Overview of main activities and results of the project
Eight COVEs were set up in the project, which developed and implemented 59 training measures, various tools and strategy programs in international cooperation. This led to 36 results, some of which were very extensive. In order to provide an overview of this complex project and to make it easier to find results, work packages are summarized with their main activities and, in particular, with brief descriptions of the results.
In the project 3LOE the data analysis was carried out under the two following aspects:
a) Geographical aspects: the analysis refers to the seven countries of the project, all of them EU members: Germany, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Austria, Italy, and Spain.
b) Aspects of the project 3LOE:
– Analysis of the current socio-economic situation in the countries, covering the demographic and economic aspects of the seven European countries.
– Comprehensive overview of education markets and national education systems in the project partner countries.
– Qualification requirements in the Green Economy sector.
The results of these analyses provide country-specific information and needs for the development of the respective centre of vocational excellence as well as standardized basic data for all partners for all development and implementation work.
Three-level centres of professional excellence “Green Economy for SMEs” and transnational platform Part A Concept: Development and Implementation
Part A comprises standardized principles and concepts for the structure of the COVEs. Based on bottlenecks and possible solutions for the development of SMEs and vocational education and training, challenges and objectives as well as tasks and structure for the development of the COVE are presented. Particular attention is paid to the third stage “higher education”. The concept is then evaluated with regard to the European Union level vocational education and training priorities. The report concludes with a memorandum that the partners of each COVE conclude with binding effect for the development of their centre.
Three-level centres of professional excellence “Green Economy for SMEs” and transnational platform Part B Development and Implementation of Information & Cooperation Tools and transnational Cooperation.
As the 7 COVEs are primarily dedicated to the promotion of SMEs, Report B first presents the cooperation and promotion needs of SMEs. In order to meet these needs, the individual COVEs carry out a variety of promotional and educational tasks. Tools and models have been developed for the important cooperation between the partners of a COVE and for the international cooperation of all 7 COVEs. The report concludes with the expansion of international cooperation to include 70 associated partners from 13 countries.
Three-level centres of professional excellence “Green Economy for SMEs” and transnational platform Part C Results and Business Models
Following a summary of the results of the development of the 7 COVEs, Report C presents the realized international cooperation, and the implementation reports for each COVE. This is followed by a concept for evaluating the 7 COVEs and evaluation reports. Report C concludes with the binding plans for the long-term continuation of the COVEs established in the project and the international cooperation.
Training program for personnel and center management
In order to prepare the management of the CoVEs and promote international cooperation between all COVEs, a special training program for staff and centre management was developed, tested and evaluated as part of the 3LoE project. The developed curriculum, the implementation report and the evaluation are summarized as result 2.3 Training program for personnel and centre management.
Political strategy and action program
EU funding options were analyzed in order to determine the future funding options for the long-term continuation of the eight COVEs and to develop a basis for the development of a political strategy program.
In particular, vocational education and training must also meet the requirements of the world of work and the needs of companies. For this reason, the development of a strategy and action program for vocational education and training is preceded by a consideration of the world of work of tomorrow. Based on this, objectives for a European education policy and strategies for the organization of future vocational education and training are formulated. Strategies for the COVE in the individual partner countries are developed on the basis of these comprehensive results.
Tool for vocational guidance and training for teachers
In order to provide guidance to pupil and students on their vocational path, a tool for vocational guidance and qualification counselling has been developed together with a training for teachers and consultants on how to use this tool. The tool and the training have been tested and evaluated. As Result 3.1 Tool for vocational guidance and training for teachers and consultants, the tool, the implementation reports of testing the tool as well as the curriculum for the teacher and consultant training, implementation and evaluation are summarized.
Training program for teachers to conduct DVT
Within the framework of the 3 LOE project, vocational training was designed according to the dual system in all participating countries. The basis for this is the German dual system, which were transferred and adapted to the national conditions and specifically designed in the individual countries. The introduction of dual vocational training requires extensive preparations by the vocational schools and their teachers as well as by the companies and their trainers. For this purpose, appropriate-ate train-the-trainer programs have been developed and implemented.
Curricula for specific dual vocational training. Part A Preparation and transfer of the German dual vocational training systems
As part of the 3LOE project, dual vocational training was implemented. The basis for this was the German dual system, which was adapted to the respective national conditions and implemented.
The German dual system was analyzed and described in detail. Strategies were developed for the organization of vocational education and training as well as recommendations for transfer and implementation in countries where school-based vocational education and training has been predominant to date. Comprehensive presentations were also developed to enable the partners to independently present, communicate and explain the dual system in their countries.
