Erasmus+ Project: Improving ecological skills in vocational training through the recovery of citrus fruit waste
- Type Project
- Status Filled
- Execution 2018 -2021
- Assigned Budget 166.980,54 €
- Scope Europeo
- Autonomous community Comunitat Valenciana
- Main source of financing Erasmus +
According to the European Environment Agency (2016), agriculture has a direct impact on climate change, accounting for 10% of EU greenhouse gas emissions. Citrus fruit residues, mainly disposed of through controlled burning or crushing (for adding to the field), generate considerable amounts of influential greenhouse gases such as methane and nitric oxide. At the same time, employment in the environmental goods and services sector in the EU has grown by 20% since 2000, currently providing 4.2 million jobs (Eurostat, 2018). However, while there is a general consensus on the benefits of green jobs, experts highlight the "green skills gap" and the urgent need to improve the skills required for the eco-industry (EU Green Week, 2017).
- Home - Signing of bilateral agreements, preparation of activities and schedules
- Training of vocational training staff: preparation of a technical manual and a combined course for vocational training teachers
- Training VET students: Implementation of practical tools in the VET classroom and blended learning for VET students (due to the COVID-19 outbreak, two of the planned learning and teaching activities were delivered virtually)
- Closing: final evaluation, roadmap for future joint ventures
- Project management (cross-cutting): monthly reports, virtual and cross-national meetings
- Dissemination (cross-cutting): CitriVET website, social media, meetings... mainly aimed at VET students, VET teachers and potential employers
The overall objective of CitriVET has been to develop, transfer, and implement innovative practices that enhance agricultural VET studies by transforming citrus residues into bioproducts (essential oils, biofuels, and animal feed). To achieve this overall objective, the following specific objectives were defined:
- Promote the professional development of VET teachers by strengthening their skills to introduce the transformation of citrus waste into bioproducts into VET curricula.
- Strengthening the employability of VET students through high-quality international internships in the field of citrus fruit waste recovery.
- Strengthen the acquisition of key skills (English language, digital literacy) in agricultural VET studies, including for disadvantaged students.
- Enhance cross-sector partnerships to facilitate students' transition into the labor market.
Among the intellectual outputs produced by CitriVET, the following can be found: O1. Manual for agricultural VET teachers: The transformation of citrus waste into bioproducts. Techniques, methodologies and technologies O2. E-learning course for agricultural VET teachers: The transformation of citrus waste into bioproducts. Techniques, methodologies and technologies O3. Toolkit to promote participatory learning activities with agricultural VET students on citrus waste valorization O4. Agricultural VET students and transnational work experiences: Guidelines for innovative and high-quality blended mobility in the field of citrus valorization (as two activities were delivered online, a new section was created in this outcome to address this option) OUTCOMES AND IMPACT The implementation of CitriVET has contributed to: Bridging the gap between business opportunities offered by citrus waste valorization and agricultural VET curricula. Updating VET teachers’ competencies regarding citrus waste transformation. Facilitate new opportunities for agricultural VET students based on high-quality work experience. Strengthen key competencies (especially language skills and digital literacy) in VET. Promote the alignment of agricultural VET studies with labor market requirements.
- Coordinator/entity name: Valencian Community Foundation for a Low-Carbon Economy
- Postal address: Paraje Grutas de San José s/n, 12600 La Vall d'Uixó
- Telephone: 964652880
- Fundación De La Comunitat Valenciana Para Una Economía Baja En Carbón
- Área Europa scrl
- Asociación ARCES
- Escuela Profesional Alte, CIPRL
- Federación EFAS CV La Malvesia
- UNIVERSIDAD DEL ALGARVE
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