"Substantially obsolete industrial infrastructure in Georgia and Ukraine poses existential challenge for these countries’ economies under conditions of global transformation, often referred to as 4th Industrial Revolution. The gap between availability of advanced technologies coupled with ubiquity of information on the one side and lack of experience in re-setting of business models for an enterprise in Georgia and Ukraine on the other side is bridged in HEIn4 via reinforcing the role of HEIs in Industrial transition through:- building capacities in HEIs (human resource and institutional units);- delivery of tailored business management courses for industrial personnel;- launching consultancy services for industrial companies (large and SME);- setting new taught modules for Master students;- establishing of new forms of collaboration between HEIs and industry.Following major outputs will be produced:- Higher Education 4.0 Concept will summarise pedagogical strategy;- Case Studies will represent the EU practices to wider audience;- short courses will be delivered to upgrade industrial staff;- taught module ""Industry 4.0 Business Management"" will be developed and embodied to official Master programs;- recommendations for updating Engineering curriculum will deliver insights on the new transdisciplinary competencies required for operating the factories of the future and how this can be addressed in higher engineering education;- Virtual Factory Learning Labs will be set in each HEI complemented with their international network as a focal point of collaboration in the Industry 4.0 context.Major long lasting and sustainable impacts will be delivered as follows:-Reinforced role of HEIs in 4th Industrial Revolution;-Industry will attain skills, knowledge and expertise vital for competitiveness;-Employability of graduates will be enhanced;-For academics new opportunities of professional development will be delivered."

The main aim of this project is to improve the quality of workplace training in the industrial/technical sector within VET in Europe. The Association of Swedish engineering industries has in several reports announced the need for regenerating the work force within the industrial branch. In a couple of years, when lots of workers will retire, there will be a great demand for young workers. Therefore it’s important that VET adjust the training to meet the needs for industry and that the students and apprentices get well prepared for working life with regard to good quality in work practice. This requires good co-operation between schools, training centers, institutions and enterprises. We need to improve the transparency and recognition of qualifications and competences within the industrial trade in Europe. To enhance employability and mobility, networks have to be created and a survey of the industrial and technical sector concerning competences and training has to be made. This project will synchronize the process of work practice between schools and enterprises in Europe to improve the quality of training and to get satisfied trainees. The aim is to improve the whole process of work placement by developing an app for supervisors in enterprises and schools, and by producing updated intercultural guides for students, apprentices and young workers to make them well prepared for participating in mobility programs. The supervising methods and procedures vary too much at the moment and need to be synchronized. Schools and industries in the industrial sector are struggling with the placing process of the student, ie to match the student with an appropriate work placement. The information material accessible from a mobile learning app together with a multilingual e-learning platform with innovative e-learning courses and guides and manuals for validation, certification and accreditation of management of apprenticeships will facilitate the placing of trainees to appropriate work placements. This is in line with the ET 2020 framework and the European Framework for Quality and Effective Apprenticeships and will promote the co-operation between VET and industry across boarders in Europe.The partners of the project, all involved in VET in the technical sector, are carefully chosen in concern of their different competences and experiences of internship to industry. Gothenburg Technical College in Sweden, APRO Formazione in Italy, Atheneum Geraardsbergen in Belgium and Goierri eskola in the basque country of Spain are all collaborating with large companies as Volvo Cars and small/medium size enterprises like Orkly which provide internship for exchange students. Volvo Cars Belgium trains a vast number of apprentices every year. In each of the partner countries a network of schools, companies and branch organizations/ placement organizers will be gathered in referent groups which will be consulted throughout the project. This project will facilitate the placing of trainees to appropriate work placements and will improving the quality of work place training in enterprises in the technical industry branch in Europe.