The central idea of the project is to implement and promote the framework of Social Solidarity Economy (SSE) in Vocational and Educational Training (VET), while the vision is a comprehensive training and professional development of younger generations, which integrates alternative socio-economic models in their framework of ideas and attitudes. Although a lot of work has been done on the positive social effects of SSE, less attention has been paid on the positive effect that SSE has on employability, when today, the SSE sector provides paid employment to 6.3% of the working population in the EU-28, compared to 6.5% in 2012. Furthermore, the project understands VET and especially CVET as a tool for social change: VET could prepare students for a broad occupation within loosely defined vocational streams rather than workplace tasks and roles associated with particular jobs. In this sense the project has a threefold scope and related objectives: - First, to make SSE a visible and familiar concept to the labour market with regard to social inclusion, employability and sustainability while introducing elements of competence profile of SSE VET -Trainer. - Second, to provide VET trainers with innovative teaching methods and tools by implementing alternative pedagogical experience (SSE in training). - Third, to empower trainers and therefore trainees with new approaches, skills and competencies coming from SSE in their attempt to enter the labour market This approach and challenges should not be addressed locally or even nationally but at a European level (and if possible, taking into account an international approach). In this framework, the different Cultural backgrounds (essential in SSE), national frameworks for Qualification (essential for VET) are brought together and work as a synergetic field. The direct target groups of the project are: - Local and national VET providers; trainers; mentors; - Career Opportunity Advisors; - Policy and decision-makers and in particular the statutory bodies responsible for the development and implementation of the European/National Qualifications Framework Indirect target groups: - Tertiary education Graduates as part of “Young people neither in employment nor in education and training (NEETs)”. - Young graduates of secondary vocational/general education level (age 18-30). - Local, national and European SSE organisations. Therefore, the expected results of the project and on its completion are: - A VET Trainers’ Guide on SSE (skills, competences, knowledge, learning outcomes). It will introduce the SSE occupational area in VET system and particularly manual needed to trainers. - A common package of VET training modules on SSE. The modules will offer increased knowledge and innovative methodologies for VET providers to deliver more innovative curricula; provide improved knowledge on SSE for VET trainers, as well as a multicultural experience. - Pilot Testing of the material among VET trainers in every partners’ country and in one international training activity. - Advocacy for the inclusion of VET training modules in VET curricula at European and national levels. In this sense, the partnership will: develop and mainstream concrete joint strategies for SSE organisations to advocate for VET curricula innovation.
The project aimed to implement & promote the framework of SSE in VET, specifically: • To make SSE visible & familiar to the labour market • With regard to social inclusion, employability & sustainability • Introducing a competence profile of the SSE VET trainer • To provide VET trainers with teaching methods & tools • Implementing an alternative pedagogical experience • To empower trainers with new approaches, skills & competences coming from SSE • To assist trainees in entering the labour market The implementation of the project offered a high quality educational material to all possible educators, trainers and mentors in order to implement at least 30hours intensive training in SSE that can be applicable in different cultural backgrounds. We aimed to achieve the empowerment of trainers, and from their side they will empower the concept, the meaning and the practices of SSE in order to be more understandable, visible and repeatable.
Successful SSE education within VET training has been the main vision and motive behind this project, and by this, the promotion of the employment of the beneficiaries within the field of SSE. As SSE training has been neglected in most European VET systems, the consortium detected the need to promote comprehensive training and professional development, which integrates alternative socioeconomic models and practices of SSE within the area of VET. Specifically, needs detected were: • To describe the general situation concerning SSE training activities in the partner countries and to develop a general framework for quality provision of SSE training within VET. • To develop educational contents regarding SSE in VET. The existing ones were too academic or emperical. • To professionalise trainers on SSE by recommending an SSE trainers’ profile with specific knowledge, skills and competences. • To support trainers in SSE by offering specific guidelines that will also address the main principles of VET: For the preparation of curricula, educational material, teaching modules, evaluation of training etc. • To promote the visibility of SSE to all direct and indirect target groups of the project, including policymakers and key actors.