PROGRAMME: ERASMUS+
KEY ACTIVITY 2: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices
TITLE: Active Learning Community for Upskilling technicians and Engineers (allCUTE)
PROJECT NUMBER: 2020-1-BG01-KA202-079042
COORDINATOR: Technical University of Gabrovo, Bulgaria
DURATION: 01.09.2020 – 31.08.2022
PARTNERS:
Cluster Trakia Economic Zone, Bulgaria
Gabrovo Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Bulgaria
International Hellenic University, Greece
Kavala Chamber of Commerce, Greece
Gdansk University of Technology, Poland
Regional Chamber of Commerce, Gdansk, Poland
University of Nis, Serbia
Serbian Chamber of Commerce, Serbia
CONTACT PERSON: Katya Staykova
PROJECT BACKGROUND
Industry 4.0 is completely transforming the manufacturing sector in EU imposing its principle of digitalization of industrial processes. As a result, the new cyber-physical production systems have a high impact on the labour force, especially on technicians and engineers. They require new hybrid “humans-machines” teams, where technicians and engineers should analyze big data, simulate production lines, coordinate robots, diagnose/repair complex automated systems. However, data show that industry employees are not ready to face the above new realities since they lack the “right” knowledge/skills demanded by the new industrial environment, i.e. appear underskilled, thus limiting their employability prospects and access to quality jobs. The Skills and Jobs Survey highlights that 43% of adult employees have recently experienced changes in technology they use at work and 47% have seen changes in their working methods. About 1 in 5 considers it very likely that several of their skills will become outdated in the next years.
Taking into account the above needs, their relevance at European level and emergency at regional level, as well as the high demand of flexible continuous TVET on behalf of companies within the partner regions, a consortium of 4 universities, 4 Chambers of Commerce and Industry and a VET provider from BG, GR, PL and RS was established so as to develop an Active Learning Community for Upskilling Technicians and Engineers in the sector of Machine Building and Mechatronics.
DIRECT TARGET GROUPS:
- Technicians and engineers in the sector of Machine Building and Mechatronics;
- VET trainers.
INDIRECT TARGET GROUPS:
- Companies in the sector of Machine Building and Mechatronics;
- VET providers, including universities and Chambers.
INTELLECTUAL OUTPUTS
- Conducting a survey on the skills deficit of technical and engineering staff in the sector of Machine Building and Mechatronics and writing a Partnership Report based on the findings of the skills deficit survey.
- Webinar on Active Learning for VET purposes so as to boost VET teachers’ competence.
- An Active Learning Community Platform and its mobile application as an Open educational resources database including:
- Curriculum for upskilling technicians and engineers in the sector of Machine Building and Mechatronics;
- 14 course materials (PPT presentations, industry-related problems and additional internet resources) as open educational resources, based on blended and active learning;
- Problem-based platform – industry-relevant problems to be used by VET teachers and learners as assignments for practicing in the Learning Factory;
- Tutor and peer-to-peer support in the form of a discussion forum;
- Assessment area for assessing the gained knowledge
IMPACT ON THE TARGET GROUPS
Technicians and engineers in the sector of Machine Building and Mechatronics
- Upskilled STEM, in particular in technology and engineering skills;
- Improved generic skills such as analytical/critical thinking, problem-solving, communication;
- Easier access to TVET learning platforms (Internet-based and mobile) that best match their learning styles;
- Easier access to educational resources to be used for upskilling;
- Ability to quickly and adequately respond to Industry 4.0 fast technological changes in the respective industrial sector;
- Opportunity for securing their positions within the company and future career development;
VET trainers
- Improved teaching competence by mastering active learning techniques and strategically using ICT;
- Ability to better motivate learners;
- Easier access to TVET resources.
Companies in the sector of Machine Building and Mechatronics
- Better awareness of the specific TVET needs of their engineer;
- Upskilled technicians and engineers ready to respond to the fast technological changes in the sector;
- Opportunity to adequately meet the demands of Industry 4.0 in the long run;
- Potential of higher economic growth in the long run.
VET providers, including universities and Chambers
- Better awareness of the specific TVET needs of the engineering and technical staff employed in the sector;
- Access to TVET learning platforms that best match learning styles of end-users;
- Access to educational resources to be used for upskilling;
- Opportunity to train their VET teachers on active learning tools;
- Opportunity to provide TVET to companies that matches the demands of Industry 4.0 and the specific learning needs of their employees.
