Digital skills and abilities to work in digital and networked environments are one of the key competencies of integration in the 21st century labour market. Challenges and changes related to “Work 4.0” have touched all sectors of the economy, even in services industries like tourism and retail. Employees with rather low-skill assignments need to have digital abilities and understanding in order to be able to work efficiently. In short, there is a trend in services towards digitization and the necessity to have multi-disciplinary digital qualifications. (1)The EU has recognized this trend, and has developed a “Digital Competence Framework” to map out different dimensions and levels of digital skills that are relevant for work and private life. (2) In Austria, the Ministry for Digitalisation and Economy has adapted the framework in order to include more dimensions and aspects of digital literacy in everyday life (3), and the Public Employment Service has a working group on new skills that concludes a great and rising demand and skill needs in all economic sectors, including tourism and retail. (4)Therefore, the digital education becomes a central element in any discussion on the topic. The demand of digital skills has risen and many jobseekers lack the skills to make a transition towards a digital work environment. Furthermore, there is a lack of accessible/transparent tools for organisations and stakeholders to measure and improve existing digital skills.The DIGISETS project tackles a growing mismatch between existing digital skill levels and needed skill profiles, even in previously not highly digitalised work environments. Experienced organisations and training providers from AT, BG, ES, EL cooperate to reach the following objectives: First, to draw a map/framework of work-relevant digital skills (previous research and data). Second, to design an evaluation toolkit for organisations. The tool is multi-dimensional and gives a wider view of hard and soft digital skills in an accessible form. Mainly the toolkit will be designed for education professionals working with (prospective) employees in tourism and retail sector. The toolkit is produced and programmed together in English, and then translated into the partner languages.The project will also implement a workshop for trainers from participant organisations. The goal is to present outputs (framework, toolkit, guidebook) for practical testing, feedback and critical exchange on the importance of digital skill sets and how to improve them. It will also provide a forum for networking, matching, discussion and testing. Preparation is done by online questionnaires, and further discussion/feedback will take place at the event. This will include practical exercises, feedback and guidance to training offers. Furthermore, the project will organise multiplier events in all participating countries to present results and learnings to other stakeholders, in order to promote and disseminate knowledge.Besides management, communication and dissemination the following activities will take place: an analysis/mapping of existing digital skills studies to create a common framework (O1), which will lead to the development of the digital skill evaluation toolkit (O2), and the design of a set of trainer guidelines (O3) how to use the tools. The tool is based on an open, modular technical platform and shows current skill level by using interactive scenarios, where participants are confronted with different situations and are required to apply their knowledge to solve issues.The methodology used will be a logframe approach, as well as using SMART method with objectives and indicators. The project impact is the further development of participants in term of their ability to measure and improve digital skills. Also, project partners will use the tool for their own daily testing and guidance work and also promote it as good practice example.In the long-term, the project shows that investing in the further development, especially digital skills of employees, is of utmost importance if one wants to successfully transit towards the digital workplace and embrace the challenges and potentials of I 4.0 as related to sectors like tourism and retail. Furthermore, in the interest of sustainability, the tools developed within DIGISETS will be presented on the Erasmus+ results platform and made available to stakeholders in the EU, which will enable future projects to build on the provided knowledge.Sources:1)http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2015/569967/IPOL_STU(2015)569967_EN.pdf 2)https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/bitstream/JRC106281/web-digcomp2.1pdf_(online).pdf3)https://www.bmdw.gv.at/dam/jcr:f64dce35-0e93-4505-b867-def111cc88dc/DigComp_2_EN-korrigierte%20Version_barrierefrei.pdf4)http://www.forschungsnetzwerk.at/downloadpub/AMS_Ergebnisbericht_New_Digital_Skills_final_191122_ibwams.pdf

