Sustainable Apprentices - Training the workforce of the future to apply the SDGs in SMEs through Work-Based Learning in Apprenticeship programmes

With less than a decade left to achieve the UN Agenda 2030, it's crucial to equip the future workforce with skills in sustainable economy, environmental protection, and inclusion. SMEs, comprising 99.8% of businesses in Europe and employing 97.74% of the workforce, play a pivotal role in this endeavour. The EU demonstrates strong commitment to the SDGs through initiatives like the European Green Deal and the European Pillar of Social Rights, aiming for economic and environmental sustainability alongside societal progress. Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) is highlighted as crucial by the UN to achieve the SDGs, emphasising cross-cutting competencies. Yet, in Europe, awareness and application of the SDGs among the public remain limited. Addressing the following identified needs is vital for ensuring a workforce equipped to promote sustainable development by 2030: - SMEs' demand for SDG-trained young workers to tackle future challenges. - Holistic approaches in VET institutions, encompassing environmental responsibility and broader SDG themes like inclusion and gender equality. - Lack of coordination between VET educators and in-company trainers to mentor apprentices with a unified vision.

Sustainable Apprentices aims at supporting VET teachers and in-company trainers to create new Work-based Learning opportunities to foster the implementation of the SDGs in SMEs through digital tools and Project-based Learning methods. The concrete OBJECTIVES that have been actually achieved were: -A transnational approach for the development of a new European ECVET Curriculum to support the implementation of SDGs in SMEs through apprenticeship programmes thanks to the collaboration of partners from Spain, Portugal, Italy, Ireland, and Turkey ensuring alignment with SMEs' and VET providers' real needs. -Train the workforce of the future with Green Skills and the SDGs to support the adaptation of SMEs to the current sustainable challenges and new economic demands -Raise awareness on the opportunities derived from the implementation of the SDGs in SMEs’ business strategies -Generate and develop SDGs project-based learning approaches adapted to different working sectors through Work-based Learning -Understand in practice the individual capacity of workers to promote sustainable improvements in society through their working environments. -Engage VET students, developing cross-cutting sustainability competencies through GAMIFICATION.