From a rookie to an expert –internationalisation pathways for VET

From a rookie to an expert –internationalisation pathways for vocational education and training (VET) trainers

On the one hand, working life is becoming increasingly multicultural, while on the other, the labour market is becoming increasingly international, requiring international skills and competences. Vocational education and training (VET) trainers are increasingly required to possess these skills in order to guide and prepare students.

On the one hand, working life is becoming increasingly multicultural, while on the other, the labour market is becoming increasingly international, requiring international skills and competences. Vocational education and training (VET) trainers are increasingly required to possess these skills in order to guide and prepare students.

During the event, emphasis will be placed on how to:

increase ownership of internationalisation activities within VET institutions and involve more teachers and staff members in this type of activity;• promote and support the professional development of VET institution staff in terms of the skills needed for internationalisation;• document and recognise learning and skills acquired on the topic of internationalisation through the Open Badge system.

The event is aimed at:

directors of vocational training institutions who aspire to increase ownership of internationalisation activities within their institution and want to support the development of their staff’s skills in the field of internationalisation;
designers, coordinators and representatives of Erasmus and internationalisation activities at their institution, in order to involve more colleagues in these activities and further promote their organisation’s development strategy;
trainers interested in internationalisation issues who want to increase their skills in this area.

Click here to register

Event programme:

14:15 – Welcome• 14:30 Introduction to the proceedings (Luca Calligaro – ENAC Ente Nazionale Canossiano)
14:45 – The REX VET project: background, structure, phases, output (Mari Kontturi – Luovi Vocational College)*
15:00 – Proposal for a model for the development of VET staff skills in the field of internationalisation (Taavi Tuisk – Kuressaare Ametikool)*
15:15 – First example of a training module for internationalisation (Simona Puggioni – ENAC Ente Nazionale Canossiano)
15:30 – Second example of a training module for internationalisation (Begoña Inchaurraga – Centro San Viator)*
15:45 – Open badges – what they are and how they can be used to recognise the learning of skills in the field of internationalisation (Karoliina Oksanen – Vocational College Live and Jussi Kajander – Luovi Vocational College)*
16:15 – Promoting opportunities for continuous professional development in internationalisation – the Dutch model (Mieke Muilwijk – Alfa – College)*
16.30 – Conclusion and questions

The presentations by foreign speakers will be in English; therefore, a minimum knowledge of the language is required.

We remind you that in order to participate in the event in person, according to current regulations, it is mandatory to have a valid GREEN PASS and to wear a mask.

Your contact details will be collected and stored for the time necessary for possible contact tracing

Final webinar of the TOVET project – Together for future VETSkills

are pleased to announce that the final webinar of the European KA3 Tovet project – Together for future VETSkills, of which ENAC is a partner, will be held on 23 February at 1.30 p.m.

The webinar will be entitled “How internationalisation can benefit your organisation” and during the event we will take stock of what we have learned over the last two and a half years thanks to the Tovet project, presenting the main results achieved and the tools developed during the project.

In addition, in a single webinar, there will be an opportunity to explore:

How to improve your organisation’s internationalisation strategy.
How to promote innovative learning of key skills in VET and how to assess them using the Open Badge certification methodology.
All presentations will be in English and will be given by experts from the institutional, training and business worlds.

All presentations will be in English and will be given by experts from the institutional, training and business worlds.

Don’t miss this online event open to schools, vocational training centres and technical institutes!

Teaching Human Resource Management in the Culinary Sector

Teaching Human Resource Management in the Culinary Sector: Towards a European Curriculum with Intercultural Competences

The Human Resource Management (HRM) for Chefs project, co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme, is developing a unified European curriculum on human resource management for current and future food service professionals. The initiative is led by TPA (Poland), with UBV (Germany), LIR (Latvia), CBiR (US), and us. It aims to strengthen the management and interpersonal skills of chefs in multicultural environments — including a focus on Ukrainian citizens integrating into the European labour market.

