Sustainable quality management - to foster future-proof job skills of HEI learners

We applied for this project to address critical needs identified at two international Practice Enterprise (PE) network working sessions on: Future-Proof PE Working Group (13.10.2020) and Remote Working PE (28.04.2021). Participants from Austria, Belgium, Germany, Chile, Lithuania and other countries pointed out the main challenges: improving trainees' soft skills and digital skills, improving trainers' competences, modernizing outdated quality systems and promoting sustainable business practices. The OECD also emphasizes the urgency of retraining 40% of the workforce by 2025, with educational institutions adapting their curricula to real skills requirements. Our project aims to close these gaps by combining models of PE quality management with Higher Education Institutions' (HEIs) focus on future-proof educational tools. Through research-based teaching and innovative learning methods, we aimed to equip both trainers and students with important skills for future employment, promoting sustainable growth and better adaptation to the needs of the labor market.

The project aimed to establish sustainable quality management mechanisms in the PEs and to integrate future-proof job skills for HEI learners. To achieve this, an innovative web-based learning tool was developed for the application of the 10 future job skills, enhancing students analytical thinking, problem-solving and adaptability. The project introduced new quality monitoring models to improve PE activities and ensure structured evaluation and continuous development. Another important objective was to strengthen cooperation between higher education and PEs in the field of quality management in order to promote partnerships and knowledge sharing. The results of the project modernize the PE model, improve business simulations and provide learners with important skills for the changing labor markets.

The project has produced results that contribute to improving the assessment of PEs and cooperation between HEIs and PEs. The project has created a sustainable mechanism for quality assurance of PE activities while strengthening the competences of students and teachers and optimizing business management practices in PEs. One of the key outputs is the PE Activities Evaluation Process Management Guide, which provides a structured methodological framework for external evaluations of PE activities. The PE Quality Standards and Self-Assessment Tool was also developed to support internal evaluations and enable PEs to conduct systematic self-assessments and ensure compliance with quality standards. To promote long-term collaboration and continuous quality improvement, an e-platform for sustainable quality management was developed to facilitate standardized assessment processes and improve interaction between HEIs and PEs. The project has also led to results in the areas of education and professional development. Through the assessment of national and international PEs, students and teachers foster their innovation and problem-solving skills and gain valuable insights into their PEs, leading to improved operational management processes.