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Conference - VET education for entrepreneurship

janimozolam@gmail.com (Janis Ozols) — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 08:21:47 GMT

Newsletter No.6 2022 September

The project Multiplier event "Conference - VET education for entrepreneurship"

September 27th the Erasmus+ project 2019-1-LV01-KA202-060430, the Meaningful Entrepreneurial Mindsets (MEM) Ideas to Actions virtual multiplier event took place on the topic "VET education for entrepreneurship". The project was made in a cooperation between different state maritime institutions from Latvia (Liepaja marine College), Germany (Berufliche Schule des Kreises Nordfriesland), Turkey (Ulusoy Denizcilik Teknolojisi Mesleki ve Teknik Anadolu Lisesi) and Cyprus (Dorea Educational institute).

Hospitability and organization of the event was in the hands of Germany this time.

The event was attended by representatives from various sectors.

The introduction was made by Tanja Reitler, Project Coordinator at Berufliche Schule des Kreises Nordfriesland, who gave a brief overview of the event plan, followed by HUSUM Headmaster Michael Kwauka, who encouraged the participants with opening speech.
Representative of Kurzeme business incubator Salvis Roga continued the virtual event, speaking about “The importance of VET education for entrepreneurship”.
The next one who got the rights for presentation was Head of the Social Economy Department at BS Husum Wulf Westhpal, who was talking about the topic “SME*s: Backbone of the German economy (*small and medium-sized enterprises)”.
The project coordinator from Liepaja Marine College Jekaterina Zalomova told everyone a little bit more about the idea of the MEM project itself and Tanja added about the short mobility to HUSUM in 2021.
The representatives of Liepaja Marine college – Ervita Pilverta, Randa Misane and Jekaterina Zalomova – presented intellectual output and Tanja concluded with discussion on the meaning of education in boosting entrepreneurial spirit and initiative among young people.
At the end German partner moderated a discussion on the meaning of education in boosting entrepreneurial spirit and initiative among young people.

The partners from Latvia and Germany host most participants locally, inviting representatives of local/regional and international VET institutions and some guests from different sectors of education as secondary schools, and higher institutions.

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT MEETING NO.4 (VIRTUAL, LATVIA)

janimozolam@gmail.com (Janis Ozols) — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 07:59:25 GMT

Newsletter No.5 2022 September

What happened?

On September 2022 the project implementers of partner institutions Liepaja Marine College, Brefliche Schule des Kreises Nordfriesland in Husum, Ulusoy Denizcilik Teknolojisi Mesleki ve Teknik Anadolu Lisesi and Dorea Educational institute held a virtual meeting (MT4) for final monitoring of the fulfillment of all the responsibilities before the final reports. Partners was working on dissemination activities.

Main thing for all of the project members was a creation of exercises including the main topic of entrepreneurship. Important was to make them in English language and the next step after that was to translate these exercises in other languages (for example, from English to Latvian, from English to German, etc.). Few of the topics already done – Business crape employment, marketing creation and others. Also, informative lectures for VET students and business sharing between participating institutions have been completed in the project. What is still necessary to include and what to take out was discussed in the meeting.

Partners planned in details the Multiplier event who will do what. Subdivided topics and how it will be monitored and documents afterward will be administrated.

What each partner had to do and what is still in progress?

Each partner had their own tasks. All of them had to make an educational material with exercises for students about the topic of entrepreneurship. Translation of all these materials into different languages so that they are available to students and other interested parties from different countries of the world, starting with the languages of the member states involved in the project (Latvian, German, Turkish and of course English). There have been discussed slight possible adaptation from English to Partner’s languages (and via versa) and some problematic sections of the materials have been reviewed by Partners all together – what must to be translated and what can be left in original language as it is not mandatory information or information later explained in the materials. Mostly it was with video and some graphics, examples of documents etc.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT MEETING NO.3 (VIRTUAL, LATVIA)

janimozolam@gmail.com (Janis Ozols) — Mon, 25 Apr 2022 09:25:39 GMT

Newsletter No.4 2022 April

WHAT HAPPED?

