From Education to Employment
Call for Proposals – Pilot Areas
Work Based Learning Programme
Guidelines for applicants
Contracting authority:
The first call:
Deadline for submission of full applications:
IP Consult
10 May, 2017
10 June, 2017
“From Education to Employment” (E2E) Program is financed by the Swiss Development
Cooperation and implemented by IP Consult. The project tests different youth
employability enhancement models in Novi Pazar, Knjaževac, Pirot, Kruševac and
Kragujevac through promotion of public-private development partnerships (PPDP)
between public institutions, businesses and training providers and support to trainings
that address the skills gaps at the local labor market. In the five pilot areas, local
mediators act as main partner organizations of E2E.
Purpose of the Call
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The E2E Programme facilitates the development of Work Based Learning (WBL) courses, to
promote and test dual training approaches in the five selected pilot areas (Knjazevac, Pirot,
Krusevac, Novi Pazar and Kragujevac).
WBL courses that alternate between the vocational school and workplaces in companies,
provide opportunities to combine theory and practice, and it allows students to learn in real-life
situations and become part of a company and working culture.
The implementation of the WBL model will be expanded and intensified by means of a
selection of courses with perspective of employment for the young training participants.
Best practices of WBL models will provide feedback to the national dialogue on VET policies and
reform.
E2E programme relies on experiences from the Swiss PPDP experience of dual-track VET, which
shows that a demand-driven education, where employers and school share the education, is
more effective in terms of employability than the current supply-driven VET model in Serbia.
1
Background and objectives
1.1 Context
The position of youth on the weak Serbian labor market is considerably difficult. In the past years, youth
are the only major demographic group that have played virtually no role in the labor market recovery
processes. Despite the high youth unemployment rate, there are also great indications of
discouragement: 20% of youth (up to 24% within 15-29 years old in 2015 according to recent ILO
studies) are Not in Employment, Education or Training (NEET). During the last decade, youth inactivity
increased continually from nearly 67% in 2008 to 72% in 2014.
Many inactive young people have neither work experience nor practical skills and being trapped in longterm unemployment which further diminishes their prospect of activation and employment. Proven
records from the National Employment Service and other recent youth labour market studies have
documented that many unemployed young people have no further qualifications than primary
education, while more than a half of all unemployed young people have secondary education level. This
implies that young people often lack the required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities/Attitude (SKA) and
results in a low employability. The education system and the private economic sector are not yet able to
effectively support the entry of young people to the world of work.
One reason for the difficult work integration is the focus on the transfer of academic knowledge at all
levels of education. Many young people coming out of the education system haven’t developed
practical competences that are essential for their active participation in the labour market. Mainly the
Vocational Education and Training (VET) system is not sufficiently oriented towards the requirements of
the labour market and therefore not perceived as attractive. Pupils of secondary schools hardly get
opportunities for work-based learning in companies. The curricula are usually not based on up-dated
occupational profiles that are designed in cooperation with the companies. Furthermore, the system is
chiefly limited to formal education, while non-formal education and life-long learning are hardly used as
instruments for the skills development. Thus, the matching process to link the supply (jobseekers) with
demand (employers) is very weak.
1.2 Work-Based Learning
Learning from the Swiss experience of dual-track vocational training and education (VET), the E2E
facilitates trainings with Work-Based Learning (WBL): courses that alternate between the school and
workplace in a company, provide opportunities to combine theory, practice and structured teaching onthe-job, and allows students to learn in real-life situations and become part of a company and working
culture. WBL can motivate unemployed, provides contacts to employers and can increase the chances of
getting a job. Additionally, WBL is a way to develop new skills in a more interesting and relevant way
than classroom-based training, particularly for people who have low levels of education.
All courses supported through this call, will be based on up-dated occupational profiles that companies
from the pilot areas will develop, as well as on the major SKA needs. It promotes a demand-driven
education with shared responsibility of both the employers and the schools, in contrary to the current
supply-driven VET model in Serbia.
The application of WBL in both the formal and non-formal training system is paying off: Companies will
reduce the training costs, profit from employees with practical and up-dated skills and knowhow, and –
based on proven evidences - tend to be more productive, more profitable and more innovative. They
are better at using employees’ knowledge to improve product quality and customer service; and they
have a lower staff turnover.
Innovative training providers and companies in Serbia are in the focus of E2E intervention: secondary
VET schools that offer also non-formal trainings, and training providers that only offer programs out of
the formal system. Addressing a high number of committed training providers and companies and
developing with them good examples of trainings, makes out the key strategic approach of E2E to
enhance companies as driving force towards the desired change and explicitly towards dual-track VET
and an effective non-formal training market.
