More information
Description
The aim of the project is to develop vocational training in the aviation industry by preparing, evaluating and implementing innovative vocational classes for students using virtual reality, a professional platform for all those concerned, materials for teachers and counsellors, and holding conferences for the latter. The project is implemented by the Foundation Institute for The Development of Education and Entrepreneurship in cooperation with the Kraków Airport Aviation Education Centre, an Icelandic airport management company Isavia and a training company Simpro which specializes in virtual reality.
On the one hand, the project responds to the public’s unflagging interest in aviation and the shortage of hands-on, specialized knowledge about airport professions and, on the other hand, to the economic and social needs of the very dynamically developing field of air transport.
The target group is children, young people, students and adults, including teachers and career counsellors. The prepared vocational education activities will use CEL spaces and VR stations, prepared specially for the project, showing work in the restricted part of the airport. The vocational education platform will not only show aviation industry workplaces, but also the required competences and career paths. The educational materials will form a base of ready-made, valuable ideas for teachers and advisors, to which the results of whole project will be presented at a special conference.
The project will raise public awareness of employment opportunities in the aviation industry and the quality of vocational training in the field of aviation professions. The staff of the participating institutions have extensive experience in innovating in education, especially in the field of aviation, so the unique potential of their work experience and access to industry knowledge can serve the purposes of the project.
Summary of project results
The aim of the project was to develop vocational education in the aviation industry. Forecasts from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) for 2024 indicate that a record number of passengers will be reached (approximately 4.7 billion people), and airlines will earn over 25 billion euros. Interest in air travel is increasing year by year. The aviation industry provides over 85 million seats worldwide, of which only about 4% are employed by airlines. The continuous growth of this sector will generate demand for new workers. Therefore, this project is a direct response to the demand of the global market. Youth planning their career path require modern and unconventional forms of education.
the result of the project is innovative vocational classes utilizing virtual reality. A specially prepared, activating, and unconventional curriculum enables the instillation of passion in young people, and VR stations demonstrate the daily challenges faced by employees. Participants were able to peek into parts of the airport that are not publicly accessible. The accessibility of the project is also one of its most important assumptions. Therefore, a vocational platform was also created, which presents over 70 airport-related job positions in a transparent and enjoyable way. Teachers and counselors, who often cannot access specialized knowledge, are important elements of education. Thanks to the materials and the conference organized as part of the project, their knowledge was systematized and significantly expanded. 40 people participated in the conference in person, and over 200 followed its progress online. They were representatives of authorities, career offices, career advisors, and teachers.
During discussions with participants before the classes, they showed knowledge of only 3-4 airport-related professions (crew, pilot, controller, customs officer). After the classes, this value usually increased to 20-30. The vocational platform is very popular and inquiries about it come from career advisors and voivodeship labor offices even from the other side of Poland.These are the best evidence that public awareness of employment opportunities in the aviation industry is increasing.
Summary of bilateral results
Cooperation with an industry partner from Iceland, Isavia, was very beneficial to the project. The peculiarities, and thus also the challenges, of the aviation industry in Poland and Iceland are different, and it was possible to learn more about them just by establishing cooperation. This broadened the horizons of the Polish partners, allowing a broader view of the subject matter and its scope covered in the RPI. The project meetings, in Krakow and Reykjavik, inspired the other side not only in the thematic scope of the project, but also more broadly, in terms of the approach to industry education, work culture, employee well-being or getting to know each other''s beautiful countries - as unanimously confirmed by all participants in the project meetings. Further cooperation between partners in other projects and exchanges of experience is planned.