"<< Background >>Investing in people – their education, training, developing their skills and creativity, increasing their capability to innovate is a key to make European Union more competitive, comprehensive, and resilient. Changes and increase of skill demands, as well as technological progress, poses considerable challenges and also provides VET systems a possibility to come up with innovative ideas. VET plays a crucial role in providing qualifications and skills which enable entering the labour market and supports retraining from a life-span perspective to facilitate alternation of career path. What is more, VET contributes firmly to personal development for life and work, as well as promotes democratic citizenship and many other European values.Professional improvement of vocational teachers is a foundation of good quality and applicable technical and vocational education, both school and work-based.Implementing new technologies, such as 3D print and prototyping in high schools of VET will reinforce bonds between the labour market and school education. As of today, we do not have at our disposal an advanced curriculum for a training course of 3D printing for the Automotive Technology department to apply 3D modelling to stimulate young minds, awaken their creativity and potential in a school laboratory.The idea (technology) of 3D printing is essential for present VET students, as they will be future employees. It is present all around the modern world and seen in healthcare, manufacturing, aerospace and other sectors. In addition, it was well experienced by the economies all over the World that the future of production is dependent on automated processes during the COVID-19 crisis and the lockdown measures that were put into place. Nevertheless, the application of 3D printing in the educational area, even though there is a need in the field, is rather not common nowadays. In spite of its likely profits, there are still no teaching resources that could be used to implement 3D printing into the Automotive Technology training in vocational schools.As a consequence of the increased utilization of 3D printing across industries, it is necessary for teachers to improve their design and technical competencies mandatory to handle this automation. VET, along with the overall schooling and training systems, will need reinforcement of competitive strength and modernization of European economies. Also, the consequences of the COVID-19 crisis and the changing conjuncture has shown us that the future of education will be hybrid, if not completely digitalized, utilizing the advantages of physical and digital learning experiences. Therefore, training and education of teachers accordingly with the needs and requirements of a post-COVID-19 era and raising a labour force in line with the 21st-century conditions is inevitable.The progress in skills anticipation can be achieved through the use of updated curriculum applicable for effective learning in line with the demands of the sectors and innovations.Vocational teachers are indispensable to support the skills improvement of the labour force. In industrialized countries, over half of the manpower consists of experienced level workers and employees who had acquired a considerable part of their vocational skills and knowledge with the help of VET teachers derived from vocational education and training institutions.Teachers’ function evolves according to changes in learning approaches. With the expanding consideration for active learning, the VET teachers hand over the responsibilities to the students, coordinating the learning process than simply transferring expert knowledge. Autonomous and independent learning is a need for a growing part of the population in dynamically developing modern societies that are intrigued with the recent developments. 3D4VET Project, therefore, aims to train & prepare VET teachers and future labour force for the changing conjuncture and the needs of Post-COVID era.<< Objectives >>Structural modifications generated by accelerated technological improvements – automation, digitalization, robotization or artificial intelligence development are boosting the process of changes in the labor market and both formation and extinction of some occupations together with dynamic transformation in skills and qualifications demands.Additionally, proper technological innovations–ecological 3D printing mechanics, sustainable energy consumption and production and policy response with applicable vocational skills can contribute to the reduction of climate change effects.VET and educational and training institutions will need to strengthen the ability of people to compete successfully towards the development of European economies. Updated curriculum considering effective learning approach accordant with Automotive sector needs and new technologies is necessary to make progress in skills anticipation. Vocational teachers constitute fundamental assistance in skills improvement of labor power. Vocational teachers are indispensable to support the skills improvement of the labor force.In industrialized countries, over half of the manpower consists of experienced level workers and employees who had acquired a considerable part of their vocational skills and knowledge with the help of VET teachers derived from vocational education and training institutions. Teachers' function evolves according to changes in learning approaches. With the expanding consideration for active learning, the VET teachers hand over the responsibilities to the students, more coordinating the learning process than simply transferring expertknowledge. Autonomous and independent learning is a noticeable need for a growing part of the population in dynamically developing modern societies.In the present-day vocational education system, teachers act both as professional educators and indispensable change agents. Maintaining innovative and constantly prospering education is the main duty of the modern professional teacher. Knowledge and wisdom necessary to introduce national policies are also originated in the professional competency of instructors dedicated to change and renovation.The main issue now is how to engage teachers vigorously in the reform of vocational education in order that the goal could be completed, and beneficiaries could enhance good quality learning opportunities in the classroom. 