Implementation of computer-aided training for managers and employees in organic trade and development of qualification standards for employees of organic food shops.
Project Description:
The intention of the project is to develop a computer-aided training system and European standards for qualification of owner, manager and employees in organic trade. In the involved partner countries an analysis of education needs will be carried out or updated. Based on these existing concepts, methods and instruments for qualification of executives and employees in organic trade will compiled, assessed and defined as European qualification standards. After this their transfer having regard to different conditions in the partner countries has to be screened. Computer-aided training qualification units will be tested during a nine month course with fifteen enterprises of organic trade in Poland, Czech Republic, Austria and Germany. It will be established a cross national correspondence course network with online courses, CD-ROM based units, interactive forums and active support by tutors. Qualification concepts, curricula, teaching material, study software and documentations of European qualification standards will be published by print and electronic media in the languages of project partners and English. Additional the results will be transferred by information events, media and public relation actions, symposia, scientific and associations activities. Project executing organisation is Institute equalita in Germany. Partners are the federal association of organic trade BNN, Germany and VNÖ, Austria, the organic agriculture association of Czech Republic Pro-Bio and of Republic Slovakia Ekotrend, the wholesalers Pro Natura, Poland, AL Naturkost, Austria, Ökozervisz, Hungary, agricultural technical school Kazdanga, Latvia, Institute „Raupe“, Belgium and the German organisations Ökomarkt Hamburg, University for applied Science Hamburg, European University Viadrina and Berufsfortbildungswerk Thüringen.
Project Dissemination:
For transfer of results national strategies in the partner countries and a common strategy for European level will be developed. The participating enterprises und trade organisations will diffuse results in the frame of their all day qualification and practise transfer at and beside operational level to other companies, managers and employees in organic trade. The associations Pro-Bio, Ekotrend, VNÖ and BNN can assure the implementation of standards into their certification systems, in other partner countries the associations are involved by the partners Pro Natura, Ökozervisz, Technikum Kazdanga und Raupe. The educational institutes and universities will offer the results to other scientific institutions and educational establishments by their event activities. Further on Institute equalita and BNN are carrying out consulting and qualification in many regions of Germany and partner countries with a transfer of standards and methods into everyday practise. Transfer also will take place on national and European level by information events and public relation activities, transnational conferences, national symposia and active dissemination of print documentations and electronic media in languages of partner countries and English.
Project Results:
- European qualification standards for further education in organic food trade - The standards are formulated as European framework guidelines for further education in organic food trade, at which the national professional associations with their certification systems can orient themselves.
- „Organic Retailer Association“(ORA) - Organic Retailers Association - ORA - is a representative of European special organic retail trade and was founded in the frame of the Leonardo project Eco-Qualify to enable application of qualification standards. ORA creates a transnational network so as to implement the qualification standards for vocational education in organic food trade within a certification system working at a European level.
- E-learning system „Eco-Qualify“ with the basic knowledge for organic food trade - http://www.ecoqualify.O-R-A.org
©2006, Organic Retailers Association
