterprises
– Increase and enhance labour quality and -mobility within the sector

Through education on European level and scale, this project wants to responds to the opportunities, and also wants to make a positive contribution to the challenges. Based on the needs of industry, European Objectives, and the SDGs (related to food, soil, water and energy) this project contributes to the development of future employable employees, able to work internationally within the sector, and thus give shape to European labour mobility.
A high-quality workforce must be created that responds to challenges facing the sector, and innovations needed in order to contribute to European aquaculture objectives.

Objectives of the project
With this project a long-term cooperation starts with a consortium of European VET schools, University colleges, and international industry within the sector of aquaculture. They work together on the development of training, that meet the needs of industry and the European objectives and SDG’s in aquaculture. The project aims to achieve these goals by developing European training at EQF level 4, at EQF level 5, and in work based learning programs for lifelong learning.

Methodology and description of activities
To ensure the outcomes are properly connected to the aquaculture industry, within this project it is important to examine the needs of industry. Which requirements (competences, knowledge, skills, and also autonomy, responsibility and complexity) require the companies of their staff? Based on input from enterprises, VET- and University colleges develop outcome based learning units EQF 4, and international training for EQF 5.
Main project activities
o 3 outcome based International learning units for employment at EQF level 4: workers on EQF 4, able to work in their own and other EU countries with the different production techniques, e.g. recirculation systems, pond and flow systems in freshwater cultivation, and cages and shell cultures in salt-water cultivation.
o International outcome based training EQF level 5: employee/employer working at EQF 5 has knowledge, skills, competence and experience in an international context. Industry needs staff at EQF level 5, able to face challenges in the above mentioned objectives for aquaculture.
o Work based learning programs/Lifelong learning. Outcome based learning in a work based setting is supported by different training programs and assessment of recognized prior learning (RPL). These programs lead to more quality in the sector and also to labour mobility.

Number and profile of participants
In the project are 7 project partners representing education: VET colleges and University colleges. Most colleges also offer short term courses. The 8th partner is a an enterprise in research in Aquaculture, and also offering short term courses. The combination of partners represents also education on all main production methods and aquaculture species.
There is a widespread range of different kinds of aquaculture industry involved in the project as associate partner. 1 European association, 4 national associations and 9 enterprises give input and feedback in project products.
During 3 pilots 52 learners are involved to test the learning units and other project product. They will contribute to improvements.

Results and impact envisaged and finally the potential longer term benefits
A long term aim is to raise the quality of skills of (starting) professionals and raising the quality standards in the industry, thus achieving the European objectives for aquaculture.
The learning units are incorporated in education abroad, into the partner’s curricula and make it sustainable. Student exchange contributes to the development of one Europe where labour mobility is evident.
The establishment of an European platform for education and industry in aquaculture and a Transnational network for professional education will ensure sustainability and long term development of education on aquaculture.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 387371 Eur

Project Coordinator

STICHTING GROEN ONDERWIJS OOST NEDERLAND & Country: NL

Project Partners

• M.A.R.E. SOC. COOP. A R.L.
• Land Niederösterreich, Landwirtschaftliche Fachschule Edelhof
• Grm Novo mesto – center biotehnike in turizma
• STICHTING VAN HALL LARENSTEIN
• CIFP DE DESARROLLO SOSTENIBLE EN INDUSTRIAS ALIMENTARIAS Y ACUICULTURA
• MALTA COLLEGE OF ARTS SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
• ODISEE