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Pla(i)n VET - Inclusion of young learners with special needs into VET through the use of Plain Language
FunderEuropean Commission
Funder Contribution €200,891.00
Funded underERASMUS+ | Partnerships for cooperation and exchanges of practices | Cooperation partnerships in vocational education and training
Project code2021-1-DE02-KA220-VET-000032996
Open Access mandatePublications: NoResearch data: No
Identifiers
Description
<< Background >>The motivation was to offer custom-fit instruments to support learners with special needs in their orientation in education and consequently in the integration into the labour market. Especially during the pandemic times, it became obvious that focussing mainly on individual one-to-one support might not always be possible and the lack of suitable digital material led to further exclusion of the target group. The most important challenges/needs, as identified by the partners through their daily work, are:1. The target group is not prepared to use digital tools as the approaches are mostly based on one-to-one physical support2. Suitable tools for digital participation of the target group which also take their needs into account are lacking.3. The covid pandemic showed even more the risk of exclusion of the target group as more effort is needed for full participation in society. 4. The access to training and qualifications for all should be fostered. The support for labour market integration of learners with special needs to be intensified.<< Objectives >>Our project aimed to:1) foster inclusion: To achieve a broad integration on the labour market, inclusion needs to already start within the education system to make disadvantaged groups reach their full potential in society. 2) provide accessibility: While reducing barriers and providing individual support, the power of language for inclusion must not be underestimated. The use of Plain Language in offline and digital settings in education leads to more inclusion. 3) empower: For personal fulfilment, one needs to have all the necessary information and also understand all of these to take good decision for one’s own future. 4) raise awareness: The awareness for the target group's needs among companies needs to be raised so that the transition from school to work can be successful. Also, the power of standard language and its capacity to exclude people needs to be more present, leading to raised awareness for Plain Language. 5) tackle the project’s topic transnationality: Obstacles of the target group that struggles with understanding standard language applies to all countries. Therefore, the transnational consortium advocated for a European solution.<< Implementation >>The Pla(i)n VET project consisted of different work packages and aimed for two major project outputs: Project Output 1: -Collaborative production of a guide in easy language (plain language in case of German language version) for providing orientation in the transition period between school and Vocational Education or the Labour Market.Project Output 2: -Elaboration of a video series to raise awareness for the project’s topic and the target groups’ needs while showing inspirational good practice examples of inclusive companies and their employees. Further activities implemented: -3 transnational partner meetings (Belgium, Spain, Austria) and a transnational Learning, Training and Teaching Activity (Sweden)-mix of physical and digital dissemination activities and events including the creation and continuous update of the project’s Website and Facebook Page and 5 Local Multiplier Events<< Results >>The PlainVET project produced 2 Project Results: Result 1: “Identify your own potential and create the future for yourself”The consortium created a guide for facilitating the transition from school to VET or the labour market. Topics such as skills and competences are tackled as well as information for vocational education paths are given and instructions on application processes are provided. The guide is written in easy language and translated to Swedish, Spanish, Turkish and German (the German version has the official Plain Language seal).Result 2: “Let's realise inclusion together”Together with companies, VET teachers and career consultants a video series with 11 episodes was created in which awareness for the project’s target group was raised and good practice examples of inclusion on the labour market were provided. This way, companies’ fears and worries to employ people with special needs or who are struggling in the conventional system should be reduced. Representatives of the target group shared their perspective and were empowered while acting as role model for peers.
Partners (5)
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<< Background >>The motivation was to offer custom-fit instruments to support learners with special needs in their orientation in education and consequently in the integration into the labour market. Especially during the pandemic times, it became obvious that focussing mainly on individual one-to-one support might not always be possible and the lack of suitable digital material led to further exclusion of the target group. The most important challenges/needs, as identified by the partners through their daily work, are:1. The target group is not prepared to use digital tools as the approaches are mostly based on one-to-one physical support2. Suitable tools for digital participation of the target group which also take their needs into account are lacking.3. The covid pandemic showed even more the risk of exclusion of the target group as more effort is needed for full participation in society. 4. The access to training and qualifications for all should be fostered. The support for labour market integration of learners with special needs to be intensified.<< Objectives >>Our project aimed to:1) foster inclusion: To achieve a broad integration on the labour market, inclusion needs to already start within the education system to make disadvantaged groups reach their full potential in society. 2) provide accessibility: While reducing barriers and providing individual support, the power of language for inclusion must not be underestimated. The use of Plain Language in offline and digital settings in education leads to more inclusion. 3) empower: For personal fulfilment, one needs to have all the necessary information and also understand all of these to take good decision for one’s own future. 4) raise awareness: The awareness for the target group's needs among companies needs to be raised so that the transition from school to work can be successful. Also, the power of standard language and its capacity to exclude people needs to be more present, leading to raised awareness for Plain Language. 5) tackle the project’s topic transnationality: Obstacles of the target group that struggles with understanding standard language applies to all countries. Therefore, the transnational consortium advocated for a European solution.<< Implementation >>The Pla(i)n VET project consisted of different work packages and aimed for two major project outputs: Project Output 1: -Collaborative production of a guide in easy language (plain language in case of German language version) for providing orientation in the transition period between school and Vocational Education or the Labour Market.Project Output 2: -Elaboration of a video series to raise awareness for the project’s topic and the target groups’ needs while showing inspirational good practice examples of inclusive companies and their employees. Further activities implemented: -3 transnational partner meetings (Belgium, Spain, Austria) and a transnational Learning, Training and Teaching Activity (Sweden)-mix of physical and digital dissemination activities and events including the creation and continuous update of the project’s Website and Facebook Page and 5 Local Multiplier Events<< Results >>The PlainVET project produced 2 Project Results: Result 1: “Identify your own potential and create the future for yourself”The consortium created a guide for facilitating the transition from school to VET or the labour market. Topics such as skills and competences are tackled as well as information for vocational education paths are given and instructions on application processes are provided. The guide is written in easy language and translated to Swedish, Spanish, Turkish and German (the German version has the official Plain Language seal).Result 2: “Let's realise inclusion together”Together with companies, VET teachers and career consultants a video series with 11 episodes was created in which awareness for the project’s target group was raised and good practice examples of inclusion on the labour market were provided. This way, companies’ fears and worries to employ people with special needs or who are struggling in the conventional system should be reduced. Representatives of the target group shared their perspective and were empowered while acting as role model for peers.
