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Dual Vocational Training for the Qualification and Integration of Young People and the Strengthening of Innovation in SMEs
Start date: Sep 1, 2014, End date: Aug 31, 2017 PROJECT  FINISHED 

Vocational education has lost much of its attractiveness. Especially in EU countries with predominantly school-based vocational training (e.g. Poland, Lithuania, Latvia) the participation is low, dropped to an alarmingly low level and is perceived by many young people as a dead end. At the same time companies complain about the lack of skills of the graduates. The consequences are unemployment rate of 28-30% in Lithuania, Latvia and Poland of the 15-24 year olds. Due to the demographic change, the number of school leavers is dropping fast significantly in all member states, with the exception of Sweden. By 2030, the number of 15-44 year olds labor force by will decrease by to 25%. Already today in most countries, a shortage of skilled workers exists, that increasingly affects the future and limits any growth development. The increase of qualifications and at the same time eliminating the shortage of skilled labor is the most important task and the central key to a sustainable strengthening of innovation, competitiveness and growth of SMEs. The German dual system of vocational training, which leads to a comparatively low youth unemployment, can make very large contributions with a lasting impact on the achievement of objectives. Therefore, by work based learning in the vocational education, the project follows the following overall objectives: a) Greatly improved integration of young people in vocational training and reduce youth unemployment and b) Provision of qualified staff and thus promote innovation and competitiveness in SMEs. The following action objectives serve this purpose: 1. On the basis of the German system of dual vocational training for three countries with predominantly school-based vocational training (Poland, Lithuania and Hungary) development of specific concepts for the realization of work based learning in VET. 2. In at least one of these countries specific introduction of a dual system of vocational training, which is tailored to the specific conditions of the country and include the experiences from all countries around the Baltic Sea. 3. Development of adapted curricula for train-the-trainers in SMEs (in-company trainers educating the trainees on the spot in the enterprise) and implementations in Poland, Lithuania and Hungary. 4. Development of coordinated concepts and for 13 countries build an international network for permanent promotion and implementation of work based learning. 5. Transfer of the project results to 67 education providers from 13 countries and promoting broad-based implementations. The project is led by the Baltic Sea Academy, which has successfully developed dual bachelor's degree programs in recent years (vocational training in SMEs while studying at a university) and implemented in different countries. Another renowned expert of the German dual system, the Chamber of Crafts Dresden is represented in the consortium to bring all documents, materials and experiences for dual vocational training in Germany and the train-the-trainers seminars for SMEs. In order to identify and thus to improve the transfer success for other countries and evaluate different national conditions, with the selected countries of Poland, Lithuania and Hungary - where there is a great need for action as well as strong willingness for the realization of work based learning - the ideal implementing partners have been chosen. From these countries the following partners participate in the consortium: a) A Chamber of Crafts, which itself operates two large vocational schools and can implement with their SME members dual vocational trainings. b) Two large professional schools that want to realize Work based Learning and to cooperate with chambers that introduce SMEs to the operational parts of the training. c) Two universities that develop with the other partner’s region-specific concepts, curricula and monitor and evaluate and give advice for the implementation. In addition, the universities will develop concepts, curricula for the train-the-trainers seminars and permanently realise them together with chambers. Through the Baltic Sea Academy more than 17 transfer partner colleges / universities and 50 chambers from 13 countries are involved, get the all project results are being advised on permanently to promote Work based Learning in their regions. Thus, a wide effect and high sustainability are achieved. With the implementation of tailor-made solutions for dual systems, young people will be better integrated; they obtain the necessary qualifications in the labor market and youth unemployment is reduced. SMEs get the much needed qualified workforce and get prepared through the train-the-trainer measures for dual vocational training. Through the inclusion of 67 key education stakeholders from 13 countries a continuous support network for the implementation of work based Learning is created.

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