Multilateral Project for Development of Innovation Project Duration: 18 months Partners’ Meeting, 16 – 18 December 2007, Sofia Tanya Pancheva/University of Forestry

University of Forestry, Bulgaria; University of Forestry, Bulgaria; Scientific Technical Union of Forestry, Bulgaria; Scientific Technical Union of Forestry, Bulgaria; Oikotechnics Institute, Greece; Oikotechnics Institute, Greece; Stora Segerstad Naturbruksgymnasium, Sweden; Stora Segerstad Naturbruksgymnasium, Sweden; National Forest Centre, Slovakia National Forest Centre, Slovakia

Operational Objective “To support the development of innovative ICT – based content…”

Specific Objective “To support improvements in quality and innovation in vocational education and training systems…” 2007 Priority Priority 3 Innovative e-learning content: ICT-supported learning, combination of ICT-based learning with other modes such as learning groups, family learning or tutoring and transnational virtual study circles.

- Wood industry – highest rate of accidents at work; - The European Community Strategy for Safety and Health (2007 – 2012);

- Lack of adequate training on the system of Safety and Health Signs and Signals in VET; - Current needs for particular training of businesses, enterprises, SMEs; - Mobility of workforce in the EU.

The project is aimed at providing training methodology and materials for lifelong learning for vocational college students, university students and professionals in Wood industry and SMEs in relation to the language of safety and health signs and signals.

1. To train human resource for high-quality and efficient use and application of the system of safety and health signs and signals through developing training tools. 2. To improve the specific qualification of the professionals in Wood industry through developing an interactive multimedia product for e-learning based on case studies and differentiated approach to training of the targeted groups.

3. To collaborate at working out unified acceptable training methodology. 4. To provide specific training for the targeted groups.

5. To draw the attention and convince manufacturers, specialists, employees, students about the great importance of the system of safety and health signs and signals and their proper application.

1. Professionals in Wood industry and SMEs within public and private sectors (newly employed workers, older workers, migrant workers, managers, etc.); 2. University students in the area of Wood industry; 3. Vocational college students in the area of Wood industry.

- developing new skills and competences in safety and health signs and signals; - providing access to interactive e-learning tool based on case studies and differentiated approach to training; - providing information on European system of safety and health signs and signals and European Standards related to Wood Industry;

- fast training scheme for enhancing the professional qualification of existing and future professionals; - promotion of sustainable training on safety and health signs and signals in the field of Wood industry; - providing information on practical use of the system of safety and health signs and signals; - developing lecture course on the system of safety and health signs and signals.

- higher level of knowledge in the system of safety and health signs and signals; - ensuring targeted groups’ competitive level of knowledge worldwide; - contribution to providing safe and healthier working environment in the field of Wood industry; - long-lasting improvement of working environment within Europe;

- promotion of sustainable training on safety and health signs and signals in the field of Wood industry; - higher level of personal knowledge in the system of safety and health signs and signals; - creating awareness among decision makers that are responsible for safety and health at work;

The project aims will be achieved through the development of: 1. Interactive multimedia product for e-learning in English, Bulgarian, Greek, Swedish and Slovak languages; 1. Interactive multimedia product for e-learning in English, Bulgarian, Greek, Swedish and Slovak languages; 2. Manual on safety and health signs and signals in Wood industry;

3. Training of targeted groups - differentiated approach; 4. Project web site with continually updated on-line information; 5. Information brochure.

- Provision of a tool (Interactive multimedia product for e-learning) including relevant and innovative lifelong learning content; - Development of training methodology (learner- centred approach, based on case studies) for different levels of professional knowledge;

- Initiating introduction of e-learning training for safety and health signs and signals in vocational schools and university curricula; - Providing better qualification skills for people in work situations required by the modern times; - Dissemination and exploitation of project results by professionals involved in the field of Wood industry at local, regional, national and international levels.

- To improve the European qualification system and to initiate vocational training on safety and health signs and signals in Wood industry; - To introduce the interactive training product based on case studies to formal vocational schools and universities;

- To upload information about project results and outcomes on the respective institutional web sites for a long period of time; - To use the developed e-learning training methodology as an example for developing vocational training programmes for other fields of study and other target groups; - To promote the project outcomes and results among professionals, managers and decision makers.