The overall aim of Talent Matching is to design, test and validate a new training programme and EQF-aligned standards of competency framework for Vocational Mentors that support young disadvantaged people into initial Vocational Education and Training in Europe’s Creative and Cultural Industries (CCIs). As a Strategic Partnership in the field of VET, the partners will cross-fertilise curricula, content, method and experience from (a) established techniques and experience with mentoring in European VET organisations; with (b) CCI-specific insight with sector employers; with c) the integration of new perspectives drawn from the Social and Emotional Capabilities Framework (Young Foundation) and the Journey of Change Framework from Talent Match London and d) the incorporation of European instruments such as EQF and ECVET - in order to facilitate future EU mobilities and ensure that I-VET organisations can innovate, offering provision that is truly inclusive, holistic, and learner-centred. This aligns directly to all four Strategic Objectives of the EU Education and Training 2020 Strategy and the Europe2020 Flagship 'Youth on the Move' – supporting the transferability and mutual recognition of competencies of Vocational Mentors who are supporting mobilities of young people. Therefore, our specific objectives are to: (i) Research, map and specify the critical factors across the partner I-VET systems, CCI job entry routes, CCI sub-sector employment trends and the precise location, occupations and qualifications that impact upon the CCI Vocational Mentor role, with a view to assessing and outlining professional training and learning content needs; (ii) Develop the specifications and standards for the Vocational Mentor in the CCIs (1) to develop the professional standards, and (2) to improve the provision of methods and approaches to address learners' individual needs and expectations, incorporating considerations of ECVET; (iii) Develop Vocational Mentor Curriculum, Learning and Tools: providing a blended learning framework for Vocational Mentors who will engage in flexible online learning, and participate in joint training events, including Webinars, interactive and participatory training assignments, and virtual peer mentor 'teleplacements'. (iv) Create an Open Source Learning Environment: to revolutionize Continuing Professional Development (CPD) opportunities and resources for Vocational Mentors in the CCIs and provide wide-ranging opportunities for shared learning experiences; (v) Disseminate the results widely at local, national and EU levels and embed the products and results within the practice of the partner organisations and their networks in sectoral VET, including vocational and technical schools, further education colleges, and employers.
The overall aim of Talent Matching was to design, test and validate a new training programme and EQF-aligned standards of competency framework for Vocational Mentors that support young disadvantaged people into initial Vocational Education and Training in Europe’s Creative and Cultural Industries (CCIs). The project objectives were to: (i) Research, map and specify the critical factors across the partner I-VET systems, CCI job entry routes, CCI sub-sector employment trends and the location, occupations and qualifications that impact upon the CCI Vocational Mentor role, in order to assess and outline professional training and learning content needs (ii) Develop the specifications and standards for the Vocational Mentor in the CCIs to address learners' individual needs and expectations. (iii) Develop Vocational Mentor Curriculum, Learning and Tools: providing a blended learning framework for Vocational Mentors to engage in flexible online learning, and participate in joint training events. (iv) Create an Open Source Learning Environment for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) of Vocational Mentors in the CCIs providing shared learning experiences. (v) Disseminate the results widely at local, national and EU levels and embed the products and results within the practice of the partner organisations and their networks in sectoral VET. The TME partners were: - Collage Arts (London, UK), Lead Partner: manages a Creative Industries Business Centre for over 220 CCI SMEs and employers. Its VET programmes provide entry routes to the CCIs for socially disadvantaged groups and enterprise support for cultural employers. - Rinova Ltd (London, UK): a social enterprise that specialises in learning programmes at the interface between vocational education, employment, employability, enterprise and cultural learning. - CEPS Projectes Socials (Barcelona, Spain) manages and implements socio-educational programmes for children, young people and adults, further training for professionals, and innovative research and development in new practices. - Association Prostor Plus (Rijeka, Croatia) works in performance arts through public events and the education of young people, supplying professional training and performance opportunities as part of Molekula, ten collaborating organizations from four spaces in Rijeka. - ARTeria Foundation (Zabrze, Poland) is a registered training institution in Poland, providing VET training for unemployed job-seekers, primarily through culture and art activities. ARTeria supports the Private Music School Veno’s Studio in Zabrze. - Association for Social Action, Education and Prevention EASP (Skopje, FYOM Macedonia) replaced the original partner from Macedonia, CESOR, in the opening months of the project. EASP delivers VET training and programmes supporting social action and inclusion. - Associazione Culturale MuLab (Rome, Italy) is a not for profit organisation providing consulting, training and education in the CCIs. MuLab organises and delivers professional training courses and activities in the creative and cultural sector, with a focus on disadvantaged people. The project activities and results were: IO1: Research Study: Vocational Mentoring in the Creative and Cultural Industries Successful mapping of the situation in each country: identifying the challenges and opportunities for the Vocational Mentor role. IO2: Occupational Profile and Personal Specification for the Vocational Mentor in the CCIs In depth, and workable, occupational profile of the role IO3: Competency Standards for the Vocational Mentor in the CCIs Detailed competency grid developed. IO4: Vocational Mentor Programme and Syllabus, piloted through Action Learning Sets in each country Online learning programme trialled by partners with 113 learners, mapped against accredited curriculum framework at EQF Levels 4 and 5. IO5: Vocational Mentor Diagnostic Skills Check Tool Detailed DNA tools for each of the four curriculum units IO6: Mentoring the Mentors – Trainers Pack. “The Fomentor’s Manual” The Fomentor’s Manual provides guidelines for those who wish to become Vocational Mentors IO7: Open Source Platform for the Vocational Mentor Programme (in final stages of development) Accessible learning resource making available the project learning materials online IO8: CCI Vocational mentors validation and practice license External evaluation considering next steps for validation of Vocational Mentor role and making recommendations for extending the impact of the project TME included multiplier events in each partner country to promote and test the project outputs attended by over 300 people. It culminated in an International Conference at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Skopje, Macedonia, which linked the project with CCI and VET projects and policy initiatives in the South East Balkans and across Europe.