"The concept of internationalization in the professional operations of SMEs is often approached by its employees without previous preparation or adequate strategies. Economic and Industrial Chambers, VET providers and institutions are available, but this concept is usually not incorporated in their main operation, and even if they are able to advise in this area they are not equipped with mechanisms or tools that would grasp activities from the beginning to the end to account for sufficient support to their beneficiaries.Thus, the ISO project is addressed to Economic and Industrial Chambers, employees of VET providers and VET trainers who work with and support SMEs (trade and services). The project results will also be beneficial for start-uppers or SMEs that have already guaranteed themselves a recognized position on the national markets, but are interested in introducing their businesses to the international markets (specifically to the EU audience).The project is a response to specific priorities in the VET field:1. Developing partnerships aimed at promoting work-based learning in all its forms, e.g. the development of new training content(including Joint VET qualifications), integrating periods of work-based learning, including opportunities to apply knowledge in practical projects/""real life"" workplace situations, and embedding international experience (mobility) whenever possible;2. Introducing systematic approaches to, and opportunities for, the initial and continuous professional development of VET teachers, trainers and mentors in both school and work-based settings, with a focus on developing effective digital, open and innovative education and pedagogies; as well as to the horizontal priority: transparency and recognition of skills and qualifications.The project will fulfill the priorities, by developing and making available:IO1- Internationalization Service Officer profession manual.The manual will be developed for chambers employees who want to become Internationalization Service Officers and will provide them with the necessary help and advice on how to support for internationalization processes in SMEs. It will support them in promoting work-based learning opportunities among SMEs by striving to internationalize the enterprise in which they work or they are the owners.IO2- Videocasts for SMEs concerning internationalization processes.The videocasts will be prepared by SMEs representatives from every country who have achieved success in internationalization of their businesses. The scenarios will be developed by the partners and they will discuss ""real life"" workplace situations andpossibilities of WBL use for reinforcement and effectiveness of internationalization processes in SMEs realty. IO3- ISO mobile application for startups.The app will ensure personalized training pathways by initially testing the knowledge and awareness of Internationalization processes among startupers. The “ISO for startups” will also elaborate a personalised strategy for the startuper to be able to address the weak points and empower its approach to Internationalization processes. The app will contain: self-assessment panel concerning internationalization processes in SMEs; training pathway on 3 levels of advancement on the results of self-assessment; strategy maker panel.The results will account for competence development, facilitate WBL and assist in internationalization practices that SMEs are or will be participating in. Further speaking, the project's objective is also to promote WBL practices, support professional development of staff in VET institutions, assist companies in providing strategies enabling cross-border sales and promotion of how the cooperation with Chambers (at any level) will advocate business development.The ISO partnership constitutes of representatives from Poland (RIG and Danmar), Portugal (AEVA), Greece (HCCI), Italy (IFEL), Ireland (ITT) and Spain (Cenfim) - organizations experienced in impacting on societies lacking sufficient skills or resources. The partners are well-oriented in mechanisms for fighting market competition and carry out activities for the promotion of brand awareness on national and EU markets."

CONTEXT:Integrated Management Systems (IMS) help companies dealing with Quality, Environment and Safety norms (mainly ISO9001, 14001/EMAS, 45001) to reduce management systems implementation difficulties and maintenance costs. Moreover, this system supports companies competitiveness and strategies implementation. Within EU, SMEs represent 99% of companies and employ 68% of workers and this number is growing. SMEs limited human and financial resources make difficult for them create and maintain these systems that could help them being more competitive on the medium and long term. There is a clear lack of training courses, materials and tools helping SMEs to acquire skills and knowledge needed to efficiently internally implement an IMS.OBJECTIVES:EASIMS has developed 2 innovative training means to facilitate IMS design and implementation in SMEs, changing the training approach currently based on norms requirements:1- A modular course based on processes management - identification, design, implementation, revision and improvement of processes and their elements - (EQF 5, 1.4 ECVET credits, 35 h).2- A software to facilitate the practical IMS design and implementation.They are useful for SME IMS manager in any sector. An application case has been developed for furniture SMEs. They provide practical training assistance to help IMS Managers to learn by doing through the design and implementation of an IMS in a specific SME.We have achieved our three Specific Objectives:SO1 Increase knowledge of skills needs related to IMS implementationSO2 Deliver a validated New Joint Curriculum for the IMS ManagerSO3 Increase sector capacity building and improve work-based learning at local levelOur 9 multiplier events have reinforced the project impact.7 PARTNERS:CENFIM furniture and household innovation and training centreAMUEBLA furniture employers associationURV higher education entity with a sound knowledge and experience in IMS systemsDANMAR IT VET entity and developer of e-learning customised ICT solutionsUEA European furniture companies confederation and EU Social Dialogue memberFCBA Research centre and VET provider specialized in furniture sector and certificationIIS MERONI a public initial VET provider specialized in furnitureMETHODOLOGY and ACTIVITIES:Validate furniture SMEs skills and knowledge needs for successfully implementing an IMS.Build the IMS structure containing key processes, procedures, indicators and forms.Deliver and validate a new joint Curriculum for the IMS Manager.Produce the training course materials in 6 languages (EN, ES, IT, FR, PL, CZ).Deliver an e-learning platform with all the training material integrated into it (6 modules, 30 units and 67 training pills / EQF 5, 1.4 ECVET credits, 35 h).Develop a software to facilitate the practical IMS design, documentation and implementation.Validate the outputs through a pilot course and multiplier events.RESULTS:IMS Manager on-line course: training materials in form of 67 training pills oriented to a practical approach and to IMS implementation.EASIMS Dynamic Demonstrator: software that facilitates the design, customization and implementation of an IMS within furniture SMEs.A new specific curriculum for the IMS Manager professional profile.A MoU for recognition of the course training outcomes within and outside the partnership.Main TARGET GROUPS:IMS Managers, professionals, students and unemployed interested in IMS.Furniture and manufacturing SMEs interested in implementing an IMS.Initial/continuous VET providers and High Education Institutions of the furniture sector.VET regulatory entities.Regional/National/European Employees and Employers associations of the furniture sector.QUANTITATIVE IMPACT:Pilot course learners: 107Multiplier events attendees: 120 in total, 74 granted participantsSMEs/freelancers involved in pilot course and multiplier events: 221Total external participants: 365Stakeholders reached: > 10.000Webpage visits (last 4 months): 1.973MID & LONG-TERM BENEFITS:EASIMS will improve medium and long-term VET system training provision, due to the availability of an innovative new modular training course and a work-based supporting tool.Partners VET providers and URV will benefit of the project outcomes and outputs by innovating and improving their training offer well after the end of the project.The new curriculum of IMS Manager will be available as VET offer.Awareness about IMS benefits will boost their implementation by easier & cheaper tools, improving SME’ competitiveness.EASIMS Dynamic Demonstrator can be replicated and used in other sectors.

