"<< Background >>The ECHOES project focus on two of the most significant recent development in VET: distance learning (methodologies, tools and resources) and online digital learning. COVID-19 has highlighted both the potential for digital technologies to play a greater role in VET and also the shortcomings in VET’s ability to embrace them (Innovation and digitalisation in Vocational Education and Training, EC, 2021). The frontier of digital learning now involves 5G, artificial intelligence and learning analytics. As a result of these developments of the last decade or so, an ‘average’ VET school or work-based learning environment is likely to contain a mix of digital technologies that are being used by teachers and trainers in a wide variety of ways. Nevertheless, many barriers impede to distance and online learning in VET systems to deploy all its potential. ECHOES project intends to address some of the main obstacles and needs linked to teachers, trainers and mentors engaged in distance learning and digital learning processes, and namely (Digital gap during COVID-19 for VET learners at risk in Europe, Cedefop, June 2020):•Lack of digital skills and competences to make efficient use of the platforms,•Poor experience in creating digital teaching content,•Lack of experience on e-learning and other distance learning effective pedagogies in VET, especially for teaching practical components. As for the specific needs, ECHOES will address the following aspects, which are all relevant in overcoming the technological, digital and learniing barriers:•To have a higher knowledge and understanding on: skills gaps of teachers, trainers and mentors in EU VET systems; learning environments and learning programs (including methodologies and tools) used in EU countries for the implementation of VET projects;•Availability of learning methodologies and tools, freely accessible, specifically tailored for VET and WBL systems and for the target of unemployed.•Availability of learning pathways and courses for the training of VET Educators (teachers, trainers, mentors), possibly inspired to the European Frameworks (European Framework on Digital Competences of Educators, DigComp, etc.) and covering the whole education cycle: preparation - teaching/learning – assessment – validation.•Availability of digital learning, open and freely accessible, supporting the education of VET professionals and learners and contributing to foster pedagogical innovation, avoid unnecessary replication, lessen costs related to producing and distributing course material and amplify access.Dealing with these needs might require some adjustments in VET systems across Europe. ECHOES project will also address this issue and the related need of setting-up and structuring train-the-trainers’ pathways for VET teachers, trainers and mentors who provide distance learning which could be in line with the type of activity (training, counselling, etc.), the related competencies (at different degrees) and the reference EU and National frameworks (included that on recognition or validation of the competences acquired, DgComp).<< Objectives >>ECHOES aims at bringing together Vocational Training Centers (VTC), Mentors, Intermediary Organizations, Incubation Centers, with the support of digital technologies specialists, to get professionals in the field of VET ready to manage virtual training and extended classrooms tailored for unemployed people or people with little job experience or education. The specific Objectives of the ECHOES project are:- to provide a comprehensive understanding on context, techonologies, skills gaps, training needs in the field of continuous training based on the use of ICT based solutions and online training for VET trainers, tutors, counsellors,curriculum planners and evaluators- to improve digital skills and abilities of VET teachers, trainers and mentors engaged in distance learning processes by offering them freely accessible learning pathways to make efficient use of the platforms, tools and educational resources for creation of digital teaching components- to contribute to the creation of learning pathways at local, regional and national levels (and, possibly, the related recognition systems) for VET teachers, trainers and mentors engaged in distance learning processes addressed to unemployed, inspired to the relevant European Frameworks.<< Implementation >>The aforementioned objectives will be achieved through implementation of the following core activities:A) Production of 4 Project Results:Research on the state of art on distance and virtual learning for VET and WBL projects (Project Result 1): - Review and analysis of the best practices (environments, programs, methodologies and tools) and skills gaps of trainers and staff in the field of virtual training and the extended classrooms for VET projects addressed to unemployed persons.- Classification and selection of the training programs and the didactical and technology resources and determination of the needs or conditions to meet for the implementation of the Pilot in different countries.ECHOES Toolkit (Project Result 2)- Development of virtual/online training resources and materials adapted for VET projects addressed to unemployed people in the three main fields of training/training on the job, mentorship and accompainment to job inclusion and/or business creation.ECHOES Pilot Training Course for the empowerment of digital skills of teachers, trainers and mentors supporting virtual learnings in VET and WBL systems (Project Result 3).