See and Learn

"Within the framework of the “KA2 - exchange of good practices” the project wanted to identify, analyse and synthesise success models of work-based learning starting from good practices and innovations from each partner. The partners were involved in WBL at various level (apprenticeship, general work-placements, dual system, on-the-job training..), some have a long experience and some others have a long experience in training young people but are new to the dual system. For this reason, the idea was to compare success factors, exchange lesson learnt and learn from each other to create a model to train students as workers with technical skills with soft skills. The focus was meant to be also on the role of the trainer/mentor in companies. Starting from well established experiences the project wanted to underline their characteristics and transfer or/and adapt them to the different national contests, keeping in mind the different legislation too. The project lasted 36 months and involved organizations from Italy, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Belgium, United Kingdom and Bulgaria. After an initial preparation phase the partners met in Italy, Germany and Portugal to focus on the following topics: • differences between vocational training to train for professional/technical skills worker and vocational training to train for the soft skills; • vocational training and models for WBL; • vocational training between tradition (Italy, Spain, Portugal) and innovation (Germany, Belgium, Bulgaria); • the role of trainers as coaches or mentors or educators; • the role of the companies and the company mentors.For each organization there was a project manager, an educator/coordinator and 3 or more trainers involved in WBL according to different features (apprenticeship, work-placement, internship, dual learning). Each organization has also involved their most trusted companies, available for interviews and meetings. Starting from the mapping of their best practices, the organizations shared them through a common framework and, where possibile, through visits on the field. Taking into account the critical points and the needs of the learners a learning activity has been organized in the second half of the project. The main need was that of the ""soft skills"": their transferability from the trainers to the students and their evaluation. The LEARNING ACTIVITY, which was the main result of our project, involved 28 participants: in 5 online working days and many more at a distance the partners used tools to reflect on their process and methodologies for WBL. Using as a base the ""7 principles"" of Needs Base Working in the Belgian model and with interactive methodologies, the partners explored the different features of the WBL process and learnt from each other sharing their working methodologies, tools and also acquiring a new awarenss which proved quite effective."