In addition, the transferred German Curricula for dual vocational training for 5 professions are published in English and German with free access and for free download on this project website.
Part Curricula for specific dual vocational training. Part B Implementation and Evaluation
Curricula for dual training in four different occupations were developed, implemented and evaluated in the COVEs Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Spain on the basis of the prepared German dual system of vocational education and training and the transferred German training regulations and framework curricula in accordance with the most urgent regional needs.
– Poland: Electrician
– Poland: Fitter of fixtures and fittings in building industry
– Lithuania: Cook
– Latvia: Motor vehicle mechanic/Car mechanic
– Spain: Electromecanico
The implementation reports as well as an evaluation concept and evaluation reports are summarized as Result 3.3 Part B Implementation and Evaluation.
Dual vocational training for people with special learning needs
The high number of young people who are not integrated and who drop out of training must be significantly reduced. Vocational training must take appropriate account of individual abilities and skills and requires extensive differentiation. By introducing different levels, young people with different educational backgrounds, different prerequisites and learning progress can be given the opportunity to receive training that corresponds to their specific abilities. The project uses a specific dual training program for young people with learning difficulties. Based on the experience gained in the process and including experiences and solutions other partner countries a political concept for the training and integration of young people with learning difficulties were developed.
Training programs for strong learners in initial vocational training
Dual training has proven to be particularly effective, however, attention should be paid to observe individual abilities and possibilities and better adapt to youth with different educational backgrounds, competencies, skills and learning progress. The project created a three to three-and-a-half-year training program for young people with strong learning skills, which includes the acquisition of additional qualifications and ends with a recognized qualification above the examination level of skilled worker/journeyman (EQF level 5). Six training programs were developed, tested, evaluated and implemented in the Geen Economy to provide additional qualifications. In addition, the six curricula for the placement of additional qualifications are published with free access and for free download on this project website
Training programs for the training of trainers in SMEs
For the training in companies, which comprises 70 to 80% of the total training time, the companies must be won over, informed and comprehensively prepared. To this end, the project developed, practically tested, evaluated and implemented various programs of training trainers in companies. An official examination regulation was developed, which leads to a state-recognized qualification “Certified Instructor”.
Two-year Training “Sustainable restaurant worker”
Sustainable restaurants offer a new perspective on what gastronomy means, offering healthy cuisine that also takes care of the planet. Different research show that small and medium-sized businesses are limited in their capacity to be innovative in terms of increasing sustainability scores. At the same time, they often have a knowledge deficit as well as the shortage of appropriately trained staff. Accordingly, a two-year “Sustainable restaurant worker” training course was developed, trialed with 15 students and implemented in Lithuania in line with national conditions and needs.
Five-year technician training „Ecologic Solutions in Logistics”
COVE Poland implements a five-year dual technician training “Ecologic Solutions in Logistics”, realizing a fundamental element of further vocational training (second stage). It is assumed that after the completion of the training, trainees will take up further education, enrolling in, for ex-ample, dual Bachelor studies “Logistics – Green Supply Chains” at Pomeranian University in Słupsk. A five-year “Ecologic Solutions in Logistics” technician training program was developed, evaluated and implemented in line with national conditions and specific needs.
Business Ideas Challenges Green Economy
“Latuaideadiimpresa” (LTIDI) is an annual program of business game aimed at students aged 16-18, with the participation of schools and companies active at local lev-el. LTIDI is a meaningful experience for nurturing students’ transversal skills, business culture, enabling them to learn about the basic elements of an entrepreneurial idea, supporting them both in the conceiving (training on the new business model, innovation and market, etc.) and in the creating phases (training on business plan, searching for funding, etc.).
Concepts & Instruments for Management & implementation qualificationsIn the 3LOE project were developed and implemented:
– 6 Train the Trainer programs
– 59 vocational training, further education and study programs (EQF Level 3 – 7)
– 5 tools and support programs
In order to implement this very extensive program to a high standard and on time, implementation concepts, tools and guidelines were developed, discussed and harmonized with the partners of the eight COVEs for all tasks relating to the development and implementation of all training measures at EQF levels 3 – 7. The result contains a summarized description.
KAIN Method & Train the Trainer Program
Result 4.2 KAIN Method and Train the Trainer Program was developed for the implementation of continuing professional education measures. It includes:
– Description of the KAIN method and application instructions.
