The main objective was to develop a digital solution and a protocol to measure and validate the competence-set of the students. The HEIs and companies in connection with them can use our products in a smooth way and understand the importance of treating a student as a person, an individual with a history and values that help them master the profession they chose to pursue. These goals are broken down into work packages. WP1 being the management, QA and dissemination, in WP2 we planned to compile a Research report on the state-of-the-art proceedings that serve as a foundation for WP3, where the Skills Matrix and the Learning Map were developed, a Stakeholder pool with outside eyes who can help us with their opinions and critical approach. In WP3 a conceptual form of SKIPPER Portfolio with possible learning paths, were developed, followed by the digital form of SKIPPER Portfolio with possible learning paths, assessment Portfolio template and Passport. In WP4 the Digital Guide was developed with focus on how to implement the Portfolio and how to use it as a company with policy recommendations for unis. In the Pilot, the first SKIPPER Passports were handed out in three countries.
The main reason behind the application was to keep the university education up-to-date with tools that can help students better identify their skills and connect them to the requirements of the world of work. There are skill mismatches in the European job market and the studies show that the self-knowledge and career plans of students are in lack of in-depth insight. The HEIs are still in need of professional development of lecturers and staff in regard of skill-based education and demands from the world of work on providing relevant training in a flexible way and acknowledgement of the competences that the students acquired. Therefore we designed a project that can address staff development and helps the university to shift the focus to the skill transfers and at the same time enhance the satisfaction in students and fosters the relationship with business players as well. These changes require culture-change from HEIs and our project, if it is completely implemented in an institute, supports this process with a protocol and tool that everyone in the organization has to be affiliated with and the professional background of our products suggest a framework for the quality of the change.