In today's world, where science and technology fields are experiencing new developments day by day, R&D has the undeniable importance both in the private sector and in the countries. As is known, R&D activities are systematic studies that can only be carried out with employees who have scientific and technical knowledge. Due to the activities carried out by our organization, Target TTO, it is observed that the engineers working in the industry are deficient on R&D and innovation subjects and that the vocational education required under these headings is not given to the engineers at the undergraduate level and the education given at the graduate and even doctorate levels is insufficient. By taking this international problem into account, the main aim of our project is to implement transnational activities and collaborations which are focusing on supporting and developing R&D and innovation based vocational training of the engineers in both EU and Turkey. Our project partners were IBOX (Spain), VITECO (Italy), MAN (Turkey) and Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa (Turkey). This project has four essential intellectial outputs (IO’s) such as IO1: Needs Analysis Survey, IO2: Curriculum on R&D and Innovation, IO3: R&D and Innovation E-Platform and E-Learning Software and, lastly, IO4: Implementation Guide for the E-Platform and E-Learning Software. The duration of the project was twenty-four (24) months. However, the project duartion was extended for one year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. During IO1 process, 718 participants; 146 participants from Italy, 201 from Spain and 371 from Turkey have attended, who are generally graduates of engineering and fundamental sciences departments from private sector, business enterprise, research institute, higher education, private non-profit, government and public sector. In the survey, respondents were asked a series of questions asking about their R&D knowledge and the programs/methods they needed in their research fields. Depending on the statistical analysis of the results, the crucial needs of these staff were determined and the curriculum was prepared (IO2). According to all these issues mentioned above, 10 courses needed in all partner countries were determined. For the design phase of the curriculum, Dick and Carey's curriculum design model was applied. The curriculum profile has been elaborated and structured according to ECVET guidelines. These courses are Introduction to R&D, Experimental Product Design – DFX, Business Model, TRIZ, Intellectual Property Rights, Industry 4.0, Data Analysis and Statistics, Problem Solving Approach, Project Development Stages and Techniques, and Project Management. All courses with their documents are now available in English, Turkish, Italian and Spanish languages.(IO3) The e-learning program is comprised of ten fundamental courses in the specified curriculum with totally 616 minutes. The e-learning program is to fulfill the critical needs and to raise the level of awareness associated with R&D innovation for R&D staff. All courses in English were also translated into Turkish, Spanish and Italian as subtitles and the e-learning program was then embedded into the constructed e-platform. In order to measure the learning level of the participants, quizzes were added at the end of each course. The participants have a chance to obtain an attendance digital certificate (https://e-rd.org/). Therefore, the creation of an expanded international joint vocational training curriculum, the development of ICT-based innovative, effective and sustainable tools as well as a skill-formation certification can be listed as the main objectives of this e-platform which is also an open-access infrastructure. So far, nearly 440 participants have registered for the program, finalized and contributed to the feedback mechanism to support the platform’s infrastructure development.As a last IO4, an implementation guide was prepared in four languages; English, Turkish, Italian and Spanish. The implementation guide will be an important tool, especially for the new users in order to get the utmost efficiency from both the e-platform. The implementation guide is consisted of three parts; 1) the information part which gives general terms on the e-learning program and the e-platform, 2) the implementation part which introduces the curriculum of the R&D E-learning program and the details of the lectures, and lastly 3) the user manual for the e-learning program and the e-platform. An article covering the processes, outcomes and outputs of the project was prepared and sent for publication in an international journal.As a result, in future, the e-learning program will contribute to accumulation of knowledge and technological development at both national and international levels by its content and accessibility; allow even a person at the very beginning of her/his education to have the opportunity to self-train and acquire new skills in R&D and innovation.

