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#ITKAM4EUROPE: “digit” project recruitment of testers for toolkit#1

Since January 1, 2022, ITKAM – Italian Chamber of Commerce for Germany is the coordinator of the DIGIT project (DIGItal Transformation of Internationalization process), funded by the German National Erasmus+ Agency NABIBB.

DIGIT has emerged as a response to the COVID -19 pandemic situation, which has required SMEs in the agrifood sector in particular to rapidly strengthen digital skills in the sales and marketing process. These companies have had to adapt to digital marketing strategies and develop and implement new online or hybrid events within a few weeks.

DIGIT aims to develop three OERs training materials (Open Electronic Resources) for internationalization experts (e.g. employees of Chambers of Commerce and Industry and Chambers of Commerce Abroad) and for internationalization trainers (e.g. teachers at vocational schools for foreign trade or trainers at Chambers of Commerce and Industry).

 

THE 1ST TRAINING MATERIAL: TOOLKIT#1

The first of the three OERs training materials is Toolkit #1. This toolkit will provide a guide for experts and educators in the internationalization field and will address content including:

  • Use of online research tools for target markets.
  • Use of social media for sales and internationalization campaigns
  • Use of B2B platforms
  • Data protection compliance (GDPR)

 

TESTER – RECRUITMENT FOR TOOLKIT#1:

ITKAM is looking for testers with the following profiles for Toolkit#1:

  • Export managers in medium-sized companies in the agricultural sector.
  • Experts for international trade
  • Vocational school teachers and trainers in the field of foreign trade

Internationalisation experts will implement the Toolkit#1 at SMEs they serve as clients. Teachers will deliver the Toolkit#1 content to their learners. Selected testers can benefit from all three OERs training materials in advance and free of charge.

Toolkit#1 is an online course with approximately 10 hours of learning time. Testing will take place in September/October 2022. The available places for testing from Toolkit#1 are:

35 trainers/educators as well as teachers in vocational education and training.
35 places for export managers/event planners and trade experts

Apply as a tester for Toolkit #1 until June 30, 2022 at this link: https://www.f6s.com/digit-expression-of-interest/apply

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Ms. Raffaella Saviori (rsaviori@itkam.org; +49 (0) 69 971452 42)
Ms. Sonia Barani (sbarani@itkam.org; +49 (0) 341 98972513)

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Inclusion through Mobility

All over Europe there is a need for innovative ways to include young people in difficulty into education and training. Internships abroad offer great opportunities for learners as they have a positive effect on learning performance and motivation, support the further development of personality and significantly improve the chances on the labour market.

The Erasmus+ project InMobVET therefore developed the following resources to facilitate the inclusion through mobility:

 

  • A GUIDE FOR EDUCATORS includes information about the role of educators and parents, about motivational strategies, intercultural learning and of course international mobility.
  • A TRAINING MODULE ON INTERCULTURALITY aims to facilitate the inclusion of young people in the school community and to prepare young people with social and academic difficulties for the immersion in a foreign company during a mobility. It involves activities on cultural awareness, intercultural communication, adaptability, openness, self-efficacy and respect for others.

 

On our website (vet.eu-mobility.eu) you can find both resources as open educational resources.

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How VET education helps industry and vice versa

The PTI of Kortrijk started a collaboration with Pertersime (world’s largest producer of incubators) for the construction of a real chicken house as a test lab in the school.

VET students and teachers breed every 6 weeks 500 chickens from 50g to +/- 3kg under different but standardized conditions. They feed and do the 2 weekly weighing of the animals. The data generated here is the basis for studies on feed conversion.

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BIBB President Esser: “Securing skilled labour will be one of the greatest challenges of this decade”

PHOTO Credits: by Sten Rademaker on Unsplash

 

After the considerable losses last year in the wake of the Corona pandemic and its combating, the current situation on the training market only eased slightly in 2021. With a total of 473,100 newly concluded contracts for vocational training, 52,000 fewer contracts were concluded than in 2019, before the Corona pandemic.

The number of training places on offer in 2021 was 536,200, more than 40,000 fewer than in 2019, before the Corona pandemic (578,200).  

The number of young people seeking dual vocational training fell again by 4,800 (-0.9%) to 540,900 compared to the previous year. The demand for training places thus reached a new low since 1992, when the data for the reunified Germany were first available.

In contrast, the number of unfilled training places continued to rise and reached a new record level. 63,200 training places remained unfilled in 2021. The number of unfilled training places had already steadily increased in previous years (2019: 53,100, 2020: 59,900).

BIBB President Friedrich Hubert Esser said the Corona pandemic also had a firm grip on the training market in 2021. Dual training continues to be a central component for qualifying the skilled workers of tomorrow. Nevertheless, the uncertainty caused by the ongoing pandemic is palpable among companies and young people. An increasing problem is a steadily decreasing demand for training places by youths and young adults. Because “where there is a lack of trainees today, there will be a lack of skilled workers tomorrow,” said Esser.

