An enhancement of the educational process in VET institutions

<< Background >>The global world has been affected by artificial intelligence, advanced production facilities, automation, and robotics. The study process of VET schools is also affected by new technologies, complex processes and structures, different digital tools, platforms, etc. VET schools should teach the students to work with up-to-date training equipment (what many companies already have), also VET schools should be proactive and foresee the needs of businesses and prepare education programs aligned with the needs of labour market because companies can’t wait many years for new graduates, specialists. Therefore, peer evaluation was used in the training events that were attended by VET teachers and companies from six different European countries. The main themes explored during the training events (peer evaluations) were: 1) conducting analysis of automotive curriculums; 2) successful pedagogical methods; 3) blended learning 4) AR training for welding and up-to-date training equipment. The discussions with involved VET schools and companies in the project were important to understand how to improve the educational process in VET institutions and how best to adapt vocational education and training to labour market needs. << Objectives >>The project objective was to enhance the educational process in VET institutions through cooperation and exchange of good practices between project partner-country institutions and companies in the field of VET by increasing their attractiveness, and effectiveness and providing future-oriented education and training systems.We wanted to enhance the educational process at project partners’ VET institutions giving recommendations after analysis of five different automotive educational programs during the training events (peer evaluations), upgrading teachers' knowledge regarding pedagogical methods, blended learning, dual education, and improving the study environment for student purchasing augmented reality (AR) welding equipment for the training of students at 3 VET schools. Thus, the students can learn basic welding skills on simulators with less metal alloy waste and less fumes, and later strengthen these skills using real welding equipment. Implementing AR welding equipment, carrying out analysis of 5 educational programs, professional development of teachers, discussions, and experience exchange can enhance future-oriented VET education and positively affect the reputation of the VET schools. << Implementation >>The five short-term joint staff training events (peer evaluations) were organized. Organizers of the training events prepared the Preparatory document, Agenda, and Questions to be answered before each training event (peer evaluation) and reported about them during the online project partner meeting one month before the peer evaluation. During the project, five different automotive educational programs were analyzed and recommendations were included in the Report for improvements of the automotive educational programs. For a comprehensive understanding, the VET educational systems of project partner countries and the automotive sector trends were presented. Organizers of the training events prepared the presentations regarding the pedagogical methods, blended learning, dual education, and provision of apprenticeship and they moderated the discussions about labour market needs and readiness of VET institutions to meet the demand of labour market. Three VET schools purchased AR welding equipment and started to use it in the training with students. For the provision of successful project management, there were three transnational project partner meetings in person and five online meetings before each peer evaluation. The project's Facebook page was developed. << Results >>During the project, the following results of the project were provided:1)Organized five short-term joint staff training events (peer evaluations). Teachers and experts from the automotive industry analyzed the auto body repair educational program and car mechanic educational programs. The compiled recommendations in the Report were useful for improvements of the educational programs.2)Developed five Reports. After analysis of five different automotive educational programs, the recommendations were included in the Reports. Also, a short description of the 5 VET institutions as well as descriptions of educational systems in the project partners’ countries was included in the Reports.3)Lectures and presentations regarding the professional development of teachers (blended learning, transversal skills, critical thinking, education, and expectations, Live worksheets, FillWord Solving, dual education). 4)AR welding equipment purchase and implementation in the training with students.5) Developed the project's Facebook page helped to spread the results of the project.6) Elaborated a dissemination and communication plan helped to make structured and planned dissemination activities.7) The developed management manual was useful for successful project management.