Migrant Inclusion through Education and Skills Validation in Europe

We applied for the INNOVA project to address critical gaps in the integration and support of adult immigrants in Europe. Our primary aim was to enhance the training and preparation of adult educators and trainers, enabling them to effectively meet the needs of migrants and support their integration into local contexts. This project also sought to assist adult immigrants at risk of social exclusion by aiding their integration into the labor market, recognizing and validating their previously acquired skills, and developing their employability competencies. By fostering innovative practices and promoting cross-border cooperation, we aimed to improve the skills of educators, support migrant integration, and create a robust framework for skill validation that could be replicated across different contexts. This initiative was driven by the shared experiences and observations of our partner organizations, which highlighted the pressing need for better resources and support for both migrants and educators.

The primary goals were to develop innovative methods to enhance the skills and capacities of adult educators and to facilitate the social and professional integration of migrants. We aimed to equip adult educators with the necessary tools and methods to assess, recognize, and validate migrants' skills and competencies. This includes both soft and hard skills crucial for the educators’ professional development and effectiveness in their roles. Additionally, we sought to facilitate migrants' social integration and employability by developing a process for recognizing and validating their qualifications and competencies, providing them with equitable access to learning opportunities and improving their prospects in the local labour market. We also aimed to enhance interregional and international cooperation within the education sector, fostering a network for professional exchange and mutual learning across borders. This collaboration is essential for sharing best practices and creating an approach to migrant education and integration.

Transnational Meetings: Several project meetings, including a Kick-off, a ReSkill Methodology Meeting, and an Intermediate Monitoring and Testing Meeting, were organized. These facilitated workshops, investigations, and presentations, promoting partnership building and progress assessment. During intensive phases, we held monthly and sometimes weekly online meetings. Educator Training Phases: Preparation Phase: Setup and initial training sessions. Adult Educators Training: Sessions to equip educators with necessary skills for migrant education. Testing Phase: Evaluations to refine methodologies. ReSkill Final Setting: Final adjustments and implementation. Website Development: An online platform for project dissemination and application. Dissemination and Evaluation: Activities included documentation, reporting, and dissemination of project results at various levels. The project also managed event logistics, constructed local networks, and ensured ongoing evaluation and adaptation of strategies. Comprehensive project management and implementation efforts supported these activities, ensuring all initiatives were executed effectively.

All are solo available on the website www.innovaproject.eu 1. Developed and implemented the "ReSkill" methodology, a comprehensive approach to assessing and validating the skills and competencies of migrants. This methodology was designed to equip adult educators with the tools needed to effectively support migrant integration into the workforce and society. 2. Trained educators and related professionals in the use of the "ReSkill" methodology. The training programs also included practical instructions and the use of complementary ICT tools to enhance the learning experience and effectiveness of the methodology. 3. Created and executed tools for the evaluation of migrants' skills, contributing to better integration and recognition of their competencies in their new environments. 4. Website to disseminate the project results and provide access to the "ReSkill" methodology and training materials, ensuring sustainability and wider reach. 5. Multiplier events to share the project's methodologies and results with a broader audience, 6. The German Vocational School (WBK Unna) have now integrated the “ReSKill” method into the curricula for the 7 International classes with migrants and refugees and adopted it as a standard.