From 10 to 12 October 2023 took place the Regional Erasmus Week in Johannesburg, organised by the EACEA with the support of the EU Delegation to South Africa.
At Mundus, we are thrilled to share with you that our Head of International Projects, Béatrice Bellet, attended these international meetings to present her insights on the Capacity Building program in Vocational Education and Training. Her presentation drew from her experiences working in Africa since 2019, particularly with the SAAM (Supporting Alliance on African Mobility) project, and her current work in the Smart Step project.
Focussing on this CB VET project that aims to improve the training programs schools in Ghana and Cameroon, and to prepare students for entrepreneurship and bridge the gap between the education system and the labor market, she went over the various stages involved in bringing a project of this kind, from proposal to completion.
The Regional Erasmus+ Week in Sub-Saharan Africa
The Regional Erasmus+ Week in Sub-Saharan Africa served as a pivotal gathering for project representatives, individuals, and organizations eager to engage in Erasmus+ cooperation. The event also welcomed influential stakeholders from both Africa and Europe, providing an exceptional platform for knowledge sharing, valuable experiences, and the forging of new partnerships.
Some context about the Erasmus+ program
The 2021-2027 Erasmus+ program places a strong emphasis on social inclusion, sustainability, digital transition, and empowering young people’s participation in social life. Erasmus+ offers mobility and cooperation opportunities across various domains, including higher education, vocational education and training, school education, adult education, youth, and sport. It’s worth noting that countries outside the European Union can also participate in select actions of the Erasmus+ program. Events like the Regional Erasmus Week in Sub-Saharan Africa play a crucial role in effectively communicating and explaining these opportunities.
Sharing our experience on the Capacity Building program in Vocational Education and Training (VET)
Ms. Bellet shared her expert insights on the Capacity Building program in Vocational Education and Training (VET), leveraging her extensive experience working in Africa since 2019. Her involvement in the Smart Step project, from its initial conception and draft creation to its successful implementation, provided the audience with valuable lessons and a deeper understanding of the Capacity Building in VET program.
She emphasized the importance of collaboration and trust between partners, and highlighted the potential administrative and logistical difficulties that could arise.
Then, Prof. Bertin Soh Fotsing, the INTIME promoter in Cameroon, also participated online to share his experience as a partner in the Smart Step project. INTIME is a provider of initial studies, TVET, and continuing education in various fields, including agriculture, engineering, social sciences, ICT, business, and management.
About Smart Step
Smart Step is an Erasmus+ Capacity Building project in the field of Vocational Education and Training (VET) funded by the European Union. Its primary objective is to enhance the quality of training programs offered by VET schools in Ghana and Cameroon.
The project seeks to equip students with the skills needed for entrepreneurship, bridging the gap between education and the labor market. To achieve this, Smart Step forges a strategic partnership between African and European organizations, providing technical support and knowledge transfer to the private sector and civil society in the entrepreneurship domain.
The participating countries in this initiative encompass Cameroon, Ghana, Nigeria, Spain, Belgium, and Italy. Consequently, Smart Step stands as a successful example of Erasmus+ cooperation, extending its reach beyond the European Union.