Therefore, finding and qualifying enough skilled workers will be one of the greatest challenges of the current decade. An attractive and robust vocational education and training system is needed to meet this challenge.

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Connectief & EGInA: mobility activities

Thanks to the ENNE project, where Connectief and EGInA are partners. Last November, they were able to develop work placement activities for 10 Belgian students in Italy with the Erasdu mobility project. EGInA supported Connectief to research the best companies to host the learners.

The 10 students came from different sectors in the fields: “Care”, “Administration”, “Tourism”, “HORECA” and “Automechanics” of GOTalent (Dendermonde), Petrus en Paulus (Oostende), ZAVO (Zaventem), Atheneum Brakel, Atheneum Mortsel and HTISA (Gent).

The experience lasted 15 days and each student was able to work in companies in the area of Foligno (Umbria). They all expressed a positive opinion and underlined the importance of gaining experience abroad to grow professionally and personally.

Thanks to the companies that hosted the 10 students:

  • OFFICINA PALMIOLI
  • RISTORANTE MENTELOCALE
  • CENTRO STUDI CITTA’ DI FOLIGNO
  • COOPERATIVA SOCIALE LA LOCOMOTIVA
  • COOPERATIVA SOCIALE LA TENDA
  • OSTELLO PIERANTONI
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An overview of the general situation of schools in Bulgaria

In Bulgaria, the school year starts in mid of September. Despite the global pandemic situation on 15 September 2021, all schools opened and welcomed all students for the 2021/2022 school year with strict consideration of the National epidemic measures.

The situation in Bulgaria in the last months was very dynamic and it tested on many occasions the flexibility of all schools and the overall preparation and reactions of the National system.

Despite all factors main driven power of the last 3 months was the motivation of the schools’ authorities, parents and students in close cooperation with the national bodies to ensure the learning is happening in a rather difficult situation. The schools and educational entities were to consider the local circumstances and National recommendations for the organization of the learning process. One major lockdown took all students out of schools in October-November.

For most of the Bulgarian schools that are part of the ENNE network the main focus in the last months was the local organization of the learning processes while introducing online, face-to-face or blended forms of teaching. Since the National regulations and COVID-19 measures were not easily predictable the schools and educational entities were to adapt, invent, cooperate and innovate new measures mainly focused on the local realities and specific needs in their schools’ communities.

Some of the Network members managed also to work beyond the basics and get involved in international activities, competitions and mobilities. PGEE Gylabovo also received VET accreditation for KA1 mobilities under Erasmus +.

The National network members also supported and were involved in the following ENNE project activities related to Job shadowing and VET learners mobilities.

 

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The virological maleise

After the beginning of a school year when anything was possible, reality has once again caught up with us. Vaccinations, unfortunately, do not make us invincible after all. Thanks to high vaccination rates, schools were able to teach as usual for a long time. However, the elementary school and their unvaccinated young students became the driving force behind the spread of the virus, forcing us to take new measures. The Christmas break was extended to 3 weeks. Once again, extracurricular outings have been banned and mouth masks have been made compulsory from the age of 6 (previously 12).

And yet!

In November, Connectief’s project ErasDu was able to send 71 students abroad for a 2-week internship. For the first time since the pandemic, this was possible again. The quality of the traineeship and the “appetite” of the students did not suffer from the pandemic. You can read that in the testimonials. The students and schools are enthusiastic and eager to get back on track in Europe in April 2022.  

And yet!

Teachers are joining forces again to set up innovative teaching techniques and methodologies. VTIO Hoogstraten, for example, is developing a new HEV learning box for teaching about electric vehicles. With imec’s support, the school is bringing education and the professional field together to create a great innovative teaching tool.

And yet!

Teachers are joining forces again to set up innovative teaching techniques and methodologies. VTIO Hoogstraten, for example, is developing a new HEV learning box for teaching about electric vehicles. With imec’s support, the school is bringing education and the professional field together to create a great innovative tool.

And yet!

Flemish schools are preparing (for the first time in 2 years) for a live Belfair. BELFAIR is the annual Belgian fair for virtual companies, organized by COFEP. It is usually one of the largest virtual company fairs in Europe. At a traditional BELFAIR we welcome more than 230 exhibitors and 2500 visitors, spread over 2 days. The exhibitors are virtual companies from secondary education, higher education and adult education.

And yet!

Students were able to follow important training courses and obtain certificates that facilitate their transition to the labor market, such as a training course in scaffolding construction after which students from directions such as construction, wood, … receive the certificate “working at height”.

And yet!               

Have students undertaken intriguing experiments such as the development of a solar heater from empty soda cans.

Pupils are harvesting strawberries for the first time in their new greenhouses and are making plans for the operation of a store in the school.

Beautiful chairs are designed and made in the style of Gerrit Rietveld (NL).

A youth movement will be able to work in beautiful new buildings next year thanks to the students of a VET school.

Exams and final projects continue 😊

And now…

All options are open for 2022. The air is buzzing with activity and plans are brimming with innovativeness. Good COVID figures were wished for under the Christmas tree to make 2022 a banner year.

