Project Results

IO1 SoftComInVET soft skills self-reflection instrument for in-company trainers in SMEs, providing mobility placements

The aim of the soft skills self reflection instument is to provide trainers in SMEs, providing mobilities placements, with an instrument to self-diagnose themselves with regard to their work with VET learners and students. The self- reflection instument is designed to be a quality compass for the tutors to measure their level of preparedness to organize highquality mobility experience for VET students.

This output is based on the Agreement on common SoftComInVET competency framework, delivered during the first months of the project after conduction of State-ofthe- art report on the currently applied soft skills self-reflection systems in the partner countries and analysis of the professional profile of the mentor in SMEs.

Based on the indicators and set of criteria, defined in the common SoftComInVET competency framework, there is a scale for assessment of each indicator.

Upon completion of the soft skills self-assessment, the training mentors in SMEs companies, hosting mobilities, will automatically receive their score along with identified areas for upskilling.

Thus, identifying weak points in due time, in-company trainers will be encouraged to further investigate possible ways for improving their soft skills and overall performance. As a result they will be able to provide high quality VET service.

SoftComInVET soft skills reflection instument will meet the in-company trainers, needs and requirements.

The modular structure provides comprehensive information on the soft skills competences that mentors in SMEs, arranging mobilities, need to meet in order to implement high-quality mobility activities for VET learners. Selected modules represent soft skills that are important and affects all stages of mobility process: welcoming and hosting of the participants, communication with participants, organization of mobility practice, follow-up activities etc.:

  • Interpersonal skills - emotional intelligence and empathy.
  • Problem solving skills - flexibility and adaptability.
  • Transversal skills – communication, negotiation skills, teamwork, language using attitudes, etc.
  • Time Management skills – organisational and prioritizing competences
  • Business Etiquette - work ethics, leadership & management skills

Every module contains a number of questions, regarding the essence of the competences. After the completion of the self-assessment a specific result will be generated, showing the aspects that could to be improved.

Innovative elements: the project will apply particular approach to the target group and this focused approach is the leading innovative element. At present there is no such online soft skills self-reflection instrument for in-company trainers in SMEs, providing VET placements. After the self-diagnose is completed the instrument will represent the results.

The tool gives opportunity for progress monitoring as the mentors could asses themselves in a monthly/early base. Thus, the self-reflection soft skills tool will provide specific quality guidance to the above-mentioned VET mentors, which will add to its credibility.

Expected impact: the quality of the VET service will be enhanced through the SoftComInVET soft skills self reflection instument. This innovative tool will provoke mentors to face the daily challenges that accompany their day-to-day work and to transform them into opportunities for future development. The expected impact of the IO1 can be described in the following:

  • Increased level of self-knowledge & understanding as a core prerequisite for better performance and innovation development;
  • Increased confidence in hosting SMEs & VET organizations and enhanced capacity to identify risks for the quality of the provided VET service at an early stage;
  • Increased credibility of hosting SMEs & VET organizations to organize high-quality mobility service;
  • Increased the level of sharing of good practices.

Transferability potential: The soft skills self reflection instument could be adapted to different sectors. The developed tool will be freely available on the project E-platform. Thus, it will be easily transferable to wide variety of SMEs as well as vocational educational institutions.

IO2 SoftComInVET Enhancing Manual for in-company trainers in SMEs, providing mobility placements

The main aim of IO2 is to develop the SoftComInVET Upskilling Manuel for in-company trainers in SMEs, providing mobility placements.

will be complementary to the soft skills self-reflection instrument. The results from the self-assessment (IO1) will serve as a base and overview of the aspects needed improvement.

The Manual will then serve as a tool, providing guidance and opportunities for an enhancement and thus will prepare the in-company trainers to organize better mobility experience for VET learners. It will also meet mentors needs of soft skills development for guaranteeing their professional welfare.

The learning content of the SoftComInVET Upskilling Guidebook will comprise the modules of the self-assessment framework by giving detailed description and concrete recommendations.

The Guidebook will help the mentors in SME, hosting mobilities, to recognise the dynamics of human relations and to apply soft skills techniques and mindsets in order to provide high quality VET service.

To improve the identified by IO1 soft skills of in-company mentors and to train them how to develop these skills in the VET students.

will be organized as tips blocks especially designed for the project target group – mentors in SMEs, providing work placements for VET learners, and will help them to achieve the following but not only:

+ better awareness of the shortcomings in the mentoring profession and how to respond to them adequately;

+ better awareness of personal strengths;

+ better awareness of supervision during the work placement;

+ improved communication;

+ improved professional development;

+ improved conflict management;

+ improved identification and prevention of possible risky behaviour;

+ improved ability to deal with difficult personalities;

+ better diversity awareness.

Innovative elements and transferability potential: The approach applied in this IO is innovative as there is no such Enhancing Manual for mentors in SMEs, hosting mobilities.

The final output has a strong transferability potential: since the Guidebook will provide mentors with specific tips on how to improve their soft skills and thus adequately manage work placements of VET students, the output can also be further transferred to companies involved in dual education. This will guarantee the long-term sustainability of the project. In addition, the work on IO2 will be very valuable experience for the project partners as well.

Expected impact: the use of the Enhancing Manual will result in the following:

  • Better equipped mentors from SMEs providing work placements to provide high quality service and deal with specific situations;
  • Enhanced experience from mobilities for VET learners due to better leadership, improved soft-skills and better-organized mobilities. This will be possible due to the enhanced knowledge capacity of training mentors in SMEs companies, providing work placements;
  • Enhanced soft skills of mentors from SMEs companies, providing work placements.

IO3 SoftComInVET best practices compendium, presenting in-company trainers good practices in SMEs, providing mobility placements

The SoftComInVET IO3 aims to collect and promote the innovation & exchange of good practices as well as to facilitate the effective and mutually beneficial collaboration between institutions, arranging mobilities, on translational level.

The project will accomplish these objectives through the development of best practices compendium, presenting in-company trainers good practices in SMEs, providing mobility placements. It will be freely available for the users of the project E-platform.

Example of a good practice can include a specific approach, a fully developed programme or a proper way to intervene. The implementation of a good practice can be either directly employed or adapted to match the specific national context. The good practices can be used to teach how to detect and avoid the ineffective methods and the obscure results of a certain approach. If a program or method, well-documentary structured and clearly stated, is directly implemented or slightly adjusted, its chances of success undoubtedly increase.

The best practices compendium will be a complementary tool to the IO1 and IO2 and will serve as additional and refresher training tool, aimed at recalling and reinforcing previously acquired knowledge and skills. It will be focused on the good practices of the in company trainers. It will consist of minimum 2 good practices or story per country. Promimopresa was chosen to lead this IO as it has proven its great competence in the area of creativity and elaboration of interactive documents.

The compendium, presenting the good practices, focuses on the identification and collection of good examples from Europe about existing cases, mechanism and incentives and include the transfer of specific knowledge from more advanced countries. The innovative aspect is that it will motivate mentors in SMEs, hosting mobilities, to rethink about their softskills and competencies and to implement the presented good practices in their daily tasks.

The compendium will be translated, so that each partner will have an own final version, in his own language which will ensure its high transferability potential. Every partner will have the opportunity to share different concepts and points of view, which will additionally boost the transferability.

The best practices compendium will be used as a tool for additional enhancement of soft skills and competences and will increase the engagement of in – company mentors. The best practices will be based on real-life events. Thus everyone, reading them, could make a comparison with situations in their own daily tasks.