Around 99 % of all EU companies are SMEs providing up to 70 % of all jobs. Generally, SMEs have good future growth prospects, however they are specifically well placed to solve environmental problems, hence grow in the green economy. Nowadays the biggest bottleneck is the significant skills shortage in most economic sectors while job vacancies in SMEs and overall unemployment, in particular youth unemployment, is steadily growing. Through cooperation between educational institutions and industry, work-based learning is a prominent tool to eliminate bottlenecks and create conditions for further growth in innovative market segments.To continuously coordinate education and skills requirements, and address skills shortages higher education institutions, education and training providers, and economic chambers from 6 countries build up and establish an alliance for the sectors "Water, Wastewater, Waste and Circular Economy". This alliance is then extended to 13 countries with 68 education and labour market actors and continues to perform its duties as a centre of competence “Eco Innovation” in the long term. The partnership develops tools according to work-based learning principles that are piloted and evaluated: a training programme for strong learners in the initial vocational training, a program with six further vocational training courses, a train the trainer programme, an integration programme for the unemployed and a bachelor’s degree programme with 4 modules. These programmes teach sector-specific skills in both environmental technologies and management. Furthermore, in three countries with predominantly school-based vocational training, dual education systems are introduced in initial, continuing and higher education.All qualifications will be transferred to 11 project and 68 associated partners from 13 countries, who receive implementation advice. Extensive dissemination activities are carried out for free use of project outcomes by all interested parties.
In the area of the Green Economy, the following goals were pursued:•developing lasting cooperation between providers of vocational education and training, further education and higher education as well as with SMEs•improving qualifications in SMEs and reducing the high shortage of skilled workers and entrepreneurs•strengthening innovation capacity, promoting innovation and implementation of R & D projects•Achieving high levels of implementation by 74 education actors from 13 countries
SMEs account for 99% of all companies and 70% of all jobs. They continue to have good growth prospects in general and in the areas of water, wastewater and waste in particular. SMEs in various sectors are predestined to make decisive contributions to solving environmental problems. However, crucial bottlenecks exist in the high shortage of skilled workers and companies, in qualification deficits and too little innovation. The project's Sector Skills Alliance reduces these bottlenecks.
<< Background >> SMEs account for 99% of all companies and 70% of all jobs. They continue to have good growth prospects in general and in the areas of water, wastewater and waste in particular. SMEs in various sectors are predestined to make decisive contributions to solving environmental problems. However, crucial bottlenecks exist in the high shortage of skilled workers and companies, in qualification deficits and too little innovation. The project's Sector Skills Alliance reduces these bottlenecks. << Objectives >> In the area of the Green Economy, the following goals were pursued:•developing lasting cooperation between providers of vocational education and training, further education and higher education as well as with SMEs•improving qualifications in SMEs and reducing the high shortage of skilled workers and entrepreneurs•strengthening innovation capacity, promoting innovation and implementation of R & D projects•Achieving high levels of implementation by 74 education actors from 13 countries << Implementation >> A sector skill's alliance was formed with 74 partners from 13 countries and a permanent continuation as a center of Eco Innovation was ensured. Developed and implemented were a Training for Trainer, 6 educational programs in vocational education, 7 trainings in continuing vocational education and 4 main modules for bachelor’s degree programs. Innovations were promoted, and R&D projects were carried out in SMEs. All results were transferred to 74 partners and implementations were advised here. << Results >> Project results are:•Analyses of economy, demographics, education and labor markets and qualification needs of SMEs•Skills Alliance and Center of Competence "Eco Innovation"•Curricula, teaching materials, examination regulations & evaluation concepts for a) 1 Training for Trainer b) 6 educational programs in initial vocational educationc) 7 educational programs in continuing vocational education d) 4 main modules for bachelor degree programs •Concept for innovation promotion for SMEs