The project’s methodology promotes a comprehensive pedagogical approach for students, teachers and vocational trainers, combining classroom training, digital learning, and webinars. It also integrates interactive and flexible learning methods, such as blended learning, microlearning, and short video-based materials, allowing participants to learn at their own pace and apply knowledge directly to real-world contexts. The main results include:

A research report assessing HRM competences among culinary students and teachers across partner countries;
A training programme consisting of five key modules: task delegation, team building, employee selection, conflict resolution, and motivation;
A methodological guide for teachers and trainers;
Diagnostic and evaluation tools for assessing HRM skills;
A series of webinars and digital resources to foster online learning and international cooperation.

ENAC, as one of the core partners, plays a leading role in the development of digital tools and testing activities, and in coordinating dissemination through national conferences and webinars involving vocational schools and training centres.

Round Table at the EfVET Annual Conference

During the EfVET Annual Conference, ENAC hosted a Round Table titled “Managing People in the Kitchen: HRM Competences for the Next Generation of Chefs”. The session gathered representatives from vocational schools, project partners, and industry experts to discuss how human resource management training can transform culinary education.

Participants shared experiences from pilot activities, explored challenges in motivating young apprentices, and discussed the role of digital tools in supporting teachers. The debate emphasised the importance of integrating HRM competences into VET curricula to enhance teamwork, leadership, and intercultural understanding in hospitality professions.
The project demonstrates how European collaboration can modernise vocational education by combining practical skills with soft competences and leveraging innovative, learner-centred approaches. Through the use of interactive, digital, and bite-sized learning tools, it brings human resource management training in the culinary sector closer to the needs of today’s learners and workplaces.

Discover more about HRM

EU CLASS launches online course

EU CLASS launches online course to boost VET teachers’ EU competences

EUClass Alliance, ihas launched its online training course aimed at strengthening VET teachers’ competences in EU-related topics. Designed and delivered by university professors from the University of Trento, the course offers an engaging and accessible introduction to European integration, institutions, policies and values. Hosted on an open-source Learning Management System training.eurocultura.it/courses/euclass-alliance, the course combines video lectures, self-paced study materials, interactive quizzes, and certification upon completion. Participants can freely register, monitor their learning progress, and explore and download complementary EU resources and publications.

EU CLASS is about empowering teachers to make the European dimension tangible for students,” explains Prof. Vincent Della Sala of the University of Trento. “By understanding how the EU works and why it matters, teachers can bring Europe closer to young people”.

The online training consists of two comprehensive modules, comprising a total of 14 short video lessons:

• Module 1 – History of EU Integration and EU Institutions:
Traces the evolution of the European project, explaining how the EU emerged from post-war cooperation to become a unique model of shared governance. It introduces the main EU institutions—the European Parliament, Council, Commission, Court of Justice, and European Central Bank—and outlines how decisions are made at EU level.

• Module 2 – 2 – EU Policies and Actions:
Examines the Union’s key policy areas, from the Single Market and Social Policy to Sustainable Development, Foreign Affairs, Security and Defence, and Citizenship and Values. Teachers are guided through real-life EU initiatives, learning how European policies affect citizens and the global community alike.

Each lesson is designed to make EU topics approachable, relevant, and adaptable to classroom use. Upon completion, participants receive an official certificate confirming their achievement

Do you want to know more before enrolling? Listen to our podcast

Discover the course and start learning!

Student Week in Groningen

Student week in Groningen of VETsdgs project

A week that transformed theory into practical experience. Students from Centromoda Canossa took part in Student Week in Groningen, alongside fellow students from Spain, Finland, Estonia, the Netherlands and Italy. Five days to discover how Sustainable Development Goals translate into real projects, everyday choices and possible lifestyles.

The Alfa-college in Groningen served as the base for this experience, welcoming the students with warmth and professionalism. The city itself proved to be a perfect case study: through a workshop organised in collaboration with the municipality, the students were able to get their hands on real issues, designing green areas, spaces for physical activity and innovative solutions to make urban spaces more sustainable and liveable. These were not mere theoretical exercises, but concrete proposals that showed how every citizen can actively contribute to the transformation of their local area. The students also discovered the concept of Positive Health, a vision that goes beyond the simple absence of disease, integrating physical, mental and social health into a single interconnected system.

The visit to the Alfa-college Textile Hub was also very interesting. This project demonstrates how the circular economy can be a driver of social innovation. It not only develops a local and fair textile supply chain, but also offers educational programmes for the community and creates job opportunities for people who struggle to enter the traditional market. It is a concrete example of how environmental, economic and social sustainability can be perfectly integrated.

