Helsinki Awards

During the Ministerial Conference a Helsinki Award was given to 10 Leonardo da Vinci projects for successfully promoting European cooperation in Vocational Education and training. All awarded projects were closely linked to the priorities of the Copenhagen process and included e.g. developing a credit transfer system for vocational education and training (VET), and producing support materials for enterprises for on-the-job learning abroad.

The projects were selected by independent experts in cooperation with the Commission. In all, 26 countries have participated in the projects awarded. In addition, a compendium, comprising more than 50 European projects addressing the priorities of Copenhagen / Maastricht was published.

An exhibition presenting the awarded projects was organised at the conference site. The Award ceremony and the exhibition aimed at highlighting the importance of the Leonardo da Vinci programme as a testing field for the strategies and priorities of the Copenhagen process.

WINNERS

Harmonisation of driving instruction in Europe
The project developed common curricula and contents for training of driving instructors.
www.ifd.szm.com

Workplace career guidance for low-paid workers
The project focused on enhancing guidance at workplace particularly in low-paid fields so as to give workers better opportunities to participate in initial and continuing vocational education and training.
www.workplaceguidance.eu

Support materials for on-the-job learning abroad
The project promoted the mobility of the European workforce by producing support materials for enterprises for guidance for on-the-job learning.
www.placementsupport.com

Recognising competencies in SMEs
The project developed ways of recognising and certifying learning at work and in everyday life. The aim is to develop a standardised European model to support recognitions of competence.
www.eso-csa.com

Development of vocational qualification transfer system
The project supported the mobility of students in vocational education and training by developing a system to ensure that on-the-job training periods abroad can be recognised back home.
www.vocationalqualification.net

Language-teaching materials for peacekeepers
The project produced language-teaching materials for peacekeepers and thus aimed at promoting language and cultural competency of peacekeepers in various areas.
www.linguapeace-europe.net

e-learning environment for aluminium technology
The project developed Internet-based approaches to pedagogy and produced e-learning materials including simulations of industrial processes in various areas of aluminium technology.
www.alumatter.info

e-learning environment for paediatricians and nurses
The project developed an Internet-based learning environment to support the continuing education of experts in paediatrics.
www.peditop.com

Recognition of skills and competence acquired in voluntary work
The project created a framework for recognising competence and skills acquired through voluntary work and thus supported the opportunities for lifelong learning in the volunteer sector.
www.eEuropeassociations.net

Development of competence of teachers of vocational education and workplace trainers
The project defined competence requirements for teachers of vocational education and workplace trainers and created competence profiles for the fields in question. The idea is to motivate and promote the continuing education and lifelong learning of teachers and workplace trainers.
www.cstrainer.net