At its mid stage, the MAKE IT project is on track to achieve its goals and provide a unique perspective on how the Learning Outcomes (LOs) methodology can contribute to the development of a more effective qualification system. From the ten work packages that comprise it, over half are well under way. The Needs Analysis Report and Research Comparison of National Qualifications (NQF) and European Qualifications Framework (EQF) is fully completed, providing an overview about the European Welding Practitioner Qualification in Europe. All other activities are ongoing, namely: the Welding Practitioner Learning Outcomes (LOs) approach standards and Pedagogical Kit for trainers; the European Welding Federation (EWF) Qualification Competence Matrix, depicting EWF’s Qualifications in terms of knowledge, skills and competencies; and the development of a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Guideline and Tools. To ensure all trainers, from Vocational Educational Training Provider and Welding Sectoral organisations, have the required competencies to work in this future world of qualifications, capacity building activities were held in March 2017 gathering representatives from Portugal, Norway, Spain and Hungary. In the workshop, a number of tests were carried out to assess efficacy of the training Competence Units, including its pedagogical kit, as well as the RPL tools. Ensuring that adoption is widespread and professionals embrace wholeheartedly this new approach, 93 dissemination activities were held in each partner country. These activities included, amongst other, the presence at conferences, seminars and meetings, as well as the development of several dissemination materials, such as the website, newsletters, flyers and articles. A critical part of this dissemination and broad engagement to ensure guidelines adoption was the development of one conference in Norway, on April 28th 2017, to unveil the current state of the MAKE it project for representatives from higher education, Vocational Education and Training (VET), including as international participants from VET, and local industry.We would like to highlight that there are a number of different stakeholders from each country engaged in project. The development of the European Welding Practitioner Qualification has provided unique conditions to reinforce mutual trust and collaboration between project partners, namely VET providers and manufacturing industry. As a key learning from the project so far, it should be noted that the involvement of National Qualification Authorities in each country has been, in some cases, the trigger to start the discussion of having the EWP Qualification in the Educational System.
“LET’S MAKE IT HAPPEN - a shift into learning outcomes in the welding sector” was set to address an European sector-oriented qualification system for the Manufacturing & Engineering sector through the exchange among EU partners of a training curriculum for an intermediate level of qualification: the “European Welding Practitioner (EWP)”. Along the project, the curriculum has been re-designed and aligned with EQF, ECVET and work-based learning methodologies. The result of this re-designing process has led to the establishment of the “EWP Learning Outcomes Standards”, which enables skills development (through training), recognition and validation (through the scheme for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)). The developed European RPL model has revealed to facilitate the identification, assessment and validation of the individual’s expertise obtained in any European country, thus introducing the scheme among EU partners that are already providing the training but don´t have recognition and validation of the qualifications processes established.MAKE IT outputs were the following: •Introduction of the EWP training and qualification among new EU partners, including a “Pedagogical Kit” to support trainers with problem-based exercises, among other resources; •Design of a “European harmonised model for RPL in the Welding Sector”, through the clear definition of stages, tools and actors involved in the process, thus minimizing the subjectivity that can result from the operationalization of these processes in different countries;•Identification of common procedures and gaps regarding the EWP profile in the different EU countries; •Establishment of the “EWF Qualification Matrix” as the operational framework, boosting the recognition and transfer of credits by applying EQF and ECVET methodology and tools; •Enhancement of the trainers know-how in the field of welding by promoting the exchange of successful pedagogical methods and practices between VET teachers and trainers; •Implementation of national pilot sessions in the partner countries to test and validate the EWP LOs Standards, including the kit for trainers, as well as the RPL scheme and tools. These achievements were detailed in the “National Pilots Reports”. •Implementation of national roundtables sessions with partner organisations from each country, aiming at validating and deciding on the final adjustments to the be made in the results. The findings were described in the “National Roundtables Reports” and summarized into a “Common European Report.”•Development of marketing tools (e.g. project website, flyers, newsletters, press releases, video animation) and activities to promote the project and disseminate it’s results at national and European level;•Definition of an exploitation strategy and activities (e.g. Mainstream Steering Committee database, Final conference to guarantee the future use of the results. •Development of an EU Network to stimulate future cooperation and mobility in the field of education and work and promoting the project results as a best practice to other sectors. MAKE IT was underpinned by a strong strategic alliance and a successful partnership among stakeholders, aiming at bridging the gap between job offers and job seekers in the welding sector. The collaboration started between partner organizations, representing an umbrella organization, welding sectoral organizations/manufacturing industry, VET providers and regulatory bodies. The cooperation was then extended to more participants through the early implementation of the project activities (e.g. survey, national and European workshops, conferences, meetings, national pilot sessions).