1.) In the 3 ^rd meeting partners discussed, polished, and aligned a content for the platform which was uploaded in English version and also important was a discussion about the last three events – blended mobility (C5) and its organizational nuances, the Multiplier event, and the last Team meeting (TM4). As there was discussed mostly organizational issues and nuances, only project managers participated in the meeting.

2.) The partners decided to still do everything online, as pandemic was still very active and it was safer for everyone. Ulusoy DTMTAL virtually hosted a 3-day short-term exchange of pupils. 5 learners of LMC and 5 learners of BSH + accompanying persons per each group + local learners participated in the activity; it was similar as in Germany.

3.) The activity consisted of two main parts: Part 1: Participants from Latvia, Germany and Turkey met virtually online - planning day, the theoretical part. Part 2: Turkish participants interviewed entrepreneurs in Turkey and contacted Latvian and German participants by WhatsApp. At the end of the activity all VET learners filled in questionnaires with the following statements/questions.

4.) There was a short 3-day virtual event organized by LMC, too. Latvian participants interviewed entrepreneurs in Latvia and contacted Turkish and German participants by WhatsApp creating of video afterwards. The Latvian partner invited a lecturer from Kurzeme Business Incubator, Ltd., Chairman of the board Mr. Salvis Roga, who presented the topic "How to start a business in Latvia - Getting acquainted with the work environment in Latvia, traditions, business ethics, and culture”.

WHAT EACH PARTNER HAD TO DO AND WHAT IS STILL IN PROGRESS?

Further actions for the project were held online till the situation is stabilized, to make sure the online course was effective, making 2 days of the blended mobility event on real learners (trial).

1.) Chapter by chapter the authors of the online course would go through the course together with the learners and test, if it is working and if the learners gain the desired knowledge.

2.) Further - teachers from LMC, BSH, Ulusoy DTMTAL will provide classes based on the materials developed for the contents of the platform. The teachers will use the platform on an interactive board (or with the help of a wall projector). The lecturing classes will be captured in video materials and published on the platform in a specific section devoted to video lectures.

3.) Afterward the partner institutions will be able to draw conclusions for the adjustments necessary to the online course before the final launch of the educational platform. This activity will also serve as a dissemination event as learners from LMC, BSH, Ulusoy DTMTAL will for the first time see the platform with the online course.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT MEETING NO.2 (VIRTUAL, LATVIA)

janimozolam@gmail.com (Janis Ozols) — Tue, 08 Feb 2022 10:22:04 GMT

Newsletter No.3 2022 February

WHAT HAPPED?

Second meeting was held virtually by Liepaja Marine College on 08/02/2022. The main plan was to discuss about the online web page. Other plans - an inclusion of introductory course about starting a business in English aimed at secondary-level VET learners. The online course incorporated within it to be a starter-pack to creating a business. A progression coverage of topics necessary for successful business creation.

1.) Other thing discussed was further learning and exchange possibilities. Already done exchange to Cyprus and planed one in Germany. After meeting in Germany, there was a wish to go to the Turkey, but it was impossible due to Covid-19, so the meeting was realized virtually. And afterwards - International conference – VET education for entrepreneurship.

2.) BHS hosted a short 3-day exchange which was accompanied by LMC (4 participants) and DTMTAL in distance mode (4 participants) + 1 accompanying person per each group). As Covid-19 wave hit Turkish schools a week before the mobility, they weren’t able to meet in person. In a short change of experience, an interview was held with the young entrepreneurs and by the learners, where the learners had the chance to hear real stories of business setup and everyday life, asked their questions of interest, used their English knowledge, worked together on filming, and analyzing. (The stories captured in video materials ( https://www.ideas2actions.eu/case-studies ). Also, important topic discussed was how to start a business in Germany, - Getting acquainted with the German work environment, traditions, business ethics and culture.

