13 January 2025, Nuenen, the Netherlands — Electude, in partnership with Technova College, has played a pivotal role in the Future VET Skills program—an Erasmus+ initiative aimed at equipping trainers in Egyptian vocational schools with highly sought-after technical and soft skills. Electude’s interactive learning materials, advanced digital tools, and high-voltage training aids facilitated the training and assessment of trainers by Technova College, helping to shape the future of technical education in Egypt.
The Future VET Skills program
Co-funded by the European Union, the Future VET Skills program is part of a broader effort to advance vocational education and training (VET) and address the growing workforce demands in Europe. As the educational sector most aligned with the labour market, VET equips students with practical skills for specific occupations, enhancing their employment prospects and meeting market needs.
According to the European Centre for the Development of Vocational (Cedefop), recent VET graduates boast an average employment rate 13.3 percentage points higher than their counterparts from general education programs in UE. This number is even higher in Germany (27.2), where the dual education system is renowned for its innovative approach, combining theoretical learning with hands-on training.
The Future VET Skills project sought to address technical and soft skills gaps in Egyptian vocational schools, where the dual education system has been only recently introduced. By offering innovative teaching methods and tools, practical skills, and internationalization opportunities, the program aimed to empower a new generation of automotive technicians in Egypt while addressing the growing demands of the European market. It was officially launched on March 16, 2023, with a kick-off event in Egypt. Local representatives from the education sector and the project’s key partners—SIS Middle East, Technova College, Bildungs Werkstatt Chemnitz, and the Ghabbour Foundation—were present.
The role of Technova College and Electude
Technova College, a modern vocational MBO school in the Netherlands, was invited to offer its expertise in automotive technology, particularly in Electric Vehicles (EV), in an intensive training course. The college used the Electude Future VET Skills LMS to select three technical trainers from the 20 candidates provided by the Ghabbour Foundation.
On September 14, 2024, the selected Egyptian trainers embarked on a 10-day visit to the Netherlands. Their program combined knowledge exchange, technical education, and cultural experiences. The focus in motor vehicle training was on EV technology, emphasizing the NEN 9140 standard.
Participants engaged with Electude’s LMS and high-voltage training aids, culminating in a practical exam where they successfully de-energized a vehicle according to NEN 9140 guidelines.
Laurens Veldjesgraaf, an Instructor of Motor Vehicle Technology at Technova College, remarked, “The participants were very impressed by the integration of theory and practice within the LMS. Beautiful clear images and animations combined with the practical training aids.”
The Egyptian trainers also explored Technova College and its diverse educational offerings. In addition, they visited prominent companies in the motor vehicle and mechatronics sectors to gain industry insights. Cultural activities, including museum visits and dinners, enriched the experience and fostered bonds among the participants.
Looking ahead
The program concluded with all three trainers successfully completing the training and receiving certificates of participation. “The bond that was created during this ten-day visit has ensured that we still keep in touch with each other. At the moment, work is still being done on an annual recurring competition between the students of the three participating trainers. And, of course, we look forward to the conclusion of this project that will take place in Egypt in the near future,” said Laurens Veldjesgraaf.
The Future VET Skills project is a testament to the transformative potential of international partnerships in vocational education, and Electude is proud to have contributed to this remarkable initiative.