The lack of qualified specialists is one of the most important challenges faced by the mechanical engineering and metalworking industry in Latvia. Taking into account that this is also a problem in other European countries, there are opportunities for cooperation between countries by developing tools and methods for attracting young people to field education and career development in engineering industries. Only approximately 35% of the students in engineering educational programs complete their studies, the rest leave studies and the main reason is lack of motivation and exact knowledge base. A similar situation exists in Lithuania. Therefore is very important to use the VET training model to interest and motivate young people to acquire engineering and natural sciences right now. Companies in the sector are already experiencing a lack of qualified workers. The Latvian and Lithuanian associations of mechanical engineering and metalworking industries, on behalf of their companies, decided to adopt the experience of colleagues from the Northen German association of metal working and mechanical engineering to solve this problem using the VET training model, adapting the methodology, developing a plan for its implementation and implementing this model in Latvian and Lithuanian territories. One of the main tasks would be to motivate students to successfully complete their studies in the chosen specialty and continue to work in the industry. This goal can be achieved by showing graduates job opportunities in the member companies of the mechanical engineering and metalworking associations and creating an appropriate database for job vacancies. Germany has extensive experience in providing vocational education, one of the examples of promoting vocational education is the InfoMobil project.InfoMobil is a mobile bus - a laboratory where different equipment and machinery are mounted. The bus is equipped with automated CNC metalworking machines, automated factory model and other equipment and machinery. The following buses - laboratories is visiting German schools. By ongoing lectures on this bus, students are interested and educated in various areas of metalworking and engineering. InfoMobil visits are highly valued by German school headmasters and teachers. The main goal of this project is to use the experience acquired by German colleagues over 20 years, to adopt and practise these knowledge according to the circumstances in Latvia and Lithuania. It is helping and will help to go in a deeper perspective, get acquainted with the subjects of metalworking and engineering and to show to the target audience the perspectives by linking their future life with fiel companies. Targets of the project and achieved results:1) To develop a strategy and action plan for implementing the VET training model with the aim of increasing the number of employees in the sector. Result: strategy and action plan for the implementation of the VET training model in Latvia and Lithuania. 2) To adapt German Infomobil training methodology to local conditions. Result: Adaptation of the German Infomobil training methodology for Latvia and Lithuania. 3) To train 4 teachers from Latvia and Lithuania to work with Infomobil. Result: 4 teachers from Latvia and Lithuania were trained in Germany to work with Infomobil 25-31 on January, 2016, in Hamburg and Hasenwinkel and 16-20 on August, 2016, in Latvia and Lithuania. 4) To adapt and develop study materials for using them in Infomobil projects in Latvia and Lithuania. Result: Adapted methodology, information materials on career opportunities, promotional materials on mobile buses - laboratories. 5) To adapt and develop the database of Latvian and Lithuanian industry companies. Result: Developed database of sector enterprises in Latvia: www.tebnobuss.lv. Database of sector enterprises in Lithuania: www.infomobilis.lt. 6) To develop and adapt the CLIL methodology, training plans and materials. Result: Adapted methodology and training plans with materials. 7) 400 VET pupils attend InfoMobil classes in Latvia and Lithuania. Result: More than 18300 students have visited Tehnobus in Latvia, 2654 pupils in Lithuania 8) 100 VET teachers and trainers will be trained in Latvia and Lithuania. Result: In Tehnobuss Latvia, more than 331 teachers have been trained, in Lithuania - 100 teachers. 9) 40 people of administration will be trained in Latvia and Lithuania. Result: In Latvia Tehnobuss trained more than 71 employees of the administration, 40 employees of the administration - in Lithuania. 10) 100 representatives of the company will be informed in Latvia and Lithuania. Result: 51 representatives of companies were informed in Latvia, 104 representatives of companies - in Lithuania. In Latvia, we are planing to continue to use various events to inform entrepreneurs about the results of the project, to summarize the recommendations how to improve the methodology. 11) Two conferences. Result: The project conferen