To do the right selection of participants, partnerships between training providers and companies are
expected, together with civil society and relevant institutions that are interested to train young people.
Participants of such training courses can be any young people that meet the requirements set by the
training provider and companies. Therefore, the selection of participants can be but doesn’t have to be
based on pre-qualifications. For some trainings, participants must have certain vocational qualifications;
for others, also pupils of VET schools, drop-outs or unqualified youth with relevant working experience
can attend. Training providers shall train those young people that most likely can find a job afterwards,
thanks to new relevant skills and direct to potential employers.
The development and implementation of Work-Based Learning Programmes (WBL) goes in conform
with EU tendencies such as the European Alliance for Apprenticeships (European Union Council
Declaration, 2013). The GoS has also repeatedly confirmed the commitment to introduce dual-track
elements, verified in Employment and Social Reform Programme (ESRP), National Employment Strategy
2011-2020 and Strategy for Educational Development in Serbia by 2020. The best practices of WBL
courses facilitated by the E2E will contribute to the national dialogue on VET policies and reform.
1.3 Objectives and priorities of the programme
The overall goal of E2E programme is to increase youth employability in Serbia in a socially inclusive and
sustainable way. The unemployed youth profit from market oriented non-formal adult education and
trainings (NFAET), including dual-track VET system elements, through local public-private development
partnerships in five pilot areas.
This call for proposals is based on the Outcome 3 of the E2E programme, envisaging better positioning
of youth into labour market based on vocational information services and job-market driven non-formal
trainings facilitated by well positioned local mediators from five municipalities and towns, and Outcome
4 which strengthens Public-Private Development Partnerships on youth employment. The aim is that
key public and private stakeholders in five pilot areas share the vision and ownership to pursue
effective, market-oriented and inclusive youth employment policies, non-formal and dual training
schemes (e.g. Work Based Learning).
This call for proposal aims to achieve two outputs:
First, or output 3.4 anticipating enhanced role of local mediators in facilitating development, provision
and evaluation of public-private, market oriented, non-formal and inclusive occupational trainings to
youth in five pilot areas;
Second, or output 4.3 namely, that WBL programs with dual elements of apprenticeship systems are
established as a form of PPDP between e.g. companies, training providers and local stakeholders such as
NES, schools, associations aiming at promoting, developing and testing dual training approaches around
the five pilot areas, including financial and technical support to vocational skills development for youth.
Key actions
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To provide through the WBL Funding Program financial and technical assistance to training
providers and companies to pilot non-formal work-based learning (WBL)/ dual-track training
programs (e.g. internships, mentoring and apprenticeships) for youth in and around the five pilot
areas;
The support training providers and companies to develop updated occupational profiles (based on
an adjusted Swiss methodology), to identify the SKA needs of the companies and based on that to
develop corresponding curricula that meet the needs expressed.
To provide methodological support to develop curricula according to the priority lists of training
needs, goals and contents.
Upon request, the E2E may provide expertise to training providers through:
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a pool of independent national and international experts;
secondary VET schools - regional centres for adult education and
hands-on-assistance by the trained local partners of E2E.
E2E supports the training providers in the process of accreditation of the curricula in accordance to
NQF standards
E2E local partners develop and maintain a list of trainings and training providers and promote them
in the public;
To train the vocational trainers of the participating companies to plan the training, teach it in a
structured way according to the competence profile (to test, assess and develop competencies of
trainees), to work with other VET teachers as well as to build up general know-how in vocational
education.
2
Rules for this call for proposals
The fund provides financial assistance to:
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Public and private training providers that offer trainings which are accessible to youth in five pilot
areas. Awarded training providers will get financial and technical assistance to design and
implement labor market oriented, non-formal and inclusive occupational training programs for
young women and men in and around the five locations.
Companies that want to pilot work-based learning (WBL) programs in PPDP and at all levels
(secondary, post-secondary and third level as well continuing vocational education and training
(CVT) for qualified and unqualified people). The proportion of learning that takes place in a real
workplace can vary considerably, ranging from a high-intensity and high frequency of work-based
activities (i.e. apprenticeships, in-company training) to a low-intensity and low frequency of workbased activities (i.e. internships, work-life familiarisation, etc.).
The WBL implies dual-track elements of non-formal education, a combination of theoretical education
and on-the-job training in forms of:
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Apprenticeship – a system of training a new generation of practitioners of a trade or profession with
on-the-job training and accompanying study through classroom work.
Internship – job training for professional careers for professions, trade and vocational jobs –
exchange of services for experience between the student and the company.
