Towards Variable-Access & Digitalization of Wellness Courses in VET

The project was conceived to tackle the COVID-19 outbreak, which was triggering unprecedented social and economic consequences. Readjusting established practices and day-to-day activities was fund...

The project addressed three strategic issues encouraged by the “Erasmus 2021-2027 Enriching Lives, Opening Minds” booklet: Digital content, technologies and practices; Initial and continuous training for teachers, trainers and other education staff; New learning and teaching methods and approaches. The main objective was to facilitate innovative, digital and inter-European collaboration to encourage Wellness and Cosmetology VET course providers, teachers and staff to learn from each other and to create new digital materials for distance learning in VET. By connecting international teachers to the European community, the project aimed to improve the digital learning process of VET students through the upskilling of key competencies while reinforcing strong, European identity and values. The project partners worked around the entire European Area, both at local, national and international levels and with Communities of Practices to maximise the relevance of the project’s result while improving the learning and opportunities of the target group. Overall, the project aimed to tackle COVID-19 consequences and create more innovative, inclusive, digital and open-access education in VET.

The project partners worked collaboratively to address the identified challenges and produce high-quality results. Teamwork played a crucial role in fostering a deeper understanding of different realities, needs, and perspectives across the European area. By considering cultural differences, educational methodologies, and the specific requirements of each partner country, we successfully engaged diverse stakeholders—including teachers, staff members, coordinators, tutors, managers, and learners—through focus groups, surveys, and evaluation workshops. This inclusive approach ensured the development of relevant outputs and their effective implementation. Collaboration between partners and these stakeholder groups was essential in refining and adapting existing tools and methods to align with evolving circumstances and needs. The creation of project outputs was a key focus in all transnational meetings, online conferences, and sessions, allowing continuous improvement and innovation while maintaining a strong impact on European learning systems. Additionally, integrating stakeholders from companies and training centres strengthened the connection between the educational sector and professional environments, enhancing both the dissemination and impact of project results. Complementing these efforts, we implemented an innovative strategy for sharing, promotion, and exploitation to further maximize the project’s outreach and influence. The project officially launched with an initial kick-off meeting in Brescia, Italy, on February 24-25, 2022, during which partners confirmed the planned activities. Throughout the project, several transnational meetings took place: Brescia, Italy – February 24-25, 2022; Thonon-les-Bains, France – June 15-16, 2022; Seville, Spain – December 1-2, 2022; Berlin, Germany – March 22-24, 2023; Helsinki, Finland – September 11-12, 2023; Joensuu, Finland – March 20-22, 2024; Toulouse, France – September 12-13, 2024; Brescia, Italy – December 2-3, 2024. In addition, 15 Zoom conferences were held, along with monthly sub-working group meetings between researchers and technicians from partner organizations, ensuring continuous progress on project results. The project followed a structured approach based on five main Work Packages (WPs), as outlined in the DWC Timetable Gantt (Annex). WP1 - Project Management (PM) – Feb 2022 till Jan 2025: This included project coordination, budget management, partner agreements, documentation (timesheets, reports), communication strategies, and overall project administration. These aspects were discussed during transnational meetings and online conferences, with all materials stored in the DWC Dropbox space: Link to WP1 Dropbox: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/ivzee37f4as034za4p10y/ABYrn9Ycb40Rl7fBWLfWO_c?rlkey=8br9vqy1dqa2r74kz6dd7ll4f&st=qabeuquh&dl=0 Link to TMs Dropbox: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/1vy3c9mxfonje1xxpn6fj/AJNghb9_xXZbNPzyAS0loMw?rlkey=apuv82zkd18sk1szzobyq0o1z&st=gstjclwi&dl=0 WP2 - Implementation (IMP) – Feb 2022 till Nov 2023: the initiation and brainstorming phase for project results took place during the first two months. This phase was then followed by Design & Development of R1 (April 2022 till Sept 2022) and R2 (April 2022 till Nov 2023). This phase took longer than expected as the realisation of both results required more effort and time to guarantee high-quality outputs in all partner languages. Professional differences in terms of technical approaches and jargon, were the main causes behind this extra effort. Link to WP2 Dropbox: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/jso0ano4dzdnpsi2x3zrz/APKJqys6Qoip02uKDUJjRFo?rlkey=op4of2jjtujytks2dnn0jedeb&st=yjdn76qm&dl=0 WP3 – Experimentation (EXP) – Dec 2023 – Sept 2024: the first couple of months of this phase include validation of experimentation strategy, pre-test versions and focus groups of both results. This was then followed by an internal evaluation by partners, who then began with corrective measures, translation and the validation of test results. By June 2024, partners were ready to test both results and finalise this phase with an external evaluation, corrective measures and final translations fine-tuning. It is fundamental to mention that both project results have then been translated into all project languages and pre-tested and tested in all partner countries. Five pilot studies were conducted in five European countries, engaging VET learners and professionals from Wellness and Cosmetology companies and training centres. Many participants came from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds, ensuring inclusivity and broad impact. Link to WP3 Dropbox: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/4tx1kym0vuk7ncjk4lxm3/AFmssuXD_5pWghTdrAVSF7Y?rlkey=v2l71zt3mhw1unx7mt3f5mvu0&st=migtv3cg&dl=0 WP4 - Quality Monitoring, Analysis & Evaluation (QMAE) – Feb 2022 till Jan 2025: to guarantee project efficiency and quality, we undertook ongoing internal and external quality monitoring based on 3 main roles. The Project Coordinator oversaw progress, supported by the Internal and External Quality Management Evaluators who conducted monitoring throughout the whole process. The final Internal and External Quality Management reports highlight the positive execution and impact of the project and its results (Annex) Link to WP4 Dropbox: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/qyiahan5ui362x2wsf6o2/APujJGiAVmBOfXdj7vrzG58?rlkey=wbwz97vt0y03jsppwf9g24gkk&st=3bry0exx&dl=0 WP5 - Sharing, Promotion & Exploitation (SPE) – Feb 2022 till Jan 2025: Alongside the activities mentioned above, all partners committed to a specific Validation of Sharing, Promotion and Exploitation Strategy to ensure long-term impact and dissemination. Therefore, project partners established multiple communication channels: DWC Website: https://www.cfpzanardelli.it/dwcerasmus/ DWC Gmail: dwc.erasmus@gmail.com DWC LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dwc-erasmusplus/ DWC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DWC-Erasmus-plus-105082992044187 DWC YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTCxr5H2rE7gg2_lzG4f7LQ DWC Community of Practice on EPALE: https://epale.ec.europa.eu/en/private/dwc-project-erasmus Moreover, partners disseminated project results, progress and updates via DWC Flyers & 7 Newsletters (Annex) and during the final Multiplier Events. Link to WP5 Dropbox: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/i0xcykbktm6lluj0hmigb/AOqlde3ztep2uE1JaNLQUmQ?rlkey=sszqmf2vc9posbcsmlpewefau&st=wjw8abye&dl=0 Link to Multiplier Events Dropbox: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/wytrrms5o8gi8evsaco1s/ABy1oXrzUB-xKZgxlf9kjKk?rlkey=5icyp35wmurehbi7xpmxasq0d&st=2lo6ln3o&dl=0 The dedication of all project partners, combined with the structured implementation of these activities, has significantly contributed to the achievement of project results, thus advancing digitalization in VET, strengthening international collaboration, and fostering an appreciation for European citizenship.

