Advanced approacheS and practices for rail training and education TO inNovate Rail study programmes and Improve rail higher education provision Erasmus Project

Project Title

Advanced approacheS and practices for rail training and education TO inNovate Rail study programmes and Improve rail higher education provision

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 higher education

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2020

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Overcoming skills mismatches (basic/transversal); New innovative curricula/educational methods/development of training courses; International cooperation, international relations, development cooperation

Project Summary

The railway industry is transnational and one of the fastest growing industries in the world, necessitating a skilled workforce able to: master new technologies, ensure and facilitate the effective implementation of innovation and handle railway system complexity with ease in the era of digitatlisation. To build and retain such a workforce that responds adequately to new technological developments, innovation, wider economic changes and the intricacies of local markets, creation, promotion and application of knowledge need to be secured through multi-national / cultural / sectoral joint ventures to establish a contact, promote innovation, facilitate implementation and ensure the fullest open exchange of good / best practice at all management levels: operational, tactical and strategic.

The main objective of the ASTONRail strategic partnership is to develop a portfolio (toolkit) of innovative methods, approaches and professional practices for rail skills development and as a result improve and modernise the current rail higher education provision in Europe. The most relevant horizontal and sectoral priority that ASTONRail stratigic partnership will address is tackling gaps and mismatches between industry requirements and expectations and the current higher education provision for rail knowledge and skills development.

The ASTONRail partnership consists of eight participating organisations (AU, KTH, DICEA, EURNEX, UNIZA, UMA, UNIZG and TH WILDAU) well known for their contributions to the development, innovation and modernisation of the rail industry in Europe and around the World. Collectively the ASTONRail partnership members and associated partners will work towards identifying and bridging current gaps and mismatches between industry expectations and current rail higher education provision. We will work together to make the European rail sector more attractive to young rail professionals and to future talents at university and professional levels in national and international contexts, by promoting the scientific, high-technological and operational developments of the railway sector, its sustainability and environmental credentials.

The expected outcomes of the ASTONRail strategic partnership are focused on the development of nine intellectual outputs and encompass the following:
– Establish a proactive strategic partnership to represent rail higher education and work towards tackling gaps and mismatches between rail higher education provision and industry expectations and requirements for rail skills development.
– Develop a new portfolio of specialised rail related teaching, learning and training methods, approaches, tools and professional practice at undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate levels, which incorporate innovation and new developments for rail higher education provision; where e.g. research-based, eLearning and talent management are considered as priority areas;
– Build the foundation and mechanisms for gaining cognitive and transferable skills needed for career progression within the rail industry;
– Promote initiatives to make the European rail sector more attractive to young rail professionals and talents and also advertise rail as a future mode with exciting career opportunities at vocational, university and professional levels in national and international contexts, by promoting the scientific, high-technological and operational developments of the rail sector, its sustainability-related and environmental credentials.
– Design and implement an intensive university-based study programme, including joint training events, short courses integrated by working experiences and possibilities for internships, partnerships to work on and resolve industry relevant problems and dedicated assignments, test new methods for skills development in a real working environment, implement the acquired knowledge and to assess and validate the outcome of the new University-based approaches and innovative practices for rail higher education developed by the ASTONRail strategic partnership;
– Devise and test a technical spec profile (TSP) for a next generation skilled workforce for a vibrant rail sector and write collectively guidelines, develop and maintain a “living” handbook and disseminate it widely.

The profound impacts envisaged from ASTONRail strategic partnership are fully centred on combating the staff shortage in the railway industry and equipping the current and future rail employee with the skills and competences required for successful career in the railways. Due to its timely and innovative nature, ASTONRail will be a key reference in the field of rail university degree programmes, higher education provisions and rail skills development. With its activities and intellectual outputs The ASTONRail strategic partnership will pave the way towards the development and implementation of a common Europe-wide standard on rail skills development for a vibrant workforce.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 408267 Eur

Project Coordinator

ASTON UNIVERSITY & Country: UK

Project Partners

• ZILINSKA UNIVERZITA V ZILINE
• TECHNISCHE HOCHSCHULE WILDAU
• UNIVERSIDAD DE MALAGA
• KUNGLIGA TEKNISKA HOEGSKOLAN
• EURNEX e.V.
• SVEUCILISTE U ZAGREBU
• UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI ROMA LA SAPIENZA