Green VET Choices - Fighting climate change and fostering innovation by increasing interest in green VET professions through empowering digital storytelling

<< Background >>Green VET Choices tackled the urgent global challenge of climate change, which affects millions and causes natural disasters worldwide. With the EU's initiatives like the EU Green Deal and the 2021 EU Climate Law, partners’ goal aligns with achieving a climate-neutral economy by 2050. The project addressed the need for innovative learning methodologies to increase green skills and interest in green vocational education and training (VET) by increasing the attractiveness and awareness of environmentally-friendly VET career options and fostering required green & digital skills. By promoting VET careers in green technologies, entrepreneurship and eco-friendly industries, partners aimed to foster a healthier environment and green growth in Europe. The consortium of 8 partners from 6 countries (AT,CY,IE,IT,PT,SI) is dedicated to creating impactful project results, including a Survey Report, Virtual Portal and Digital Model. This collaboration ensured diverse expertise and practical input, benefiting VET learners, trainers and wider stakeholders. Green VET Choices ultimately aimed to raise awareness and empower individuals to incorporate sustainable practices into their professional lives.<< Objectives >>By implementing the Green VET Choices project, partners aimed to raise awareness of urgent environmental challenges and foster interest in green VET careers. Project Objectives included increasing awareness of innovative green professions and related VET opportunities, thereby meeting labor market and societal demands for these professionals. We sought to engage current and potential VET learners through an innovative learning approach that combines environmental topics and green VET, enhancing their excitement and participation in combating climate change. The project focused on developing green and digital skills, offering career guidance, and providing accessible, non-formal learning opportunities. Additionally, the consortium aimed to raise environmental consciousness, empower learners through informed choices and promote environmentally friendly lifestyles. Project Results support VET professionals and learners, showcasing promising green career options and contributing to innovation in vocational education and training.<< Implementation >>To achieve the Project Objectives the consortium implemented these activities. Initially, 88 VET learners and professionals participated in field surveys through focus groups(R1) and provided feedback for the Transnational Survey Report, a 178 P. document in EN examining the environmental situations in partner countries.In November 2022, 16 staff participated in a short-term training event to share essential knowledge and skills for developing R2 and R3. The Green VET Choices Virtual Portal(R2), including an app version, was then developed with VET learners contributing green stories.The pilot testing, conducted in all partner countries from winter to spring 2024, involved 532 VET learners to gather feedback for improvements.Finally, partners created the R3-Digital Model, a 139 P. professional online magazine in all partner languages.The magazine included innovative methodologies, expert articles and profiles of green VET jobs and was tested by 60 VET professionals at EU level.To conclude, 8 multiplier events (3 in IT) were held at the project's end across all partner countries to ensure the valorization of project results, involving 269 participants at EU level.<< Results >>CONCRETE RESULTSR1Survey Report: VET learners and professionals engaged in focus groups to examine the environmental situation in partner countries.Available in EN and as Executive Summary in partner languages.R2Virtual Portal(available also as an app): Is an open and participative learning environment using a motivating storytelling approach to explore green careers. It fosters digital skills through challenge-based scenario stories and provides users with a career guidance system in green professions.R3Digital Model: A professional magazine and a key segment video anthology introducing the innovative methodologies and didactical concepts applied in the project.Supports the career guidance by presenting green job profiles and relevant soft,green and digital skills.OTHER RESULTSPromotion and Sharing Strategy, Exploitation and Sustainability Strategy, dissemination materials, Quality Management Handbook and reports.Green VET Choices also had an EXTENDED IMPACT on:Direct participants: VET staff were empowered to advocate for green VET and VET learners were encouraged to pursue green careers.Partner organisations and associated partners: Received innovative teaching material to engage their learners in green VET careers.