The OLEE project sets itself the aim to assist VET Trainers and learners of the Engineering sector in the transition towards a digital educational & research ecosystem in the post covid-19 era. The concrete OBJECTIVES to be achieved include the following: O1: The designing and piloting of innovative online resources. In particular, delivering an Virtual Laboratory for Engineering lab-work activities O2: Reinforcing the ability of VET providers to provide high quality, inclusive digital education. O3: The promotion of networking and collaboration between EU institutions, sharing of resources and expertise O4: Support towards the VET communities for the acquisition of digital competences O5: Supporting the Engineering sector & building their resilience & digital capacity
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted education, highlighting the need for rapid redesign of traditional, physical learning practices. Research-based learning, especially in vocational education and training (VET) sectors like engineering, must be transitioned to virtual environments to ensure continuity for students whose studies were disrupted. The EU Digital Plan 2021-2027 and CEDEFOP's assessment emphasize the importance of creating online virtual labs to address this challenge, allowing learners to fulfill lab-based requirements remotely. This digital shift makes engineering education more accessible, cost-effective and scalable. The OLEE project aims to address key issues, including outdated learning environments, lack of teacher training in digital skills, and VET dropout rates, while supporting broader goals of digital transformation in education. The creation of online virtual labs not only helps VET learners resume their education but also enhances inclusivity by providing access to students from remote areas or those with other constraints.