What is KeyNet, what did it achieve and who benefited?

KeyNet is a European project, funded through the Leonardo da Vinci programme, which addresses competence development as a means to increase employability. The competence refers to the promotion, on a life-long basis, of creativity, flexibility, adaptability, the ability to 'learn to learn', and to solve problems. Four countries are involved in the project: Germany, Greece, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

The project concentrates on the development of "key skills" with the target groups of young people (16 - 25) and for older unemployed people (40+), to give them a second chance to start training, get a job and continue learning throughout life.

 

So, what are the "key skills"?

The six key skills as defined by the UK government. The other three countries have not formally defined what they consider to be "key skills" and, when that point is reached, it may not be exclusively these six, but there was agreement among the partners that these transferable skills would certainly be included:

Communication. This involves taking part in discussions, oral presentations, producing written materials and the use of images.

Information Technology (I.T.). Preparing information, information processing, presenting information and evaluating the use of Information Technology.

Application of number. Collecting and recording data, tackling problems, interpreting and presenting data, using mathematical skills which are needed in the workplace.

Working with others. Identifying collective goals and responsibilities. Working to achieve collective goals.

Improving own learning and performance. Assessing your own strengths and weaknesses, identifying targets, following a schedule to meet these targets.

Problem solving. Learning to use different approaches to solve a wide range of problems.

The other skill partners felt should be included is Entrepreneurship, although it was agreed that this is a concept which draws upon of all the above key skills.

 

What have we produced in Keynet?

Trainer's Guide
This provides guidance for trainers who want to implement key skills training programmes. It is set in the context of how we learn and develop skills and intended for use in practice. It asks questions of trainers to encourage them to think about why they are using a particular training method and what could be improved to encourage trainees to learn more effectively.

Assessment Guide
This guide is intended to act as a additional reference for those using the Trainer's Guide who want more information and guidance on how to use assessment more effectively. It gives examples of assessment exercises for key skills.

Best Practice Guide
This includes exemplars of training in the key skills in all four of the participating countries. The training examples are taken from all contexts including schools, colleges and other training organisations.

Trainee's folder
This is an introductory folder for trainees to summarise what acquiring the key skills could do for them. A case study of Mathias from Sweden, who retrained and now has a career in web designing, is included.

Research reports on the TEPs (Territorial Employment Pacts) in Germany, Greece, Sweden and the UK
These give background information on the geographical area in each country in which the project was based. The reports include statistics illustrating the picture of employment in each of the four areas and the provision of key skills training as a means to increase employability in the target groups. These were produced early on in the project and have served to inform the development of the Guides. Those involved are clear about the nature and purpose of key skills.

 

For further information contact:

Sweden

Ulf Brangenfeldt
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Research Information Centre
ALA - Rural Development Centre
P.O. Box 7034
SE -75007 Uppsala
SWEDEN
Tel: +46 18 67 19 12
Fax: +46 18 67 19 80
E-mail: Ulf.Brangenfeldt@kontakt.slu.se

Laila Hellquist / Carina Hansson
Högsby Municipality
57980 Högsby
Sweden
Tel: +46491 29000
E-mail: keynet@hogsby.se

 

Germany

Birgit Stecker
Economic Development Corporation Güstrow
Am Augraben 2
18273 Güstrow
GERMANY
Tel: +49 38 43 236113
Fax: +49 38 43 236100
E-mail: stecker@twfg.de

Dr Reinhard Kastl
BILSE Institute for Education and Research
Langendammscher Web 2a
18273 Güstrow
Tel: +49 38 43 21 59 05
Fax: +49 38 43 21 59 27
E-mail: bilse-institut@t-online.de

 

Greece

Dr Fouli Papageorgiou/Nikos Stathopoulos
PRISMA
17 Empedocleous Street
EL-116 35 Athens
GREECE
Tel: +30 1 72 25 660
Fax: +30 1 75 23 669
Email: n.stathopoulos@prismanet.gr

 

United Kingdom

Kim Morgan, Peter Davies
Welsh Joint Education Committee (WJEC)
245 Western Avenue
Cardiff CF5 2YX
UNITED KINGDOM
Tel: +44 29 20265184
Fax: +44 29 20575995
E-mail: kim.morgan@wjec.co.uk
peter.davies@wjec.co.uk

Polly Woolley
National Rural Enterprise Centre
Stoneleigh Park
Warwickshire CV8 2RR
UNITED KINGDOM
Tel: +44 24 76690691
Fax: +44 24 76696538
E-mail: p.woolley@ruralnet.org.uk