- Design and implementation of the Pilot Course for the trainers and the staff involved, dedicated to online/virtual training processes in the field of VET projects for unemployed people in the countries of the partnership. The Pilot will be differentiated based on the different stages and levels of the VET courses: training sessions, job search assistance and mentorship for accompaniment to work/start-up of small businesses.ECHOES-OER (Project Result 4)- Design and Implementation of an Open Educational Resource-OER which might evolve into an open online center.B) 4 Transnational Multiplier Events are foreseen, and namely: - the first one, titled ""Distance and virtual learning: technologies, skills and training needs for VET and WBL projects"", has the objective of presenting and discussing the State of the Art Research (R1) to a wide range of audiences. Emphasis will be placed on the following main items: Emerging ICT solutions, technology gaps and skills gaps in VET and WBL systems; new skills, training programs and recognition of competences acquired by VET teachers/trainers/mentors - the second one, titled ""Digital methodologies, tools and resources for virtual learnings in VET and WBL"", pursued the objective of presenting and discussing the ECHOES Toolkit (R 2), receive feedbacks on its prospect use and implementation.- the third one, titled ""Empowerment of digital skills of teachers, trainers and mentors supporting virtual learnings in VET and WBL systems"", aims at presenting the Pilot Course, receive feedbacks for further implementation and animate a EU level debate around strategies for its adoption by CPD systems and recognition of the competences acquired.- the fourth one, titled ""The Open Educational Resources (OER) for the empowerment of digital skills: ECHOES OER for theachers/trainers/mentors in VET and WBL systems"", pursued the objective to present and discuss the OER - Open Educational Resource and receive feedbacks for further implementation in the wider context of the digital pedagogical innovation in Europe.C) Project Management and 4 Transnational Meetings in Italy, Spain and Austria.D) Communication and dissemination of the project results.<< Results >>The following project results and outcomes are expected from the ECHOES project:1. State of Art and Research Report on distance and virtual learning for VET and WBL projects.R1 is the analysis of the skills gaps of trainers and staff in the field of virtual training and mentorship programs for VET projects, based on best practices (environments, programs, methodologies and tools) in place in the EU and selected Member States, specifically MS represented by the partnership (Italy, Austria, Slovenia and Spain) and other countries representative of meaningful case studies (thee specific number and type of countries will be finalised in the preparation phase). R1 is innovative as it identifies dynamics of trainers and mentors’ access to training opportunities for improving their abilities and competencies in delivering distance learning to unemployed engaged in VET projects. At present, there is no taxonomy nor coherent definitions (at the EU evel, and in many cases within MS) concerning the training for online trainers and mentors. The Research findings and the methodology itself are poised to be immediately used in other contexts outside of the ECHOES project, and potentially in other fields of education (especially HES). The research findings and the methodology used will also be embedded in the R2 and R3 and made available without restrictions through the OER Platform – R4. 2. ECHOES ToolkitThe ECHOES Toolkit is aimed to be an useful resource of practical information for the direct implementation of innovative methods in VET projects delivered through virtual and extended classrooms to unemployed. It will contain a set of practical tools and methods adapted to the specific needs of trainers, mentors and staff implicated in virtual online training/mentoring processes. It will be structured reflecting the DigComp, the European Digital Competence Framework, and its proficiency levels, fine-tuned on existing specificities per country. The Toolkit is posed to generate positive impact at systemic level by introducing a complete set of tools for the proper management of the virtual training / mentorship VET courses addressed to unemployed specific for the type of skills concerned – i.e. communication, organization, results assessment, etc. Furthermore, the impact will be also on the possible recognition of the abilities and skills achieved by the trainers and mentors themselves, since possible systems will be outlined in the Toolkit 3. ECHOES Pilot Training Cours for the empowerment of digital skills of teachers, trainers and mentors supporting virtual learnings in VET and WBL systemsThe course has the objective of empowering VET teachers, trainers and mentors/WBL tutors engaged in the delivery of virtual online courses for unemployed with the support of a training which can be implemented by VET institutions (local level), by regional and national CPD systems and internationally as Erasmus+ courses. The course will be perfectly in line with the European Framework on Digital Competences of Educators and the Digital Competence Framework. Thus, it could will be offered to European/National/Local associations, communities, National and Regional Authorities to be used for the purposes of updating the reference frameworks on the acquisition and validation of the digital competences.4. The ECHOES-OER will be the open online center of the project.The OER will be used to make the contents of the Toolkit-R1- and of the Course for teachers, trainers and mentors -R2- developed through the ECHOES project available for free, downloadable and freely modifiable by the users. The ECHOSOER will respect the principles of the 5Rs - UNESCO, 2017. The documents relating to the ECHOES-Toolkit and the ECHOES Course for teachers, trainers and mentors will be fully published together with the metadata and online references. The documents will include video lessons, teaching materials and all additional resources, internal or external to the project."