Be Connect

The joint project of the University of Osnabrück and the research institute (iftp) of the bfw “Be Connect”, funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), is led by Professor Dr Dietmar Frommberger and Junior Professor Dr Silke Lange. Its aim is to professionalise teaching and training staff in various areas of vocational education and training by linking vocational and academic education. By doing this, it also aims to promote connectivity and cooperation between different stakeholders and learning venues in (dual) vocational education and training, which is an essential factor regarding the quality of education.

Schools, companies and inter-company organisations employ a wide variety of educational staff who differ in terms of their qualifications and professional development. The project will therefore initially focus on researching this group and their needs for further education and professionalisation. This will be done by setting up a long-term monitor that will collect data on their working conditions, the challenges they face and their educational backgrounds, using both qualitative and quantitative methods. Based on these findings, online as well es offline training courses will then be developed for a new virtual academy. It is planned that these courses will be (partially) certifiable and creditable towards a university degree.

With the academy, Be Connect plans to offer a common vocational training qualification to a wide range of vocational teachers and trainers. This will give the different groups the opportunity to exchange views and experiences. In doing so, it promotes mutual acceptance and cooperation between learning venues. The project thus makes an important contribution to strengthening the equivalence of vocational and academic education for vocational education and training staff.

With the InnoVET programme, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) is funding nationwide projects aimed at increasing the attractiveness, quality and equivalence of vocational education and training. The programme managed by the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB).