Supporting Talent to Employment Programme
Leonardo da Vinci is the European programme that funds practical projects in the field of vocational education and training, and funds opportunities for education and training organisations, staff and learners through Mobility Projects, Multilateral Projects, Networks, Partnerships, Preparatory Visits, and Transfer of Innovation.
Supporting Talent to Employment Programme (STEP) is a Transfer of Innovation project that builds upon the successful Leonardo CrossWorker project by transferring the innovative CrossWorker concept designed to empower and enable young people to become mentors, support workers and trainers (CrossWorkers) within a diverse range of Non Formal Learning Sector (NFLS) environments within the Creative and Cultural Industries.
The STEP project partnership is led by WAC Performing Arts and Media College and comprises of seven partners from Spain, Greece, Holland, Italy and the UK, involved in the delivery of learning and other support programmes which foster enterprise and innovation within the arts, and creative and cultural sectors, using informal learning in their work with excluded groups and young people.
STEP has the goal of developing a common European framework of competences for young people to become CrossWorkers (mentors, support workers and trainers) in the non-formal learning sector within the creative industries, including music, drama, visual arts, media production and design.
STEP works with organisations that utilise informal learning, delivered through artistic and cultural expression, to provide vocational support to disadvantaged and disaffected young people.
ASPIRE
The mission of Aspire is to develop an innovative European competency framework for trainers using creative expression in informal and non-formal learning environments. The project uses experience gained in the transfer of innovation developed in our previous Crossworker and STEP projects, to inform its development.
ACHIEVEMENTS THIS YEAR
Aspire has been working with partners in Denmark, Holland, Italy, Spain and the UK since November 2009, examining a range of activities in action:
the project investigates how non-formal learning - through the performing and visual arts, media, production and design - provides a bridge from educational and economic exclusion, to inclusion, new learning and employment in the European creative and cultural industries
WAC staff and students are part of an ‘action learning’ network of managers and trainers working within the sector to identify common competencies. To this end successful partnership meetings have taken place in Arnhem, London, Malaga and Rome, at which a great deal of work has already taken place towards achieving the projects goals.
ASPIRE HAS AN IMPACT
"I was really impressed with how the group handled some of the topics discussed…Reflecting on my trip I’ve enjoyed every minute - everyone here is so precious and has taught me so much I’m so appreciative for having this experience." Sinead Osheku
"It was daunting at first – I was nervous because it was new surroundings and people. It gave me confidence and an experience I’ll treasure."
Kyleigh Harwood
PLANS FOR THE FUTURE
It is not easy to measure learning in the creative and cultural industries through traditional educational approaches. Organisations in this sector currently provide structured learning in a non-formal setting, some of which is externally validated - but much of it is not.
The Aspire project will explore these factors to develop a common European solution to recognise competencies and to evolve a qualification that can be gained through informal and non-formal settings. This will provide a framework that can be used throughout Europe and work will continue throughout the next year.
Result (2) Competency Framework: Unit 1 - Create a good learning environment - English.doc
Result (2) Competency Framework: Unit 3 - Maintain yourself in professional practice - English.doc
Result (2) Competency Framework: Unit 1 - Crear un buen entorno de Aprendizaje - Spanish.doc
Result (2) Competency Framework: Unit 1 - Create a good learning environment - Greek.doc
Result (2) Competency Framework: Unit 3 - Maintain yourself in professional practice - Greek.doc
Result (2) Competency Framework: Unit 1 - Create a good learning environment - Italian.doc
Result (2) Competency Framework: Unit 3 - Maintain yourself in professional practice - Italian.doc