Developing Intereuropean Resources for Trail builder Training Erasmus Project

Project Title

Developing Intereuropean Resources for Trail builder Training

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: Cooperation between educational institutions and business; Recognition, transparency, certification; New innovative curricula/educational methods/development of training courses

Project Summary

This project addresses skills mismatches (the discrepancy between workers’ skills and labour market needs) in the new and rapidly growing sector of mountain biking (MTB). There are few numbers available that describes the size of this sector, however EUs Directorate General for Internal Policies estimates the size of European cycle tourism in their 2012 study “The European cycle Route Network EUROVELO”:

– 2300 million cycle day trips per year.
– 20 million cycle holiday trips per year.
– €44 billion of gross revenues per year of which €9 billion accrued from cycle holidays.

Based on national studies it is reasonable to estimate a comprehensive growth in the later years.

MTB also contributes to the health agenda with the six countries represented here have domestic participation ranging from 3-6% of the adult population and this is expected to rise by at least 1-2% in the next 5 years based on current trends. This growth can be attributed to an increasing number of trails which have been purpose built to meet the needs of mountain bikers. To help ensure this anticipated growth is sustainable, delivers quality user experiences, ensures public resources are effectively deployed and help mitigate against any environmental impact from the location and construction of the trails there is a demand for guidelines on trail construction based on a quality insured body of knowledge. There will follow subsequent sharing of this knowledge through training in dedicated courses and as part of curriculum in relevant study programmes such as construction, outdoor tourism management and volunteer management.

This project aims at identifying and addressing the gaps in skills between industry needs and the competences of engineers and skilled workers focused at the emerging domain of MTB. The identified needs and challenges will be addressed through the development of an overall ‘Educational Framework’, which is the core output of the project. The Educational Framework should be regarded as a ‘toolbox’ for educators within the domain of MTB. The aim of the Educational Framework is to support the educational activities and decision making at each of the partnering institutions, addressing and minimising the gaps in skills and competences between industry needs and the educational capabilities.

A trail building training resource will be developed and made available online for other stakeholders outside the project to increase the number of people benefitting from the project. The development of the Educational Framework is expected to create a foundation and a guideline for educator in their continuous development for future educational activities within the MTB domain.

The partners in the project have been chosen based on their ability to contribute to the content and process of the project. Overall, the partners can be divided into two sub-groups based on how they predominately (not limited to) contribute to the project. The first group of partners (FTO and ENU) all have a strong focus on pedagogy, development, evaluation methods and tools. The second group of partners (IMBA EU, OFT, BP, DGI, SCU, MDA) all have a strong focus on the practice of MTB and focus on the sustainability of the industry. They also hold solid subject matter competence in the field.

The results of this project will directly influence the local and regional level, through ensuring a better match between educational skills and sector needs. However, given the large focus on the dissemination of the project results through national reference groups, the project is also expected to have an impact on a national and European level, being part of lowering the rate of
unemployment amongst candidates. The match between the industry and the educational institutions will create a better understanding of the value of highly educated
employees in an emerging area. This will increase the number of students employed in the sector. The effect on the reduction of the rate of unemployment will transfer more income for the society and less expenses.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 387731 Eur

Project Coordinator

Fagskolen i Viken & Country: NO

Project Partners

• Scottish Cyclists Union
• Bike Plan AG
• DANSKE GYMNASTIK OG IDRAETSFORENINGER
• EDINBURGH NAPIER UNIVERSITY
• MUNICIPIO DE AGUEDA
• INTERNATIONAL MOUNTAIN BICYCLING ASSOCIATION EUROPE
• Opplysningskontoret for Terrengsykling