Person-centered vocational training for people with special needs Erasmus Project

Project Title

Person-centered vocational training for people with special needs

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 2017

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Disabilities – special needs; New innovative curricula/educational methods/development of training courses; Inclusion – equity

Project Summary

Project context,
Vocational training and participation in working life for trainees with disability-related limitations is a socio-political issue throughout Europe and has become increasingly important through the commitment of the EU and UN towards the inclusion of people with special needs (MmbU). Nevertheless, the practical implementation of inclusion, the individual design of training processes and the recognition of non-formally acquired skills is a challenge. In this context the INCLUTRAIN project has further developed the approach of person-centred education.

Objectives
The objective of the INCLUTRAIN project was to develop an innovative interdisciplinary individual training framework concept for MmbU. The developed concept and the tested method do not impose any initial requirements. It does not define job description at the beginning of the training, but allows to define the job description as well as the learning path and the learning goal in the process.

Participants
The project consortium consisted of 6 European partners: Three farm and living communities Weide- Hardebek (D), Loidholdhof (AT) and Urtica de Vijfsprong (NL), with long term experience in the field of MmbU support, Albert de Vries Onderzoek in eigen Werk (NL), the Bundesverband Deutscher Berufsausbilder (D) and merckens development support gmbh as experienced project coordinator and applicant.
The inclusive character of the project was characterised by the self-evident way in which people in need of support (MmbU) participated in the project activities and played a decisive role in shaping them. In total, more than 150 people from Germany, the Netherlands and Austria were directly involved in INCLUTRAIN. A total of 48 employees with disability-related limitations took part in the inclusive training activities.

Description of the activities,
In the project we worked together on the development of the training concept. For coordination and exchange seven transnational project meetings took place. To test the intellectual outputs, four four-day inclusive and international training activities with a total of 106 participants were carried out. The dissemination of the project results, as well as networking and professional exchange, was focus during six public multiplier events with over 200 guests.

Results and achieved impacts
The result of the INCLUTRAIN project is a qualified vocational framework concept with model character, which offers MmbU vocational training opportunities that correspond to their individual abilities. The training focuses on individual qualities and enables them to participate fully and independently in the professional life of society. The starting point of the method is the individual impulse for action and willingness to learn of the individual. The individual relationship between learner and educational companion are central elements. The training framework complements the existing system in a complementary way and forms a basis of experience that opens up horizons for the further development of vocational training opportunities.
Four handouts on 1) didactic methodology 2) teaching and learning materials 3) learning rooms and 4) handbook for training personnel have been developed and are freely available.
The far-reaching impact of the project can be experienced above all in the farm communities and the staff there. Individual qualities become visible and cooperation gains a new level. Caretaking employees are visibly more motivated and show initiative when it comes to learning new things.
The concept is also attracting interest from external parties. Many professionals indicate that they want to continue working with the methodology and have already requested consultation appointments and visits to the project partners. It is to be expected that the training concept developed will open further opportunities for MmbUs in the field of vocational training and that these will also be incorporated into cost covering schemes.

Long-term effects
The developed vocational training concept and the work with the methodology have initiated a change of perspective. In a dynamic development process the participating farm communities are continuing working on it. The concept is designed in such a way that learning takes place in the course of everyday work and is linked to the personal, individual qualities of each person. The project partners have made a clear decision to continue the exchange of experiences and the joint work. A submitted application for a “strategic partnership for the exchange of good practice” can, if approved, support this work. The initiated process will be continued independently by all partners.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 354415 Eur

Project Coordinator

MERCKENS DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT GMBH & Country: DE

Project Partners

• Hofgemeinschaft Weide-Hardebek LBF gGmbH
• Arge für anthroposophisches Heilwesen – Ita Wegman Therapeutikum
• Bundesverband Deutscher Berufsausbilder
• Urtica
• Albert de Vries Onderzoek in eigen werk