On March 10th 2016, the Strategic Policy Forum on Digital Entrepreneurship stated very clear - digital transformation is not an option – it is a must! The European SME needs to explore the future potential of ICT, automation, sustainable and clean as well as human-centered work systems and processing technologies. According to Gunther Oettinger, EU Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society (2016) and European business leaders areas like big data, the internet of things, cyber-physical systems and robotics offer great opportunities for industry. At a recent roundtable in Brussels on the Digital Transformation of Industry, ways to energize the digital transformation of Europe’s industrial sector across Europe were discussed, to raise the potential for increasing flexibility, efficiency, productivity, competitiveness – all helping to create jobs and growth transnationally - especially within SMEs. After all, Europe is a continent of SMEs - where nine out of ten companies are SMEs and, two out of three jobs are in SMEs. They have to be part of the digital journey; they are crucial to Europe´s growth and competitiveness. Together, sectors (C) Manufacturing 9,33%; (H) Transport and Storage 5,09%; (J) Information and Communication 4,44% and (M) Professionals Science and Technical Administration 18,13% comprise 37% of the 22,3 million SME. Most of the 8,25 million SME are not aware of the implications of being not prepared for this Business Transformation in order to emphasize on improvements, growth and competitiveness, yet.Increased sense of initiative and entrepreneurship of owners, managers and staff can only be expected if sensitization and tailored measures are applied within these companies. However, to create value through the “Internet of things” and seize the opportunity for technological and process change, the commitment of each enterprise to identify and quantify its individual potential is required. The new approaches of digitalization and smart systems are often barely validated and potential impact is mostly not proven. Transformation towards digitized, smart systems is not a one-off activity but rather an ongoing process and could be describe as a lifelong learning process for an enterprise.In comparison to big companies with the financial strength to either hire consulting companies or to run own departments with a number of experts working on digitization and smart systems, especially SMEs do not have the same financial possibilities andtherefore are facing a lack of expertise, overview, knowledge with regard to technologies, methods, approaches their mutualinteraction as well as potential and risks. SMEs run the risk of waiting too long with the migration towards smart systems and their digitization, or pursue no holistic approach for operational improvements or possible impacts on their business model. For exactly this purpose BITTMAS project consortium including experts from Germany (Reutlingen University, project leader; IBK – Management Solutions GmbH, International Industrial Consult AG), Austria (Fraunhofer Austria Research GmbH), Turkey (Sabanci University), Spain (GAIA - Association of Electronic and Information Technologies in the Basque Country), Ireland (Waterford Chamber of Commerce) and Romania (SC IPA SA Craiova) developed the BITTMAS solution.For easing the business transformation and to keep pace with the rapid developments BITTMAS solution supports training and self-driven processes for the required business transformation through employees and managers of SME by providing:- a video library and glossary to inform and sensitize the users with regard to digitalisation and smart systems,- the self-assessment DITRASS (working title within BITTMAS project: DigiPotAS) to determine the potentials for process enhancements and new business solutions based on a tailored maturity model,- online coaching and training modules to learn or to enhance knowledge regarding to 16 digitalisation concepts,- the self-assessment IMTRASS (working title within BITTMAS project: DigiSuRA) to determine further supporting requirements for digital transformation and- references and use cases of BITTMAS solution,- a free entry version of the developed BITTMAS Platform (Release Candidate).The BITTMAS Release Candidate, consisting of the learning platform, coaching and training modules, a self-assessment to analyse digitalisation potentials and a self-assessment to consider further requirements focused on nine criteria based on the EFQM Model, improves and extends the range of high quality learning offerings for adults and strengthen the key competences in VET curricula. Digitalisation and smart systems do not only appear in the industrial and economic environment but also in the daily social life and the respectively required competencies can therefore be referred to as transversal. The funded 3-year project was successfully completed by public launch of the BITTMAS platform in August 2019.

