Numeracy for Advanced MAnufacturing Erasmus Project

Project Title

Numeracy for Advanced MAnufacturing

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 2014

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Labour market issues incl. career guidance / youth unemployment; Key Competences (incl. mathematics and literacy) – basic skills; Overcoming skills mismatches (basic/transversal)

Project Summary

BACKGROUND & CHALLENGES
The trend within the European manufacturing sector towards Advanced Manufacturing systems has highlighted the skill gap between workers’ numerical skills and workplace requirements in modern facilities. Workers nowadays are expected to both understand and perform math calculations, and to have a basic understanding of concepts and processes of algebra and trigonometry. This is evident with the proliferation of Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) machines and processes. Nevertheless, a substantial proportion of candidate and existing workers (approximately 20%) have inadequate numerical skills, failing to meet workplace demands.
AIMS & OBJECTIVES
The NAMA project aimed to: a) enhance the numerical skills of candidate and existing workers, and b) increase the relevance of initial and continuous VET with the Advanced Manufacturing sector. Four specific objectives have been set:
1. To support existing and future training courses and apprenticeships with the development of guidelines.
2. To foster the provision of numerical skills to workers, by developing and making available industry-validated open access educational resources and innovative ICT tools.
3. To develop, test, and promote innovative mobile apps for improving numerical skills and support personalised non-formal and informal learning.
4. To contribute to the implementation of EU policies on mobility and transparency in qualifications.
THE NAMA PARTNERSHIP
The NAMA partnership comprised 5 organisations from both the world of VET and Advanced Manufacturing. The University of Rzeszow (UR) is an expert in mathematics teaching and didactic research. The University of Sheffield – Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (USFD-AMRC) leads the research in Advanced Manufacturing processes and job training. The European Association of the Machine Tool Industries (CECIMO) represents sector needs at EU-wide level. PROMEA is an expert in R&D and delivery of innovative ICT-based methodologies for formal & informal learning. The Lifelong Learning Centre of New Technologies in Lodz (CKUNT) has significant experience on post-secondary VET courses and practices, specialising in developing training curricula.
ACTIVITIES & METHODOLOGY
NAMA was engaged in the following activities and methodological approaches:
1. Production of VET guidelines with specifications on how to address numerical skills needs in Advanced Manufacturing, through field and desk research, involving members of target groups (learners, VET providers, sectoral stakeholders, & policy-makers).
2. Development of learning and (self-)assessment materials for the improvement of numerical skills, fostering both formal and informal learning. The partnership employed an adult learning pedagogy, focusing on the contextualisation of materials with workplace tasks and requirements, under EQF/ECVET standards.
3. Involvement of policy-makers for the certification & accreditation of numerical skills, through the endorsement of NAMA results by sectoral stakeholders.
4. Sharing and validation of outputs with multiplier events, inviting target groups to uptake NAMA results and act as further disseminators.
RESULTS & IMPACT
The NAMA project has had the following results and corresponding impact:
1. A VET guidelines report and Handbook for trainers to increase the relevance of VET offerings with the labour market, supporting the offerings of VET providers.
2. Four sets of learning units, a Massive Open Online Course, and 2 mobile apps to empower initial and continuous VET learners with numerical skills required in the workplace, and motivate low-skilled adults/early school leavers to seek participation in VET.
3. An exhibition event in the largest sectoral event in Europe – EMO 2015 and focused meetings promoting the NAMA results (Info Days and Training Pilots).
4. A Memorandum of Understanding endorsed by 27 sectoral stakeholders, and a sectoral position paper which was read by 17 policy-makers, supporting their sector-related VET policies.
POST-PROJECT SUSTAINABILITY
1.Development of new training courses based on NAMA materials from VET providers across the EU.
2.Participation of a growing number of initial and continuous VET learners in courses based on NAMA outputs.
3.Expansion of the strategic partnership towards a network of collaborating VET and Advanced Manufacturing stakeholders, including enterprises, in-house training centers, and large VET providers with manufacturing infrastructures, to reinforce the ties between education and the labour market.
4.Further maturing and development of certification and accreditation policies influenced by NAMA recommendations.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 254053,18 Eur

Project Coordinator

UNIWERSYTET RZESZOWSKI & Country: PL

Project Partners

• HELLENIC SOCIETY FOR THE PROMOTION OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT METHODOLOGIES ASTIKI ETAIRIA
• CECIMO – THE EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR THE CO-OPERATION OF THE MACHINE TOOLS
• THE UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD
• Centrum Ksztalcenia Ustawicznego Nowoczesnych Technologii w Lodzi