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EYE 2021, high school students went to Strasbourg

EGInA Srl in association with the NGO CRHACK LAB took part in the European Youth Event (EYE) for the 2021 edition, involving nine students from schools of the territory (such as ITE Scarpellini, part of the ENNE Network).

Promoted by the European Parliament, the European Youth Event (EYE) is a two-yearly international event aimed at young people that promotes debates and open discussion on today’s topics and challenges.

eye2021_strasbourg_egina

For the students, participation in EYE 2021 was the final step of a PCTO course promoted and financed by EGInA Srl and CRHACK LAB.
The path offered training sessions on the European Union institution and the 17 UN goals for Sustainable Development; students also participated in the Social Hackathon Umbria 2021.


The European Youth Event gave them the opportunity to experience these topics first-hand.

This educational and international experience gave us the opportunity to get in touch with new cultures, realities and perspectives. We had the chance to visit new places and practise school subjects such as English and international law”.

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Blended Course, the italian experience

Since April, the High School “Rocco Chinnici” of Nicolosi, in the province of Catania, has participated in the “Blended training course on Erasmus KA2 project proposal writing” of the Consortium ENNE online. The course ended with a series
The course ended with a series of activities in Foligno, in which the English teacher Rita De Vita participated.
In general, the activities proposed online were motivating and engaging and allowed a greater acquisition of skills regarding the various stages of planning and the new criteria of Erasmus plus.

The face-to-face course in Foligno allowed an accurate comparison between teachers from different European countries: Portugal, Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Italy. This facilitated the comparison of different school systems with totally unique specificities. singular specificities. Each teacher had the opportunity to learn new planning strategies and each teacher had the opportunity to learn new design strategies and to contribute their own ideas, which differed according to the teaching discipline and the school system. The use of the English language as a vehicle has proved fundamental in the implementation of the different projects prepared for the other partners. of the different projects prepared for the other partners.
We all hope that this fruitful experience will be repeated in the future.
We all hope, therefore, that this fruitful experience can be repeated over time, perhaps allowing more teachers from each individual institute to take part in the course in question. We all hope that this fruitful and fruitful experience can be repeated over time, perhaps allowing a greater number of teachers from each individual institute to take part in the course.

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Blended Course, the Portuguese experience in Italy

“The main hope of a nation lies in the proper education of its youth”

Erasmus of Rotterdam

The blended course on Erasmus+ KA2 project proposals writing, offered by the ENNE project,
started in April 2021 and ended in October 2021, with a face-to-face workshop in Foligno, Italy.

Five schools from the Portuguese National Network had the opportunity to send their
representatives to Foligno for the face-to-face workshop.
− Sandra Machado from Escola Secundária Francisco de Holanda, Guimarães, Portugal
− Isabel Amorim from Escola Secundária de Felgueiras, Felgueiras, Portugal
− Kelly Florêncio from Escola Profissional de Campanhã, Porto, Portugal
− Hugo Martins from ETAP – Escola Profissional, Caminha, Portugal
− Rita Oliveira from EPROMAT – Escola Profissional de Matosinhos, Matosinhos, Portugal

The group met for the first time at the airport, on the day of departure for Italy, and right there it was possible to see that the whole group shared the same spirit, which lasted until the last
day: to make the most of the experience to exchange knowledge, experiences, and to work on the projects proposals.
“I am a trainer, in the field of Tourism, and it was with great pleasure that I participated in the workshop in Foligno, in partnership with Arts & Skills. It was a very enriching experience, with the exchange of knowledge, sharing of methods, and the interaction with participants from several European countries and schools.”


“The face-to-face workshop in Foligno was my first Erasmus+ mobility experience. It allowed the
consolidation of the group work and the collaboration among the partners of the European ENNE network, particularly between the partners of my project proposal (group 2). It also
promoted synergies and the common interests among the different institutions present, which allowed the participants to establish new contacts, plan future collaborations and exchange
knowledge, experiences and resources.”


During the week of the face-to face workshop, the participants had a full programme: during the
mornings, everyone had the opportunity to work on their project proposals, and after lunch, they
were able to visit local schools and laboratories:
“The programme of the workshop always started with work sessions, including talks and small
conferences. These moments were very relevant to strengthen the work that had been
developed since the beginning of the course. The experience of exchange and sociocultural
the interaction was also a very important part of the training since it provided contact with local schools, laboratories and exchange of technical and cultural experiences.”
With a full and diverse programme and a very sunny week, the participants from the Portuguese
Network consider the workshop a success!

“This experience was an excellent time and context for socialisation among all of the partners.
My initial expectations were clearly exceeded. The organisation was irreprehensible. It was
possible to develop our work with the project proposals, according to the objectives, to visit other cities in the Umbria region and to have varied cultural experiences.”
“The organization was very well designed, from the working sessions to the logistics involved. It
was indeed an enriching week, full of exchanging knowledge, experiences, and insights that will always stay positive in my professional and personal path.”