WLF aims at fostering a positive Work-Life-Flow (WLF) in post-Corona legacy arising from remote working and social distancing. WLF refers to the dynamic equilibrium between an individual’s professional and social roles. The EU-Directive 2019/1158 (European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019) on work-life balance and their concretization at national levels (e.g., in Spain The Royal Decree-Law 6/2019, of March 1) and the aim of the International Labour Organisation for ‘Decent Work’ (Article 7 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights) show relevance of WLF. Because of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, work and life is changing and becoming focused on remote work. This will change practices and boundaries of work and life.Mastering a healthy WLF is a challenging key competence to maintain an effective work performance while increasing social, physical and mental health, including working parents and informal carers. A needs analysis of reports (Joint Research Council of EC) and trends in European policy on key competences and work-life balance discovered a skills gap. Such non-cognitive skills are underdeveloped across the EU’s education systems but expected to grow in importance. Therefore, the projects’ competency-based approach to WLF, is key to foster individual well-being within current and future workforce. The WLF envisioned competences represent one of the eight key competences of life-long learning (“Personal, social and learning to learn”) identified by the Council of the European Union.The objectives of WLF are to offer three main outcomes/products apart of new knowledge on WLF: to develop and test an a) innovative concept- and web-based self-assessment tool for WLF linked to EFQM model b) innovative blended, virtual/distance training materialsc) integrated solution (assessment tool and training) to tackle the skills gap on WLF-related competences of future and current professionals for a positive WLF to reduce negative health- and performance-related outcomes. Related to these objectives the project activities will range from research for WLF-index development and educative materials to the assessment tools software and multimedia training implementation, its real-world testing of the integrated solution at HEI and companies. WLF uses a scientific-practitioner approach for developing an assessment WLF-index and blended multimedia virtual/distance training materials to yield the most transferable results. Desktop research on the contents for the assessment tool and training materials will be applied. Findings will be aligned with the Excellence dimensions as described in the EFQM Model. The software implementation will build upon researched parameters and make use of the existing design of LOPEC’s Personal Excellence Tool. Multimedia modules (animated screens, video clips, virtual add-ons) of the overall training solution will be developed by multimedia specialist UBT. The project will follow a combination of the agile software development approach and the rapid prototype cycle with its parallelism of development and testing (Alpha, Beta & Gamma Cycles).The WLF project envisions a transnational approach since cultural and national legislative contexts need to be taken into account. In this sense, the assessment tool allows transnational comparisons. Project partnership consists of four HEI and three business partners. The choice of the partners was based on criteria as knowledge and experience in WLF relevant fields, existing networks for dissemination and impact possibilities, sustainability of the project measures, experience in European projects. The partners complement each other: The university partners (UB, UC, UBT, WIT) are experts in the fields of occupational health, WLF and health-promoting organizational processes, ‘Decent Work’ and HRM. IBK is a leading expert on the topic of Excellence and an EFQM’s certified Partner Organization and will provide the software for the assessment tool. IIE and Eskilara represent the industrial end-user and will be involved in development and testing. The project result will be a multilingual and pilot-tested E-Platform providing a web-based Assessment tool and virtual Training Solution to diagnose and manage WLF. This E-Platform will enable students and employees to foster key competences for positive WLF based on identified potentials. For the HR sector, it allows an evidence-based identification of improvement areas for HRM and training to integrate in appropriate WLF strategies. Dissemination will done regionally and inter/nationally using the partnerships’ and Advisory Boards’ networks as well as congresses and journals.Short/medium benefits will be analyzed for students and employees. In a longer term, benefits are economically and educationally the development of a new ICT-based training product. For society, WLF seeks a more resilient and psychologically healthy current and future European workforce.

<< Objectives >>ExCurS aims to offer a self-assessment tool that allows a match of organisational needs for skills and knowledge for a strategic growth with the personal development plan of individuals based on assessing existing and future potentials. This concept will be validated by delivering and piloting a training programme focussed on teaching LEAN & Green Management Skills for SME, thus supporting the EU new Green deal and by its hybrid training structure the digitalisation efforts.<< Implementation >>Besides Project Management and a WP dealing with all topics of Project Dissemination, Exploitation and Impact, ExCurS will have 3 main activities:IO1: ExCurS Concept & Self-Assessment SupportIO2: ExCurS Training Modules and PlatformIO3: Integrated and validated ExCurS Solution<< Results >>Management methods matched against EFQM 4.0 & Green Deal to align personal development with organisational growth plans via self-assessment.Blended Learning for managers and staff, based on Work Based Learning to build up professional, cognitive and digital competences for economically and environmentally sustainable SMEs.Validated Online Platform delivering the integrated solution in the partner languages, incl. Library, Glossary (definitions), trainer guidelines & documented use cases.

