"The Erasmus+ mobility project with the title “jAlpeAdriaAttitude"" has been organised by the HLW Caritas and pursues the objective to exchange Good Practice. Theese examples are going to defined by school pupils during an exchange programm. Within these intercultural school visits, company excursions and educational talks, the planning and the realisation of an exchange of good practice, as well as the intensive cooperation between the teaching staff and the students with their counterparts in the vocational education and training institutions of the European partner regions, shall be discussed and put into place. From the cooperation background of all participating persons and institutions, as well as from the history and the chronology of the cooperation between all project partners, it can be seen that all partners, already have longtime experiences with international mobility measures concerning Erasmus+ KA1 and KA2 This shall serve as a basis for continuing, sustainable mobility and qualification measures between the project partners, whereby some concrete results from the mobility project shall be the following: The increase of the number of work practices abroad, the conclusion of a memorandum of understanding, the implementation of sustainable communication structures, the development of new vocational education training strategies, of new quality standards, as well as of the improvement of the teaching and learning methods. These results should, at the same time, provide an added value for all project partners. With reference to intercultural understanding and multi-linguism, all participants shall experience an improvement of their competences so that, beside the dissemination of the results in the media, a potential long-term impact and improvement of all skills and abilities that are necessary for increasing people’s vocational qualifications, shall take place."

This project focuses on one of the most crucial issues for young people, namely sustainable use of IT devices. Environmental protection, limited resources and increasing waste are important topics to future generations, who are considered to be the world’s most powerful consumers of ICT-devices as they have grown up with digital devices that make communication, entertainment, shopping, education etc. possible. Many electronic parts and devices that make our lives easier and meet our requirements are manufactured every day. This causes an increase in technological waste and contributes to an environmental conflict in today’s world where achieving sustainable development has become an increasingly controversial issue.The aim of this project is to enhance students’ knowledge on and awareness of sustainable use of ICT devices and improve their employability. The project also focuses on developing skills of teachers.The project will be conducted at 3 vocational schools having similar backgrounds in Germany, Estonia and Slovenia. All partners share the idea that educational institutions play a major role in creating a sustainable culture. As all partners have IT-departments it is essential for them to educate future IT specialists in environmental issues to raise awareness among IT-sectors in general and end users in order to change habits and ensure that they purchase and use devices, which are sustainable and friendly to the environment which in long term can result in more sustainable production of these devices.Students will work on 3 project units in an international environment, which enables them to acquire comprehensive skills in project- and time management in international teams as well as social- and language skills. Project activities will primarily involve IT students, who will serve as ambassadors of sustainable use of IT devices and will become more environmentally responsible IT-experts.Students will work on 3 units: 1.Intercultural-studies and self-presentation on the European labour market2.Digitalisation and sustainability3.Recycling of IT-devices.As a result of these units, they will produce different materials e.g, presentations, infographics, videos, checklists etc., which can be used to as study materials on sustainable use of IT.The project will use an interdisciplinary approach to learning and teaching and CLIC method.Blended mobility is integral part of the project: online tools and workspaces are used to prepare short-term exchanges. Moreover, teachers will enhance their skills in coaching in teaching method, which supports achieving project aims and cooperation between teachers as they have to prepare assignments together, exchange materials and decide on didactic approaches used in project. There are 2 training sessions planned for teachers to develop their skills in coaching in teaching methods. 3 short-term exchanges of students will be held to engage them in peer-to-peer teaching and learning sessions, agree on further milestones and evaluate the progress of the project including time and project management, quality of the results and skills gained so far. Project activities also support students in developing soft skills such as ability to interact with others, manage projects and tasks in international teams, problem solving etc. - skills which are - according to the CEDEFOP skills panorama on ICT professionals - considered to be most important skills in future to enhances their employability.This project will have a great impact on all stakeholders. Students and teachers directly involved in the project activities will learn to study and teach in an international environment, coping with the difficulties of such cooperation and appreciating its benefits while improving their professional and personal skills. Students will become more sustainable responsible IT-experts, they will acquire social and intercultural skills that help them manage better in a fast changing society which has a direct influence on future careers and in the long-term improves their employability. Students, who are not directly participating in this project, will benefit from results and will learn more about sustainable use of IT-devices as they will be a major target group of the material created in the project. Teachers will gain and practice new approaches, methods and tools in training.This project will have an effect on the local, national and also on the European level. Project activities contribute to the development of study materials, which can be used to develop up-to-date curricula, new teaching and learning methods and the promotion of employability of students. Project activities in the long term will influence the content and attractiveness of education in all participating countries and on a European level: by developing and enhancing environmental consciousness and sustainability skills all citizens, will be able to participate on a more equal footing in the future economy.

