Creating bridges between education and the labour market for primary school kids from lower socio-economic backgrounds

The IMC Basis project, developed by Stichting IMC Weekendschool in the Netherlands, lets students explore different professions at school, bridging the gap between the education sector and the wor...

The IMC Basis project, developed by Stichting IMC Weekendschool in the Netherlands, lets students explore different professions at school, bridging the gap between the education sector and the world of work in the Netherlands. This project aimed to assess the transferability of IMC Basis to the Belgian education system, especially in Brussels. TADA conducted observations and engaged with stakeholders to evaluate its feasibility. The project's outcomes were presented at the STEP conference to inspire European educators to adopt similar pedagogical models.

Our project encompassed three main activities: Transnational Exchanges - Learning On Site: TADA organized three visits to IMC Basis classes in the Netherlands. TADA staff with pedagogical expertise observed classes on law, archaeology, and a reflection day. They conducted interviews with various stakeholders and assessed the strengths and challenges of the IMC Basis pedagogical concept. Project Management & Assessment in the Belgian Context: The TADA pedagogical team shared their findings through presentations to TADA leaders and teams. They discussed the potential transfer of the concept to primary schools in Brussels, acknowledging the need for adaptation due to differences in educational systems. A pilot project will be launched in a Brussels school to experiment with approaches based on IMC's knowledge and TADA's experience with vulnerable children. Dissemination at the European Level: TADA presented its research findings and insights at the STEP Institute's pan-European online conference, reaching a wide audience of education professionals.

This project yielded several outcomes: Presentations to stakeholders, both internal (TADA Weekendschool committee and team) and external (European audience at the STEP conference), summarized and evaluated the research findings. Collected input from IMC Basis stakeholders through interviews, which were analyzed to assess the feasibility of implementing IMC Basis pedagogy in Brussels primary schools. Enhanced expertise for TADA in bridging the education-labour market gap, leading to a planned pilot project in Molenbeek at the end of 2023 to integrate the labour market into traditional education. Strengthened collaboration between Stichting IMC Weekendschool and TADA, contributing to the successful implementation of the weekendschool in Brussels. Fostered collaboration between TADA and STEP, leading to the "Empatheatry" project connecting youth educators and theater workers to support youngsters from vulnerable backgrounds or with mental health issues.