"""Education and Training 2020"" sets common strategic objectives for EU member countries for 2020. One of benchmarks is: the share of low-achieving 15-year-olds in reading, mathematics and science should be less than 15 % in 2020. According OECD, in 2018 about every fifth 15-year-old pupil in Europe showed insufficient abilities in science (in Latvia were 18,5%, in Lithuania - 22,2%, in Estonia- 8,8%) and in mathematics (In Latvia- 17,3%, in Lithuania - 25,6% in Estonia – 10,2%). Only Estonia reached benchmark of ET 2020. Low achievements in science and mathematics leads to situation when general education pupils after graduating do not choose VET or higher education in science, technologies, engineering, mathematics (STEM) or are not able to graduate STEM direction and obtain qualification which results in insufficient supply of qualified workforce in manufacturing, also in metalworking and mechanical engineering. Lack of qualified workforce forces sector associations to involve in education processes by providing information about career prospects in sector by mobile laboratories. Mobile laboratories which are fully equipped with modern technologies and supported with highly educated STEM trainer has successfully complemented the educational process by informing, presenting and demonstrating modern technologies, their capabilities and operational principles in general education schools. However, the capabilities of the mobile laboratories are much broader and can be integrated into the general education process, adding to the vital component of STEM knowledge-building exercises in the real environment. For integration of STEM knowledge provided by mobile laboratories in general education curricula, it is planned to develop up-to-date cognitive and educational content on contemporary technologies, their design, capabilities and applications, deploying and making them available in digital form and environment. This material will also support educators because here is lack of digital, interactive materials about STEM in national languages.Main objectives of the project are:1)Promotion of pupils’ achievements in STEM in attractive way. 2)Strengthening support for educators by open source, interactive, digital training materials about STEM.3)Strengthening responsibility and involvement of sector business representatives in education process.Main activities/ results of the project are:1)Open source, interactive, digital training materials about STEM for pupils in four languages – English, Latvian, Lithuanian and Estonian.2)Teacher’s manual to support educators about usage of interactive, digital training materials in four languages – English, Latvian, Lithuanian and Estonian.3)Guidelines for sector representatives for improvement of STEM knowledge in four languages – English, Latvian, Lithuanian and Estonian.4)3 promotional and testing events for educators about usage of interactive, digital training materials (at least 30 educators in each country, not less than 90 in total).5)At least 100 pupils trained in pilot trainings in each country (at least 300 in total) covering all regions of involved countries.6)National competition of pupils about improvement of training materials 7)3 project promotional events (not less than 135 participants), at least 6 publications. All project activities are sequential and support project progress toward project main objectives. Pupils and educators are main target group and will be involved in testing, improving intellectual outputs, in pilot trainings and promotional and testing events. Guidelines for sector representatives will be prepared to provide insight how provide sustainability of project idea and strengthening responsibility and involvement of sector business representatives in education process.Project is innovative of specific focus on establishment interesting content for pupils, also with involvement of them (in time of contest) in field of STEM. This content will support idea provided in mobile laboratories and can also be used as support material of STEM teachers in general education.Main target groups are:1)Pupils of general education. 2)Educators (teachers of STEM subjects, carrier guidance and support specialists) of general education. 3)Sector representatives (the national and sectorial, regional) and other stakeholders who can be involved in improvement of STEM knowledge.4)Learners, educators in other education levels, parents, policy makers.All partners have wide experience and expertise in STEM, establishing of training materials, pilot trainings which will help to achieve best result and contribute transnational value of the project.Project will ensure long term impact on participants and also participation organizations, supporting implementation of project's objectives."

