For learners, the overall goal of the project was to improve employability by achieving the following specific objectives: - improvement of sector-specific language and vocational skills - improved sense of belonging to the EU and development of key citizenship skills and awareness towards sustainability - improvement of motivation, self-esteem, and awareness of one's abilities. For staff, the project aimed to foster: - increased ability to differentiate teaching methods; - increased ability to instructionally plan theoretical and practical lessons; - increased ability to coordinate a territorial network of businesses, families, stakeholders; - improvement of mobility program management processes. Staff mobilities had not been implemented in the previous project (2019-1-IT01-KA116-007119) mainly due to the health emergency related to Covid-19, so on the occasion of the present project, adequate space was also given to teachers and vocational education and training professionals from our area.
In the project definition phase, Apro surveyed the needs of the beneficiaries through focus groups in the area, involving 3rd year students from schools and training agencies in the Alba, Bra and Asti basin, final year students (E Pro) and a diverse group of teachers/staff from vocational schools and agencies (transversal and technical teachers, Erasmus managers, international coordinators). The meetings revealed some critical elements. VET learners (short S and long L) - poor ability to organize their own work(S) - difficulty in defining a professional project, uncertainty towards the future, difficulty in focusing on one's aptitudes, abilities and potential(S and L) - low self-esteem and self-confidence(S and L) - poor language skills(S) Positive elements, typical of the youth condition, also emerged: - creativity and innovation - curiosity for innovative methodologies, desire for leadership and socialization - desire to experiment and get involved, to make themselves independent and autonomous Staff - decreased motivation toward their own work - identify and experiment with new pedagogical approaches and methods - increase professional networks and project management skills.