Foundations 4 Sector 3 Erasmus Project

Project Title

Foundations 4 Sector 3

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 2020

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Inclusion – equity; Recognition (non-formal and informal learning/credits); New innovative curricula/educational methods/development of training courses

Project Summary

The European third sector is a major economic sector with around 13 million FTE workers, in addition to 16 million volunteers. Those employed in the sector, in the main, are low paid which creates difficulty in recruiting and maintaining quality staff. Sector activities are wide and varied but all staff work with vulnerable groups that need additional supports. This creates additional stress for staff members. Staff progression rates appear to be poor as staff member’s informal learning and experience are not easily recognised and difficult to demonstrate in job applications.

This project will address this by providing an entry-level induction programme for staff entering the third sector defined as having 18-month service or less. Unlike an induction programme for a specific company, this programme will be an introduction to the sector with an emphasis on personal development and core sector-specific skills. By using digital badges we can validate the learning made by participants on the programme and allow them to be used for both personal development and career progression.

The project will have 4 partners from Ireland, Finland, United Kingdom and Germany. 12 participants will undergo short-term staff training for the programme trainers. 80 participants will undergo the full programme across the 4 countries.

The programme will be aimed to upskill new staff entrants into third-sector organisations. They will undertake a programme with 2 modules. Module 1 will focus on sector-specific knowledge and will consist of 2 days face-to-face training augmented by 2 online training sessions utilising webinars and online communication platforms. Module 1 will focus on the structure of the third-sector and working arrangements, as well as, information on policy formulation and advocacy. These are key elements for working in the sector that most new staff entrants would not be accustomed to.
The second module will focus on personal and professional skill development. Professional skills will cover basic project management, report writing, engaging with vulnerable groups and approaches to multi-agency working. Personal development skills will cover presentation and facilitation skills, self-care, negotiation skills and other interpersonal communication skills. It will similarly have 2 face-to-face training days augmented by 2 online training session.

The programme will use a blended learning approach with both face-to-face learning augmented by online learning. Training will be learner focused with training needs analysis conducted in advance of training. Evaluation will be comprehensive and both certification of completion and digital badges being awarded to participants who complete the programme. The programme will be delivered in all partner countries by the local partner and in the local language. The short-term training element will be delivered through English.

In practical terms, the key output is a modular training programme available to third-sector organisations across Europe to be run for new staff entrants. 80 new staff members of third-sector organisations to gain relevant up-skilling and be more effective at their roles. A 3-year sustainability/transfer plan to ensure project modules and materials are utilised post project and mainstreamed will be devised but also validation of learning by participants through open digital badges.

Ultimately, the long-term benefits will be threefold. First, it will make the participants more effective at engaging with and assisting vulnerable groups and individuals and achieving their organisations social missions. Second, it will give participants validated knowledge which will support them in their career progression. Third, the materials will be made available across Europe and the investment made in the project will be leveraged widely post project.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 214076 Eur

Project Coordinator

ROTHA TEORANTA & Country: IE

Project Partners

• The Wales Council for Voluntary Action
• Opintotoiminnan Keskusliitto ry
• OTTO-FRIEDRICH-UNIVERSITAET BAMBERG