The ICT sector represents 4.8% of the European economy. It generates 25% of total business expenditure in Research and Development (R&D), and investments in ICT account for 50% of all European productivity growth. As a result, the global market has begun to change as it is now based on people with excellent knowledge of digital skills and practices. Unfortunately, in the European area, this development has not yet reached the desired level.
In our 15 years of operation, we have implemented a variety of different project connected to ICT. Under those projects, we have created tools used to learn and acquire new skills and competencies in the ICT sector. Here at IED, we are proud to involve our organization in such projects. Here is a list of the strongest projects that IED has implemented in the ICT sector:
TransForm@
Ε-commerce is a modern way to market goods and services through the use of ICTs, especially by capitalizing the advantages of the Internet; it is a really useful resource to reinforce or complement traditional sales channels. At the same time, it creates the opportunity and access for new and original businesses.
Thus, comes the need to exchange experience and knowledge with other European Countries and to implement new strategies in order to open new perspectives for commerce in rural areas and to train young people. TransForm@ project created a game-based training course for VET students. By simulating realistic business activities, virtually cooperating with people from other countries, the trainees improved their digital skills and developed their entrepreneurship skills; they experienced the international dimension of business and were faced with realistic work situations; they explored e-commerce opportunities in rural areas and approached the real work world.
RESTART 4.0
The technological development, as well as the growing readiness towards the use of smart devices, has changed the way we think, plan and produce. The introduction of digital models and solutions has led to the redefinition of the structure of industrial products, the technologies used to create these products as well as the whole supply chain. The digital revolution changes the organization in the industrial sector, transforming roles and competencies of many professionals. This evolution of European industries, which is supported by digital solutions, is referred to as “Industry 4.0” and it is basically the industrial era that we are currently stepping into. Naturally, this new era presents new challenges and needs.
Thus, the project addresses the mismatch that has risen between demand and supply of skills, as there is a growing need for employees to be re-qualified and re-educated in order to meet these demands. Overall, the aim of the project “Digital Training Toolbox to FosteR EU’S IndusTry 4.0 RevoluTion” –RESTART for short- is to involve the industrial sector directly in the transformation of education and training systems, in order to provide the means to teach digital skills that are consistent with the technological and industrial developments.
Triple E-dge
Two of the key competences for lifelong learning set by the European Parliament are digital competence and sense of initiative and entrepreneurship. The first one refers to the growing need to fully introduce digital skills in all fields of education and training, using innovative and student-centered pedagogical approaches and developing appropriate assessment and certification methods, in order for everyone to acquire digital literacy. The second one does not have to do only with people of the entrepreneurship world; it is rather the way of thinking creatively and innovatively.
Therefore, the project “Entrepreneurship, employability and enterprising in a digital and gaming environment”, or Triple E-dge, seeks to enhance the digital skills of people who are in one way or another involved in the world of enterprise, as well as their trainers, as they are the ones who first instill these skills and also help employers in identifying the digital skills that are pertinent in their sector. This will be made possible through the development of serious gaming, an innovative and fresh educational tool.
These three projects present IED’s expertise in ICT. Our list of ICT projects is very long and will continue to grow with every new effort to improve our skills and competencies, have better results and acquire more knowledge in the field of ICT.
