From November 21 to 25, 2022, a study visit, and the first meeting of partners took place in Zagreb as part of the new Erasmus+ project of the Croatian Chamber of Crafts Joint Mentorship: Better Cooperation for Better VET.
The study visit was organized from November 21 to 23 with the aim of the study visit participants making mutual contacts and learning about good practices in vocational education in the Republic of Croatia. On the first day, the Croatian Chamber of Crafts presented the system of vocational education in Croatia and introduced the participants to quality assurance mechanisms, especially regarding the implementation of apprenticeships with employers at the workplace. Next, the “Vice Vlatkovića” Vocational School from Zadar held an online presentation about their school and the activities they carry out, which gave the participants an insight into good practices in vocational schools. Acquaintance with examples of good practices continued on the second day with a visit to the Vocational High School in Samobor and the company “Elektroinženjering Brodar”, which gave the participants valuable first-hand experience of cooperation models among stakeholders in the field of vocational education in Croatia. Furthermore, the study visit was concluded on the third day, with presentations by representatives of the Agency for Vocational and Adult Education and the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development, who held presentations on their roles in the vocational education system in order to familiarize themselves with the cooperation between stakeholders and their responsibilities in the system. Likewise, a group discussion was held among the participants about good practices in partner countries as well as possible solutions that could be implemented in project activities. The participants of the study visit were teachers, mentors in trades and businesses, and representatives of stakeholders in vocational education from Belgium, North Macedonia, and Romania. A total of 28 participants took part in the activities of the study visit.
After the end of the study visit, the first meeting of the project partners was held from November 24 to 25, where the partners presented their organizations and discussed the project activities that need to be started. Furthermore, the partners are familiar with the obligations and technical details of project implementation, quality assurance and implementation of dissemination activities during the project.
The aim of the Erasmus+ Joint Mentorship project is to improve the quality of vocational education and training specifically by improving cooperation between stakeholders in vocational education through the organization of seminars, trainings and workshops and the creation of Guidelines for better cooperation in vocational education with examples of good practice. Furthermore, it is intended to improve quality by designing and creating an e-map of apprenticeships, which would enable easier and faster monitoring of students and mutual communication between schools, employers, and other stakeholders such as chambers of commerce. Likewise, the project plans to improve the pedagogical skills of mentors through designed e-modules so that they can be prepared for teaching students during their apprenticeship. The target groups of the project are students, vocational schools and mentors who carry out apprenticeships in trades and companies, as well as other stakeholders in the system of vocational education and training.
The project started in October 2022, and will last until June 2025, and the total value of the grant is EUR 250,000.00.
All of the above will have a long-term effect on improving the quality of vocational education, especially apprenticeships. The introduction of digital tools will improve the digitization of vocational education and work-based learning, which will additionally affect the quality of the educational offer and the acquisition of professional knowledge and skills. Ultimately, all activities will have a long-term positive effect on the competitiveness of trades and companies and the recognition of employers as good mentors and responsible members of society.
