eWBL
eWBL News
Stay up to date with the latest developments and milestones of eWBL (Work-based learning) project.
Empowering University Staff with eWBL Training in Italy
In the evolving education and employment landscape, remote work internships have emerged as a critical component for developing practical skills and enhancing employability. The European project "Work-based Learning in an Online Environment" (eWBL) is at the forefront of this transformation, advocating for effective remote or hybrid-model internships. At the heart of the initiative's diffusion in Italy is the Fondazione Giacomo Brodolini, which, in collaboration with the Ca' Foscari University of Venice and the University of Sannio in Benevento, has embarked on a comprehensive training program to equip university staff with the necessary tools for designing and managing quality remote internships.
On April 12, 2024, the Italian partners officially launched this training and sharing process at the Milan Luiss Hub for makers and students. Silvia Cannizzo, a social innovation expert at the FGB and eWBL programme Master Trainer, led the inaugural training session.
Training for the Future
The eWBL project aims to improve graduates' employability by providing university teaching and administrative staff with the resources to create structured and meaningful remote internships. The eWBL's training program focuses on refining the skills of those who support university internship experiences, promoting smart or hybrid solutions to enhance student engagement.
The training program is structured into different sessions, each designed to address different aspects of creating effective remote internships. Within the three sessions already delivered, the participants were able to discuss and practice in more depth the content included in the eWBL project's toolkit.
First Session: Mutual Understanding and Setting
The first session was dedicated to setting the stage for collaboration and understanding. Participants were introduced to the project and its partners, with ice-breaking activities fostering a positive and integrated atmosphere. This session also included the presentation of the project's initial research findings, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of smart internship experiences. A shared SWOT analysis helped define the essential characteristics of an eWBL, with participants using Post-it notes to collaborate on key elements and expected outcomes.
Second Session: Designing an eWBL programme
The second session delved into the intricacies of designing an eWBL. It covered labour market trends and insights from the "Future of Workers" observatory from FGB, focusing on the skills expected by the market and the evolving nature of digital competencies. Emphasis was placed on the importance of design, utilizing the various components and support tools provided by the eWBL Toolkit. This session also underscored the need for thorough planning in preparation for the assessment phase.
Third Session: Preparing an eWBL programme
The third session centred on the practical aspects of preparing an eWBL. Participants learned how to design and prepare internships using competency frameworks like the Atlas of Professions from the University of Turin and the European DIGCOMP 2.2 document. The session included revising internship designs according to competency definitions suggested by Le Boterf and highlighted the importance of preparation with support from the eWBL Toolkit. Effective communication strategies for engaging with businesses were also discussed, ensuring that participants could effectively relate their plans to industry partners.
Impact and Future Prospects
The training path developed by the eWBL project aims not only to update and optimize the tools, approaches, and communication processes used in managing university internships but also to validate a toolkit developed by all participating organizations. By focusing on smart and hybrid solutions, continuous market observation, and effective pedagogical techniques, the eWBL project ensures that remote work internships remain a valuable learning experience for students and a beneficial practice for universities and businesses. As universities and businesses increasingly recognize the value of remote internships, initiatives like eWBL play a crucial role in shaping the future of work-based learning.