Katapult impact report 2021: the impact of public private partnerships in VET in the Netherlands

Source / author: 
Katapult
Country: 
Netherlands
Abstract: 

We say it everywhere: Katapult is on the move. When research figures confirm this, we can't believe our luck. You see, it really is true, the Katapult network works! Partnerships in VET and higher vocational education experiment, develop and grow in abundance. As many as 12,000 companies, 124,000 students and 8,000 teachers are reaping the benefits of public-private cooperation. 

 

Since 2016, we have been measuring the impact and added value of the activities of the Katapult Network. In 2021 we carried out new measurements and compiled the most important results in a new publication. Impact and added value of cooperation between vocational education and business, 2019 - 2021 provides an overview and summary of the most important points.

 

12,000 companies, 124,000 students and 8,000 teachers working together

 

A growing number of companies and schools are finding each other in an intensive co-creation of vocational education and professional practice. And things are also going well outside the national borders. More and more Dutch universities of applied sciences and intermediate vocational education institutions are joining international networks. Finally, we see that ambitions and coalitions are persisting: public-private partnerships are becoming more sustainable and several of them are expanding or have ambitions to do so. The Katapult formula is a success in vocational education and offers more than enough room for growth.

 

Stronger propositions for SMEs 

 

A large proportion of the companies participating in a PPP are (small) SMEs. They leave their mark on the further development of the PPP; more offers are now being developed in the field of innovation of professional practice and lifelong development for their employees. Initiatives such as MKB! dee and Digitale Werkplaatsen, for example, focus on the innovative capacity of entrepreneurs and the professionalisation of employees. Many PPPs use these forms of development and training to increase the vitality and resilience of SMEs.

 

Greater contribution to social challenges 

 

Previous impact measurements have already shown that PPPs are active in the major social themes, such as transitions in energy and care, digitisation and inclusiveness in the workplace. The impact measurement 2021 also shows that the ICT/digitisation theme is a focal point within the Katapult network and is often combined with other disciplines. The most common application areas are the high-tech sector (Smart Industry), education, care & welfare (Smart Health) and construction (Smart Building). In addition, the prominent role of PPPs for the social challenge 'security' is apparent: many PPPs are working on digital security themes such as 'cyber security'. Finally, the growing focus on care & welfare in secondary vocational education (MBO) and higher vocational education (HBO) and the growing importance of Life Sciences & Health in HBO is striking.

 

Further development means that more underlying connections are made between disciplines, sectors and educational levels. These connections are desperately needed to find answers and solutions for the social challenges and transitions. Fortunately, more and more PPPs are recognising the importance of these connections. They are expanding their repertoire to work in a more multidisciplinary, multisectoral and multilevel manner at more educational levels in order to achieve results. The steps are being taken, and the potential for further joining forces in the network is great.

 

Full impact study available via the link above.

Update: First meeting taskforce meeting 'Towards a New Norwegian STEM Strategy' to focus on multi-stakeholder STEM strategies and diversity in STEM recruitment

Source / author: 
EU STEM Coalition
Country: 
Norway
Abstract: 

On March 3-4, 2022 the first meeting in the Taskforce 'Towards a New Norwegian STEM Strategy" will take place in Copenhagen, Denmark. The first half of the two-day programme will focus on various existing case-studies of multi-stakeholder national STEM strategies, including the Danish Technology Pact and the national approaches of LUMA (Finland) and Astra (Denmark). 

 

The second day of the programme will then focus on the topic of diversity in STEM recruitment. Several EU STEM Coalition members and external partners will highlight their approach including ZDI (Germany), the Western Norway Research Institute and the Estonian Research Council (currently involved in another taskforce with similar objectives).

 

More information about the meeting outcomes, documents and next steps will be published after the meeting.

European Commission includes EU STEM Coalition in 'Chips Act'

Source / author: 
EU STEM Coalition
Country: 
EU
Abstract: 

Following the Digital Education Action Plan (DEAP) and Communication on Achieving the European Education Area by 2025, the European Commission included the EU STEM Coalition in its objectives related to STEM in 'A Chips Act for Europe': a key initiative aiming to strengthen the EU's competitiveness in the global microchips industry. 

 

The EU STEM Coalition is referenced in the chapter related to 'Skills and Competences' with specific emphasis on female participation in this (STEM heavy) sector.

 

 

 

What is the 'Chips Act for Europe'?

 

On 15 September 2021, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced an EU Chips Act in her State of the Union speech, pointing out the needs to link together Europe’s world-class research capacities and to coordinate EU and national investment along the value chain.

 

The EU Chips Act proposes to build on Europe’s strengths and address outstanding weaknesses, to develop a thriving semiconductor ecosystem and resilient supply chain, while setting measures to prepare, anticipate and respond to future supply chain disruptions. As part of a total investment package of 43 billion euro the Chips Act aims to increase the EU's share in the global microchips industry from 9 to 20% by 2030.

 

In the short term, it will allow to understand and anticipate future chips crises, addressing them through close coordination with Member States and equipping the Union with the instruments that some like-minded countries have at their disposal.

 

In the short- to mid-term, it will strengthen manufacturing activities in the Union and support scale-up and innovation across the whole value chain addressing security of supply and a more resilient ecosystem. And, in the mid- to long-term, it will reinforce Europe’s technological leadership while preparing the required technological capabilities that would support transfer of knowledge from the lab to the fab and position Europe as a technology leader in innovative downstream markets.

 

For more information, see the European Commission's overview page via the link above.

New organisation focused on school-company cooperation launched in Bretagne, France

Source / author: 
EU STEM Coalition
Country: 
France
Abstract: 

A new organisation focused on school-company cooperation in the French region of Bretagne was launched on December 10, 2021. The launch follows an EU STEM Coalition Taskforce meeting in Fréhel, France in which several international best-practices were presented and evaluated by the working group.

 

The new not-for-profit association was formally launched under the name 'Bretagne Entreprise Jeunesse' (BREJ) by the representatives of the participating organisations. In its statutes the objectives of the association are established as:

 

  1.  Support young people in their job orientation, discovery of the professional world and transition to the labour market,
  2.  Allow companies to meet with and contribute to the world of education (schools, colleges, high schools, higher education and training centres) and 
  3.  Allow teachers, trainers and guidance counselors to interact with the world of business in the region of Bretagne

 

During its inaugural meeting, it was also decided to continue to develop STEM-oriented activities under the already existing STEM Bretagne-label (created by the members of the working group prior to the launch of BREJ).

Engineers: our sustainable development partners

Source / author: 
The Parliament Magazine
Country: 
EU
Abstract: 

The 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) and their 169 sub-goals are at the heart of the UN’s Agenda 2030. These focus on three dimensions (the environment, our economy and our society) and on five driving principles (people, planet, prosperity, peace and partnership). All of these aim to ensure the future wellbeing of our planet and of mankind by making their developments sustainable. The European Federation of Engineering Associations (FEANI), as the voice of more than six million engineers in Europe, has identified a major task in contributing to the successful implementation of the SDGs.

 

For full article please, click the link above.

 

 

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