NARRATE - Narrative Approaches for Professionals Supporting People on the Autism Spectrum on Their Way to Employment

The main objective of NARRATE was to provide a comprehensive training pathway to addresse two key aspects of the work of VET professionals with PoAS: supporting PoAS on their way to employment in ...

The main objective of NARRATE was to provide a comprehensive training pathway to addresse two key aspects of the work of VET professionals with PoAS: supporting PoAS on their way to employment in their organisations (e.g. VET institution) and in-company (at a workplace). This is done by two training programmes: NARRATE In-House Training and NARRATE In-Company Training. The former equippes professionals to support PoAS in entering the workforce, while the latter prepares them to engage with and assist in companies. Both programmes are based on three pillars: - Training syllabus containing a theoretical framework and modules - Resource kit containing exercises and skills cards - Personal action plan providing VET professionals with guidelines on how to apply the syllabus and resource kit in their specific work contexts. An online learning platform (OLP) was created to host the learning content, which is accessible via desktop, tablet and mobile. As a result, it should also support: - Promoting inclusion and diversity by viewing PoAS as individuals with an alternative way of being. - Contributing to innovation and flexibility in VET by introducing new mindsets and methods for working with PoAS and other groups.

The following activities were implemented: WP1: Project Management A1: Project management A2: Quality & Evaluation A3: Sharing & Promotion A4: Impact & Exploitation WP2: NARRATE In-House Training syllabus, Resource Kit, Personal Action Plan A1: Structure & theoretical background A2: Development of the above mentioned results A3: Pre-Piloting A4: Final version of the NARRATE In-House Training program and translation WP3: NARRATE In-Company Training syllabus, Resource Kit, Personal Action Plan A1: Structure & theoretical background A2: Development of the above mentioned results A3: Pre-Piloting A4: Final version of the NARRATE In-Company Training program and translation WP4: NARRATE Online platform A1: Ontology & Semantics A2: Development of the platform A3: Piloting & Evaluation A4: Take-up & Mainstreaming In summary, all of the planned project management activities were carried out, including quality management, dissemination, impact and exploitation. All activities planned for developing the results were also carried out, including the NARRATE In-House and In-Company training, the Resource Kit, the Personal Action Plan and the online learning platform.

The concrete outputs of the NARRATE project were: Theoretical Framework describing the narrative approach and how in can be used in working with PoAS on their way to employment In-House Training Program with 4 units, available in: EN, DE, ES, FI, IT In-Company Training Program with 4 units, available in: EN, DE, ES, FI, IT NARRATE Resource Kit with exercises and skills cards for both training programs, available in 5 languages: EN, DE, ES, FI, IT Personal Action Plan supporting professionals in studying and implementing the NARRATE approach/materials in their work environment, available in: EN, DE, ES, FI, IT Online learning platform providing all developed results free for use online or for download, usable on computers, mobile phones or tablets. All deliverables were developed within smooth collaboration laid down in a Project Management Manual. The quality was ensured by a Quality plan with regular evaluations and reports. Dissemination and wider take-up were driven by a Dissemination Strategy, with adequate tools/channels, and extensive dissemination activities, reflected in the dissemination report. Future take-up, mainstreaming and exploitation are ensured through the Outreach&Take-Up plan and the Exploitation Strategy.