Mentoring – a relationship in which a more experienced and knowledgeable person from a
company helps to guide a less experienced/knowledgeable person. It is a learning and development
partnership between proficient company employees with vast experience and young person/
graduates who want to learn.
The intention of E2E programme is to support the introduction of any work-based learning elements in
the training. The WBL funding programme wants to stimulate companies and training providers to
actively search for partnerships with local institutions towards building wide-ranging and expansive local
PPDP on improvement of youth employability and employment.
The applying training providers and companies are expected to appoint experienced staff to contribute
to the development of updated occupational profiles, to the Skills Needs Analysis (SKA) and to the
design of (non-formal) training programs training design. In addition, the applying companies are
expected to appoint staff to participate in tailored trainings (based on Swiss methodology) to become
an in-company mentor for the trainees/ future employees. The mentors will improve their skills to
impart knowledge and social skills in a structured way and to provide basic psychosocial support which
is perceived by the mentee as relevant to work. All trainings will be organised by the Contracting
Authority.
2.1
Eligibility criteria
There are three sets of eligibility criteria which relate to:
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the actors – the entity submitting the proposal
the actions – activities for which funds may be awarded
the costs – types of costs that may be taken into the grant budget
2.1.1
Eligibility of applicant
In order to be eligible for a grant, the applicant must be:
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a legal entity, registered company, or association of companies, clusters, cooperatives;
a public/private educational institution (e.g. vocational training schools, or private training center)
registered in Serbia and with operations in and around one of five targeting areas: Krusevac
(Rasinski okrug), Knjazevac (Zajecarski okrug), Pirot (Pirotski okrug), Novi Pazar (Raski okrug),
Kragujevac (Sumadijski okrug);
(for companies) a member of Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia and/or Swiss-Serbian
Chamber of Commerce or other association of companies/employers;
with a positive financial result in the last budget year (income statement, balance);
while industrial sectors of operations are not limited, priority will be given to economic sectors with
highest growth and potential for employment in the specific location;
an active participant in building local PPDP on youth employment and establishment of functional
sector working groups for higher influence of business sector on improvement of educational
system; and,
Project holder directly responsible for development and management of the project activities and,
in case of partnership with other companies/institutions, be the lead partner.
Partnership of more companies or training providers and/or other entities that may result with synergy
effect and additional value are encouraged.
Potential partner to the applicant may be another company, public institution, CSO or educational
institution/training provider under the same criteria of eligibility related to legal status and geographical
position as the lead applicant.
2.1.2
Eligibility of actions
The activities proposed by the applicant are supposed to provide a WBL non-formal vocational training
programme focusing on youth which meets the following criteria:
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WBL training provides concrete benefits to young women and men in terms of their employability
and employment perspectives;
training is designed as Work Based Learning which implies optimal proportion of classroom work)
and direct practical, on-the-job training within the company, in the form of internship,
apprenticeship or mentoring;
training programme should be based on the specific occupational profile which is resulted from the
SKA (skills, knowledge, attitudes) analysis or similar methodology providing elements for
development of WBL curricula (list of organisations and individuals skilled to conduct SKA analysis
could be found on the project website)
each programme should be accomplished with a final exam to test participant’s achievements in
gaining relevant competences. Suitable document confirming participation in the training and
achieved results must be provided to each participant. As a means of verification, the project holder
is obliged to submit to the Contracting Authority copies of participation list, attendance lists,
protocols, training material, evaluation lists and copies of certification of attendance/achieved
competences issued to participants
Non-eligible actions are
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actions related to gambling industry, weapons and arm industry
actions concerned only, or mainly with individual activities or private participation on events
actions aimed at supporting political activities
Duration
Duration of any measure is limited to 12 months. It is expected that applicants will propose WBL
programme with optimal duration of each vocational profile (e.g. 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months etc.
depending on the training need)
2.1.3
Eligibility of costs
The WBL grant will cover only eligible costs, those which are directly connected to project activities and
necessary for completion of activities. The amounts or rates have to be based on estimations using
objective data such as actual market prices, statistical data or any other objective means or with
reference to certified or auditable historical data of applicants. The budgeted costs must correspond
fairly to the actual costs that are expected for realization of particular activities by the project holder
and associated partners. The proposed budget should verify that costs are in line with accounting
practice and that costs are not already covered by other source of funding.