– Concept and Curriculum for a Train the Trainer Program for teachers to conduct further training.
– Concept for the evaluation of the Train the Trainer Program
– Implementation and Evaluation report.
Green Economy training programsSix different advanced training courses in green technologies were developed and offered to trainees with vocational training and several years of professional experience, to acquire skills in water, wastewater, waste and circular economy. The courses are specifically tailored to the needs of the target groups “SME-owners and managers” and “SME professionals”. The imparted learning content is cross-occupational, experts and interested companies from all lines of trades will be ad-dressed. The learning results are rated at EQF level 5.
In addition, the six curricula for the further training programs are published with free access and for free down-load on this project website.
Training Energy Service Manager
An important task in energy-efficient building refurbishment concerns the comprehensive assessment of the buildings, the development of all necessary measures, the preparation of renovation plans, the determination of costs and refinancing options through energy savings and the comprehensive advice to investors. In order to impart the necessary skills, the 3LOE project developed, tested under various national conditions, evaluated and implemented the professional training program “Energy Service Manager”.
Training Enterprise and Entrepreneurship in Green Economy
A training program for SME owners and employees “Training Enterprise and Entrepreneurship in Green Economy” was developed, tested under various national conditions, evaluated, finalized and implemented. Since the consulting of the customers is of great importance, the result includes a curriculum “Reliable, systematic consulting environmentally oriented solutions” as an additional elective module. Result 4.5 comprises the two curricula, implementation reports and the evaluation concept and report.
Trainings Vocational Master & Trainings TechnicianThe 3LOE project is aimed to train entrepreneurs and managers, based on a high-level qualification system. Developed, tested, trialed under various national conditions, evaluated, finalized and implemented:
a) Curricula for the vocational master craftsman training for electricians and carpenters.
b) Curricula for the technician training for construction technicians and service technicians.
The profession was chosen because there was a particularly great need for them among the implementation partners. The master craftsman and technician training courses end with a stately recognized qualification at EQF Level 6. In this result implementation reports as well as evaluation concepts and reports are presented. In addition, two curricula for the vocational master craftsman training and two curricula for the technician training are published with free access and for free down-load on this project website.
Integration program for the unemployed
The eight Centers of Vocational Excellence established in the 3LOE project must also take on the tasks of integrating the unemployed into working life through qualifications as well as counseling and coaching programs or via retraining. An integration program for the unemployed was therefore developed, which was advised and agreed upon by the eight centres for vocational excellence in each country as well as in the project consortium. The program offers the opportunity to acquire qualifications at EQF levels 4 and 5 and to study for a Bachelor’s degree. It also provides counsel-ling support, which is of paramount importance for integration programs.
„SME-fair digitalization” & Trainings teacher digital Skills
The development and implementation of vocational training, continuing education and higher education measures will also need to comprehensively incorporate digital technology and solutions. In this context, there is a fundamental risk that digital technologies will simply be transferred from the large-scale economy that do not justice to the specific conditions of SMEs. For this reason, a brief concept on SME-fair digitalization is presented.
Likewise, digital teaching and learning methods will have to be used in the implementation of educational measures. Since many teachers have no or insufficient skills in this regard, two train-the-trainer programs were developed, practically tested, evaluated, finalized and implemented.
Trainings Energy Saving and Renewable Energies
A central theme of the green economy concerns the Energy sector. There is a very high demand for qualification and information in this regard among owners and employees as well as homeowners. Accordingly, five existing training programs were prepared and transferred. In line with regional needs, COVE Germany and Poland developed and implemented three further specific training programs. Result 4.9 includes curricula, teaching materials and implementation reports for these eight training programs.
Specific trainings in the Green Economy
The outstanding goal of the 3LOE project is that the eight centres of vocational excellence founded in the course of the project dedicate themselves to qualifications in the green economy at a high-quality level. Once the COVEs had started their work, they increasingly received information and reports from public administrations, business and innovation promoters, educational institutions and companies on urgent needs for additional further training measures for which there was a particularly high demand in the respective region. In order to meet these needs, the COVEs Austria, Germany, Lithuania, Italy and Poland have developed and implemented curricula and teaching materials for corresponding training programs and transferred them to all other COVEs, which are summarized as Result 4.10 Specific Trainings in the Green Economy.
