The curriculum for the training course will be tested and evaluated in live trials carried out with organisations such as Schools, VET, NGOs in VET, private VET service providers. Our definition of VET will be wide and will include formal VET institutions, smaller NGOS providing specialist services to disadvantaged groups, schools and colleges, those providing career support to NEET youth. Staff of these institutions will be people with responsibility for or contributing to career and employment progression. They may be formally designated as careers / employment advisors, or have that role incidental to another such as vocational training and employer liaison. Personal Mentors assisting with the transition into work will be eligible too.

These stage 1 trials will be comparatively small (5 to 10 learners in each country; except the UK, since VRC will be in a role of supporting the tutors and partners to apply the curriculum). The aim is to test thoroughly the basic curriculum concepts, skills learning, the assessment and evaluation procedures. The trials will therefore include direct personal contact between tutors, from the partners and the learners and their employing organisation. A Learning Needs Analysis will precede the training, which will be adjusted to suit the specific requirements of each learner group. Some distance learning may be involved, using simple text-based materials, but the emphasis will be in face to face events, to ensure the maximum of feedback and understanding of the learning processes. Learning in the workplace by tutored case work will form part of the trials to provide information about the best ways to embed skills in work practices.

The emphasis will be on delivering skills and competence focussed training that adheres to quality standards (above), and getting high quality information and feedback through formal evaluation and personal contact.
 

Duration and the delivery modes of each trial will be determined in advance within the overall 5-month time window.

Exceptional costs have been requested to support these and the Stage 2 trials:

Room hire & incidental costs of providing trials venues 800.00 x 5 countries.