The visit to Suikerterrein, a natural space dedicated to eco-sustainable projects, completed the picture: a true hub of green creativity where ideas take shape and are shared with the community.

The excursion to Schiermonnikoog, a UNESCO World Heritage Site measuring just 8 km by 13 km, is a living example of how to live in harmony with nature. Over 70% of the territory is a protected nature reserve, the island is almost completely car-free and mainly uses bicycles for transport, and is home to seals, migratory birds and unique ecosystems.

After being welcomed at the Town Hall and learning about the island’s characteristics, the students were faced with a real challenge: finding innovative solutions to reduce water waste in this delicate ecosystem. This exercise required creativity, technical knowledge and environmental awareness. In the afternoon, cycling through dunes and pristine beaches, they experienced first-hand what it means to live in a place where sustainability is not just a slogan, but a concrete daily choice.

It was not only the visits and workshops, but above all the international and collaborative dimension of the experience that added value. Working in mixed groups, the students shared different perspectives, learned to listen to each other, and found common solutions based on their different cultural backgrounds. The convivial dinners, such as the typical Dutch one based on Pannenkoeken, became precious moments to consolidate friendships and continue discussing sustainability in an informal way.

The last day, dedicated to final presentations, crowned this journey. Each group illustrated the solutions developed during the week, sharing reflections and learnings. The awarding of certificates marked not only the end of the experience, but the beginning of a new awareness: that of being able to be active protagonists of change towards a more sustainable future.

In these short interviews, the students tell us about their experience from their point of view and, above all, what new sustainable practices they are taking home with them!

Discover more about VETsdgs

Erasmus Days at the Sfp ENAC Veneto in Treviso

Erasmus Days have been a regular event at SFP ENAC Veneto in Treviso since 2013, when the school decided to join the mobility projects proposed by ENAC, involving an increasing number of students and accompanying teachers.

This year, the celebrations were held on Friday 16 October at the school theatre, where third-year students were able to learn about and appreciate the Erasmus+ programme thanks to the words and testimonies of Director Michielan, some accompanying teachers (Prof. Antonello and Pavan) and former students (Alessia, Alessandro, Eric, Tommaso), the Erasmus + programme: an unmissable mobility experience which, thanks to European Union funding, will take them on work placements in leading companies in an EU country next summer.

‘Travelling is living, travelling opens your mind, travelling changes you for the better as a person, travelling makes you grow humanly and professionally, travelling makes you independent’ are just some of the ideas that emerged from the passionate speeches of the speakers. We take these maxims to heart and pass them on as good wishes for all the students who, in the coming months, will face the selection process and leave in July.
Good luck: ‘Life is a journey, and those who travel live twice’
(ʿUmar Khayyām, Persian poet and mathematician).

REX VET: finally together in Estonia!

Imagine you are a group of people with a common goal who have been unable to meet to work as a team for over a year and a half.
Think back to all the online meetings you have had, all the connection problems, the overlapping voices, the annoying background noise…

Now imagine finally being able to sit down at a table with these people, look them in the eye and feel their enthusiasm as they talk about their work and the projects they are working on.

This is what happened to the partners of the REX VET project, from beginners to experts in the field of internationalisation. ENAC and its partners from Finland, Estonia, the Netherlands and Spain attended the three-day meeting in Kuressaare, Estonia, from 14 to 17 September.
The last time the consortium had the opportunity to meet in person was before the pandemic in November 2019, during the kick-off meeting in Bilbao, so the joy of being able to work together again in person was immense.

During the meeting in Estonia, the agenda was very tight. During the three working days, the consortium finalised the training modules and created the first open badges. However, the partners also had time to relax and discover Kuressaare and the island of Saaremaa.

Within a month, the consortium will meet in Helsinki, where a training event will take place. On this occasion, more than 20 teachers will participate, putting their international skills to the test with the brand new badges. Participants will also have the opportunity to explore the culture and atmosphere of Helsinki in the polar darkness. The first two days of the event will take place along the Baltic Sea coast, offering the chance to observe Finnish nature, and perhaps even swim in the sea and warm up in a sauna.

