Background

When new ideas are transformed into innovative products, a highly qualifi ed workforce is needed to produce and maintain these intelligent products. In the aviation sector in particular, basic and vocational training must, too, respond to these challenges. In addition, there are European safety requirements defi ned by EASA that must be met by all actors. Thus, in light of the existing variety of vocational education systems in Europe, addressing these challenges is particularly difficult.

In contrast to the realm of academic higher education, there has hitherto been nothing similar to the “Bologna Process” that has led to comparable systems in basic and higher vocational training in European countries. Although the qualifi cations and competencies of skilled employees are oriented towards the quality of certifi ed products in all countries, they cannot truly
be compared. Given that the competencies in various phases of professional training are fundamentally
diff erent, an exchange of personnel between the participating countries is extremely difficult.

In light of the impending shortage of skilled labour and demographic change, the course for a flexible and skilled workforce must be set today. Thus, the European Skills Hub for Aerospace aims to establish a network of Skills Experts in Europe needed to initiate international collaboration and new projects in the area of vocational education and training.

Objectives

1. To learn about the organisational structure of cluster management and the VET systems in the participating regions
2. To identify regional experts for qualification (qualification programmes) and to implement the topic of qualifi cation within cluster management
3. To understand qualification certificates and competencies in MRO and manufacturing
4. To discuss and define requirements for creating an infrastructure for international vocational training

The EACP Skills Hub meets in six workshops within two years (October 2013 - September 2015; cf p. 17).

Training content and qualifi cation certifi cates within the fi elds of Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) (with reference to the example of AMT) and manufacturing (with reference to the example of CNC operators) will be compared and competencies made more transparent. Criteria will be jointly developed to allow for the creation of unifi ed standards, to make training and in-service training systems more comparable, to create a cross-border starting point to match training content and industry needs as well as to establish international education modules. Solution concepts to address demographic problems will also be presented. Finally, the project aims to promote the mobility of specialised personnel by continuously developing the network.

By sharing good practice examples and learning about the structure in the participating countries, project partners are able to assess themselves and gain new ideas on how to improve their regional performance.