<< Background >>With less than a decade to achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), set by the UN Agenda 2030, it is imperative to train the workforce of the future in the principles of sustainable economy, environmental protection, and inclusion to shape the working and business culture of the next generation. The private sector is an essential part of sustainable development and SMEs, which represent 99.8% of business in Europe and employ 97,74% of the workforce (Statista, 2018), are a key part of the sustainable challenge.The Agenda 2030 set by the UN is a mainstream inspiration and aspiration for policy makers, the industry sector, and education institutions worldwide. Sustainable development is also a priority for the EU and its commitment to the SDGs is strong as shown by the Commission's 'Whole-of-Government approach', both in economic and environmental sustainability (European Green Deal, 2019), and in the ambition of creating a Europe that is fairer, more inclusive, better educated and leaves no one behind (European Pillar of Social Rights, 2020). To meet the SDGs, the UN emphasises the KEY ROLE of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) through cross-cutting competencies and a holistic approach. SDG targets 4.7 and 5.5 call for all LEARNERS to have acquired the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT in both their personal and professional lives by 2030.However, despite public administration’s efforts to promote the SDGs, in Europe, the vast majority of the population is unaware of their concept, let alone their application. This CONSORTIUM has a privileged position in terms of its connection and presence within the most powerful industrial sector and educational decision-making institutions, as well as with regional and national associations of SMEs and VET providers in Spain, Italy, Portugal, Turkey and Ireland. This direct relationship and joint collaborations in previous projects have facilitated a comprehensive NEEDS analysis of businesses and VET education related to the implementation of sustainable practices, to be addressed by this project:-The SMEs’ demand for young workers trained in the SDGs to respond to the challenges of the future faced by the private sector-The lack of a holistic approach in VET institutions that addresses not only environmental responsibility in all professions and business models, but also the key aspects of the Agenda 2030 such as inclusion, gender equality, cooperation, and innovation for development.-Lack of coordination between VET educators and in-company trainers to guide and assist apprentices with a common understanding<< Objectives >>Sustainable Apprentices will be the transmission belt between the labour market and VET by creating work-based learning opportunities through apprenticeships aligned to the new economic challenges, and new businesses demands for more sustainable working methods and competences. Sustainable Apprentices will be addressed to VET educators and in-company trainers, as target users, and to VET students and SMEs, as target beneficiaries.The AIM of Sustainable Apprentices is to support VET teachers and in-company trainers to create new Work-based Learning opportunities to foster the implementation of the SDGs in SMEs through digital tools and Project-based Learning methods. The concrete OBJETIVES are:-Develop a new European ECVET Curriculum to support the implementation of SDGs in SMEs through Apprenticeship programmes-Train the workforce of the future with Green Skills and the SDGs to support the adaptation of SMEs to the current sustainable challenges and new economic demands-Raise awareness on the opportunities derived from the implementation of the SDGs in SMEs’ business strategies-Generate and develop SDGs project-based learning approaches adapted to different working sectors through Work-based Learning -Understand in practice the individual capacity of workers to promote sustainable improvements in society through their working environments.The cooperation of partners from Spain, Portugal, Italy, Ireland, and Turkey for the creation of a new Sustainable Apprentices ECVET European Curriculum will: 1) guarantee a transnational approach to needs close to the reality demanded by SMEs and VET providers and 2) contribute to the unification of criteria on supporting Apprenticeship programmes to implement the SDGs in SMEs. This transnational and holistic approach will be crucial to row in the same direction at a supra-state level in the economic transformation and the achievement of the 2030 Agenda, providing a holistic approach that include the SDGs in a cross-cutting manner in the different areas of VET to educate future generations of workforces in a sustainable mindset that contributes to a new way of doing business and a greener and more inclusive economy.The project will engage VET students through PROJECT-BASED LEARNING, developing cross-cutting sustainability competencies, getting familiar with the SDGs through GAMIFICATION and being able to choose their preferred sustainable domain to develop a project applied to their field of work. This will produce specific cognitive, socio-emotional, and behavioural learning outcomes that will enable this working force of the future to deal with the challenges of each SDG in their working environments and personal lives, and, therefore, supporting their achievement by 2030.<< Implementation >>Sustainable Apprentices will carry out the following activities for the implementation of the Project Results. First of all, the ECVET Curriculum (PR.1) will start after the kick-off meeting by defining the theoretical and competence frameworks. Then, the consortium will design and develop the Educational Program itself.The consortium will dedicate most of the project lifecycle to develop the Online Open Learning Materials Platform (PR.2). The process will start with the design and development of the E-Directory, and the gathering of resources to be carried out during two parts of the project implementation: before the third meeting and between the fourth and fifth meetings. Partners will continue by elaborating the Conceptual and didactical core, developing training contents and pragmatic resources, as well as the evaluation techniques. Expected to be ready by month 10, these activities will constitute the basis for the blended learning (b-learning) course. The