<< Background >>Technology based industries, including mechanical engineering and metalworking (MM) industries, play a crucial role of European economy and in the Baltic countries as well. MM industries are characterised by strong traditions as well as good preconditions for further growth. In Baltic countries MM industry is the third biggest industry. The main challenge the sector is facing lack of skilled specialists, especially for those with VET education and qualification in the sector. High drop-out rates in VET approves that VET education should be more linked with metalworking companies, increasing attractivenes of metalworking thus promoting achievements and skills of VET students in mechanical engineering and metalworking industries. The promotion of VET students achievements and skills in metalworking sector in attractive way can be supported by organization of sectoral competitions for VET pupils, involving the business and companies in VET. Need for raising attactiviness of VET, forces sector associations MASOC (LV), Linpra (LT), EML (EE) and mobile laboratories VJLMTC (LT), Merkuur (EE), Tehnobuss Latvia (LV) to involve in education processes. Organizing national and international competitions about MM industry for VET students, project will promote VET students' achievements, knowledge and skills in mechanical engineering and metalworking industries thus increasing atractivness of their choosed qualification and thus supporting sector with skilled workforce. Aslo dissemination materials (articles, videos) about VET, VET students achievements in the competition, will disseminated to all VET schools and also to other learners (for example, in general education, or for unemployed) thus demostrating the skills and achievements which can be gained in VET thus attracting new potential workers in the sector.<< Objectives >>Main objectives of the project are: 1) to organize national competitons and Baltic countries' competition for vocational education and training ( VET students) in mechanical engineering and metalworking industries by involvement of sector business representatives in Baltic countries 2) to increase attractiviness of vocational education and training (VET) by demostrating skills, knowledge and achievements of VET students in mechanical engineering and metalworking industries.<< Implementation >>Main activities, who support reaching of project objectives, are: 1) Development of country analyses about good practices of sectoral VET competitions will cover topics as well about requirements of Euroskills & Wordskills, requirements of qualification exams, analyses of requirements for metalworking sector VET students, proposals for common tasks of skills competitions. Analyses will be made in English, at least 20 pages per country. 2) Preparation of practical and theoretical tasks at least 3 qualifications in metalworking at least 30 theoretical tasks& at least 6 practical tasks per qualification will prepared in four languages:LV, LT, EE, ENG 3)Establishment of Regulations for competition organizing regulations and assessment methodology linked with practical and theoretical tasks (IO1) will be established in four languages: LV, LT, EE, ENG4) Development of Practical training course about about engineering technologies with real examples and with at least 80 theoretical and practical tasks and their assesment methodologies in LV, LT, EE 5) Preparation of dissemination materials: newsletters, at least 6 articles, 6 videos (2 per country), information in project partners homepages6) Intelectual output testing events (comptetitions) with involvement of more than 110 participants, mostly VET students and respresentatives from business7) Transnational partner meetings, Project streering board meetings and meetings with project target groups and other stakeholders etc.<< Results >>Main results of the project:1) 3 country analyses about good practices of sectoral VET competitions will cover topics as well about requirements of Euroskills & Wordskills, requirements of qualification exams, analyses of requirements for metalworking sector VET students, proposals for common tasks of skills competitions in English, at least 20 pages per country. 2) Al least 108 practical and theoretical tasks for at least 3 qualifications in metalworking will prepared in four languages:LV, LT, EE, ENG 3)Regulations for competition organizing and assessment methodology linked with practical and theoretical tasks (IO1) will be established in four languages: LV, LT, EE, ENG4) Practical training course about about engineering technologies with real examples and with at least 80 theoretical and practical tasks and their assesment methodologies in LV, LT, EE, ENG5) At least 6 articles, 6 videos (2 per country) about VET competitions prepared and distributed to target groups6) Organized 3 national competitions and 1 international competition for VET students in mechanical engineering and metalworking industries in Baltic states with active involvement of business representatives6) Improved knowledge and achievements of at least 100 VET students in mechanical engineering and metalworking industries in Baltic states.

