Laying the Foundations: A Holistic Intervention for an Upgraded VET Students Performance

"Our project aims to upskill entry-level VET students, during their first year of studies, by establishing a “Foundation Semester"". More specifically, our project aims to unlock the potential of VET students in East Neighborhood countries, in order to acquire better results in key competences, including not only PISA’s fields of assessment, but also competences such as entrepreneurship. In order to do so, we will formulate a holistic intervention, based on PISA’s suggestion, aiming to:- Holistic Competence Development: Beyond PISA's assessment areas, our project seeks to instill entrepreneurial skills, critical thinking, and adaptability in VET students.- Inclusive Learning Ecosystem: Establishing an inclusive environment that fosters diversity and supports every student's unique learning journey. Focus will be given to equity, integration for migrant students, and empowerment of disadvantaged learners.- Digital Transformation: Empower teachers and students with digital skills to enhance the learning experience and prepare for the demands of the modern workforce.- Supportive Educational Culture: Cultivate a positive and supportive culture within VET institutions to enhance student well-being and overall academic success. - Addressing Socio-economic Disparities: Implement targeted interventions to support socio-economically disadvantaged students, ensuring they receive equitable opportunities for success.All the above, will be included in a “Foundation VET Cycle”, based on the “Foundation Semester” concept that many Universities have established, adapted to the VET reality, where students will have the opportunity to combine their first academic year in their VET school, with a parallel supporting class, that aims to address gaps in academic skills, enhance subject-specific knowledge, and foster a smooth transition for students entering VET programs."