3D4VET Project will serve to create specific educational resources in order to facilitate the professional introduction of 3D printing technology in the school environment to VET teachers.Concreate objectives of the are as follows:- Increased awareness of VET Teachers about 3D printing system, design, print & slicing models, creation of 3D models.-Larger comprehension of 3D printing technical demands including equipment and software benchmark- The elevated experience level of VET teachers by efficient application of learning outcomes and curriculum with assessment opportunities- Advanced expertise, qualifications and ability to improve and acquire new skills of Automotive Technology teachers in vocational high schools.- Larger understanding of 3D printing process by VET teachers.- Broadened 3D modelling competency putting into use software and slicing with apt experience- High level of experience in developing models suitable for 3D printing, increased modelling skills, slicing techniques & materials, 3D printing for automotive field.- Development of knowledge and competencies progress framework compatible with ECVET, containing results, syllabus, technical prerequisites report with equipment and software benchmark.- Composition, verification, modernization, and preservation of 3D printing educational program mobile HUB for vocational schools- Supporting EU VET preference to improve vocational skills in consideration of labor market and sector requirements- Increase the level of skills in VET learners for employability and business creation<< Implementation >>The target group of the project is those who work as a teacher at vocational high school in the Automotive Technology department.The total number is 130 people (40 teachers from Slovakia and 15 teachers from other 6 participant countries).During two years duration of the project, the following activities will be implemented:1. Monitoring the financial situation for every 6 months 2. Development of effective communication plan3. Preparation of the project management and implementation manual 4. Preparation of the 5 TPM minutes and action plan 5. Planning dissemination process and collect reports on the results every 6 months6. Formulating a quality evaluation plan and applying it 7. Establishing an advisory group in each partner country, composed of various specialists from VET centres, educational authorities, 3D printing companies, and policy-makers8. Development of a dissemination plan9. Preparation of dissemination reports with details of goals, reached impact, the number of participants etc. 10. Devising strategy of exploitation and progress11. Creating a project website 12. Regular update of the project website 13. Production of informative dissemination materials (posters, banners, flyers, info-notes, info-graphics, paper brochures etc. - by P5 (IT) with the contribution of all the partners14. Creation and regular updates of the social media accounts of the project 15. Production of the project results (R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5)16. Creation of the YouTube channel and upload videos17. Pilot try-outs report with case studies 18. Arrangement of multiplier events ""Hands-on workshop for 3D print projects""19. Arrangement of the multiplier event ""3D Print Seminar and Workshop""20. Preparation of the the progress/interim and final report of the project<< Results >>Outcomes of the 3D4AUTO project are: 1) ECVET based 3D printing curriculum and training module in Automotive Technology Education (R1)Unit 1. Introduction to 3D print technology in Automotive EducationUnit 2. 3D printer partsUnit 3. Creation of objects in a virtual environmentUnit 4. Slicing techniquesUnit 5. Using techniques of the 3D printerUnit 6. 3D printing materialsUnit 7. Sample STL codes for Automotive Technology Education2) Animation videos (R2)Video 1. Introduction to 3D print technology in Automotive EducationVideo 2. 3D printer partsVideo 3. Creation of objects in a virtual environmentVideo 4. Slicing techniquesVideo 5. Using techniques of the 3D printerVideo 6. 3D printing materialsVideo 7. Sample STL codes for Automotive Technology Education3) Mobile HUB for VET Teachers in Automotive Technology (R3)Visual tipsDrawing Practical methods for selected software Video to explain ""how to use the mobile HUB?""Paper brochure4) Virtual training seminars and webinars for VET teachers in automotive technology (R4)PresentationsVideosNotes for the virtual training seminars and webinarsPaper brochureSession 1. Introduction to 3D print technology in Automotive Education Session 2. 3D printer parts Session 3. Creation of objects in a virtual environment Session 4. Slicing TechniquesSession 5. Using techniques of the 3D printerSession 6. 3D printing materials5) Policy recommendation report for 3D printing in VET (R5)WhitepaperScientific articlesPoster presentation 6) Project management and implementation manual 7) Effective communication plan8) Dissemination plan9) Quality evaluation plan10) Advisory group meetings reports11) Dissemination report with details of goals, reached impact, the number of participants etc.12) Exploitabile report13) Project website14) Social media accounts of the project15) YouTube channel of the project16) TPM minutes and action plan17) Pilot try-outs report with case studies18) İnformative dissemination materials (posters, banners, flyers, info-notes, info-graphics, paper brochures etc.)19) Multiplier events ""Hands-on workshop for 3D print projects"" report20) Multiliper event ""3D Print Seminar and Workshop"" report"