The overall goal of the project is to empower the adult educators with an integrated & innovative iPath2UpSkilling Platform & Programme & with the specific skills for using it in order to assure high quality upskilling pathways for the low-skilled/-qualified adults through guidance services, formal & non-formal education, training & coaching services.
iPath2UpSkilling Platform & Programme designed & developed within the project will provide an inclusive tailored made education & training opportunities for low-skilled/-qualified adults under the moderation of professionals working in adult education sector.
The objectives of improving the quality & efficiency of education and training and promoting equity, social cohesion & active citizenship are common EU objectives set in ET2020.
Intellectual Outputs
The project proposal’s idea starts from identified need for integration of active measures for vulnerable groups resulted from the case studies of different projects implemented by the partnership organisations in the benefit of the indirect target group, respectively the low-skilled/-qualified adults.
Designing and developing the iPath2UpSkilling Platform
Throughout the project, we created and tested a functional and operational iPath2UpSkilling e-learning Platform for adult educators to use as a digital tool to support upskilling pathways for low-skilled/-qualified adults.
The iPath2UpSkilling Platform connects the needs of both end-users (adult trainers and low-skilled/-qualified adults) with the technological requirements.
The iPath2UpSkilling Platform is an innovative modular platform that includes the following sections:
– An online Professional Counselling/Guidance Section;
– An online Training Section, including an Open Educational Resources Library;
– A Life & Career Coaching Section;
– An Interactive Online Map Section for locating Training Providers, Competence assessment centres and Second Chance Schools for Adults from the participating countries.
The iPath2UpSkilling Platform serves two audiences:
– the project’s target group (educators/trainers/other personnel who support adult learners);
– low-skilled/-qualified adults as indirect beneficiaries.
The online platform is designed to assist the target group in acquiring new knowledge as well as ensure the sustainability of the training services provided, consolidating skills learned during online training sessions via an open virtual channel of communication. In essence, the online platform is highly adaptable, easily responding to the needs of its users and facilitating the target group’s access to information/networks/resources regardless of their physical location.
The online platform is a virtual space where adult educators may create networks, form collaborations, exchange best practices, anticipate changes in skills’ demand and participate in common actions. In addition, the platform allows them to be visible at EU level. Finally, the online platform is a workspace where trainers can virtually meet their own trainees.
Here’s the link to access the platform: https://ipath2upskilling.net/en/
Guidelines development for end-users of the iPath2UpSkilling Platform
IO2 consists in a series of handbooks for end-users of the iPath2UpSkilling Platform. These have been designed so that users of any technical ability can learn how to use the tools developed during the project. They include:
– Adult learners’ Handbook for using iPath2UpSkilling Platform. This handbook is designed to provide adult learners with information on how to use the platform and start a new upskilling path
The handbook is available here: Users-Handbook-for-using-iPath2UpSkilling-Platform
– Professionals’ Handbook for using iPath2UpSkilling Platform. This handbook is designed to provide professionals supporting adult learners with the skills to use the platform to support low skilled/low-qualified adults in their upskilling pathways
The handbook is available here: Professionals-Handbook-for-using-iPath2UpSkilling-Platform
– Ipath handbook to develop new online training courses. This handbook is designed for professionals supporting adult learners who want to develop new online training courses using the iPath2Upskilling e-learning platform.
The handbook is available here: Handbook-iPath-to-develop-new-online-training
– Mentorship programme: This manual is designed for professionals supporting adult learners. It contains a series of guidelines, best practices and other information to be better prepared to support adult learners.
The handbook is available here: Mentorship-programme
– Mentorship manual for professional counselling. This handbook provides guidelines for professional counsellors on how to conduct counselling activities with adult learners. It is integrated with a series of forms that can be used during the counselling process.
The handbook is available here: Mentorship-Manual-Professional-Counselling
The forms are available here: Counselling-forms
Specialised training sessions
This section contains a series of four short videos on the concepts of awareness, counselling/guidance, training, and coaching. The videos introduce these key concepts and are designed specifically for adult educators and practitioners who are looking for new tools and techniques to help their clients achieve their goals. Whether you’re looking to improve your counselling and guidance skills, develop your training expertise, or learn more about coaching, our videos will provide you with valuable insights and practical tips that you can put into practice right away.
Awareness
Coaching
Counselling and guidance
Training
Development of the iPath2UpSkilling Platform’s resources and content
The IO3 consists in an e-learning platform and resources that can be used by both professionals supporting adult learners, and adults with low skills and low qualification.
Professionals can use it to facilitate online courses using the existing resources available. They will also be able to develop new courses. Adult learners will be able to access online courses in order to improve their skills and enhance their career opportunities.
The courses currently available on the platform include: analytical and problem solving skills, teamwork, empathy and critical thinking. These were developed after an analysis of the needs of adult learners, carried out via surveys to the target group.
The platform can be accessed here: ipath2upskilling.net/online-training
The platform is accessible via simple registration. New users are automatically assigned the role of “students”. To upgrade to the role “teacher”, and have the ability to create new courses and, it is necessary to contact one of the partner organisations.