"All project partners work with the digital generation (Generation Y (those born after 1980, also known as Millennials, Generation Me and Echo Boomers) refers to a person reaching young adulthood around the year 2000; generation Z (born after 1995, also known as Post-Millennials, Centennials, the iGeneration, Founders, Plurals, or Digital Natives) and recognize that teachers often lack the knowledge and skills to choose effective methods and approaches to work with this target group. The digital age is transforming our work and our routines. It is transforming the way our students access information, communicate with each other and learn. This age has not transformed most teaching and learning process in classrooms. A recent OECD study shows that the average age of educators is between 40 and 60. The issue is topical also in all partner schools because the representatives of X-generation prevailing in our partner organizations find it increasingly complicated to work with the Millennials and Post-Millennials. Through this project we want to listen to students on how they want to learn and to inquire experts about the psychological recommendations on the preferred principles for working with this generation. We are aware of the many-fold feature of the problem and we think that namely new pedagogical approaches and techniques in the work with the Millennials and Post-Millennials can provide help to the teacher generation in coping with the challenges. The title of our project ""Millennials and Post-Millennials: Challenges and Opportunities for Teachers and Employers"" (project acronym: ""OMICHO"" (Our Millennials: Challenges and Opportunities) raises the question of how the school management can react and adapt to the needs generated by the digital generation. The aim of the project is to develop, test and implement the teaching and learning methods, educational tools to improve dialogue among Millennials and Post-Millennials, teachers and employers. The objectives of the project are: - research on the millennium and post-millennium generations; - create and adapt the teaching methods, education instruments and approbate them in practical lessons. The actors directly involved in the project will be: - the project team (in Bulgaria, Slovenia and Latvia - five teachers and one project coordinator, in Finland - four teachers and one coordinator); - about 100 students aged 15-20 years from each partner organization with which will be tested new teaching methods, educational tools developed in the project; - for conducting research: 100-150 respondents from students, 30-50 respondents from teachers, 15-20 respondents from employers of each country; - four sector experts (3 from Latvia, 1 from Finland) for educational activities and training during the project training sessions in Riga and Porvoo. The main project activities will be as follows: - two short-term joint staff training events; - creation and maintenance of the project website; - two online questionnaires on the Millennials and Post-Millennials; - two transnational project meetings; - video conference (evaluation of the first project work year); - implementation of innovative teaching methods (approbation, discussions, analysis, compilation, development of recommendations); - organization of workshops and seminars; - organization and development of collaborations with local entities; - organization of national conferences. The project envisages three main intellectual outcomes: - research on results of questionnaires, report; - approaches and recommendations for working with the Millennials and Post-Millennials; - project website. Through the cooperation of the four partners the innovation in the teaching-learning process can contribute to reaching the stated aims and finding new solutions to common problems. The new teaching and learning methods will facilitate cooperation, prepare students for diversity and cross-cultural interaction, cultivate knowledge creation, and promote engagement inside and outside the classroom. New approaches and education tools that are favored by the Millennials and Post-Millennials, recommendations for more effective work with these generations will strengthen the capacity of teachers and employers to understand the specific features of this generation and adapt the teaching and learning processes."