Regulations for new continuing education occupational profiles
The 3LOE project emphatically pursues the goal of strengthening and intensifying continuing vocational training. A very important aspect of this is the creation of nationally and internationally recognized official further education qualifications at EQF Level 5. Of the participating countries, only Germany has such qualifications. For this reason, the 3LOE project worked on:
a) The development of a concept for the realization of officially recognized further education qualifications in Austria.
b) The realization of first official further education qualifications with national recognition.
c) For corresponding realizations in other countries, development of a guide for the creation of official further education qualifications.
The results were transferred to the other COVEs in order to realize official, nationally and internationally recognized further education qualifications in all participating countries.
Dual Bachelor Degree Programs
Small and medium-sized enterprises need highly qualified entrepreneurs, managers and specialists who have comprehensive theoretical knowledge and equally practical skills and experience. For this reason, dual Bachelor’s degree programs are to be implemented in all seven Centers of vocational Excellence as part of the project, combining vocational training and several years of work with a recognized Bachelor’s degree. To this end, dual Bachelor’s degree programs were developed, transferred to all seven COVEs and implementation advice was provided here.
a) Business Administration and Sustainable Management for SMEs
b) Management of Renewable Building Energy
c) Business Administration for SMEs
COVE Lithuania has carried out implementations. Comprehensive piloting was carried out by COVE Austria with all regional chambers of commerce for the introduction and implementation of dual study programs.
Green Economy study modules
Students of technical and business study programs are expected to be trained in SME-related green technologies and skills in technologies and management in the fields of water/sewage/waste treatment and in Circular Economy. Relevant study modules were developed, tested and evaluated, which are integrated into existing Bachelor’s degree programs or offered as continuing education courses.
Innovation support and R&D projects for SMEs
In direct connection with the implementation of further trainings and dual Bachelor programs, innovation support for companies were realized. For this specific support of enterprises, a concept is presented which were applied and evaluated during the project period in connection with the testing of the education programs. The result includes an SME-specific funding concept, implementation reports and an evaluation concept and report.
Train the Trainer Program for university lecturers and SME consultants
A train-the-trainer program for teaching staff from universities and SME consultants was developed, implemented, evaluated and finalized on the basis of the evaluation results. This educational program is characterized by the interlocking of vocational training (representing practice in the broadest sense) and academic training (representing theory and science in the broadest sense). At the same time, competences for the cooperation with SMEs and for the promotion of innovations are imparted.
Two dual Bachelor’s degree programs in the Green Economy have been developed. The study program “Entrepreneurship & Innovation in Green Economy” from COVE Latvia. COVE Lithuania developed the “Electrical and Automatic Equipment” study program, which was implemented during the project period.
In addition, the curriculum for the “Electrical and Automatic Equipment” study pro-gram is published with free access and for free download on this project website.
Dual Bachelor program “Logistics – Green Supply Chains”
COVE Poland developed and implemented a dual Bachelor’s degree program in “Logistics – Green Supply Chains”. The result contains a concept and curriculum, an implementation report and an evaluation concept and report. The dual program in the field of Logistics in the field of Green Supply Chains is designed to educate candidates for positions in management and task teams in enterprises of the broadly understood logistics sector.
Dual Bachelor program “Sustainable Building System Technology”
COVE Austria developed and implemented a dual Bachelor’s degree program in “Sustainable Building System Technology”. The training program provides a completed vocational training in relevant professions as well as comprehensive theoretical knowledge and practical work experience in sustainable building system technology. Graduates are highly valued as highly qualified managers and specialists in companies. The result includes a concept and curriculum, an implementation report and an evaluation concept and report.
Tutorial and dual Bachelor Program “Sustainable management Climate neutrality for companies”
COVE Austria developed one curriculum für a tutorial and another curriculum for a dual Bachelor degree program “Sustainable management Climate neutrality for companies”. The second curriculum was designed to offer comprehensive, specialized factual and theoretical knowledge for a completely new type of bachelor’s degree in Austria as a new professional further education in the field of sustainable management, with a focus on climate neutrality for organizations – especially for small and medium sized enterprises. The result includes two curricula and an evaluation concept.
Result report of all evaluations and assessments
The result summarizes the results of the quality assurance and the evaluations of the transfer of results and the implementations, the cooperation in the project consortium and the overall project implementation, including conclusions and recommendations in a final chapter.
Transfer, implementation consulting & further disseminations
The dissemination activities are very important for the 3LOE project. A strategic plan lists all planned dissemination activities, target groups, channels and indicators. This dissemination strategy plan serves as a reference framework for identifying, monitoring and evaluating the dissemination measures. In addition to the strategy plan, the report summarizes the results of the dissemination activities in which all project partners were intensively involved.