WOODigital aims at developing a dual learning system to enhance digital skills of young Europeans interested in entrepreneurial ad employment opportunities in the woodworking and furniture sector. The model proposed is thought to be strongly work-based and provided with a component of international mobility, so as to provide young learners with the opportunity to apply knowledge in real work-life situations. The action is targeted to help the EU youth becoming a key driver for challenging the emergence of Industry 4.0 and IoT, which have been soundly reshaping the woodworking and furniture industry in recent times. As well, it contributes to feed with young skilled workers a sector made up almost completely of SMEs and aged workforce, thus avoiding the loss of European manufacturing and craftsmanship history.The project thrives within both cooperation and knowledge frameworks of other EU projects (WOODUAL, FUNES, IM-FUTURE, DIGIT-FUR, and others), which have been claiming the use of dual learning system in wood and furniture sector to improve digital skills and employability of young people and cooperation between business and VET providers across Europe. At the core of the project there is a strategic management of knowledge by:- fostering teaching and learning of digital skills, WOODigtial strives to strengthen employability and key competences of young people, making woodworking a knowledge-based industry. The more woodworking processes and products are digital and digitalized, the more data and information are available to SMEs and other relevant players to make their offer more effective and valuable to the market, enhancing the decision-making process;- running a feedback loop, the partnership is committed to nurture strategic links to further enhance synergies among woodworking-based projects at EU level;- being involved in long-lasting cooperation and business relationships, partners have been producing new knowledge that is worth to be investigated through additional resources, facilitating a knowledge-transfer process between education and business for mutual improvements.

<< Objectives >>Promoting social innovation and intercultural dialogue with a new training path that can map and enhance migrants, social workers and local artisans craft skills, relating them to craft knowledge of EU host territories. Objectives are:development of a new training method to enhance the skills of migrants, social/youth workers and local artisans in the craft sector put in contact migrants and local craft professionalsenhancement of green, soft and digitals skills<< Implementation >>Partners organized the activities to be implemented according to the following work packages:WP1. Project management (Terra di Tutti social enterprise) WP2. Atlas + Joint Curriculum (Odyssea + ELISAVA)WP3. Pilot Action (Terra Vera) WP4. Digital tool (DIDA UNIFI) WP5. Dissemination, Quality assurance and Impact (CSM + CENFIM)Intellectual achievements and main activities are all interconnected so that partners can make continuous progress towards achieving the objectives of the project.<< Results >>Project results:-Atlas Map, an infographic tool of intercultural craft experiences at EU level-Joint Curriculum, definition of interdisciplinary, transcalar and modular method box-Pilot Action, definition of training kit with all the learning and training materials developed and tested-Digital Tool, creation of dynamic place for sharing training materials and dissemination toolsOther outcomes:-Partners MoU-Quality plan-Dissemination plan-Impact framework

<< Background >>The furniture sector is a very relevant industry within the EU, composed mainly by SMEs. Industry 4.0 and the related digital transformation have a strong impact on this sector, as they imply a series of challenges and significant changes along its whole value chain. To transform this into real opportunities we need companies able to successfully design, lead, implement their digital transformation. There is a clear lack within the furniture sector of managers able to carry out these tasks.<< Objectives >>DITRAMA aims to produce a new joint curriculum for the Digital Transformation Manager new occupational profile; create the related training materials; and deliver an open, online, interactive training course. Workers and students will acquire knowledge and skills needed by EU SMEs to successfully understand, lead and carry out the digital transformation within their company and facilitate the SME to exploit the opportunities it offers. It aims as well to strengthen sectoral collaborations.<< Implementation >>Twelve partners, following knowledge and skills needs fine-tuning, produced a new joint curriculum for the Digital Transformation Manager and validated it among sector stakeholders. They delivered the related training materials and an interactive and innovative MOOC. They tested it through an open Pilot Course and collected the feedback for its adjustment and improvement. They organized multiplier events and a successful large online final event for results presentation and dissemination.<< Results >>DITRAMA successfully involved along the project hundreds of experts and stakeholders to deliver a validated joint curriculum for the Digital Transformation Manager and produced an innovative MOOC with 100 training pills and customizable training paths for EQF 4 & 5, which was tested by 384 learners in a pilot course. Involving EU sector stakeholders, it created the DITRAMA National Networks and established long-term collaborations within them and with other ongoing sectoral initiatives (ALLVIEW)