WHAT EACH PARTNER HAD TO DO AND WHAT IS STILL IN PROGRESS?

1.) The plan for the future, due to the pandemic, is to do the meetings virtually, as each country has Covid-19-waves in different times. The first thing is to do a short 3-day virtual exchange with Ulusoy DTMTAL and the activity is pretty similar as the one already done in Germany. The aim is to engage the learners in the development of the intellectual result - the WEB-based educational platform about business creation, thus inspiring them to develop their sense of entrepreneurship and initiative. During the short-term exchange, the students will have a common task - to search for young businesses, which have created companies in the fields in which the learners are gaining their professions, as well as hearing real business stories, training English skills, etc.

2.) The project team of the hosting institution will also present a lecture on "How to start a business in Turkey - Getting acquainted with the work environment in Turkey, traditions, business ethics and culture.” and the partner from Germany shortly will represent material on the topic "Developing a common form and guidelines for the interviews/the first interview.", to prepare participants for the interview.

3.) Other activity will be done online, subdividing one 5 days activity into two sequential activities with success stories and pilot training. Another activity – Latvian representatives will contact entrepreneurs in Latvia and make an interview, meanwhile contacting Turkish and German representatives via Whatsapp.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT MEETING NO.1 (VIRTUAL, LATVIA)

janimozolam@gmail.com (Janis Ozols) — Thu, 02 Sep 2021 09:07:43 GMT

Newsletter No.2 2021 September

WHAT HAPPED?

In the meeting in Cyprus team members of each partner learned the basics of online course creation, to have a broader understanding, enabling the partners to develop well-structured and thought-out intellectual result. There was a discussion about basic elements needed to design and create a successful learning course, advantages and challenges of teaching in online environment (as it was in the middle of pandemics), approaches to recording and editing a course session, etc.

One of the tasks was to create a web page. It was decided that an online page will have a several sections, including project description, online course (freely available for interested people), success stories by businessman, video lectures, interactive map of support providing organizations, and other sections devoted to business development and implementation, and more. The main topic was a translation to Latvian, English, Turkish and German languages. Representatives from Latvia did idea development and market research, theoretical information on business structures, taxes business forms. A location finding for business, development of business plan, attraction of finance, product/service development and the last one, and company formation – name, logo, image and team.

The first meeting virtually was held by Liepaja Marine College in 02.09.2021. The main participants were all project partners, project managers, teachers and technicians (IT) from Liepaja, Cyprus, Germany and Turkey (about 11 participants).

Partners discussed the results achieved till the time of the meeting and worked on the first short exchange. The main activity was to develop an educational online platform which would include an introductory course in 4 languages – German, Turkish, English and Latvian – about starting a business. For the project further achievement, the first training was done in Cyprus.

WHAT EACH PARTNER HAD TO DO AND WHAT IS STILL IN PROGRESS?

1.) The project results in Latvia done already – idea development and market research, theoretical information on business structures, taxes, business forms as well as finding a location of business and development of business plan. Sill has to do – attraction of finance, product and service development, as well as actual company formation, such as name, image, logo and team.

2.) The first thing for Germany was to do a marketing and search for costumers, promotions and sales. Secondly, management of different aspects of business (human resources, finances, inventory, etc.).

3.) Turkey has to do a business growth strategy development.

4.) An online page about entrepreneurship has been made ( https://www.ideas2actions.eu/ ). The main plan for web page was, as the students are very close to working life, self-employment would be the good option for them. The online course would teach a whole process of business creation covering topics from the very start (idea development), theoretical information on business structures, taxes, market research, development of business plan, attraction of finance etc. This web page would be special with its step-by-step teaching about business creation with different activities, video lectures, video interviews and making entrepreneurship as a future option for young workers.

