THE OBJECTIVE OF THE PROJECT was to improve the quality of vocational education by developing tools for vocational teachers, school principals, and workshop managers that support the cooperation of schools with the socio-economic environment. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES of the project included: 1. Improving quality assurance in VET by appointing a leader for external cooperation within the vocational school, 2. Contributing to innovation in the VET field by introducing an attractive training programme tailored to the individual needs and expectations of participants, 3. Expanding the VET offer with a comprehensive educational programme enabling school staff to acquire competences in cooperation with the external environment, 4. Increasing the attractiveness of education through the implementation of distance learning, thereby supporting the digital development of school staff, 5. Enabling course participants to confirm (validate and certify) acquired competences remotely. As a result of the implemented activities, a comprehensive system was developed to support vocational schools in effective cooperation with their environment and in the development of competences necessary for delivering modern vocational education.
The application for project implementation stemmed from the urgent need to improve the quality of vocational education and adapt VET schools to the realities of the labour market and digital transformation. In the partner countries, a lack of systemic support for cooperation between schools and the socio-economic environment was observed, which hinders, among others, the acquisition of modern equipment or the organisation of internships. The project addressed the absence of cooperation leaders in schools, a lack of teaching materials and digital tools supporting the development of vocational competences, as well as the lack of procedures for remote validation of skills. Another goal was to eliminate barriers to lifelong learning, in line with the objectives of the European Education Area by 2025. The project responded to the real needs of institutions and vocational teachers, supporting the development of key competences essential for building sustainable cooperation between schools and employers.