Work-Based Learning in the Field of Mechatronics: Introducing VET Multipliers to Alternate Work-Based Learning in Romania and Macedonia

"In the field of vocational education and training, the European Commission has recommended an increasing introduction of workplace-oriented learning. With this in mind, the Erasmus+ project ""Work-Based Learning in the Field of Mechatronics: Introducing VET Multipliers to Alternate Work-Based Learning in Romania and Macedonia"" introduced workplace-oriented components into vocational training for mechatronics at the Hunedoara, Timisoara (Romania) and Kavadarci (Macedonia) sites. The project had a duration of 36 months and started on 01.09.2015. The project partners were the Bildungswerk der Bayerischen Wirtschaft, the automotive companies Dräxlmaier, Continental and Contitech, the vocational schools in Hunedoara and Kavadarci as well as the school inspectorate Hunedoara.One focus of the project was the qualification of multipliers. To this end, both teachers and managers of the project partners were prepared for practical, labour market-oriented mechatronics by means of further training. Within the framework of the project, materials were also prepared for the design of instruction and the implementation of labour market-relevant learning progress controls. The documents were processed on the basis of the EC VET. By using European vocational training tools, the project contributed to cross-border transparency within mechatronics training and promoted a European training area.In addition, existing cooperation structures between the training actors were further strengthened and expanded within the framework of the project.Overall, the project supported an improvement in the practical and labour market relevance of mechatronics training in Hunedoara, Timisoara and Kavadarci. It is expected that the stronger orientation of the training towards the needs of the private sector, which was achieved within the framework of the project, will at the same time increase the employability of young training graduates and reduce the risk of youth unemployment."