The objectives of the project were:I. To increase the supply of the qualified labour staff for the economic sectors suffering from the workforce shortage and to help to match skills for the job, cover skill gaps as well as skill deficits through efficient apprenticeship training.II. To increase the popularity of apprenticeship training through the development of a systematic apprenticeship promotion. To achieve these objectives, the project created the following 2 Intellectual Outputs:1. An In-Company Trainer Training Programme Model2. A Model Concept for Apprenticeship Promotion Project activities:Output 011. NEEDS ASSESSMENT AND PROVISION REVIEW2. SELECTION OF METHODOLOGY FOR THE CREATION OF IN-COMPANY TRAINER TRAINING PROGRAMME 3. DEVELOPMENT OF IN-COMPANY TRAINER TRAINING PROGRAMME MODEL 4. METHODOLOGY KIT FOR IN-COMPANY TRAINERS. 5. ADAPTATION OF IN-COMPANY TRAINER TRAINING PROGRAMME MODEL TO NATIONAL SPECIFICS. COMPLIANCE WITH NATIONAL QUALIFICATION INSTITUTIONS. 6. PILOTING OF IN-COMPANY TRAINER TRAINING PROGRAMME. Output 021. DEVELOPMENT OF CONCEPT MODEL FOR APPRENTICESHIP PROMOTION2. ADAPTATION OF CONCEPT MODEL FOR APPRENTICESHIP PROMOTION TO NATIONAL SPECIFICS. 3. PILOTING OF CONCEPT MODEL FOR APPRENTICESHIP PROMOTION. According to the research of World Economic Forum, employers in many countries reported difficulties in finding suitably skilled workers. Workforce shortages can be explained by low birth rate, emigration, uncompetitive wages, unattractive working conditions, poor recruitment policies, mismatch of skills and jobs, skill gaps and deficits in specific sectors, occupations or locations. While some of these problems require difficult economical and political decisions, the skills mismatch, skill gaps and deficits could be addressed by changes in training and recruitment practices, and by facilitating labour mobility. One of the best solutions is training in the form of apprenticeship during which around 80 per cent of training is carried out in a workplace under the supervision of an In-Company trainer who is an experienced worker in the company (workplace instructor). Apprenticeship has been recognised by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) as the most effective way of moving from education into work. In-Company trainers play a fundamental role in apprenticeship training. However, European Centre for the development of Vocational Training (CEDEFOP) study reveals that while In-Company trainers are highly professional, they would benefit from training programmes which would teach them more efficient training methods. It echoes Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's (OECD) statement that the central challenge in VET is to ensure that pogrammes meet the needs of the labour market. These studies are supported by the responses from enterprises in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia that the existing In-Company Trainer Training Programmes lack flexibility, are too long (over 100 h), and their content often does not meet the needs of the companies. The lack of an appropriate In-Company Trainer training results in a less productive apprenticeship.For that reason, an In-Company Trainer Training Programme has been developed and piloted. The In-Company Trainer Training Programme is based on the needs of companies, and is much more flexible than the previous. The programme teaches the In-Company trainers to train the apprentices in the most efficient and effective ways to match their skills for the job. There is also a constant struggle of attracting apprentices since vocational education is considered less attractive than university education, it is often viewed as a personal failure to achieve better. Therefore, more promotion of and information about apprenticeship learning form is required. To address these problems, the project has developed and tested the Concept of Apprenticeship Promotion. The Concept targeted a wide spectrum of potential apprentices and promoted the positive image of apprenticeship. The Intellectual Outcomes have been developed in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia with the expertise support from Finland and Belgium. Organisations: Jerusalem Labour Market Training Centre (the applicant, Lithuania) Centre of Expertise and Productivity (Finland) Actions Intégrées de Développement asbl (Integrated Development Action) (Belgium) Lithuanian Qualifications and Vocational Training Development Centre Employers’ Confederation of Latvia Lithuanian Engineering Industry Association Lithuanian Builders Association Estonian Employers’ Confederation