To develop the course, the following materials plan to be used: “The 10-minute guide for teachers on getting started with Moodle”, “E-learning methodologies. A guide for designing and developing e-learning courses”, and “Methodological Guide for Online course Development”. As well as there was a presentation of the developed web page https://www.ideas2actions.eu/ , and Randa & Ervita e-modules presentations http://edu.ideas2actions.eu/login/index.php .

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PROJECT STAFF TRAINING AND KICK-OFF MEETING IN CYPRUS

janimozolam@gmail.com (Janis Ozols) — Fri, 12 Mar 2021 09:53:15 GMT

Newsletter No.1 December 2019

Education for entrepreneurship can be particularly effective in initial vocational training, as learners are close to entering working life and self-employment may be a valuable option for them. Entrepreneurship is included in the national curricula for vocational education in a majority of European countries, at least to some extent. However, programmes and activities included in those figures may differ greatly in intensity and effectiveness. In any case, there is in general a perception that there is still a gap to be filled.

The partners of the present project to a larger or smaller extent observe this problem in their curricula, especially in relation to the technically-oriented programs. It has been proved, that regardless of the vocational training area, the most effective way to teach entrepreneurship is to have students participate in practical projects and activities, in which learning by doing is emphasized and real experience with entrepreneurship is gained.

The partners will commonly develop an intellectual result – an educational online platform, which will include an introductory course about starting a business aimed at secondary-level VET learners. This educational platform and the online course incorporated within it will cover a progression of topics necessary for successful business creation.

The WEB platform will have several sections:

Project description;
Online course – freely available to the general public;
Success Stories – interviews with young businesses;
Video lectures;
Interactive map of support providing organizations, and other sections devoted to business development and implementation, and more.

To achieve the above stated, the project will also involve several learning activities:

Short-term joint staff training event in Cyprus on online course development.
Short-term exchanges and blended mobilities of groups of pupils between the partner institutions – these will involve learning through real experiences with young businesses and business supporting organizations resulting in creation of additional contents for the platform.
International conference – VET education for entrepreneurship.

The aims of the present project, amongst others, are developing those personal attributes and generally applicable skills that form the basis of an entrepreneurial mindset and behaviour, raising students’ awareness of self-employment and entrepreneurship as possible career options, boosting entrepreneurship in education through creation of an attractive teaching and learning tool, and providing specific business skills and knowledge of how to start and successfully run a business. The partners hope to increase the sense of initiative and entrepreneurship among the players of the VET sector and promote education for entrepreneurship.

Budget: Funding from the European Commission - 129 706, 00 EUR (100%)

WHAT IS HAPPENING?

From 25/11/2019 till 29/11/2019 staff members of project partner institutions participated in a short joint staff training activity by attending a training course “Towards E-learning: Online Course Development” organized and hosted by the project partner Dorea Educational Institute in Cyprus. 5 representatives of the Latvian project team and 4 representatives of the German project team participated in this training, while the Turkish partner participated remotely as they faced difficulties to participate on site.

The training was intentionally held in the beginning of the project, so that the project team members of partner institutions can learn at least the basics of online course creation, to have a broader understanding, which will further enable the partners to develop a well-structured and thought-out project’s intellectual result.

The 5-day training course covered and introduced:

basic elements needed to design and create a successful online learning course – from generating ideas, discussing tools needed, to the final creation of online course;
advantages and challenges of teaching in the online environment, assessing the online course and students’ development and much more;
approaches to creating a course curriculum;
principles of online course design, key components;
platforms for online course development;
approaches to recording and editing a course session;
tools for recording and editing course material (Articulate, Camtasia, etc).

Besides the course attendance, the learning activity in Cyprus was also the first face-to-face meeting by partners. The partners got introduced, had the chance to discuss about the project activities and plan the tasks that need to be carried out during the next few months, signed partnership agreements, discussed financial matters, the working plan for the development of the project’s intellectual result, organization of learning activities and dissemination activities.

The partners proposed the course thematical structure, discussed the need for common methodological guidelines, as well as agreed on a technical solution to be used for generation of the planned intellectual output.