Improving Opportunities for Older People in Work and Community Activity

Author(s):

Panayiotis Angelides(presenting / submitting)

Conference:

ECER 2012

Network:

02. Vocational Education and Training (VETNET)

Format:

Paper

Session Information

02 SES 06 A, Digital Support For Learning: Perspectives For VET And Adult Learners

Parallel Paper Session

Time:

2012-09-19

15:30-17:00

Room:

FCT - Aula 21

Chair:

M'Hamed Dif

Contribution

In this paper the findings of a two year project funded by the EU will be presented. The main idea of this project is to support the creation of age integrated society, help 50+ workers to get a chance for active ageing as active participants in an age-integrated society and ageing well at work, at home and in their communities. The main goal of the project is: through newly developed e-learning courses, awareness raising and dissemination activities to increase knowledge, skills, competence and understanding of the direct target groups 50+ workers, HRD managers, educators, and trainers in order to improve the position of 50+ workers in the labor market and society. Within this project we investigated the situation of 50+ workers, HRD policy implemented for this age group in companies, and education and training methods used. Based on the in 5 project partner countries (Slovakia, Cyprus, UK, Austria, Greece) findings the blended courses for 50+ workers, HRD managers and educators were developed and tested in four languages – English, Slovak, German, and Greek. With such approach we reinforced the contribution of Lifelong Learning to social cohesion, gender equality and personal fulfilment of 50+ workers, contributed to increased participation in lifelong learning by people of all ages, and supported the development of innovative ICT-based content. Project activities also contributed to creation of favorable environment for 50+ workers through its dissemination and awareness raising activities focused at the indirect target groups: public administrators, labor offices, trade unions, social services providers.

Method

We analysed the present situation in the field of lifelong learning, workability and employability of 50+ workers in the partner countries through questionnaires and document analysis. Data from 90 questionnaires (30 for each target group) were collected and analysed, a report for each country was prepared and then a comprehensive report was prepared. Three blended courses were developed for the three target groups. The courses were tested and implemented.

Expected Outcomes

According to the main project goals we expect several direct and indirect impacts of the project. Firstly, the direct impact on the main project target groups – improvement of the competence, knowledge and skills through the newly developed blended courses: - 50+ workers will get a change to understand and learn how to improve their workability and employability, they will become more aware about the role they can possibly play in their companies in the field of intergeneration education and in company training - HRD managers will learn how to work with their ageing workforce for the mutual benefit of the companies and 50+ employees; they will learn which working tools they can apply - Teachers and trainers from the formal and non-formal educational institutions will learn how to work with 50+ workers. As the new courses will combine e-learning with the face to face sessions project will directly support to development of innovative ICT-based content in for lifelong learning. This approach will help to improve study skills for working in virtual learning environment and with ICT will foster the direct impact on all target groups.

References

Bass, S., Caro, F. Chen, Y. (Eds) (1993). Achieving a productive aging society. West-port, CT: Auburn House. Cabinet Office (2000). Winning the generation game. London: The stationary Office. European Commission (1998) The ageing population and technology: Challenges and opportunities. Brussels: European Commission European Commission (1999). Towards a Europe for all ages. Brussels: European Commission. Walker, A. (2002). A strategy for active ageing. International Social Security Review, 55(1), 121-138.

Author Information

Panayiotis Angelides (presenting / submitting)

University of Nicosia, Cyprus

Update Modus of this Database

The current conference programme can be browsed in the conference management system (conftool) and, closer to the conference, in the conference app.
This database will be updated with the conference data after ECER.

Search the ECER Programme

Search for keywords and phrases in "Text Search"
Restrict in which part of the abstracts to search in "Where to search"
Search for authors and in the respective field.
For planning your conference attendance, please use the conference app, which will be issued some weeks before the conference and the conference agenda provided in conftool.
If you are a session chair, best look up your chairing duties in the conference system (Conftool) or the app.