The main aim of the project was to achieve that non pedagogical staff (work-based (WB) placed supervisors) who have been appointed by employers following the suggested criteria for the selection of supervisors have improved competences for supervising. These competences cover both digital and pedagogical skills. The focus is on building capacity to carry out online, blended and distance teaching and learning, what means that we aim to develop digital pedagogical competencies of supervisors, enabling them to provide high quality inclusive digital education. Particular attention was given to the promotion of innovative methods and tools for teaching, training, learning and assessment as drivers of improvements in lifelong learning; and that the target group will meet the criteria of motivated and competent supervisors. The aim was to achieve the goal that WB supervisors are motivated and satisfied due to the right selection process in all partner countries and have better digital and pedagogical competencies that will help them to supervise their supervisees more competently, being able to give constructive feedback and motivate them; and use digital tools to improve time management and supervision process.
Apprenticeship/work based learning is important, popular and constantly increasing form of learning, but its value has often been assessed from the viewpoint of students or employers. However, work-based supervisors play as important role as the others. They are competent practitioners but their pedagogical competencies are rather modest. They lack digital and methodological knowledge and skills. The same problems were found in other partner countries: supervisors are not used to use digital tools, they are afraid of assessing students etc. In apprenticeship training the supervisor is appointed by employer. Sometimes, due to the hierarchical relationship, the supervisor who is appointed by the employer is not at all interested in this additional task; and does not have required competences and attitude. In the course of this project six partner countries prepared a blended learning training program, which covers topics of digital ethics, assessment process, motivation procedures, tandem supervision and other topics connected with pedagogical and digital issues. The training program allows to choose individual time for learning but it also gives opportunities to get direct on-site instructions and feedback.