Abstract:

SMART (Supporting dynamic MAtching for Regional developmenT) is a LLP-Leonardo da Vinci TOI project aimed at address the need of matching educational system supply and the job market’s professional requirements in order to identify the real training needs in different professional sectors. It also aims to support the dynamic adaptation of the existing training offer to that identified needs, improving the employability of the users.

This goal and results have been pursued by the design, implementation and validation of an innovative:
- curricula design and definition model, including the definition of modular and transparent learning outcomes, the improvement of the professional scenarios forecasting sustained by a more organic industry-education institution governance model, based on a trust and knowledge based multi-actor cooperation frame;
- technology enhanced system, able to map profiles (competences, knowledge and skills) required by the job market and the job seekers’ competences and, so, to provide VET institutions customized matching feedbacks supporting the dynamic adaptation of the training offer and of the learning outcomes in the Educational regional system.

The SMART tool is based on successful results of previous EU projects: MISLEM project (that has established an efficient methodologies and procedures to match skills and competences developed by educational and VET institutions and labour market requirements); STUDIO Project (that has developed an ontology-driven approach and tools that map and anticipate needs of companies and educational systems).

The technology enhanced SMART system (and tools) is ontology based, articulating knowledge, skills and capacities as learning outcomes. The system provides periodic reviews on how the regional educational output meets the labour market demand articulated in job postings and other strategic sources. The system reports provide feedbacks to the VET providers and educational institutions on the compliance of their curricula (in terms of competencies acquired) with the real labour market needs (in terms of competencies required).

The skill matching challenge has been addressed with special refer to the competence dynamic alignment in the Andalusia region, especially focusing on the Tourism Industry (Hospitality, Catering and Travels), were the overall SMART system has been tested and additional learning outcomes will be developed to match the skills required with the educational offer.

The paper will describe the main feature of the SMART model and system, including the learning resources and the reports produced, also with refer to the testing results. The paper also address the main open skill match challenges, also in terms of the need of contemporary address institutional (organic cooperation models), methodological (ECVET, ontologies, learning outcomes), technological (knowledge sharing, communication and learning system) issues.

Keywords:

Project outcomes and conclusions, e-learning experiences, University/Industry experiences, New Experiences for Curriculum, Skill needs of Labour.