<< Background >>The reason for this project is twofold: Stress causes illness in persons and organisations and thus becomes a big economic cost factor. Stress is an important occupational safety and health (OSH) concern in about 80% of European businesses and is one of the main reasons for lost working days. However, less than a third of European organisations have procedures in place to deal with work-related stress. The survey shows that there is often a lack of expertise and specialist support.<< Objectives >>The objectives and the results are: 1. Develop an education module based on experiences in industry that will equip professionals working in industry with the necessary knowledge and skills. Divided in basic and especialised training (for different stakeholders)2. Develop a suite of practical tools that can be used by suitably trained professionals to quantify stress levels in an organisation and at an individual level, 3. Design and pilot test an appropriate training (per country)<< Implementation >>The implementation of the project has been carried out without any problem. All the programmed tasks have been developed. Last part of project (piloting phase) was affected by COVID-19 situation in Europe. Piloting phase at university with classess was affected and run mainly in on-line format. Piloting phase with companies was affected and executed mainly in on-line format. We asked for the extension of the project (2 months) in order to facilitate the finalisation of the piloting phase.<< Results >>All the expected results have been developed.The IMPRESS solution is formed by the following tools/applications:The personal/individual Stress Factor Assessment. (ENG, SP, GER, LT). Free of useThe web-based training modules (4 modules Basic training). (ENG, SP, GER, LT). Free of use after registrationAdditional training support materials, (ENG). (8 modules). For assessment supportThe Corporate & Individual Stress Factor Assessment (ENG, SP, GER, LT). Commercial useFroject deliverables

ContextStudent Stress Training e-Mobile Management (SSTeMM) is referenced to the ‘European Framework for Mental Health and Well-being’ and the WHO (Tsouros et al., 1998) Framework of Action for Health Promoting Universities to promote and protect the physical and mental health of students and staff in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). Industry based internships, as part of HEI professional courses, such as medicine or nursing, transition the learner from student to qualified status and are formative in terms of heuristic development to cope with stress in the workplace. The impact of STTeMM aligns to the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work – EASH - (2013) in its research priorities for 2013 to 2020,‘Develop interventions, programmes and strategies that merge traditional workplace health protection with workplace health promotion and address both work-related risks —organisational and individual psychosocial contexts — and behavioural factors simultaneously'. This logically includes a focus on both the work environment and individual choices and behaviours.’(EASH, 2013:52). Within the context of the promotion of health broadly and retention of the nursing workforce particularly, SSTeMM may be seen significantly to support the European Commission's broad and specific policy goals and to be aligned with EASH priorities with its focus upon sharing good practice and establishing a Pan EU framework for action in order to establish a more effective service engaged approach to the management of work related stress and the promotion of well-being amongst the nursing profession in general across the European Union and, indeed, beyond.ObjectivesSSTeMM aims to develop an end-user (which we define as internship student, internship mentor, hosting industry and HEI staff) accessible digital mobile platform of targeted work based education, competency training and in vivo self reflection learning opportunities to equip students and mentoring workers with the knowledge, skills and competencies to address occupational stressors (both personal and environmental). The focus will be on a pedagogy that develops personal skills to build resilience that support retention; enhance student internship engagement whilst away from their base HEI and equip such students with a reinforced skills and competency set that will enhance their personal wellbeing once they have entered the world of full time employment following graduation/qualification.Number and profile of the participantsStudent nurses on internship placement as part of the pre qualification training and their qualified nurse mentors are the target of SSTeMM solution development and implementation. We anticipate a minimum of 200 student nurses plus their internship mentors directly participating in SSTeMM solutions across four national jurisdictions, plus a minimum of 700 student and qualified nurses participating in a survey on identifying student stressors in the work place. Description of ActivitiesSSTeMM involves the analysis of student nurse stressors whilst in internship settings. Based on this data, SSTeMM will develop training packages and guidance to manage stress in the work place delivered through an e-platform and mobile application which will be specifically designed for student nurses on internship and their clinical mentors to use at the time events occur or shortly after. The SSTeMM solution will be localised and Beta tested and then piloted across three to five clinical sites in four jurisdictions (Ireland, Slovenia, Spain and Kosovo).Methodology to be usedMultiple synergistic methodologies will be used incorporating literature review, survey, curriculum methods, mobile application development with Beta testing and case studies.Results and Impact EnvisagedAn analytical toolbox incorporating a stress catalogue and survey instrument. Blended Learning Training Package incorporating mobile application to deliver developed stress training and guidance modular content in the workplace. A training manual and programme to support academic lecturers and clinical mentors. A localised validated SSTeMM solution that be will be open access and available to anyone who wishes to use it. SSTeMM aims to locate and embedd stress management skills and knowledge acquisition through a curriculum that emphasises internship learning as the most effective environment for training student nurses to manage stress and translates into their professional way of working once qualified and in employment.Longer term benefitsEstablish a more effective service engaged approach to stress management at work amongst the nursing profession that generalises to other disciplines.