The third day will take place at Luovi Vocational College! Participants will also have the opportunity to visit a real Finnish school, famous for its PISA tests. It will be fantastic, for sure. We can’t wait to tell you what happens.

Early School Workers: from Brescia to Berlin

ENAC participated with great enthusiasm in the annual event organised by EfVET, which was held on 26 November 2021 in Berlin.

During the round tables, the Early School Workers project was presented, which supports the renewal of the vocational training system in Europe with the ultimate goal of tackling the problem of early school leaving and increasing the employability of young people in society.

After presenting the project and its objectives, project coordinator Luca Calligaro presented the results achieved in recent years, summarising the expected intellectual outputs.

Furthermore, on 29 November, ENAC took part in the event “Competenze, giovani e territorio” (Skills, young people and the local area) at the Brescia campus of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart.

The event was an opportunity to present the results of the Early School Workers project to education science students at the Brescia university.

It was also essential to reflect on how schools need to become more flexible in order to equip young people with the key skills that will transform them into active citizens and that will also be useful for entering a constantly evolving world of work.

For more information on the project: https://earlyschoolworkers.eu/?lang=it

A new beginning for ENAC: 3-H Project (Head, Heart, Hand)

ENAC was one of 65 organisations to obtain approval for a new European project entitled 3-H Project (Head, Heart, Hand).

The main aim of the project will be to tackle the problem of the high number of young people in vocational education and training who are demotivated or unhappy at school, a problem that has been exacerbated by the pandemic.

Tools, methodologies and, above all, an improvement in teachers’ skills in motivating and promoting “well-being at school” are needed, which is essential for managing and preventing early dropout.

Starting from these premises, the 3-H project focuses on socio-emotional aspects, i.e. the development of practices to promote MOTIVATION and WELL-BEING OF STUDENTS AT SCHOOL.

Specifically, the project will focus on:

Developing knowledge and methodologies to enable teachers to work on socio-emotional aspects

Outlining a strong model of reception, dedicated to the first months of students’ entry into vocational education and training courses

Developing/adopting good practices that promote students’ well-being at school (from reception onwards) and motivate students

Developing meaningful project-based learning experiences jointly between teachers and pilot class groups from various European VET centres, so that students and teachers have new opportunities to connect with each other, develop socio-emotional skills and learn content in an authentic and contextualised way.

Keep following us on our page facebook and instagram to stay up to date on the project’s development!

An international November for the CMC in Trento

November was marked by internationalisation for the CMC in Trento. Two major international projects were carried out, designed and developed with the support of ENAC.

Erasmus+ call for proposals in collaboration with Medien College Berlin

The first mobility programmes abroad for 2022 are also beginning to take shape! This time, six students from CMC Trento have been selected to take part in the ENAC+ 2 programme. The mobility experience will take place in Berlin at Medien College Berlin, from the end of January to the end of March 2022, coinciding with the curricular internship period for fourth-year students.

‘I decided to apply because I think it’s a great opportunity to step out of my comfort zone, improve my English and grow professionally as well as personally,’ says Yasna Pederzolli, one of the students who applied.

Arianna Mattar adds, ‘I decided to apply for the two-month internship in Berlin because I think it’s a great opportunity to grow mentally and, above all, professionally, and to understand what I want to do now and in the future.’

Virtual mobility with Koning Willem I College

From 15 to 19 November 2021, the first part of “So far but yet so close” took place. This virtual mobility project, in collaboration with Koning Willem I College, involved 16 Dutch students from class 2B and a selection of 16 students from classes 4A and 4B at CMC.

During this week of virtual mobility, the students were tasked with working remotely as a team to agree on all stages of garment production. The assignment involved creating a complete denim and leather outfit inspired by Italian and Dutch designers.

‘I enjoyed this experience. I learned a lot from this collaboration and improved my teamwork skills. I think this experience was useful and interesting.’

‘It was an intense week, full of new experiences, satisfaction, hard work and knowledge. From this virtual exchange, I discovered how to collaborate better with other people and also how to work faster. I hope to have the opportunity to repeat it.’

These are some of the comments made by the students at the end of the week.
All the garments created were sent to the Netherlands for a photo shoot. In the coming months, they will be presented at an official fashion show in Trento.