"The ""VARE"" project aims to identify the requirements for assessment and assessors in vocational training programmes across the European Union to support the development of partnership working for the purposes of mobility in VET.At present, research has identified a lack of transparency in quality assurance in VET, especially in assessment and validation. Little attention has so far been paid to the roles and competences of people who carry out assessment, yet this can present barriers to recognition when crediting learning abroad. Understanding more about these issues would help to develop trust between education and training systems across Member States which in turn would help to underpin the transnational recognition of qualifications in general, and the implementation of ECVET for transnational mobility in specific. Focusing on IVET qualifications at EQF levels 3 and 4, the project would therefore seek to address the following questions:–Who carries out assessments for VET programmes and how? –To what extent are assessors required to hold specific qualifications, be members of a recognised profession, and be subject to regulation and meet specific standards of professional conduct?–What (occupational) standards, qualifications and learning outcomes exist for those who carry out assessments?–Are the requirements for assessors comparable between countries, and between parts of the vocational system within the same country? –Are there differences based on the type of system, the sector, or the country setting the requirements?The project will engage stakeholders involved in the assessment of VET, including further education colleges, VET colleges and appropriate regulatory authorities. The stakeholders will have the opportunity to report on the status quo regarding assessment and assessor requirements in their countries, it will also be possible for them to express their views concerning the current conditions and requirements, highlighting any issues and identifying the potential for improvement and change. The project outcomes are to include a comparative analysis of current requirements, as well as an online catalogue of the different member states' requirements with specific case studies highlighted to give examples of good practice. It is envisioned that the project results will lead to an enhanced understanding of assessor training and requirements in order to support increased mutual trust between VET systems. Ultimately, this should improve the standards of assessment in VET and the ability of competent bodies to validate and recognise assessment carried out outside the ‘home’ system and support the increased implementation of ECVET and mobility of VET learners in the EU."

Finishes and coatings are an essential element in the design and production of furniture. They determine both aesthetics and technical characteristics and functional features. They also require the review of legislative conditions related to health, safety at work and the environment.The latest innovations in finishing and coating products allow to reduce the environmental impact of the furniture, achieve greater resistance to scratching and abrasion, and meet current aesthetic requirements. At the same time, the innovations allow innovating in the final product and accessing new markets by presenting different furniture or carpentry elements.The main objective of the project is the transfer of knowledge of furniture finishes and coatings, to achieve an easier learning and a promotion of the final product innovation.Project Objectives:1) Transfer of knowledge of furniture finishes and coatings.2) Comparison of systems, finishing products and regulations between countries.3) Development of content and specific training tools in the field of furniture finishes and coatings. The joint development of the project with the participation of transnational entities has allowed greater scope and more ambitious results. Both the variety of finishing and coating products and the methods of application differ between countries: while in Estonia natural finishes, such as waxes and oils. are applied, in Spain, the United Kingdom and Italy mainly varnishes and coatings are used. The incorporation of necessary skills, knowledge and competencies on finishes and coatings requires a dynamic and fluid interaction between the FP and other actors within the innovation system at the transnational level. FUTUREfacing is based precisely on the joint work of VET providers, companies, social agents and technology centers with specific and complementary knowledge. The project consortium during its duration has developed:3.1) Intellectual products: A manual of finishes and coatings, a virtual varnish simulator and a specific database on finishes and coatings.3.2) Multiplier event: an international conference on finishes and coatings.3.3) Joint training activities for teachers.3.4) Dissemination activities: project web platform, conferences, newsletters, etc. The activities of the project have been addressed both to the students and teachers of FP as well as to the companies of the furniture sector and to the prescribers. Therefore, they have been invited to participate in all initiatives. In the case of joint training activities aimed at teachers, of the five scheduled days, one has been open to the general public. The results of the project are at all agents in the furniture's value chain disposal through its website. The manual has provided updated information about the products, the virtual simulator represents a unique opportunity to acquire or develop key skills in the application of finishes (as demonstrated in the different stays at educational centers) and the database allows to easily locate both products and suppliers.

Vocational and Education Training programmes can play a central role in preparing students for work and in responding to labour market needs, representing a smart and sustainable response to economic crisis and to decrease unemployment, especially for the wood and furniture manufacturing sector that is important for most of European countries.Start from this situation, WOODUAL project aimed at building up a strong and continuative partnership among different stakeholders in the manufacturing and furniture sector and experts in education and training issues in order to update and improve the current professional profiles in wood and furniture sector answering to the current skills gaps. At the same time, the project elaborated guidelines and new methodologies in order to open the road for a more extensive use of dual learning system. The target group to whom the project is addressed were students in vocational training path and young workers in wood and furniture sector. The project contributed to adapt curriculum and qualification profiles by investigating the technological and soft skills gap in the professional profiles for the Wood Treaters, Cabinet Makers and related Trade Workers, increasing organizational, social, emotional, entrepreneurial and technological skills and competences in VET students and workers. A cooperation framework between different stakeholders (especially enterprises/employers and VET institutions) tested to define integrated transnational dual learning models: one model would not fit every situation, but a core concept can be proposed, accompanied by a “modelling engine” to support adaptation to several sectors and countries. The project produced an increased cooperation and dialogue between VET institutions and experts, companies and policy makers and institutional actors, a shaped knowledge and vision on qualifications and training process in the wood and forniture sector, an institutionalized and effective partnership and transferable framework applied to wood and furniture sector to be transferred and adapted to other important sectors in which dual learning is significant and represents an added value. Finally the project produced an effective strategy supporting a better school to work transition and facilitating young people entering in European labour market, improving their competences, qualifications and mobility across Europe.The first part of the project is based on a comparative and systematic analysis of the state of the art regarding the training and professional profiles in wood and furniture sector. Desk research and qualitative methodology (semi-structured interviews) are adopted and two different report and studies are carried out: study and analysis on labour market trends in wood and furniture sector and companies needs and study and analysis on professional qualifications and learning system in the wood and furniture sector.It was created a WOODUAL Community with a double purpose: it aims at creating a community of stakeholder in wood and furniture sector being and at the same time it is a key reference point for all the stakeholder coming from other sectors interested in dual system learning path.The core activity of the project concerned the creation and experimentation of the newly design framework for international dual system in work-based programmes. This phase of the project was crucial and challenging as it requested a deep analysis to overcome the current situation of scarce use of work-based training. The project wanted to create a new and international model for dual learning system requesting the involvement of all the stakeholders interested to the process, especially VET institutions and employers. So the model was designed on wood and furniture needs and experiences and, even though it is clear that one model would not fit every situation, a core concept proposed, modeled and contextualized in order to be adaptable to various sectors, countries and type of education. The model was tested through the involvement of 18 VET students and young workers during the testing phase and national implementation plan was created in order to adapt the model to national contexts.The handbook for VET students and skilled manual workers and the training courses was developed as a result of the public methodological guide on the newly designed framework.WOODUAL project wanted to be just the first step of a European joint effort to handle high youth unemployment rates through a common learning-training-working reference. The intent was to create an impact that was last beyond the end of this project by making the research and the developed model available also for those coming from different sectors.