<< Background >>The need for extensive digitalization in VET arises from evident global trends – rapid technological progress, digitalization, and automatization of industry. Considering the present pandemic situation, education has been in the long term moved to the online space. Among all educational sectors, VET, where models or components of real equipment/technology are often used during on-site lessons, is facing exceptional challenge of how to provide learners with relevant technical content in appropriate and comprehensible way online. There are currently no technologically advanced online learning tools capable of transferring the state-of-the-art educational content applicable in technical disciplines and at the same time are didactically adapted and easily accessible to all interested users. VET institutions and teachers lack resources and competences necessary to cover rapid advance of new technologies. Employers, on the other hand, do not have time and efficient channels to communicate their fast-changing skills requirements towards VET providers.Along with Industry 4.0 challenges, VET institutions in partner countries still face long-standing VET challenges - low attractiveness of vocational subjects, lack of high-quality teaching tools and decreasing number of pupils/students at technical schools. According to Industrial Strategy 2020, education and training must keep pace with accelerating digital and technological transition. VET will need to provide more technicians for the labour market and upskill industry workers to be prepared for digitisation, automation, and advance in artificial intelligence. Position paper on European Union policy after 2020 on Vocational and Educational Training (2018) calls for using methods as virtual reality and for modularizing education in easily changeable bits and pieces and ensure easy access to modules to reach the changing requirements for professional qualification. Platforms of center of vocational excellence (project partner Šolski Center Nova Gorica is part of the platform) should act as disseminators of knowledge of new technologies.According to Osnabrück Declaration on vocational education and training as an enabler of recovery and just transitions to digital and green economies (2020) digital teaching and training require VET staff to develop new methodical and didactical approaches to apply in the connected world. The project’s goal and mission are to responds to above-mentioned challenges and obstacles, which is VET facing at present, while also addressing aspects of environmental sustainability, inclusion, and digital dimension.Based on conclusion of many strategic documents describing status of vocational and education training and in deep analysis amongst our partners we have identified following needs:Target group “teachers” level:-need to improve teachers’ competencies in era of rapid technological changes-need to make the VET more attractive for students- need to provide teachers with teachings aids of models or components of technical subjects in online space,-need to introduce new didactical and methodical approaches-need to update existing curriculumsTarget group “students” level:-need to equip students with demanded skills and competencies for future employment and up-to-date and attractive learning tools in technical disciplinesTarget group “business” level:-need to include the most up to date technologies trends into VET-need to create platform for cooperation among schools and businesses<< Objectives >>The project objective is to contribute to the necessary changes in the VET by co-creation of innovative educational content and functional, easily upgradeable, accessible, and progressive teaching aid in international context that will support teachers in their work and pupils in understanding the curriculum. Eduboxes are created by transnational teams of experts with different profiles, expertise, and experiences. Each of them contributes with their skills, competencies, point of view on this subject and create a unique project result. Business representatives are involved throughout the entire EduBox development process to ensure transferring the latest trends in the labour market into teaching. Less equipped schools with limited resources will be able to provide their students with the latest technology. This innovative teaching aid is going to give them extra know-how and another point of view through attractive virtual environment of 3D models, presentations, playful assignments, or data for 3D printing so that every teacher and student can print the individual parts, put them together and understand the devices, models, and mechanisms on a qualitatively different level without the necessity to spend extra money for resource-intensive demonstrators and lines.The hands-on approach brings interaction and fun into lesson and increase attractiveness of VET.Concerning content of EduBoxes, solar energy, wind energy as well as hybrid cars will be covered. Students can take advantage of learning about up-to-date clean technologies, at the same time have discussion about its further influence and gain better understanding of environmental sustainability. The idea of EduBoxes emerged before the COVID-19 crisis. Nevertheless, during the times of distance learning, when technology was being used at an unprecedented scale, it appeared to be even more pressing to move the project forward. In line with The Digital Education Action Plan (2021-2027) the project contributes to making vocational education and training systems fit for the digital era.<< Implementation >>The key project activity is development of 15 EduBoxes. Topic and content of EduBoxes are based on extensive collaborations between VET schools and business representatives. The topic and content of EduBox is therefore based on the latest technology trends and with intention of transferring them into learning, thus ensuring adaption of vocational training to labour market’s needs. The development of EduBox is performed by IT developers, who takes data from teachers and associated partners (there is a list of input data needed) such as videos, technical drawings and create the exact animations of actual technical subjects. Teachers and didactics also prepare the actual structure and presentations of information which the lesson must cover. Soft skills coordinator is also involved in this process to ensure students will also improve their soft skills competencies. Testing and validation activities of EduBox leads to verification of the high quality of EduBox. Technical issues and methodical, didactical mistakes are eliminated during these activities. Profiles, expertise, and experiences of each project partner create a synergy between areas of education, business, and innovations. Activities related to project management and implementation will be performed during monthly online meetings via MS Teams. Additionally, 4 transnational meetings are planned to bring freshening and spirit of a teamwork to the consortium. Series of multiplier events including Parallel Workshops, Panel discussions or field trips to schools/companies and wide range of promotion will ensure the project results dissemination and publicity.Learning, teaching, and training activities will help to achieve objectives of project results. Their main activities will be presentation of the EduBoxes, workshops concerning using the teaching aids in the classroom, group works, micro-teaching sessions, schools, and companies’ visits.Eduboxes will be shared through various project dissemination activities. Additionally, EduBox webinars and tutorials will be shared through European platforms EPALE, School Education Gateway and eTwinning.<< Results >>The project results consist of the development of 15 EduBoxes on 15 up-to-date technical topics, each in 4 language mutations (Czech, English, Slovak and Slovenian) with innovative educational approach and content in the field of Robotics, Pneumatics and Automation. The Edubox, easy-to-use digital learning tool for learners and teachers is an example of optimal technical and cost-effective solution for continuous reflection and transfer of the latest innovative technology trends into VET.Edubox will consists of two parts. Theoretical part includes didactics, presentations, step-by-step tutorials, and videos for teachers to prepare for the lessons. Practical part contains PDF technical drawings, colourful animations of EduBox subjects (components, mechanism etc.), data for 3D printing so that the model can be materialized by using cheap materials.Colourful animations show how individual components are connected. In case of more complex solutions, there is step by step tutorials. Every animation can be paused and when needed played again. Part of the tool are also verifications of student’s knowledge of individual components in interactive form. The tool also contains practical assignments and tests for students. They can try to manipulate, connect, operate etc. the EduBox subject. Students can work individually or in groups.EduBoxes will be accessible for free on its official websites. Domains has been already registered www.educationbox.cz, www.educationbox.si, www.educationbox.sk and www.educationbox.euProject results also consists of organization of 1 international multiplier event in Ostrava, Czech Republic and 3 national multiplier events in Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Slovenia. There will also be 4 transnational meetings and 4 Learning, teaching, and training activities. Other tangible project results include invitations letters, agendas, meetings minutes, project management and implementation documents, EduBox presentations, feedback questionnaires, materials for workshops, micro teaching sessions and parallel sessions, EduBox leaflet, webinars, tutorials, newsletters, newspaper articles, information on partners websites and social media and certificates of attendance etc.

