UPSKILLED ENGINEERING PROFILES FOR THE AUTOMOTIVE SECTOR AND UPTAKE OF DUAL ALTERNATE SCHEME IN EUROPE´S HIGHER EDUCATION Erasmus Project

Project Title

UPSKILLED ENGINEERING PROFILES FOR THE AUTOMOTIVE SECTOR AND UPTAKE OF DUAL ALTERNATE SCHEME IN EUROPE´S HIGHER EDUCATION

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 2017

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Research and innovation; New innovative curricula/educational methods/development of training courses; Recognition, transparency, certification

Project Summary

Fast technological developments and the rapid uptake of digital technologies is changing the structure of traditional industries in the EU, pushing towards the so-called Advanced Manufacturing and the 4th Industrial Revolution (or Industry 4.0).
Several common gaps at EU level have been identified in the engineering related qualifications at EQF5 level which include Engineering studies at University Level and Technical Engineering studies at Higher Vocational Level. These gaps relate to engineering processes, product design and general design for the manufacturing automotive industry.
The aim of the project has been to develop professional and specialization skills, thus ensuring a transition from a general academic model to the application of knowledge for the development of key processes in a reference sector. A bridge is built for the transition from high scientific and technological knowledge to necessary and important specialized industrial skills.
In this context, the project UPenAUTO aims at building a strategic cooperation at EU level between industry, education and research actors engaged in the review of competences and skills offered in Higher Education proposing modular and flexible training itineraries for engineering related graduates, based on specific profiles needed by the EU automotive industry, and promoting the uptake of Dual/alternate international training schemes in the automotive sector for boosting employability and securing talent within the EU.
The specific objectives were the following:
->To respond to skills mismatches in the automotive sector by covering an existing training gap in the field of automotive engineering and design.
->Set up of a new EU Framework for new sectoral qualifications for the automotive industry that will contribute to the modernization of the European HE.
->Develop new EQF level 5 curricula for the smart specialization of engineering graduates.
->Boosting employability in the automotive sector through the uptake of Dual/alternate education systems alternating theoretical courses with work-based learning, “strengthening the relevance of graduates´opportunities to start their professional life based on their education” as stated in the Bologna process.
->Allow the connection between HE and research in terms of contribution of HE to the education and training of future workers devoted to innovation activities.
->Make STEM education relevant and attractive.
->Influence EU-level education and training policies and tools to ensure recognition, validation and increase international labour mobility.
->Encourage the use of skills and growth projections in course design, delivery and evaluation, as set in the recommendation Modernisation of Europe´s Higher Education Institutions.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 109827 Eur

Project Coordinator

FUNDACION PARA LA FORMACION TECNICA EN MAQUINA-HERRAMIENTA & Country: ES

Project Partners

• UNIVERSITATEA POLITEHNICA DIN BUCURESTI
• Centro de Formación Somorrostro
• GESTAMP TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE
• GESTAMP LOUNY SRO