The Montessori in the VET project aims to contribute to improving the quality of the VET training offer at European level in the services, mechanics and artistic crafts sectors, starting from the Best Practices developed in the different countries and from the feasibility analysis of the application of a flexible method, such as the Montessori, to improve its quality and, consequently, to increase student performance. The Vet providers of the partnership (IT, PT, BG, LV, ES) intend, through the Montessori in the VET project, to respond to two of the four priorities of the strategic framework for European cooperation in the education and training sector up to 2020: Implementation of quality assurance in VET and promote the evolution of the role of teachers and trainers. The activities of Montessori in the VET activate a virtuous process of exchange of Good Practices through: the identification of EQAVET indicators comparable at transnational level, a Benchmarking analysis that allows to identify the external and external conditions for the transfer of the Good practices; the precise identification of the principles and operational aspects characterizing the Montessori Method and which can contribute to raising the QUALITY of the VET offer. The Montessori Method, from the expertise and good practices developed by some of the partners and shared in the preparation and definition phase of the project, has been identified as a method with a high degree of flexibility (Montessori Academy, 2016), flexibility that could be put at the service of the processes of change in the VET by several parties called at European level. The following activities and results are foreseen: a. Identification and selection of indicators for the quality of education and vocational training EQAVET on which the Montessori Method impacts in terms of improving the VET offer - Output 1: Analysis of the complete set of EQAVET indicators; b. Identification of the Best Practices at the macro level (Member State) and micro (VET providers partner and other VET providers). Output 2- Good practices for each partner country; c. For each EQAVET indicator (10 or less) a Benchmarking analysis will be performed. Output 3 Benchmarking Analysis; d. Montessori theoretical analysis in the VET realized by the Applicant and by the partners that in a formal and informal way apply the principles of the Montessori Method and have specific expertise that have implemented this method also in other contexts. Output 4: Montessori theoretical analysis in VET; e. and f. Translation of the principles of the Montessori Method into a questionnaire, to be administered to all the partners and the relevant public stakeholders; g. Drawing up of the Final report containing the feasibility study of the Montessori Method at VET in the services, mechanics and artistic crafts sectors at European level. Output 5: feasibility study of the application of the Montessori method in VET. There are 4 transactional meetings and three mobility activities for direct recipients closely linked to the activities. The expected results are thus distinguished by target: Trainers, Tutors, Educators and Designers of the VET system, Company Referents and Tutors in the dual system: Increased knowledge of the EQAVET Recommendation and indicators; Greater awareness of one's role in ensuring the quality of the training offer; In-depth study of the Montessori method and brainstorming reflection on the application in the context of one's teaching plan; Direct experimentation of the best practices developed in other European countries, thanks to mobility. VET systems: Improved understanding of the potential, but also the difficulties, perceived by partners and other stakeholders regarding the achievement of the EQAVET indicators; Greater awareness on the feasibility of the applicability of the Montessori Method in its institute, in order to offer students a quality education, which allows them to access the labor market in a prepared manner, from the point of view of technical, professional and personal skills soft and prosocial skills. Redesign of existing initiatives regarding the pursuit of quality, incorporating, where possible, the Montessori Method. Students in vocational education and training courses: They will be the final beneficiaries of the qualitative improvement of the institute's VET offer where they are enrolled, thanks to the project results, to the new teaching practices by the teachers and to the integration of these practices by their own institute.
The project aimed to contribute to the improvement of the quality of the VET training offer at European level in the sectors of services, mechanics and artistic craftsmanship, starting from the Best Practices developed in the different countries and from the feasibility analysis of the application of a flexible method, such as Montessori, to improve its quality and to increase student performance. The project activities activated a virtuous process of exchange of Good Practices through: the identification of EQAVET indicators comparable at transnational level, a Benchmarking analysis and the identification of the principles and operational aspects characterizing the Montessori Method which can contribute to raising the QUALITY of the VET offer. The project contributed to creating synergy between VET providers who have a similar training offer by type of students and qualifications, in socio-economic contexts of different countries, responding to the need for further study and discussion on: - critical issues/solutions for the application of EQAVET system; - training methodologies, specifically identifying the Montessori method as a tool for developing the role of trainers and increasing the attractiveness and performance of VET.
The current European socio-economic scenario is going through a phase of profound changes, above all with reference to the labor market: in the coming years it will be affected by the extinction of many of the currently existing professional figures. Within this context, it emerged that cultivating skills and putting them to good use will largely determine Europe's ability to guide the processes of innovation and growth: in this sense, new skills, transversal and soft ones, will therefore be considered priorities for entering the job market. The evolution in skills for the labor market necessarily pushes VET system to go hand in hand. The VET providers of the Partnership have committed to responding to two of the four strategic priorities for European cooperation in education and training: Implementation of quality assurance in VET; Evolution of the role of teachers and trainers. Teachers and trainers play an essential role in the modernization of VET: these are challenges related to new pedagogies, the development of flexible curricula, quality assurance of what is provided, the key role of the trainer, who must act as support and guide.