Rising unemployment, particularly among young people is a pressing problem faced by all European governments. Increasing employment among young people is an important priority. Due to this fact, as well as because of serious economic crisis in Europe, entrepreneurial spirit and business awareness have become even more important among students. We have found that students in secondary vocational education (and others as well) need to increase their entrepreneurial skills to be able to think obout working in their own busineses. On the other hand – to establish a successful company it is necessary to integrate knowledge from different fields in order to achieve the common goal. These are business and marketing skills, industrial and graphic design and manufacture of the product – production. These three fields have to work hand in hand. The reality in partners' school systems is that we have skilled experts in each area – educated in different programs – with no or very random contacts with each other and lack of global knowledge of how to start their own business. In this project we will combine three different fields of school education working together (production, marketing, design) to achieve the common goal of commercial success. The goal is to create high-quality and useful products which are commercially interesting, beautifully designed and have a potential on the market. Of great importance is also the fact that students need current practical knowledge that can be obtained only by experts working in companies. We will develop and upgrade curriculum also by integrating learning from experts working in the business on different areas. We want to include in school education cooperation and integration of different disciplines/programs and inclusion of case study learning from experts on the market with a common goal - to create commercially interesting products. We want this to be included systematically, not just random. That´s why we will develop new/upgraded curiculum – NET – ENT (Networking for Entrepreneurship). By Networking we mean: - interaction between the different schools, school programs - linking education with the labor market - networking and exchange of experiences from different EU countries (NET – ENT INTERNATIONAL) - establishing networks between students of different programs, which can lead to successful entrepreneurial ideas, at the time of schooling and latter on The future is in teamwork – together everyone achieves more. In order to do this innovative methods in education are needed - new approaches to teaching and learning. Teachers are the ones who can stimulate and encourage students. Therefore we will educate teachers/trainers and experts as well. Teachers will be trained to change their teaching methods and meet with different challenges. They should establish supportive relationship, be professional, inspiring and support students throughout the project from the early steps (identifying problems or customers' needs - idea - problem solving) through progress monitoring until the goal is reached. Teachers will no longer appear only in their traditional role but will become mentors/coaches/trainers using innovative methods in the class and including mentors from companies where necessary as well as teachers from other schools/programs. Students will benefit from entrepreneurial learning by developing collaborative planning, by understanding essential integration between different areas/programs to create commercially interesting products and start successful business, as well as essential skills and attitudes such as creativity, initiative, tenacity, teamwork, resilience, understanding of risk and a sense of responsibility (transversal key competences). This entrepreneurial mind-set will help students to put ideas into action and become self-confident in order to meet needs of the real market. It will help them to be more enterprising, competitive and innovative, thus becoming more employable which is crucial in achieving the objectives. Another benefit of participating in this project is to recognize the importance of cooperation between different areas to produce a successful product. Also at the time of schooling they will gain the necessary connections enabling them to open their own micro or small companies easier (early networking). In order to do this we have chosen reliable partners we know very well. Our goal in future is also to create long term partnerships and establish international module which can be used in future also for certified mobilities of students and teachers (NET- ENT INTERNATIONAL). We would like also to successfully implement entrepreneurial skills among students to increase youth employment possibilities and to improve self-employment in EU and networking among students/teachers/experts….