The piloting of practical work-based training

 
Practical work-based training at a company is a core element of dual vocational education and training. How can its benefits be made tangible, including for European countries which have previously only offered training that is entirely school based? This article explains the issue by taking the Erasmus+ project ICSAS (Integrating Companies in a Sustainable Apprenticeship System) as an example. The concept of practical work-based training was trialled and evaluated in shoe factories in Portugal and Romania during the course of a one-year pilot phase. The project partners in both countries have applied for official recognition of the dual method for the sector of the shoe industry. The Romanian education and training authorities have already implemented this request.