consortium will design the course structure and management system and generate interactive contents. After the third meeting the B-Learning course will be operative. A training of trainers’ capacity building short course will be carried out during the third meeting, to train the partners in the implementation of the b-learning course with target users. Before the fourth meeting, users from each piloting country will attend the B-Learning course. After the fourth meeting, partners will start the trial stage, aimed at evaluating the project results and gathering feedback to finalise the Online Platform. The trial stage will finalise before the last meeting, Finally, the Methodological Framework (PR.3) will start with the comparative analysis, after the third meeting, and the design of the methodology for the trial stage, before the fourth meeting. The trial stage will facilitate the evaluation of the project results in educational context with the involvement of users and beneficiaries. An evaluation report will be developed after the trials, including the feedback acquired. The final meeting will provide an agreed consensus to finalise the project results, as well as agreements for their sharing, promotion, and exploitation.Sustainable Apprentices will implement the above-mentioned activities according to the following methodological approaches:- Shared responsibility The whole consortium will be involved in the development of all the activities with the supervision of one lead partner per project result - Promotion of innovation in educationThe project is aimed at the generation of innovation in Education by means of developing project results. This will facilitate the generation of new learning and teaching opportunities and will enhance the acquisition and recognition of skills in term of learning outcomes.- Technological educative project results The following innovative technological educative project results will be developed: Online Platform of Open Learning Materials, E-Directory and B-Learning courses - Training of trainersA capacity building short course for target users will be carried out to train them before the trial stage.- Trial stage Testing and assessment of the project results during the trial stage to be implemented in Spain, Portugal, Turkey and Italy. This stage will provide the consortium with useful feedback and recommendations from users and beneficiaries to evaluate the project results in educational environments.- Multiplier conferences Being the main objective to share, promote and exploit the project results, it would also be taken into account the promotion of networking and further exploitation possibilities with relevant stakeholders, users and beneficiaries, at national and European level<< Results >>Sustainable Apprentices will produce the following outcomes DURING THE PROJECT:DELIVERABLES:- A structured set of competencies based on EU standards and methods in supporting Apprenticeship programmes to implement the SDGs in SMEs (PR1).- An ICT-based educative instrument to upskill VET educators and in-company trainers in implementing the SDGs in SMEs through Apprenticeship programmes, including a Digital Database, Theoretical and Pedagogical Basis, and a Blended learning course (PR2)- A Methodological Framework to facilitate transferability and replicability of the project results in other European and international VET providers and SMEs (PR3).- Develop, adapt, and test innovative practices and digital technologies to train VET educators and in-company trainers in implementing the SDGs in SMEs through Apprenticeship programmes through pilot activities.- A project's Quality Management and Assurance Strategy- A Sharing, Promotion and Exploitation Strategy that ensures the involvement of partner organisations, stakeholders, networks, and policy makers in the dissemination of results and their transferability.PRACTICE ACQUISITION outcomes:- For partner ORGANISATIONS: improve capacity to innovate and cooperate with other organisations at national and European level, identifying similar challenges, co-creating common solutions, and developing new pedagogical approaches.- For the STAFF of the partner organisations: improvement of skills in connection with the implementation of EU funded programmes, including teamwork, project management, leadership, communication and second language skills.- For VET educators and in-company trainers: extend and develop their skills in supporting Apprenticeship programmes to implement the SDGs in SMEs by creating new Work-Based Learning opportunities to foster this implementation of the SDGs in SMEs through digital tools and project-based learning.- For VET students and SMEs: access to education and training opportunities tailor-made to their needs in implementing the SDGs in SMEs. - For STAKEHOLDERS: collaboration with partner organisations and with other stakeholders and/or associated partners to establish a community of practice in Supporting Apprenticeship programmes to implement the SDGs in SMEs at local, regional, or European level to share information, improve skills and actively work on advancing the general knowledge of this field.Sustainable Apprentices is also expected to produce the following outcomes UPON ITS COMPLETION:INTELECTUAL outcomes: - Exchange experiences and good practices among countries with diverging experience in Apprenticeship programmes and SDGs implementation (in SMEs).- Adopt and implement a curricula and courses in training programmes of the partner organisations and other training providers, on implementing the SDGs in SMEs through Apprenticeship programmes to support VET educators and in-company trainers.- Set the basis for future and long-term international cooperation by strengthening a pan-European team of experts in the field of this project.AWARENESS RAISING outcomes:- Raise awareness in all European countries about the relevance of Apprenticeship programmes to implement the SDGs in SMEs - Increased participation of VET educators and in-company trainers in implementing the SDGs in SMEs- Better understanding and increased recognition of the skills in supporting Apprenticeship programmes to implement the SDGs in SMEs and further professionalisation of this practice.- Increased motivation to learn and improve on the implementation of the SDGs in SMEs through Apprenticeship programmes among VET students and SMEs.