"The main purpose of EUROPA-MEISTER has been to describe the knowledge, skills and competences of Master craftsmen in the Painting/Decorating sector at level 6 of the European Qualifications Framework (EQF). The EUROPA-MEISTER certificate represents a seal of quality for services rendered to clients from qualified Painters in Construction which will be delivered by the International Association of Painting Contractors (UNIEP) and selected experts gathered in examination’s committees.The project’s objective was achieved in five specific phases which correspond to the different activities, known as Intellectual Outputs (IOs).As a first step, the IO1 described the competencies, knowledge and skills (CKS) at level 6 of the EQF for the Painting trade. Some units of learning outcome, particularly required for the European dimension, were added: Unit U6-5 EU Law and Law in Europe and Unit 10 General Education with the subunits U10-1 on Digitization and U10-2 on (English) Language. Within the framework of the IO2, the Matrix of competences was translated into the national languages of all project partners and entered into the Multilingual Skillsbank, where qualifications’ descriptions also for other professions are classified in the same format.With the IO3, the formal structures and the procedures for the EUROPA-MEISTER issue were defined and are available as guidelines for the cooperation of European Vocational Institutes in the form of a Manual. This output creates a link of the different country-specific requirements for the qualification up to level 6+.IO4 being another fundamental part of the project, enables the desired qualification with a suitable instrument. Based on the learning outcomes described in IO1, documents were adapted for an e-learning course system for cross-border Meister training at level 6+ of the EQF. The lecture notes are available in German and English and future candidates will dispose of them through a digital platform. Furthermore, individual learning contents of competence areas were successfully tested with young learners from the painting sector. Teachers, trainers and company tutors were involved in a transnational testing and orientation phase in a working group, in line with the realized learning, teaching and training activities (LTTA) at the School of Painting in Baden. The test was successful and the results provided important conclusions for the further development of the learning materials. The course system itself, i.e. the concrete offer of bookable courses, will be further developed by the UNIEP experts’ committee after the end of the project.The IO5 was entirely dedicated to ensuring the transnational quality protection by introducing, in a detailed manual, regulations, working methods and competences for the EUROPA-MEISTER Committees and its experts. Some examinations, in addition to national tests, have been included especially with reference to digitalization and English language knowledge. Furthermore, a supplementary qualification will be now acquired, in the theoretical or practical context, at European Master Schools, Educational institutions and/or painting establishments, through a mobility programme (""EUROPA-Walz"") for a period of 4 weeks (such as special training courses on historical painting techniques, concrete remediation, corrosion protection, fire protection coatings, ect.).This Intellectual Output was developed under the leadership of UNIEP and will continue to be supported by this European umbrella association in the future. It will ensure the sustainability of the project and also its permanent development capability. IO5 made it clear that for the first time, individual career planning as well as a largely time- and location independent learning qualification at level 6+ in the painting trade is possible.At the concluding Multiplier Event, the attention with which the European public already perceives the EUROPA-MEISTER project was made visible by involving high level European stakeholders. The successful completion of the project laid the foundation for further development and implementation processes. The great complexity of the content of the EUROPA MEISTER project has shown that qualification at Level 6 and further professional qualification measures are an important requirement in order to avoid economic damage and deficiencies. Through the umbrella organization UNIEP and its member associations, further European countries will benefit of its results."

BACKGROUNDPaintingSkillsAcademy (PSA) is based on needs for the painting trade:1) VET must become more attractive to young people, more young people need to be won for crafts.2) Lack of knowledge, skills and competences inevitably lead to poor processing of orders and to economic damage.3) VET in the European context is underdeveloped, however, quality or flawless execution is important in all countries. PSA develops products for the painting trade and shows how to use them in other sectors.OBJECTIVESThe PaintingSkillsAcademy creates a structure for basic and further training for the European painting trade, which uses jointly defined qualification standards and sample curricula as a basis and makes target group-specific offers via the partners involved in the Academy. The Academy is implemented under the aegis of the European umbrella organization UNIEP.IMPLEMENTATIONThe path to the academy goes through the description of quality standards and units of learning outcomes for the painting trade at levels 1-6 of the European Qualifications Framework, design of curricula that make a statement on HOW the learning outcomes described above can be acquired, recognition of prior learning and competence assessment mechanisms, the development of a system of target-group specific training offers until a business case and roadmap for the operation after the funding.RESULTS- “Real” comparability of the competencies required and the skills that can be acquired in the individual countries of the project partner countries- No European lowest common denominator, but real transparency- Detailed documents from WP3 and WP4 enable the acquisition of skills that are precisely tailored to the job market- Course system (time and place independence)- Foundation of a self-sustaining academy for the painting trade on a European level