Competency Development
Welcome to our Competency Development projects page. Discover how our initiatives equip Practice Enterprise trainees with the crucial skills needed for today’s dynamic labour market. From digital fluency to essential transversal skills, our projects are implemented to prepare our participants for success in the rapidly evolving work environment. Explore our projects and see how we’re helping trainees enhance their abilities and enhance their career opportunities.
The “DIGIPRAC Ready for New Realities – The Digital Practice Enterprise” project aimed to update the traditional Practice Enterprise model by incorporating and enhancing digital skills training in the Practice Enterprise curriculum.
Project Outcomes:
- Reassess and update the Practice Enterprise model for a digital setting, ensuring it remains effective and realistic.
- Provide a digital version of the Practice Enterprise that is flexible and accessible, making it easier to adapt to challenges and more inclusive for those who can’t physically attend training due to location or health issues.
- Help vocational education and training (VET) students develop entrepreneurial skills through a guide outlining methodologies for building and sustaining digital Practice Enterprises.
- Resources and toolkit to help integrate digital Practice Enterprise into global learning environments.
- This project ensured the Practice Enterprise model is future-ready, enhancing digital and entrepreneurial skills for learners and educators alike.
Consortium:
Vilniaus Kolegija (LT – Lead)
PEN Worldwide (DE)
International Business College IBC (DK)
Fundacio Inform (ES)
Bfz-Essen GmbH (DE)
Athenum Ninove (BE)
Project Website:
www.digiprac.penworldwide.org
The Practice Enterprise connects education with the business world, making learning inclusive and engaging for our trainees. It helps trainees learn at their own speed, boosts their academic skills, and encourages a lifelong love for learning. Through online Practice Enterprise events, trainees can connect, enhancing their motivation and creativity.
The JOINUS – Alliance for Digital Practice Enterprise Events project improves access to training and skills. It offers a safe online environment where low-skilled trainees can gain work-related skills through online events. Participants can practice tasks repeatedly without the fear of real-world consequences, enhancing their ability to work remotely and learn new methods.
The project created a resilient event model that allows organizations from less advantaged areas to maintain their international presence. This initiative created a sustainable online event experience that also boosts digital skills for all participants.
Consortium:
International Business College (DK – Lead)
PEN Worldwide (DE)
Fundacio Privada Inform (ES)
Centro Studi Opera Don Calabria (IT)
REEP (FR)
Lietuvos Imitaciniu Bendroviu Asociacija LIBA (LT)
Website:
www.joinus.penworldwide.org
The LOGIPRO – Integrating Logistics Processes in Practice Enterprises project developed a work-based learning program to prepare VET students for logistics roles in higher education or the workforce.
The project focused on integrating the Practice Enterprise methodology into logistics education and setting up logistics Practice Enterprises in VET schools across our global network.
Outcomes:
- Researched logistics qualifications and job targets to determine attainable careers after VET or higher education in logistics and identified the skills needed by higher education and the logistics sector through analysis of educational and professional qualifications, consulting with industry professionals, and job market analysis.
- Created a model logistics Practice Enterprise that includes relevant software and tools, and establish a common curriculum using this model in various countries.
- Set up pilot logistics Practice Enterprises in VET schools focusing on the technical and transversal skills demanded by the labor market, and foster partnerships both nationally and internationally.
- Created an implementation guide and a trainers’ training program to equip educators with the skills to manage logistics simulations.
Consortium:
Connectief vzw (BE – Lead)
PEN Worldwide (DE)
Fundacio Inform (ES)
Institut El Calamot (ES)
Hogeschool West-Vlaanderen Howest (BE)
Sint-Jozef Sint-Pieter (BE)
Website:
www.logipro-project.com
The HEIPNET project blended academic knowledge with practical experience in higher education curricula to enhance student employability and readiness for the workplace. It focused on integrating the Practice Enterprise concept into higher education and building strong links between educational institutions and businesses through work-based learning.
Outcomes:
- Developed a syllabus and reference manual for higher education institutions new to the Practice Enterprise concept.
- Strengthened partnerships between universities, their Practice Enterprises, and the business community.
- Developed a reference manual for implementing the Practice Enterprise concept in new institutions.
Consortium:
Vilnius University of Applied Sciences (LT – Lead)
PEN Worldwide (DE)
University of Graz (AT)
Klaipeda State University of Applied Sciences (LT)
University of National and World Economy (BG)
University of Pavia (IT)
Downloads:
The Erasmus+ project PEN-QM – Sustainable Quality Management aims to provide Practice Enterprises at Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) with a web-based quality management tool. This tool helps apply the top 10 Job Skills of Tomorrow. The project also is developing new models for monitoring quality and enhancing cooperation between Practice Enterprises and HEIs in quality evaluation and audits.
Consortium:
Vilniaus Kolegija (LT – Lead)
PEN Worldwide (DE)
University of Graz (AT)
REEP Euro Ent’Ent (FR)
University of Pavia (IT)
Tetra Solutions Ltd. (BG)
The WEDEVET project “Developing VET Teaching Skills – Leading the Success of Tomorrow’s Students” was an Erasmus+ project that ran from 2019 to 2021.
The project aimed to enhance Vocational Education and Training (VET) by improving teaching quality. It focused on team building, leadership, and influence skills in a Practice Enterprise.
Outcomes:
- Developed materials to improve VET teachers’ team building, leadership, and influence skills.
- Developed the VET Teacher Skills Portfolio, a guide for acquiring and teaching team building, leadership, and management skills. This portfolio also addresses the common shortfall in management competencies among teachers.
Consortium:
Lietuvos Imitaciniu Bendroviu Asociacija (LT – Lead)
PEN Worldwide (DE)
OSAO (FI)
IBC (DK)
Website:
www.wedevet.penworldwide.org
The DEA “Digital Entrepreneurship Academy” was an Erasmus+ Strategic Partnership project aimed at enhancing the digital entrepreneurship and leadership skills of young people.
Outcomes:
- Developed an interactive online learning platform using the innovative Practice Enterprise business training model to boost leadership skills and entrepreneurial motivation among youth.
- Developed a framework for digitizing Practice Enterprise materials and guides.
- Produced the Digital Leadership Skills Questionnaire: An online self-assessment tool based on the “Leader SkillBox” from the FETLED project.
Click here to access the Digital Leadership Skills Questionnaire. - Created the “Digital Entrepreneur Academy” Web Platform and App: Supporting young entrepreneurs in creating Practice Enterprises with digital resources from PEN Worldwide.
Click here to access the “Digital Entrepreneurship Academy” Platform.
Consortium:
Lietuvos Imitaciniu Bendroviu Asociacija (LT – Lead)
PEN Worldwide (DE)
Association for International Social Development (BG)
The Leonardo da Vinci Transfer of Innovation Project, Practice Enterprise Trainers Training, took place from 2012 to 2014. It was a collaborative effort involving national Central Offices from Italy, France, and Lithuania, along with PEN Worldwide.
The success of learning in Practice Enterprise relies on the trainers’ abilities to organize work, motivate trainees, and equip them with necessary skills for future employment and the current job market. Previously, although most Central Offices offered training for Practice Enterprise trainers, however there was limited sharing of knowledge or practices among them.
The project developed a comprehensive and sustainable training program for Practice Enterprise trainers, accessible to all. The program expands trainers’ roles to include mentoring, counseling, and ensuring quality.
Consortium:
PEN Worldwide (DE – Lead)
REEP Euro Ent’Ent (FR)
Vilnius College (LT)
Instituto Don Calabria (IT)