Throughout the project’s duration, two key outputs were developed: the Smart Variable-Access Pedagogical Programme (R1) and the Variable-Access Interactive eBook for Initial VET Wellness and Cosmetology Courses (R2). Both results contributed to the project’s main objective of facilitating flexible, accessible, and innovative remote, blended, and face-to-face learning solutions for Wellness and Cosmetology courses. The first result, R1, is designed for VET teachers and serves as an innovative pedagogical guide. It provides adaptable, variable-access teaching methodologies, practical learning resources, and insights into modern digital tools that support the transition to online and distance learning. It also includes guidance on communication software, editing tools, and other digital teaching aids to enhance the effectiveness of remote education. By offering a structured yet flexible approach, R1 empowers VET educators with strategies that ensure accessibility and adaptability in their teaching. This resource is available through the “Pedagogical Guide” tab on the project’s official website: https://www.cfpzanardelli.it/dwcerasmus/. Link to R1 Dropbox: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/snoodrcu2hhv9nzjmy712/ALVfu8P4hfCTYxLhYBul97o?rlkey=7qgmj8j65udts08256gohzqkj&st=sn63ib5s&dl=0 The second result, R2, is intended for VET teachers, course providers, and learners aged 15–18. It encompasses five structured learning modules covering key topics in the field: Manicure, Pedicure, Hair Removal Treatments, Facial Treatments, and Safety Measures. Each module follows a clear structure, balancing theoretical content with practical applications. Users can navigate through a table of contents, engage with learning materials, watch instructional videos, and complete final assessments/tests. This interactive eBook is also easily accessible via the “Courses” tab on the project website: https://www.cfpzanardelli.it/dwcerasmus/. Link to R2 Dropbox: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/krty8xm22j20grt4wlr2p/AG57fIjAwp_bNmTROptC2v8?rlkey=x506e61qvmcs3bji6xwg7yfho&st=23cth0fh&dl=0 Both outputs are fully digital, open-source, and available in six languages: English, Italian, French, Spanish, German, and Finnish. To enhance usability, they are also provided in editable formats, allowing users to tailor the materials to their specific needs or requirements. This flexibility ensures that the resources are not only relevant to Wellness and Cosmetology but can also be adapted for other VET disciplines. Additionally, these materials align with and complement existing tools developed by the EU, reinforcing their broader applicability within the European educational framework. By following a Community of Practice model, the project developed flexible, high-quality learning materials adaptable to initial VET students across diverse sectoral, linguistic and cultural contexts.