Leonardo Transfer of innovation projects a view from Iceland. María Kristín Gylfadóttir mkg@hi.is

Transcription

1 Leonardo Transfer of innovation projects a view from Iceland María Kristín Gylfadóttir mkg@hi.is 1

2 Overview of presentation My profile About Iceland Icelandic participation in Leonardo Icelandic pilot and TOI project participation The TOI concept what does it mean? What is successful TOI? Key VET issues in Iceland Examples of Icelandic best practice cases

3 My Profile Education: B.A. In International Relations, Auburn Univeristy M.A. In European Politics, Georgetown University Currently working on an Executive MBA degree at the University of Iceland Work: Program Manager, Leonardo NA, Iceland President, National Parent Association Politician, Hafnarfjörður Municipality

4 Iceland what do you know about it? inhabitants descendants of Vikings and women from the Scottish isles A unique language called Icelandic Unspoiled nature lava, hot springs, glaciers and the highest number of cars per capita in the world! The first woman to be elected president in the world was Icelandic. Her name is Vigdís Finnbogadóttir

5 Iceland what do you know about it? A strong economy but a small and weak currency, the krona Sheeps that walk wild in the nature in summer and Icelanders love the Spanish beaches in summer and Spanish Islands, such as Tenerife and Lanzarote, in the winter. taste excellent on the dining room table in the winter One of the Icelandic delicacies is Rotten shark

6 Icelandic participation in European Programmes Iceland has participated in the European education, culture, media, research and youth programmes since 1995 Participation is through the EEA economic agreement signed in 1994 Active participation in the programmes from the onset and the results have been excellent in terms of: participation per capita success rate in centralized programmes In 13 years, about Icelanders have partipated directly in Euopean education and research programmes

7 Participation in EU Education Programmes Comenius/Grundtvig Erasmus Leonardó Number of Icelandic participants Comenius/Grundtvig Erasmus mobillty Leonardó pilot projects Leonardó mobility Funding for each programme

8 Icelandic participation in Leonardo pilot and TOI projects 2-5 pilot projects funded every year Transfer of Innovation Projects financed every year Annual budget Leonardo pilot and TOI proposals Number Not funded Funded

9 Development of Innovation vs. Transfer of Innovation MULTILATERAL PROJECTS Development of innovation Transfer of innovation CONTENT OBJECTIVE Develop a brand new solution to cope with a common challenge Modernisation of systems of participating countries Solution(s) that is (are) already implemented and needs to be adapted for implementation in other countries Benefit of the partners and the country(ies) involved

10 Are transfer of innovation projects old wine in new bottles? My answer is... NO Many didn t understand the term in 2006 and 2007 when TOI first started Many didn t know many good products to transfer Many were not sure what could be transferred; tangible products such as handbooks, courses, methods, methodologies, processes etc...

11 Icelandic understanding of TOI? TOI is more market oriented than development of innovation projects TOI it is about implementing already established products and/or methods (methodology) into educational or labour market setting not only about doing a pilot course...there need to be a plan about what happens after project ends Networks of relevant stakeholders needed in each partner country, either on local, regional or national level, to ensure; successful implementation sustainability beyond the project period

12 Does TOI mean Import or Export? Main focus on implementing new methods, products, processes into Icelandic education and labour market settings Import Focus also in exporting products/methods develped and implemented locally to larger communities nationally and export to 2-3 new countries. Partial Export

13 When is TOI a success? A sizeable number of beneficiaries and local, regional or national stakeholders will continue to use the product/method on a regular basis beyond the project Schools/workplaces are recommended or even required by local, regional, or national authorities to use the product/method Continued funding to sustain the product comes from local sources Change occurs in educational system on a national level Change occurs on European level through the participation of European Associations

14 When is TOI a success cont... Promoter continues to develop the implemented product but uses other sources of funding for continuous development Multilateral project funds development of innovation Research project funds Network project funds ESF-funds National, regional or local funding Private funding

15 KEY to success is...? QUALITY PRODUCTS

16 Key VET issues in Iceland 37% of people in the labour market without formal qualifications, Upper Secondary or VET degree Provide continuing education and skills development for all Provide career counselling and workplace guidance validate informal, non-formal learning recognise and improve quality of workplace learning High drop-out rates over 20% 68% have graduated from Upper Secondary at age of 24 Improved guidance and counselling to children at young ages Flexible education pathways education policies made to ensure progression to further education and training => from VET to higher education

17 Key VET issues in Iceland cont... Integration of immigrant population into education and labour market immigrant population has quadrupled in 10 years language teaching to immigrants Increase number of young people enrolling in initial VET programmes Less than 30% of 16 year olds enter VET programmes Aging VET teacher population Strengthen quality by putting a National Qualification Framework in place Start testing already developed European Credit System for VET (ECVET)

18 Icelandic best practice pilot projects SOCIAL RETURN / Objective: to develop a holistic and multidisciplinary rehabilitation programme for people receiving disability and those with restricted employment capabilities Outcome: a handbook for professionals on implementing holistic rehabilitation (in English) Impact: Rehabilitation centers in 5 places in Iceland and in the process of being set up in Slovenia, Lithuania, Netherland, Italy, Finland and Latvia Ministry of Social Affairs in Iceland has decided to implement this rehabilitation programm all over Iceland. Website:

19 Icelandic best practice pilot projects Personal Profile & Support for Learners (PPS) Objective: to create a holistic approach for student counsellors and other professionals working with at-risk students. This includes creating systematic tools to identify potential dropouts, analys their individual needs and implement support. Outcome: Risk Detector an interactive electronic tool to identify students at risk of dropping out. The Student Group monitor a database with collected information The Personal Profile an interview scheme for counsellors Flexible Prevention and Support System a support framework for professionals adapted Impact: tools are in use in many schools in Iceland, Norway, Spain, Slovakia and Greece. Products being transferred to Sweden and Denmark Website:

20 Icelandic best practice pilot projects HEALTHY TOGETHER Objective: Project addresses workplace health promotion issues in SME s in rural areas in Iceland, Ireland and Italy. Aim is to create an e-learning course for trainers and professionals responsible for promoting workplace health and safety in SMEs in rural communities Outcome: an e-learning course on workplace health in 3 languages (Icelandic, English, Italian); handbook for trainers Impact: piloting training ongoing...key stakeholders involved. Plans to transfer e-learning course to new countries Website: healthy2gether.net

21 Further information Visit the Icelandic National Agency website database with information on potential Icelandic partners in English project information sheets in English Check updated project information on projects dealing with VET and the labour market, guidance and specific target groups at Project information on Leonardo projects dealing with dropouts can be found at

22 THANK YOU!