Additionally, in the column of proposed budget (Annex 2) - ‘Justification of the estimated costs’, per
each of the corresponding budget item or heading applicants must:
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describe the information and method used to establish the amounts of unit costs, lump sums, flat
rates etc.
clearly explain the formulas for calculation of the final amount (staff costs, travel expenses, specific
costs arising from organization of an event, etc.)
brief explanation of the necessity of each cost for realization of activity
IP-Consult, as Contracting Authority may request additional clarification of the proposed budget and
may impose certain modifications or reductions of the proposed budget. It is therefore in applicants’
interest to provide a realistic and cost-effective budget.
Eligible direct costs may include all expanses directly related to realization of WBL programme:
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Operational costs related to realization of activities -renting space, utilities, stationery.
Development of competence profiles and occupational profiles (SKA analysis)
Technical assistance in development of training curricula based on SKA analysis
Advertising and selection of training participants
Realization of theoretical part of the training – trainers’ fees and expenses, training material,
renting a training venue, costs related to realization of training,
Realization of practical part of the training – work based learning in a company: material and
resources necessary for trainee’s practical work, fees for potential mentors, expenses related to
final exam
Expenses related to interns’ monthly allowance (costs of transportation, meals…)
Expenses related to final exam
The budget may include a contingency reserve not exceeding 5% of the estimated direct eligible
costs. It can be only be used with the prior written authorization of the Contracting Authority.
Ineligible costs
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debts and debt service charges (interests)
provisions for losses or potential future liabilities
fines, financial penalties
VAT
costs declared by the applicant and financed from another source
purchasing of material or equipment that is not related to intern’s practical work, or beyond the
necessary quantities
2.1.4
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Other provisions
Ideally, majority of training participants/interns of WBL programme get jobs in the companies
where practical work was carried out;
WBL programme proposed by companies or training providers should be based on PPDP with local
public authorities and institutions (local self-government, NES branch office, Chamber of
Commerce, vocational training schools), i.e. the applicant’s active participation on the multistakeholder’s platform and PPDP on youth employment;
WBL programme is expected to contribute substantially to the local labour markets of five targeting
areas;
Ideally, WBL programme replicates dual-track VET model exercised in Switzerland or another
Western Europe country to local conditions and thus serves as good example for the national
dialogue on introducing dual elements into VET education;
Cost sharing and in kind contribution of applicant, or third parties is obligatory. E2E finances WBL
programmes to a limited extent of 80% of the project budget, the remaining 20% must be
obtained from other sources through cash and in-kind contribution, depending on the setting of
PPDP and impact on the target groups;
WBL proposal is expected to have reasonable cost- benefit ratio, taking into consideration number
of beneficiaries, quality of the benefit and benefit for the company;
Sustainability of WBL training measure should be sound and clearly explained with open prospects
for follow-up activities, repetitions and replications in other locations;
Fund receivers are ready to share project and evaluation results with national stakeholders
(through E2E policy level via SIPRU) and allow usage of results or replication of the programme on
other project locations;
Fund receivers are committed to share with IP consult lessons learned and the impact of realised
measures to beneficiaries (including but not limited to the key indicators set by IP Consult);
Applicants are obliged to take in the project proposal certain activities related to project visibility
and promotion in public: create and communicate specific messages to the target group, using
available means for communication such as internet, social networks; put on their website
information about the project awarded and link to the website of the project ‘Znanjem do posla’;
participate in all media and visibility actions taken by the Contracting Authority;
For contracting, awarded (lead) applicants will be asked to submit relevant financial documents to
proof they made positive financial result in the previous budget year and statement that all taxes
and other obligations of the company are fulfilled regularly;
Applicants may submit more than one application within each call if they deal with dissimilar and
unrelated topic.
2.2
Implementation procedure of awarded proposals
The realisation of awarded proposal will be performance based and is supposed to be carried out in
three phases. Based on the successful performance and meeting the defined milestones, another phase
will be approved and funded by the Contracting Authority:
First phase of the project realisation covers the completion of the SKA analysis performed by the
applicant (be it the training provider or company) of the targeted occupational profiles in the associating
sector with its companies. The Identification of gaps is making the ground for development of training
programme (curricula) that will successfully meet the requirements of analysed occupational profiles.
The first milestone is the completed SKA analysis and fulfilled conditions for development of training
programme. Based on Contracting Authority’s approval, the instalment of budget for the following
phase will be transferred and project holder may proceed with activities.
Second phase implies development of training programme which should be based on the results of SKA
analysis and composed to enable trainees to meet the requirements of the particular occupational
profile. Dual-track elements must make the basis of the programme, i.e. the combination of theoretical
education and on-the-job training in the applying companies must be included. Whereas the applying
training providers must also ensure that the practical training in companies and dual training mode onthe-job is adequately covered.
