WORK-BASED LEARNING IN HIGHER EDUCATION
Work-based learning, also known as dual training or apprenticeship, is a system of training that combines theoretical instruction at a training center with professional practice in a company. It is a system of training which integrates work experience where the person concerned, the alternating student, trains periodically in a company and in an educational institution.
The Erasmus+ project “Introducing work-based learning in higher education systems of Armenia and Moldova for better employability of graduates” (WBL4JOB) aims to enhance partnership between enterprises and higher education institutions and to increase graduates’ employability through development and implementation of supporting policy, legal framework and generic, flexible Apprenticeships Higher Education Model (AHEM) with the ultimate aim of promoting the work-based learning (WbL) in Armenia and Moldova.
The specific project objectives are:
- benchmark analysis on main policy options of WbL, schemes and tools of apprenticeship in higher education in Europe;
- capacity building of staff from higher education institutions, Ministries and banks’ unions from Moldova and Armenia on policies, schemes and approaches of apprenticeship;
- development of National Policy for implementation of WbL in higher education systems of Moldova and Armenia inspired by the European practices;
- development of AHEM for higher education systems of Moldova and Armenia including practical implementation tool: undergraduate one year apprenticeship based programme “Specialized License in Banking and Insurance” (SLBI);
- development of the amendments to national legislations to support the implementation of AHEMs in Moldova and Armenia;
- promoting inter-regional network for long-term cooperation between HEIs from Moldova and Armenia and involved European countries.
The project brings together European, Moldovan and Armenian partners, representing academic environment, central public authorities, and financial institutions banks. A lead institution is the French University in Armenia. Moldovan universities benefit from the opportunity to discover the experience and good European practices in the field of work based learning development (regulatory framework, implementation mechanisms) due to the openness to collaboration of European institutions, among which Jean Moulin Lyon 3 University (France), University of Strasbourg (France), University of Applied Sciences Krems (Austria), European University Continuing Education Network (Belgium).
In Republic of Moldova part of this project are Trade Co-operative University of Moldova, ”Alecu Russo” Balti State University, Moldindconbank, Ministry of Education and Research of Moldova. The successful implementation of the mentioned Project will end with the National Policy for implementation of WbL in higher education system of Moldova, Concept paper and road map for development of the work-based learning (WbL) in higher education in Moldova for 2024- 2030, Guidelines for the implementation of the Apprenticeship based Higher Education Model (AHEM), Curriculum adjustment to the dual model for the undergraduate Program “Finance and Banks”.
