The project objective is to foster FOOTWEAR VET sector and equip young people with the right skills and competences accountable at EU level following the EU Quality Framework and European Credit VET system (ECVET). The aim is to develop a new curriculum of the “SHOEMAKER” at the level of the engineering and manufacturing process, starting from the experiences of those EU countries that have a long tradition in the sector, both at vocational and economic level. To achieve this goal the project will develop the following actions: - Define the new curriculum by sharing the experiences of Germany, Portugal and Poland, enhancing each other - Introduce training contents according to labor market needs and updated with the most innovative technological tools available; - Define a training model recognized at EU level by answering to ECVET principles and work base learning practices; - Facilitate the employability of young people enrolled in footwear training courses. Project rationale is based on the current development in footwear industry in Europe which registers a positive economic moment, despite the crisis. The growth, however, is not properly supported by the right skills match at the moment, as forecasted by CEDEFOP European Skills Panorama platform, and consequently affecting the future shape of jobs, at least until 2025. The project aims to answer the challenges of the sector by: - Setting up a strong collaboration among VET providers and economic actors related to footwear sector: the partnership already includes organizations representatives of this sector, moreover dedicated activities will be organized through the project life cycle to strengthen the network and the collaboration around the different private and public actors that can be a bridge between the VET sector and the labor market. - Develop an innovative curriculum that will answer all ECVET requirements, providing the necessaries instruments to be exploit at national and European level - Develop a curriculum than will answer to the most innovative technological skills that are needed in a growing labor market sector - Structure a strategy and experimentation about how work-based learning can be applied in footwear addressing the needs of different national context - Share and enhance the footwear training traditions among partners country SHOES MADE in EU project, was born from the cooperation of different institutions, with a key position in their country and in Europe, interested in the sector of footwear, already collaborating in diverse activities also outside European project. The proposal is the result of a consolidate working experience that has brought to research for skills needs and profile in particular in the footwear sector. The research has led the institutions to the same result regarding the need of the following actions: - Boost VET in footwear sector in partners countries - Achieve a EU model in the profile of the Shoemaker - Address skills shortages related to footwear sector To reach its goals the project foresees the following outcomes: O1: European Shoemaker Training Course Adaptation and transfer of the most relevant training traditions in partner’s countries where footwear training is considered to have the longer tradition and best practices. AT the same time a SME’s in deep assessment and the development of training contents based on the results of the first activities. Finally ECVET standard and tools will be developed. O2: The European Shoemaker platform The creation of the platform will start since the conceptualization of the training course. The platform will be fundamental for the delivery of the training contents, project outcomes availability and as main instrument to guide beneficiaries in their learning path. During this phase all project tools and outcomes will be also tested. O3: European Shoemaker Profile implementation handbook The handbook will represent an important product of the project as it will contribute to the sustainability of outcomes. The project developed model, in fact, will exploit its full potential and further disseminate through this last results, that represents the whole project scope. Project will be mainly impact and disseminate the following target: - VET providers - centers - institutions - Footwear Industries - Organizations representing the interests of footwear industries - Public organizations responsible for VET - Young people already involved in training path and those willing to do that - Tertiary education.
During the last ten - fifteen years, there has been a decline interest of young people in footwear manufacturing occupations in the majority of the European Union Member Sates despite the high level of unemployment in the most traditional footwear manufacturing countries. At the same time, footwear industry entrepreneurs have problems to find employees with appropriate knowledge, skills and qualifications to perform their work properly. Moreover, administrations from East European countries did not have Vocational Education and Training formarly recognised during several years, and consequently the VET offer is very limited and often not existing in countries like Poland. The consortium of the Shoes Made in EU project decided to respond to the above problems by developing an innovative e-training material related to an updated curriculum of a footwear technician that would respond to the needs of both stakeholders. On the one hand, it would attract young people to the footwear profession as well as would give entrepreneurs certainty about the level of education of their future recruits. To achieve such aim, the consortium: - Updated and developped a new curriculum, based on the experience of Germany, Portugal and Poland; - Prepared training contents in accordance with the needs of the labour market; - Defined a model of education based on ECVET principles (enabling the mobility of young people) and compatible with workplace learning; The curriculum developed as well as the entire qualification path were therefore the basis for the development of didactic materials, which were implemented on a modern e-learning platform. The platform environment is an innovative tool to present knowledge to young people. Teaching materials are mainly displayed on PowerPoint presentations and instructional videos presenting the various stages of footwear production. In total, 14 modules have been developed: Unit 1: Footwear industry; Unit 2: Product engineering; Unit 3: Materials in the footwear industry; Unit 4: Cutting; Unit 5: Pre-stitching; Unit 6: Stitching; Unit 7: Pre-assembly; Unit 8: Assembly; Unit 9: Finishing and packaging; Unit 10: Production and productivity; Unit 11: Bonding; Unit 12: Quality and quality control; Unit 13: Health and safety; Unit 14: Communication and group work. After each session, the learner has the opportunity to solve a short test to verify the level of acquired knowledge. The next step was to the development of guidelines for those workers/ tutors in charge of conducting internship in the company. WBL (work base learning) is an inseparable element of gaining appropriate knowledge in the footwear profession. The guidelines provides interesting tips for the organisaiton of the internships and will bring the greatest benefits to the trainer and the trainee. All project activities and outcomes have been elaborated in consultation of footwear stakeholders (entrepreneurs, vocational education specialists, research institutes, etc.) under a format of a different "round table" for each of the activities. This was the most appropiate method to respond to the real needs of the industry. The actions taken and the goals mentioned have led to the following results: An update curriculum for the profession of footwear technician; A description of the path of education for the profession of footwear technician; Didactic materials divided into 14 modules; A handbook for theoretical online training; Guidelines on the implementation of practical training for VET teachers and business managers The short-term impact has mainly related to: - The footwear sector has been involved in project activities. At least 300 respondents in Poland and 200 respondents in other partner countries; - Students and interested people who took part in the pilot test. At least 40 people from Poland and 30 from Portugal and Germany, a total of 100 participants; - Entrepreneurs who participated in the pilot phase of the WBL part; The project has have an impact on entities involved in the partnership, but above all on: - Enterprises with unqualified staff - already at the stage of the pilot test, during the project's duration, the entrepreneurs' great interest in the resulting didactic tool could be observed; - Vocational and continuing education institutions suitable for the Ministry of Science in Poland - use of materials for formal and non-formal education; - Young people seeking their professional path; - Institutes and training centres; - Participants in the activities of the different round tables. Significant impact is expected due to the consortium network relations: partners were selected not only because of their experience, competence and expertise, but also their connections to VET and businesses in the footwear sector in their respective regions and / or environment work, and, above all, because of their relationship with their respective public authorities.