Project education programme brought together 9 management teams from WorldSkills member countries

Second project education programme, for the change leadership teams from WorldSkills member countries kicked off in February. It was joined by the participants from 13 countries this year: Austria, Barbados, Germany, India, Costa Rica, Malaysia, Morocco, New Zealand, Russia, Thailand, Finland, Switzerland and South Africa, as well as WorldSkills Experts Faculty and WorldSkills Champions Trust teams. They work in 9 teams.

As part of the programme, the teams develop the projects aimed at developing WorldSkills movement and vocational education and training. 

"This is the second assembly for us. Last year, we managed to work well with the teams from 8 countries and develop projects that have already been launched. This year, we decided to repeat the programme by–naturally–updating it to meet the challenges of the new teams. What remains unchanged is that the programme is a space not only for development of projects important to WorldSkills NSOs, but also for professional growth and development of new skills by each participant," says Ekaterina Loshkareva, Director of this programme, member of WorldSkills International Board of Directors, Deputy Director General of WorldSkills Russia for Research, Development and Advancement of Educational Organisations.

The programme consists of five modules, each covering a specific topic. The first module was devoted to analysing the situation, identifying the most relevant challenges for the teams: participants had to define the direction of their projects based on the changes they would like to bring to their field of work. In the second module, the teams will design the concept, define the end-users of the project and the format for piloting it. In the third module, the participants are challenged to build a model of their project based on its values, principles, structure, and implementation mechanism. The fourth module involves adapting the ideal model to real-world conditions and defining parameters for further project evaluation. Finally, the fifth module is dedicated to identifying the next steps in implementation of the projects developed under the programme. The programme will result in ready-made project concepts that the teams will then implement independently in their own countries.

The first module of the programme was opened by Ekaterina Loshkareva; Chris Humphries, President of WorldSkills International; Borhene Chakroun, Director of Policies and Lifelong Learning Systems Division at UNESCO-HQ; and Dmitry Zabirov, Director of the programme project operations. 

"I am very happy to rejoin the programme. Last year, I really enjoyed participating in it and think the programme is really unique. The world is still facing the challenges of the pandemic, and our key and important task now is to develop new projects and initiatives aimed at making a positive change in the lives of young people. WorldSkills is not just about competitions; it is primarily about transforming the skills development system. It is important that the national WorldSkills NSOs take initiative and change the system at their country level. Such processes are facilitated by the programme. I am grateful to WorldSkills Russia and all the mentors, experts and organisations that support it. I hope it will be of great benefit to you, " stressed Chris Humphries.

A series of activities and teamwork on projects were held during the first module. Dmitry Peskov, Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation for Digital and Technological Development and Director of Young Professionals at the Agency for Strategic Initiatives, presented the results of the 100 Year Horizon foresight, the future of professions and skills, and what professionals the global economy will need in the near future.

One of the days was dedicated to a simulation track where participants got to know each other, the project team and the tools they would use throughout the programme.  

The participants were able to switch from their project activities by immersing themselves in special Body&Mind practices aimed at increasing awareness and concentration, reducing stress and anxiety and increasing efficiency.

On the final day of the module the teams presented the direction and scope of their work and the first ideas and findings of their forthcoming projects. 

The aim of the project education programme is to create a support system for change leadership teams by conceptualising projects in a safe space and innovative learning environment with the support of experts and moderators, mutual help and learning, and the opportunity to share their experiences in an international community of like-minded people.