No abstract

One of the main challenges in sustainability discourse is its multifaceted nature often requiring that many different disciplines must cooperate in order to achieve progress. This issue also concerns sustainability education. In the article, we highlighted the experiences from the international cooperation of university teachers and researchers with highly diverse professional backgrounds who worked together on developing educational materials for university students in sustainability-oriented courses. The study is based on qualitative, participatory evaluation research, applying two rounds of open-ended questionnaires distributed to the same respondents (n = 18). For the analysis, we used the open-coding procedure for identifying the main categories. The results show some of the opportunities and barriers that emerged in the process of this cooperation. In particular, we discuss the issues related to the high heterogeneity of the group, such as the clashes of the different perspectives on the topics covered, group dynamics issues, trust, facilitation challenges, and also opportunities that such heterogeneity offers. We highlight the importance of open reflectivity in sustainability-oriented educational projects as the key to their successful implementation. Finally, we believe that results of this participatory study are useful in designing new projects aiming at further improvement of academic education in sustainability and sustainable development.

No abstract

No abstract

Starting from the current analysis of the garments industry's critical points, namely the skills deficiency with competencies in this field and its related occupations, the mapping qualification needs and WBL good practices for the Romanian clothing sector was performed. The activities implemented in Romania were desk-based research of existing education and training programs and field-based research through surveys and focus groups, in close cooperation with Romanian T&C companies and VET representatives. The results were attained based on a cooperation structure between partners (T&C associations, Technological Centres, VET providers) and relevant stakeholders (T&C companies, VET providers and qualification experts). Through the analysis of the questionnaires filled by the companies and VET providers, the most important technical competences for the clothing technician were identified. The new profile qualification will be more cross-cutting, more attractive and also with a high employment potential in the various kind of companies. This new profile meets the identified needs, the information provided is harmonized with the level of European competences for which school curricula or other national training programmes are not delivered any longer.