STRATEGIC PROJECT

use case

Supporting student equity, diversity and inclusion in Europe

We are proud to announce the launch of the ID-VET Project, an initiative funded by the European Union under the Erasmus+ KA220-VET program. This collaborative effort is a testament to our commitment to enhancing inclusion and diversity in vocational education and training (VET) across Europe.

Segment

Size

Location

Name

Erasmus+ EDI Project

Duration

01.09.2023 - 31.08.2025

Focus area

Project newsroom

🔗 Launching our vision for inclusion: The ID-VET Project Kick-Off at Mercantec →

🔗 Creating a Framework for Inclusion and Diversity in Vocational Education →

Introduction

We are proud to announce the launch of the ID-VET Project, an initiative funded by the European Union under the Erasmus+ KA220-VET program. This collaborative effort, which commenced on September 1, 2023, and will run until August 31, 2025, is a testament to our commitment to enhancing inclusion and diversity in vocational education and training (VET) across Europe.

Project overview

The ID-VET Project, titled "A Micro-Survey Framework for Inclusion and Diversity in Vocational Education," represents a forward-thinking initiative spanning five European countries. This project is committed to identifying and overcoming barriers to inclusion and diversity in vocational education and training (VET) schools. Central to our approach is the active engagement of students, especially those with fewer opportunities, who will play a crucial role in developing the framework. These students will also have the unique opportunity to travel and participate in various project activities across the participating countries, enriching their educational experience and providing invaluable insights into the project's development.

Objectives and goals

The ID-VET Project is anchored by three core objectives, each aiming to transform the landscape of vocational education and training (VET) through a focus on inclusion and diversity:

  • Uncovering Barriers: At the heart of the project is the development of a 'Micro Check-in Framework' for Inclusion and Diversity. This innovative framework consists of a series of carefully designed questions in the EDI (Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) area. These questions are crafted to be easily understandable by students and are aimed at uncovering the real barriers they face in their educational journey.

  • Harnessing the Power of Technology: We recognize the pivotal role of technology in enhancing diversity and inclusion in education. Through this project, we aim to leverage digital tools and platforms to gather and analyze student responses. This technological approach not only ensures efficiency but also guarantees a wider reach and deeper insight into the student experience.

  • Building Capacity: A significant goal of the ID-VET Project is to support and build capacity within VET schools for sustaining inclusion and diversity initiatives. By providing schools with the tools and insights gained from the micro-surveys, we aim to empower them to make informed, impactful decisions that foster an inclusive learning environment for all students.

In essence, the ID-VET Project seeks to create a dynamic and effective framework that not only identifies challenges in inclusion and diversity but also equips educational institutions with the means to address them meaningfully and sustainably.

Activities and Implementation

The ID-VET Project is structured around a series of carefully planned phases, each designed to incrementally build towards our overarching goal of fostering an inclusive and diverse educational environment. Our implementation plan is data-driven and collaborative, involving a series of strategic meetings, data collection points, and dissemination activities as outlined in our project timeline.

  • Initial Research and Analysis (Q4 2023 - Q1 2024): Led by Xarxa, this phase involves foundational research on the current structures of VET and identification of inclusion and diversity barriers through reports and initial stakeholder meetings.

  • Framework Design (Q2 2024): StudentPulse will spearhead the creation of the micro check-in framework, synthesizing insights from the research phase into actionable survey questions.

  • Data Collection (Q3-Q4 2024): Each partner school will implement the framework, conducting three first-round micro check-ins with students during the first semester to collect over 75,000 data points. This will provide a rich bedrock of information to identify prevalent ID barriers.

  • Framework Refinement and Second Data Collection (Q1-Q2 2025): Utilizing the data gathered, the framework will be refined and a second round of check-ins will be conducted in the second semester to further validate findings and ensure comprehensive insights.

  • Analysis and Dissemination (Q2-Q3 2025): Xarxa will lead the analysis of the data to identify effective practices. The results will then be compiled into a whitepaper and shared via webinars, ensuring that the findings are accessible and actionable.

In essence, the ID-VET Project seeks to create a dynamic and effective framework that not only identifies challenges in inclusion and diversity but also equips educational institutions with the means to address them meaningfully and sustainably.

Partnership and Collaboration

The success of the ID-VET Project hinges on the collaboration of our esteemed partners:

  • MERCANTEC (Denmark)

  • StudentPulse A/S (Denmark)

  • Xarxa Formació Professional (Spain)

  • Rakvere Ametikool (Estonia)

  • ROC Noorderpoort (Netherlands)

  • Colegiul Tehnic Samuil Isopescu Suceava (Romania)

  • Centro de Formación Somorrostro (Spain)

Each partner brings unique expertise and perspectives, enriching the project's approach to fostering an inclusive and diverse educational environment.

Expected Outcomes and Impact

We anticipate the ID-VET Project will result in a comprehensive set of tools and insights for VET schools to better address inclusion and diversity barriers. By leveraging technology and fostering international collaboration, the project aims to create a lasting impact on VET education in Europe, ensuring a more inclusive future for all students.

  • The ID-VET Project will culminate in a specialized set of questions, part of the Micro Check-in Framework, aimed at systematically identifying inclusion and diversity barriers within VET schools. These questions will be tailored to uncover specific challenges such as cultural integration, accessibility, and support systems.

  • Upon project completion, we will host a webinar to share our findings and the effective application of the framework. We encourage all interested parties to subscribe to our newsletter for updates and invitations to this informative event.

  • The project's insights and the resulting framework are expected to guide VET schools in implementing impactful interventions, ultimately fostering a more inclusive learning environment.