The second milestone is the completed training curricula based on SKA analysis and with dual-track
elements. Contracting Authority will evaluate the prosed programme and follow up activities and upon
approval the project holder may proceed with third phase of the project.
Third phase includes selection of candidates to attend the training programme and realisation of the
programme according to the activity plan. The selection process is to be conducted in transparent way
according to defined criteria and by promoting equal opportunities for women and men, members of all
ethnic groups, disabled youth and others with disadvantages at the labour market.
The third milestone is the fully realized training programme by the applicant according to the training
plan. The lead applicant is obliged to submit the final report with evaluation of the programme
executed.
The applicants should take into consideration the structure of the project and follow the defined
activities and milestones in their proposals, as well as budget allocations.
3
Application procedure
3.1
Proposal
The applicants are expected to submit before the deadline the proposal using the application form
(Annex 1), project budget (Annex 2) and other documentation requested by this Call:
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3.2
Copy of organisation’s/company’s registration document (the same goes for partners)
Partnership agreements in case of partnership with other entities
Language
The language of the application is English. The application form is to be written clearly to enable full
understanding of the project idea and methodical evaluation.
3.3
Questions, submission, deadline
Questions may be sent at latest 5 days before the deadline by email to: [email protected]
Answers will be provided in written and communicated to all applicants via www.znanjemdoposla.rs
Deadline for submission of application is 10 June, 2017
Applications should be sent by email to: [email protected]
4
Evaluation and selection procedure
The award criteria evaluate the quality of application in relation to the objectives and priorities of E2E
programme and award funds to proposals which maximize the overall effectiveness of this call for
proposals. Applications will be examined by the evaluation team of the contracting authority.
All applications that passed the administrative checking will be evaluated using evaluation criteria in the
evaluation grid below. If necessary, the team will invite applicants for interview and additional
explanation of proposed action.
The selection criteria are used to evaluate applicant’s operational and financial capacity to verify that
applicant has stable and sufficient sources of finance to maintain its activity throughout the proposed
action, and have sufficient management capacity and professional competences to successfully
complete the proposed action.
The evaluation grid is divided into sections and subsections. Each subsection will be given a score
between 1 and 5 as follows: 1 = very poor; 2 = poor; 3 = adequate; 4 = good; 5 = very good.
Evaluation criteria
General impression
The application is well written, understandable and formally correct; the layout of the
application is attractive and includes pictures and illustrative graphics.
Relevance
The applicant describes very well the already identified major occupational skills gaps
that shall be closed through training measures.
The program develops skills with high demand on the regional labour market and in
growing sectors.
The applicant ensures an appropriate number of work-based learning opportunities and
employment perspectives for the young people from the pilot area.
Benefits and social inclusion
The program explicitly targets the work integration of the training participants.
The applicant promotes gender equality and equal opportunities on the labour market.
Objectives and results
The objectives are realistic to achieve in regard of available resources and of the
proposed implementation arrangements.
The program offers a convincing perspective to increase the number and quality of work
places for young people.
Know-how, experience and capacity
The applicant and its partners demonstrate comprehensive expertise and experience in
the relevant occupation(s) as well as in the design of trainings with work-based learning
elements.
The applicant has a comprehensive overview of the already existing relevant and
accessible training opportunities.
The applicant has sufficient capacities (management, technical, organizational, human
resources, financial) to implement the proposed activities.
Partnerships
The applicant proposes a public-private development partnership of companies, training
providers and ideally also with public institutions that are mandated to support active
labour market and training measures for youth (in particular youth with disadvantages).
The project uses synergies with existing labour market measures, policies or initiatives of
public institutions, private companies or donors.
Sustainability
The application provides training participants the prospect of employment or other
follow-up training measures.
The applicant shows genuine effort to ensure the continuation or institutionalization of
the program after completion of the project.
Maximum
score
5
5
15
5
5
5
10
5
5
10
5
5
15
5
5
5
10
5
5
10
5
5
Assumptions, risks and flexibility
The applicant is aware of potential risks over the project and shows how to manage those risks
that would have a negative effect.
The applicant has described weaknesses or gaps of the applying companies/ training providers
and teams and how to overcome them.
Budget
The budget of the program is realistic and transparent.
The program has a very good cost-benefit ratio (costs compared to number of beneficiaries and
quality of trainings).
The project is supported or developed by several companies and one or more training providers
or other third parties (cash, in-kind).
Total score
5
10
5
5
15
5
5
5
100
Notification of final decision
The applicants will be informed in writing of the contracting authority’s decision concerning their
applications, and, if rejected, the reasons for the negative decision.