The EfDM project will support the development of new ‘European Digital Media’ qualifications within the context of the European Qualification Framework (EQF) and related processes for European Credit Transfer for Vocational Education and Training (ECVET). The project will enhance and update existing City & Guilds qualifications at EQF Levels 4 and 5 that are already offered by some of the project partners (more details available at: https://www.cityandguilds.com/qualifications-and-apprenticeships/business-skills/business-admin-and-public-services/7513-social-media-and-digital-marketing#tab=information). We will also develop new content related to Digital Entrepreneurship and European/International issues within Digital Media. This will be developed into new course curricula focused on 5 key areas: (1) Technical Elements – Content Management Systems & Principles of Internet Search and Discovery: Setting up new domains, websites and hosting (e.g. using Wordpress, Squarespace, etc) to create and build websites (2) Creative Aspects – Creating and Optimising Content for the Web –Optimisation of media for streaming or mobile delivery and optimising content for search engine indexing (3) Strategic/Business Factors – Principles of Data Driven Marketing & Social Media Advertising: Introductions to social media advertising and related, data driven optimisation processes (4) Digital Entrepreneurship: Equipping learners with skills and knowledge to work as Digital Media freelancers or engage in enterprise start-up within the sector (5) European/International Factors: Incorporating data management and privacy issues, relevant European and International legislation and cultural factors applicable in different countries, cultures and languages Following ECVET principles and processes, the EfDM project will work with VET Partners in 5 EU countries (Ireland, the Czech Republic, Italy, Spain and the UK) and a UK based ‘Technology Partner’ to develop a ‘suite’ of European Digital Media VET qualifications that will enable learners to start training towards their target qualification with a training provider in one EU country and then, whilst part way through, transfer the credits gained to date to another training provider in a different EU country and complete the course and be awarded the qualification. TARGET GROUPS The primary target groups for the project are: - VET institutions active in the Digital sector, especially those interested in developing specific VET provision related to skills for freelancing and enterprise start up, as well as supporting the internationalisation of their VET provision - VET learners interested in pursuing a career in Digital Media, who we expect will primarily be young people aged 19-24 facing economic and educational obstacles towards achieving labour market integration within their chosen field - EU VET Support and the corresponding National, Regional and Sectoral Qualifications Frameworks in the participating Member States (to the extent where they are already in place at national level) In total 340 people will directly benefit from the participating in the EfDM project including 15 project staff, 15 VET practitioners taking part in teaching and training activities, 50 VET students accessing pilot courses and 260 people taking part in Multiplier Events. Dissemination functions will also engage significant additional numbers of Digital Media employers, VET organisations, practitioners and learners. METHODOLOGY The project will incorporate a comprehensive ECVET approach, based on adapting the units, learning aims and assessment criteria that comprise the qualification for use in the partner countries. The project partners will engage with EU VET Support and the corresponding National, Regional and Sectoral Qualifications Frameworks in the participating Member States (to the extent where they are already in place at national level) to facilitate recognition of the qualification in the partner countries and thus support work towards full credit transferability. IMPACT The EfDM project will support 50 learners to engage in studying new European Digital Media qualifications and a minimum of 45 learners will achieve their target qualification and we anticipate that a minimum of 30 will progress into sustainable employment. Tutors taking part in teaching and training activities will develop new, European perspectives for the Digital Media sector and integrate these within both the courses they teach and their own professional development. Finally, the project partners will also reflect upon the process of adapting the qualification for use in other EU countries and the integration of an ECVET approach to produce a guide for further adaptation that will support wider use of the new European Digital Media qualifications that the EfDM project will create – including in other EU countries and beyond the lifetime of the Erasmus+ funding.
The ECVET for Digital Media (EfDM) project's major objective was the development of qualifications and curricula for the Digital Media industry, with an emphasis on creating and integrating an ECVET approach within the production of a suite of new 'European Digital Media' VET qualifications. The project partners worked to create a brand new qualification the 'LRN Level 4 Diploma European Digital Marketing and Entrepreneurship', collaborating with both VET partners and a specialist Digital Media partner, Cybersalon, to create course curricula and assessment processes which integrated ECVET functionality in the context of partner countries' different accreditation and recognition systems for VET qualifications. Our initial plan was to start with a City and Guilds qualification, and then update and adapt the materials to facilitate a modernised qualification. A closer examination, however, revealed that the previous qualification was nearly obsolete by the time the project started, so we had to create an entirely new qualification. The new qualification is designed to facilitate integration with work experience within the sector and thus replicate key aspects of apprenticeship type training. In particular, the course explores the crossover between VET and the world of work and enterprise and is ideally suited to adult VET learners who already have some skills and qualifications but lack the experience and workplace skills to secure employment in their target job role. Aims & Objectives The primary goals of the EfDM project were as follows: (1) to use an ECVET approach in the creation and adaptation of the 'LRN Level 4 Diploma European Digital Marketing and Entrepreneurship', so that it could be delivered and recognised in a wider range of European countries; and (2) to to achieve accreditation and recognition in all partner countries. Target Group The project's major target groups were: VET institutions working in the digital sector, particularly those interested in expanding VET provision linked to digital freelancing and company start-up, as well as promoting the internationalisation of their VET supply. VET learners interested in pursuing a career in the Digital Media industry, who we anticipate will largely be young individuals aged 19-24 confronting economic and educational barriers to labor market integration in their chosen profession.EU VET Support and the corresponding National, Regional and Sectoral Qualifications Frameworks in the participating Member States Project Activities The project collaboration included VET institutions from Ireland, Italy, the Czech Republic, Spain, and the United Kingdom. The partners in Ireland and the UK -Capacity London and Capacity Ireland - were already accredited by City and Guilds to deliver a digital media qualification based on ECVET principles. However, we decided not to work with City and Guilds as they were unable to offer the necessary level of engagement to support the transnational nature of the project. Instead, we worked with Learning Resource Network (LRN) - a UK Awarding Body that also works internationally - who were able to provide much better engagement with senior staff and key decision makers. It was through this process that the EfDM Project Partnership developed a common scheme of work, which was then shared among the partners for them to develop the new qualification based on the five units identified in our initial application and following approved Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria. This enabled the other partners – 3Si, Eduart and Villa Montesca – in developing Digital Media qualifications based on ECVET principles in Spain, the Czech Republic and Italy respectively. The EfDM project's primary activities were the creation of new curricula and qualifications for the Digital Media sector, based on the development, updating, and creation of qualifications to facilitate accreditation, recognition, and piloting in a broader range of European countries. The project has created a suite of 5 units, focusing respectively on the (1) Technical; (2) Creative; (3) Business/Strategic; (4) Entrepreneurial; and (5) International, Cultural and Regulatory aspects of the Digital Media sector. As part of our stand-alone digital media program, we designed engaging, relevant and cutting-edge units that mirrored real-world digital skills. The resulting qualification offeredd a modular structure with a cohesive learning plan when studied together. As a result, when the five units were added together, they equaled a QQI Major Award. Finally, the project partners worked on adapting the qualification for use in other EU countries and incorporating an ECVET approach to create a guide for further adaptation that will support wider use of the 'LRN Level 4 Diploma European Digital Marketing and Entrepreneurship' by external organisations – including those in other EU countries – beyond the life of the Erasmus+ funding.