EKWALS Project
The current economic crisis is generating a paradigm shift in the European job market. The assumption that Knowledge Workers, irrespective of their education, are immune from unemployment is no longer valid. In such a context, adult learning needs to adjust to better cope with the double challenge of Ageing Knowledge Workers (AKW) who tend to have lower education and engage in less training than younger workers. Adults vary tremendously in how they acquire knowledge and one single adult learning solution cannot adequately address the diversity of adult learners. The situation is exacerbated by the peculiar needs of the ageing workforce and the need to ensure ‘flexicurity’.
EKWALS is designed to timely respond to the contingencies caused by the current economic downturn. EKWALS bridges the gaps by re-engineering adult learning solutions through the main project deliverables:
1. A set of algorithms to establish positive correlations among the variables affecting the learning propensity of Aging Knowledge Workers;
2. MISTRAL (the ICT supported methodology in five languages) to promptly identify the best possible combination of learning solutions for Ageing Knowledge Workers;
3. A set of three high quality modules in five language-versions to promote employability and entrepreneurship. Once validated, the three modules will be uploaded in the Grundtvig Catalogue.
EKWALS's Aims and goals are the following:
• To help improve the quality, attractiveness and accessibility of the opportunities for lifelong learning available within member states
• To reinforce the contribution of lifelong learning to social cohesion, active citizenship, intercultural dialogue, gender equality and personal fulfillment
• To help promote creativity, competitiveness, employability and the growth of an entrepreneurial spirit
• To contribute to increased participation in lifelong learning by people of all ages, including those with special needs and disadvantaged groups, regardless of their socio-economic background
• To promote language learning and linguistic diversity
• To support the development of innovative ICT-based content, services, pedagogies and practice for lifelong learning
• To encourage the best use of results, innovative products and processes and to exchange good practice in the fields covered by the Lifelong Learning Programme, in order to improve the quality of education and training