Sustainable Integration of Intercultural Communication into VET Courses and Counselling Targeting Migrants and National Minorities

<< Background >>We aimed to create a more inclusive, needs-based, and flexible vocational education and training (VET) system by developing motivational audio-visual master classes that integrate intercultural communication (IC) into VET. Our goal was to increase the attractiveness of VET while addressing the needs and expectations of culturally and ethnically diverse students. Supporting professional development of VET teachers encourages an inclusive learning environment. Our project focused on innovative digital pedagogy and new ways to reach out to VET trainers. Based on research and our previous experience with VET professionals, we found that trainers lack practical methods/tools to integrate IC in the classroom. It is insufficient to merely focus on teaching specific working techniques. VET professionals have to be able to communicate and teach values, concepts and realities that are relevant on the labour market and the contemporary society. Therefore, we developed 5 video master classes led by experts who shared their good practices and experience in the classroom. A workbook with step-by-step instructions for each class was also provided, along with a new long-term platform to equip VET professionals with innovative IC-training. << Objectives >>The objective of our project was to develop motivational audio-visual master classes to support VET trainers in integrating intercultural communication (IC) and creating inclusive classrooms. We aimed to provide an open and clear training and methodological support that uses IC to ensure inclusivity. Our first SEP project aimed to develop an e-learning platform with tools, exercises, and literature on IC adapted for VET. This project complements the first one by providing five masterclasses where VET trainers share their experiences and give concrete recommendations to motivate other trainers. We also aimed to contribute to shifting how VET is perceived and what type of training is effective and sustainable. VET is not just a bridge to the labor market but to an inclusive society as well. Through our project, we succeeded in creating value-added training and contributing to how people from different backgrounds are perceived by policy-makers, VET professionals, and companies. Our materials are now being used in everyday work and training. Region Uppsala, Uppsala municipality, and Tierps municipality presented project master classes to their staff to raise awareness on intercultural communication. << Implementation >>In Part 1 of the project, a need analysis was conducted to develop the template for master classes, including content, structure, and questions for the experts who led them. Channels for distribution of master classes to the target groups were identified, and experts who led the master classes were selected based on their knowledge and experience with intercultural communication, the labor market, and migrants and national minorities.Part 2 involved the production of five online video master classes and workbooks. The master classes were designed to be both motivational and training tools, sharing VET trainers' experiences in the classroom with students of different backgrounds. One master class was led by experts in diversity management and inclusive employment for ethnic minorities and migrants in SMEs and NGOs, covering both sectors that are connected to VET and the labor market. The workbooks included detailed information and resources about intercultural communication, classroom practices, teachers' experiences and insights from the training process, as well as practical tools, exercises, and tasks to implement in training.Finally, in Part 3, pilot, distribution and project management activities were carried out. << Results >>Training video Master classes (5) with experts presenting the best practices and personal experience with intercultural communication in the classroom. Each master class was divided into thematic blocks so the masterclass would have a certain structure and would be easier to follow:INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION AS A DRIVER FOR INCLUSIVE VET by Yevgeniya Averhed, MIR Akademien CULTURAL COMPETENCE FOR INCLUSIVE CLASSROOM AND EMPLOYMENT by Helena Miettinen and Taru Toivonen, Business College HelsinkiCULTURAL DIFFERENCES IN A TRAINING ENVIRONMENT by Amir Dalloul, Uppsala municipalityINCLUSIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT IN PRACTICE by Dennis Johannesson, Uppsala municipality INTEGRATING INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION IN THE CLASSROOM by Hiba Qatanani, Uppsala municipality Five workbooks were developed by trainers with instructions, resources and tools for other VET professionals, for labor market representatives to learn about IC. The aim of the workbooks was to create both practical and motivating guides to encourage trainers' upskilling, re-evaluating perceptions of certain cultural stereotypes, and learn new practices for everyday work with people of different cultural backgrounds.