The project “Architecture Vocational Learning Network” was developed by five partners, among them: two architecture centers – Midlands Architecture and the Designed Environment (MADE) from United Kingdom and Colaborativa from Spain – two universities – Wroclaw University of Technology (WrUT) from Poland and Faculté d’Architecture La Cambre-Horta, Université Libre de Bruxelles from Belgium – and a vocational training organisation – Vuste-Envis from Czech Republic.
During the project this group formed “Architecture Vocational Learning Network” (one of the long-term legacy of this project). The network worked together closely, through the five seminars, each hosted by different partner, combined with regular on-line communication, blog posts, LinkedIn platform, mailing and video-conferences.
The partners collaborated on: investigating current issues of vocational educational training (VET) in Europe (effect in a form of a report), establishment of common approaches to VET in the field of urbanism, town planning, architecture, landscape architecture and other built environment professions (effect in a form of a report), actions on support for graduates entering the labour market (effect in a form of a report, lectures, debates, symposium), creating set of guidance and advice on VET for secondary school teachers, VET tutors, higher education public institutions and interns (in the form of a manual). In their own countries they also developed a number of local initiatives aiming to supporting graduates in the labour market, local communities of cities’ dwellers, workshops, trainings, collaboration with employers, exhibitions, local authorities and publications, etc..
During the project partners documented and researched learning from the mobilities, case studies, visits, interviews, surveys, debates, about different CPD’s, VET, counteracting unemployment, good and bad practice approaches in different counties. Perspectives from internship participants and tutors were analysed, as well as the internships placement situation in Europe. Main focus was also on problems of pupils, students, interns and graduates connected with their professional carrier choice and development during the global crisis in building industry.
Learning from each others experience, culture and exchanging knowledge, partners searched for and pointed towards best solutions which can be implemented in schools, universities and institutions all over Europe. These answers took into account: European context, employability initiatives for graduates held on universities, by architecture centres, in local communities and among young people, framework for placements, minimum common learning elements required in placements and guidelines for supporting graduates in the labour market and more.
Results and effects of this work were published in brochures (i.e. titled: „Architecture Vocational Learning Network. General Information” – both in printed and electronic versions), articles (printed and electronic versions), messages and press releases (printed and electronic versions), web sites, posters, but most of all in a vast document elaborated by the partnership titled: „Report of Good Practice for Vocational Architecture Training” (printed and electronic versions).
This publication contains: general information about project and participants, information on research context and elaboration on all aforementioned problems and issues that were analysed by all partners together. The report aims to offer a useful perspective for those involved in architectural education – as either a student or graduate or as a teacher. By bringing together best practice from multiple perspectives within VET, providing analysis for common themes and approaches and signposting initiatives this report aims to encourage closer links between VET and the world of work within the field of architecture and related disciplines.
The future development of pan-European “Architecture Vocational Learning Network” is planned by formal and informal contacts and activities formulated between all participating organisations, constant working on blog started during the project, as well as through the on-line tool “#EuropeanArchitectureNetwork – Map of pan-European Architecture Network of Initiatives”.
All aforementioned publications and interactive applications are public and free of any charge and can be accessed by project’s web site: https://vocationalarchitecture.wordpress.com/. Printed versions of brochures and „Report of Good Practice for Vocational Architecture Training” were sent to relevant institutions and distributed within the partners organisations as well as their colleagues and networks.
Vocational Architecture 