START project aims to develop innovative digital tools and methods for increasing the capacity, knowledge and skills of youth workers, teachers, educators, and training professionals, to acquire the appropriate professional and quality level to support young people, especially with fewer opportunities and/or disabilities for promoting social change through initiatives based on the Arts. The main objective is to provide comprehensive training material and sustainable tools to youth workers, based on modern, artistic and creative methods, as well as competences, in order to engage young people with the Arts, as a way to foster their active participation in EU societies, increase their interest about global issues and recent social crises and enhance their social motivation to develop actions with social impact. The project will engage youth workers who wish to better understand and participate in actions for social change, but also the START project's scope will be widened as even more people could be benefited from the project outcomes and developed material.The project has been designed based on the partners’ experience in matters related to youth workers, trainers, teachers, and organizations active in the field of non-formal education and lifelong learning. The project will bring together five partners from five different countries, France, Italy, Cyprus, Spain, and Lithuania, wishing to promote the importance of creating social change and embracing social inclusion in EU societies through engaging young citizens with the Arts and other creative media. The partners believe that qualitative youth work that meets young people’s needs must link digital considerations with creativity, thus quality learning material and creative tools will be developed. Since the needs are common between EU countries, the transnational character of the project will produce valid tools that could be transferable and applied in other EU contexts with minor modifications and added benefits.This will be done via the following outcomes:-START Empowerment digital Curriculum (IO1)-Digital START tours for Social Change (IO2)-#STARTathon Methodology (IO3)START project is expected to have an overall impact on the youth workers, trainers, or educators working in the field of active participation, social dialogue, and social inclusion promoting social cohesion, respect, and collaboration among several stakeholders in EU societies. In particular, the most important impact on the direct target group will be their enhanced competencies. The project focuses to develop responsible, active, and inclusive societies by enriching youth worker’s capabilities and knowledge in the subject, as well as inspiring and motivating them to use Arts and creative methods and media in order to make social actions that foster social cohesion and participation. The proposed project promotes the implementation of interactive digital tools to increase knowledge, skills, and capacity of youth workers and other stakeholders on a better understanding of contacting training that enhances social awareness and active participation of youth citizens about recent global issues. The biggest impact of the project is to recognize the importance of using modern methods that adapt to the demands of society's needs and socio-economic challenges. This project will also include three transnational project meetings that will contribute to the preparation, implementation, and evaluation phase of the project as well as five Multiplier Events. Also, a pilot workshop for youth workers will be held in order to transmit the knowledge, motivation, and inspiration among youth workers, enforcing them to assess their professional level about their personal knowledge and skills on implementing actions through artistic and creative media. Moreover, a short-term joint partners' staff training event will be held in Lithuania with the participation of professionals trainers, tutors, and/or educators in order to train individuals on the developed educational material and tools for engaging young people with the Arts. Furthermore, a local #STARTathon activity will be developed, with the aim to engage youth workers/leaders to create Art projects for social change, following the provided #STARTathon Methodology. START will provide equal opportunities for everyone to participate, in educational tools, interactive practices, and networking opportunities. All the information and material gathered through this project as well as the developed innovative tools will be digitalized and uploaded on the START website. The partnership will capitalize and build on each other’s and expertise, as well as experience from best practices in their national context, for future circulation and transfer of know-how. Last but not least START the project's results and outcomes will have both international and local impact as well as clear and tangible benefits and more opportunities for all stakeholders.

Increasing accidents on the Offshore Construction sector was the incentive for the development of the SHIEDL project. This trend has been partly due to the increasing number of Offshore platforms in Europe and in particular in the Mediterranean sea. Equally important, an important aspect to be taken into consideration is that Offshore regulation is different and in some countries specific pieces of legislation - with regards to Health & Safety - are not obligatory. The aim of the SHIELD partnership is to improve the Health, Safety, Security & Environmental standards (HSSE) of the Offshore Construction workers in Europe, by providing expert knowledge on Offshore Health & Safety (H&S). This is the main aim of SHIELD project. To achieve its overall aim the project will have these objectives:• To develop a European qualification of the European Expert in H&S Offshore Construction (SHIELD) with certification at ECVETlevel• To establish and pilot a Strategic Partnership comprising training institutions, industry and consultancies in the Offshore Industry• To determine common professional skills of the H&S sector at EU level for the Offshore Construction industry• To develop a common training program based on industry requirements• To test and validate the training The 5 partners of SHIELD project, namely, SHIPCON, IBOXC, PREVIFORM, PRIME and ACTA have organised six (6) multiplier events in which more than 190 participants have attended and became familiar with the aims/objectives and outcomes of the SHIELD project. Among the participants there have been Health & Safety experts, environmental experts as well as members of the public with genuine interest in the risks & opportunities presented by the Offshore Industry in the Mediterranean region. Equally important there have been 11 experts in the area of Offshore Health & Safety, who were trained based on the training course developed within the project. SHIELD has produced a comprehensive e-learning course devoted to H&S Offshore, which comprises of a set of stand alone modules, all related to Health & Safety aspects in the Oil & Gas industry. In fact, this e-learning course is the most comprehensive course ever developed for the Offshore industry and it is expected that the impact attained will continue to increase after the official end of the project. This is due to the fact that the on line course will be used by SHIELD partners as well as external partners, in an effort to enhance the knowledge & expertise of all those involved in the Offshore Industry in the area of HSSE.