Abstract:

LION is a European project aiming at developing holistic strategies for social workers and teachers in their work with NEETs. It is conducted by a consortium of 6 partner organisations from France, Germany, Italy, Hungary, The Netherland, and Sweden.

The NEET (Not in Employment, Education or Training) issue had become a critical European topic of those days. Those youngsters are thus apart from the job market and educational or training institutions, which makes it even more difficult to reach them for social workers. There are currently 14 million young people currently not in employment, education or training (NEETs) in Europe, costing an estimated at €153 billion in economic loss to society , and increasingly threatening the future of an entire generation. The LION project is financed by the EU (Lifelong Learning Programme) and aims to improve the competences and skills of teachers or social workers working with NEETs.

Analyses reveal that those with a lower educational level are overrepresented in the NEET group. This led to consider few elements as priority topics, such as adult education, second chance schools, struggle against early school leaving, and social exclusion.

LION stresses the need of a multi-angle integrated focus on the disadvantaged youngster at risk of educational and societal drop-out. Those youngsters face challenges bigger than a simple lack of vocational skills. Therefore a focus on learning, working and living is essential. For educational institutions, enterprises and housing associations, this means a complete turnaround in thinking.

For those reasons, the partner consortium have agreed to settle an e-portfolio implying the three interconnected field of learning, living and working.

This holistic approach means:
-Learning: making the educational environment (school) much more attractive, thus personalised and individualised learning, interactivity, learning by doing.
-Working: focus on competence based learning in which employability actions will be promoted and will lead to apprenticeship in enterprises.
-Living: taking care of basic life conditions, i.e. having a roof over one’s head and making youngsters aware of citizens’ rights and duties.

The e-portfolio must be seen as a element, allowing to pursue multiple objectives. 4 educational organizations (Doncaster College, UK and second chance schools of WBK, Germany, Chambéry, France, and Norrkoping, Sweden) will organise an experiment with at least 10 beneficiaries for each organisation. They will use and experiment the use of e-portfolio for at least six months.

After an evaluation of the period, project partners will edit a handbook for educational institutions and teachers. This tool will contain recommendations to consider at best an integrated approach using an e-portfolio.

Main contents foreseen:
- description of the 4 experiments
- what is an e-portfolio? From a digital curriculum to a tool for (self-)assessment, empowerment and motivation, the development of an all-in-one tool for learners.
- description of the “Cyclise tool”, developed by Chambéry Second Chance School (France), with a focus on relationships with companies.
- recommendations for the use of e-portfolio’s.

Project website: www.lionlearning.eu

Keywords:

NEETs, education, holistic approach, e-portfolio.