Environmental sustainability as key competence in future business and administration professions

<< Background >>To establish and develop direct cooperation between local businesses and VET students and their educational institutions. To develop students' competences in environmental sustainability and sustainable development, as well as entrepreneurial competences by making them key actors in the development of the project with companies (planning, executing, analysing and feedback) To collect and share sustainability best practices carried out by local businesses via visits, interviews and surveys. To develop sustainable development guidelines for local businesses. The partnership aimed at making an impact on a systemic level, at developing innovative VET educational practices that would enhance the opportunities of our students by equipping them with better competences linked to the needs of the real labour market, and On an educational level, at empowering VET young students as well as local businesses to become active agents for change in the fight against climate crisis and sustainable development by engaging them in real-life cooperation. << Objectives >>To establish and develop direct cooperation between local businesses and VET students and their educational institutions. To develop students' competences in environmental sustainability and sustainable development, as well as entrepreneurial competences by making them key actors in the development of the project with companies (planning, executing, analysing and feedback) To collect and share sustainability best practices carried out by local businesses via visits, interviews and surveys. To develop sustainable development guidelines for local businesses. Even though the faced challenges might not be the same, both countries are affected by climate change and therefore must adapt. Allowing students to learn both realities by contacting and visiting companies from both countries will give them a broader perspective and a motivational boost. << Implementation >>The dominant activities implemented in this project are the five “online” and four “face-to-face” meetings, which included more specific during and post activities. Not only did the design of these activities aim at the real-life cooperation of VET students with local businesses in the pursuit of sustainable development, but also intended to ensure the development of innovative VET educational practices that foster students with tangible opportunities to achieve the required competencies for the real labour market.First online meeting, on May 5th 2022, in which the Spanish team and the Finnish team met, the project was presented to students and students were asked to reflect on their expectations, fears and contributions in regards to the project. On second and third project meeting workshops were held. On last meeting a seminar presented the results of the project. In the onlinemeetings the project was approached from different angles, such us how to make a good questionnaire, presentation of survey results, a comparative analysis, looking for differences, similarities and unexpected results and assessment<< Results >>The project brought innovative VET educational practices that will enhance the opportunities of our students by equipping them with better competences linked to the needs of the real labour market. On an educational level, this partnership empowered VET young students as well as local businesses to become active agents for change in the fight against climate crisis and sustainable development by engaging them in real-life cooperation. Cooperation gave the students involved opportunity to improve the quality and relevance of their studies and prepares them for a global society of knowledge and climate change. Students participation in the project improved their CV and their softer skills, such as team work, as well as language skills. Cooperation increased the teaching skills in our colleges, and will enforce the specific knowledge of the staff.AS a result the students gave recommendations on how to be more sustainable to the local companies involved. Students divided their proposals in categories. Piloting a new way to get study points within project participation for students. The commitment of the companies aimed changing their habits. They realized and understood that their sustainability actions matter a lot.