IO-02 will be tested through a pilot course delivered in each Country through 3 integrated stages, involving 10 in-company tutors (learners) of SMEs,  as follows:

1) The 1st stage by a training-transferring workshop, where project experienced staff will work with learners. The delivery methodology will be a combination of presentations  . This will be developed together with preliminary self-assessment, through a questionnaire and small group discussions with pairs exercise, asking participants to speak about WBL models and experiences so as everyone will have a basic understanding of the topic. The workshop will provide an opportunity for knowledge transferring and sharing about mechanisms of WBL schemes and the conditions that need to be in place for specific systems to provide appropriate training/mentoring development through apprenticeship/traineeship within SMEs. It will allow participants to reflect and identify good practices and to share lessons learnt and “cutting edge” knowledge.

2) The 2nd stage includes Testing/Piloting learning materials by MOOC (BETA version) – learners will be involved in 3hs MOOC course featured by:  Open access– allowing any place – any device.  Open participation – it will be completely free to target community and Open enrolment (no specific entry requirements). MOOC will also provide plenty of opportunity for staff to engage with learners directly. MOOC activities will be mainly focused on:
a) Problem and task centred – learners will be engaged in solving real world problems and tasks for their professional development
b) Built on existing knowledge which is activated as a foundation for the new knowledge or learning
c) Demonstration of the knowledge/skill to the learners (videos, storytelling)
d) Application of the new knowledge/skill (exercises to complement and consolidate the learning)
e) Integration of these skills into real-world activities (Effective assessment will be provided as part of the learning process, particularly when learners will be requested to critically reflect on their experience and feedback will be used to support transfer of learning back into the workplace)
During the testing of the materials each in-company tutor will not only cover a wide range of practical skills but will work towards developing: (i) Training Needs Analysis and (ii) Learning Action Plan. During the piloting and testing of the Curriculum Programme, evaluation of this process will be essential in order to capture learning and improvements to be made. It is anticipated that in this phase we will use a BETA version of MOOC. The final-official version will be available at the end of the piloting after the review and validation of the learning materials.

3) The 3rd stage concerns the learning activities with Working Group for WBL Alliance. 3 Working Groups for WBL Alliance will be set up; 1 in each country. For this piloting stage, the Working Groups will consist of Job Counselors/Professionals (public/private agencies), VET practitioners, job seekers, apprentices/trainees and social partners (SMEs representatives). The in-company tutors participating in the initial Testing (via the transferring workshop and MOOC learning sessions) will then run training sessions within each Working Group. It is anticipated that each Working Group will have around 8 participants. These groups will test/review the learning materials that have been produced. The Working Groups’ sessions will be participative and interactive and feedback will be sought at every stage, highlighting strengths and weaknesses of in-company tutors around the 5 Modules contents with the results of a further design and finessing of the material. Self-assessment process will be facilitated at the end to be included in the Self- Directed Learning Guide.

Following the key findings of Testing/Piloting of the Curriculum Programme, partners will design and produce a Self-Directed Learning Guide with a set of resources and learning tools, which will be made available to existing and aspiring in-company tutors and those in roles requiring the WBL programme development. It will be a combination of new resources and links to existing one which have come to light as result of the research activity. This Guide is aimed at providing opportunities for self-assessment and professional development for the in-company tutors, providing them with the resources to assess their own skills and competencies, along with materials to enable them to develop additional skills and aptitudes and to enable them to track and assess their current skills against the Occupational Competency Standards and associated NQF/EQF Standards.  It will incorporate materials to enable them to assemble a portfolio, which can be tracked against the identified Standards. Again this is crucial in the context of a newly emerging and fast changing role such as this.