In all EU countries there is a clear, rapidly growing shortage of leading personnel, which strongly restricts the growth of SMEs. The Hanse Parlament comprehensively analysed the demand for young leaders and the necessary competencies for all countries around the Baltic Sea Region. In individual EU countries, e.g. in Germany, a large proportion of young entrepreneurs are attracted to vocational training, in particular the vocational master's education (Meister). However, there are increasingly problems. In many EU countries, vocational training has lost much of its attractiveness; more and more young people are taking up academic studies. Vocational master's education is often perceived as a dead end and not really as a good alternative to studying. In Germany, the vocational master's degree program is just like the academic bachelor's level 6 of the European qualification framework. However, this does not have any practical effects and the actual permeability is very low. As a rule, competences already acquired in the vocational master's education are not recognized for a study program. Internationally the vocational master's degree is accredited only to a very limited extent. The vocational education masters have extensive practical knowledge, professional experience as well as good competences in practice and theory. On the other hand, competences in business management and company management are not efficient to lead a company. In SMEs, practical experience and professional knowledge are indispensable for a company. Since many university graduates lack these competences, SMEs can only recruit few graduates from this group. Therefore the relevant competences in practice and theory as well as professional knowledge must be taught in study courses. The project develops dual bachelor study courses that combine two degrees: the academic bachelor's and the vocational master's degree, and thus pursues the following goals: (A) increasing relevance and quality as well as improving competencies and knowledge in the parts of the vocational master's program and in the parts of the Bachelor's degree (B) transfer of relevant professional skills and practical experience through the dual study approach (C) realize important contributions to overcoming the shortage of entrepreneurs in SMEs (D) a Bologna-compliant study, full international recognition (E) contribute to the EU agenda for the modernization of Europe's higher education systems (F) increasing the attractiveness of vocational education and training (G) creation of permeability and reduce recognition problems The project is carried out by 6 experienced partners from Germany, Poland, Lithuania and Finland. The internationally active lead partner is particularly experienced in the training and support of SMEs as well as in the implementation of complex projects. A chamber joins the partnership to bring in its experience in master training and represents the interests of SMEs in the project. 4 partners are universities; one has extensive experience with dual courses in cooperation with SMEs. The project requires a 3-year implementation period to process 9 work packages with the following main activities: 1. Project management and implementation of 6 project partner meetings and 2 international multiplier events 2. Development of alternative methods and models for the realization of dual courses of studies with the integral achievement of vocational master's and bachelor's degrees 3. Development and coordination of 4 national implementation concepts 4. For construction as well as for electrical sector: development curricula and module manuals for two integral dual courses according to the guidelines and structure requirements for the accreditation of bachelor courses 5. Testing, accreditation and implementation of the course of studies for construction professions 6. Development and coordination of examination regulations 7. Introduction of further accreditations and preparation of further implementations 8. Transfer of the project results to 68 chambers and universities / universities from 13 countries, which are involved as project partners in the project implementation and receive sustainable implementation advice, as well as implementation of further dissemination activities All concepts, curricula, etc. are internationally oriented for use in the 4 different European countries. At the same time, transfer and implementation in other countries are strongly encouraged. For the 5 products of the project • Blueprint models and concepts for integral, dual courses of studies, • Module manual for the course of studies of construction, • Module manual for studies of electrical engineering, • Integral examination regulations for vocational master's and bachelor's degree and • Handbook of all project results and wide distribution a high sustainable use is ensured by means of a process-oriented expansion of the implementation regions, including financing.
In all EU countries, there is a clear and rapidly growing shortage of entrepreneurs and managers, which is the most limiting factor for the further development of SMEs. The need for young talent and the required skills have been comprehensively analysed by Hanse-Parlament for all Baltic Sea countries. In some EU countries, e.g. Germany, a large proportion of the next generation of entrepreneurs is recruited through vocational training, particularly master craftsman training. However, there are increasing problems. In many EU countries, vocational education has lost much of its attractiveness, and more and more young people are striving to study. Master craftsman training is perceived as a dead end and not a good alternative to university studies. In Germany, master craftsman training is classified at level 6 of the Qualifications Framework, like the Bachelor's degree. However, there is hardly any practical impact associated with this, the actual permeability is very low. Competences already acquired in master craftsman training are generally not credited towards a course of study. Internationally, the master craftsman qualification is only recognised to a very limited extent. Master craftsmen have comprehensive practical knowledge, professional experience and good skills in specialist practice and theory. In contrast, competences in business administration and corporate management are increasingly insufficient for running a company. In SMEs, practical experience and professional knowledge are essential for self-employment. As many university graduates lack these skills, SMEs can only recruit a very limited number of junior managers from this group. In order to overcome these problems, courses of study must teach relevant skills in specialist practice and theory as well as professional knowledge. The following objectives were pursued with the development and implementation of dual Bachelor's degree courses which integrally achieve Bachelor's and Master's degrees: a) Increasing relevance and quality and improving competences and knowledge with orientation towards the needs of the SMEs. b) Through the dual study approach, at the same time imparting relevant vocational skills and practical experience. c) Realisation of important contributions to overcoming the shortage of young entrepreneurs for SMEs. d) As a Bologna-compliant course of study, full international recognition, including master craftsman training. e) Making contributions to the EU agenda for the modernisation of Europe's higher education systems. f) Increasing the attractiveness of vocational training. g) Creating full permeability while avoiding recognition problems. The project was implemented by six experienced partners from Germany, Poland, Lithuania and Finland. The internationally active lead partner is particularly experienced in the qualification and promotion of SMEs and in the implementation of complex projects. A chamber was involved, which contributed its experience in master craftsman training and represented the interests of SMEs in the project. Four partners were higher education institutions / universities; only one has extensive experience with dual study programmes in cooperation with SMEs. During the three-year implementation period, the following main activities were carried out and results achieved. 1. project management as well as implementation of 6 workshops and 2 international consulting and transfer conferences. 2. development of alternative methods and models for the realisation of dual study programmes with integral achievement of master and bachelor degrees. 3. development of module manuals for two integral dual study programmes for construction and electrical professions. 4. accreditation, testing, evaluation and implementation of the study programme for building professions. 5. initiating the accreditation and testing of modules of the study programme for electrical professions. 6. development and coordination of examination regulations for both study programmes and the different countries. 7. development of checklists and procedures for adaptation to different national conditions and coordination of four national implementation concepts. 8. transfer of the project results to 70 chambers and higher education institutions/universities from 13 countries, which were involved in the project implementation as associated partners and received sustainable implementation advice, and implementation of further dissemination measures. For the freely accessible products of the project - Blueprint models & concepts for integral, dual study programmes, - Module handbook for construction professions, - Module handbook for the study programme Electrical professions, - integral examination regulations for master and bachelor degrees and - Manual with all project results and distribution via bookstores high sustainable uses are ensured with a process-oriented expansion of the implementation regions including financing.