The project will be represented at the 5th Technology Transfer Exhibition - Patras Innovation Quest (Patras IQ) which will be held on 27th, 28th and 29th of April 2018, at the Athletic Center "D. Tofalos" in Patras, and it is co-organized by University of Patras, the Ministry of Education, Research & Religious Affairs, the Ministry of Economy & Development, the Chamber of Achaia, the Region of Western Greece, the Hellenic Open University and the Technological Educational Institute of Western Greece. Its main objective is to create a critical competitive advantage both in the research community as well as in the productive sector, through a constant effort to solve problems and apply innovative ideas for the development of new products and services and the optimization of existing ones, which aspire to conquer a part of the national and global market.
Data Science (DS) and Internet of Things (IoT) have been recognized as the technologies among the key drivers of change regarding the skills and competences required by IT professionals. The forecasted skills’ gap together with the rapid and continuous evolution of DS and IoT technologies and their broad application at many economy’s sectors make the skills required by the related occupational profiles increasingly sophisticated, and the need to be constantly updated imperative.
The Sector Skills Alliance for the design and delivery of innovative VET programmes to Data Science and Internet of Things professionals (SEnDIng) project aims to address the skills’ gap of Data Scientists and Internet of Things professionals and provide them with knowledge, skills and competences that meet the labor market needs. To achieve this goal, SEnDIng will develop and deliver to the two aforementioned occupational profiles two learning outcome-oriented modular VET programmes using innovative teaching and training delivery methodologies. Each VET program will be provided according to the blended learning model incorporating a strong work based learning component. Furthermore, a common reference scheme of competences, skills, knowledge and proficiency levels needed by DS and IoT professionals will be designed in accordance with European frameworks (European eCompetence Framework and ESCO), together with a certification scheme following the ECVET framework, to ensure that the produced results will be transferable and recognized among European countries.
The SEnDIng alliance brings together twelve partners coming from Greece (University of Patras, Greek Computer Society, Olympic Training and Consulting, Yodiwo, Mixanografiki, Unicert), Bulgaria (Bulgarian Association of Software Companies, European Software Institute - Center Eastern Europe, Code Runners, Nemetschek), Cyprus (University of Cyprus) and Ireland (Universal Learning Systems) with different profile, expertise and culture (higher education institutes, VET providers, IT associations, SMEs and a certification body) that share a common vision: to provide the European labor market with high qualified Data Science and Internet of Things professionals.
During the project’s kick-off meeting which took place in Patras, Greece, on 31st January and 1st February 2018 the project was presented to the partners and many fruitful discussions took place for the smooth start of the project and its implementation according to the defined timetable.
SEnDIng is a 3 year project coordinated by University of Patras, Greece and co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union. It started on 1st December 2017 and will end on 30th November 2020.
