On November 12th and 13th, 2018 at the Faculty of Economics and Sociology of the University of Lodz was held the first project meeting. The project “ Empowering VET Teachers – Innovative & Enhanced CPD for Newly Qualified VET Teachers Working with Migrant Students” is an innovative and transnational undertaking that contributes to overall objectives of Europe 2020 in which it has been identified that VET systems should be attractive and inclusive with highly qualified VET teachers equipping learners with both key competences and specific vocational skills. VET teachers act as social agents contributing to the development of the skilled workforce that is crucial for the EU to compete globally, foster social inclusion and sustain its high living standards.
The project overall objective is to improve the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) of newly qualified VET teachers working with students from variety of ethnic backgrounds after their induction period, therefore impacting the inclusion within the classroom environment and consequently the economic and social empowerment of disadvantage groups of young people.
The project is also in line with the Strategic Framework for Education & Training that underlines the importance to provide adequate initial teacher education, continuous professional development (CPD) for teachers, and to make teaching an attractive career-choice.
From the project partners: UNIWERSYTET LODZKI, Poland; Stowarzyszenie EURO LIDER, Poland; Know and Can Association, Bulgaria; Valencia Innohub, Spain; COSMIC INNOVATIONS, Greece; InEuropa srl, Italy is expected to:
1. Provide newly qualified VET teachers with an online diagnostic tool assessing their professional skills and identifying the areas of improvement ensuring further, relevant, based on their individual needs CPD.
2. Up-skill newly qualified VET teachers with soft skills methods and tools fostering inter-cultural communication and competences, increasing participation and learning performance of disadvantaged learners and combating discrimination, racism, bullying.
3. Equip newly qualified VET teachers with digital guides on increasing social inclusion within classroom environment with use of training scenarios of interactive, project-based learning activities ready for immediate classroom implementation.
