ESSA | HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht

This program (funded by the European Commission) will develop a new strategy for the design and adoption of ICT competences and translate it into a curriculum for vocational education and training in Europe. The aim is to address current and future competence gaps in the European software sector.

The European Software Skills Alliance (funded by the European Commission) will work together to develop, implement and disseminate a new Software Skills Strategy that will tackle the current and future skills shortages in the European Software Sector, enabling continuous development, innovation and competitiveness within the industry.

All partners will work together to ensure that the new Software Skills Strategy is driven by employers’ demand for software skills and combines VET education provision and work-based learning initiatives to implement fast-track upskilling and reskilling. The new strategy and VET solution are directly linked with recognised European instruments, tools and standards enabling skills and career development in general. In addition, new mechanisms will be included to ensure the continuous implementation across programme countries throughout four years of the project and beyond its completion.

01 December 2020 - 31 December 2024

Website ESSA softwareskills.eu
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To be distributed > scientific issue: Bridge the Gap: ICT Competences and Vocational Education and Training

ESSA Community
ESSA created the ESSA Software Skills community to connect individuals who aspire to answer the up- and reskilling needs of the software sector in Europe. The community focuses on the following topics: software, skills development, teaching & learning, training, human resources, technology, and careers.

The project consists of six, so called, working packages that together cover the total activity agenda of the program. The research group Process Innovation & Information Systems is actively involved in all working packages as well as co-lead for working package four 'piloting and testing of the curriculum'. Important deliverables of this package are:

Modular VET Training Programs to implement the new VET Curricula, each consisting of a set of modules that together will cover the learning outcomes
Set up and run pilot VET training programs across different target groups in 7 EU partner countries, measure effectiveness, gather feedback and iterate and improve the training programs
Embed a work-based learning component into the new training programs with opportunities to apply knowledge in practical "real life" situations related to each role and including trans-national learning experience where possible
A Train-The-Trainer Program will also be designed to facilitate the upskilling of VET trainers with the knowledge, confidence and tools to deliver the training to the highest quality standards

Pascal Ravesteijn
- Professor
- Research group: Process Innovation and Information Systems
Guido Ongena
- Professor
- Research group: Process Innovation and Information Systems
Paul Mosch
- Researcher
- Research group: Process Innovation and Information Systems
Willemijn van Haeften
- Researcher
- Research groups: Organisations in Digital Transition, Process Innovation and Information Systems
Tim van Eijl
- Researcher

All researchers

Process Innovation and Information Systems

Digital Europe ASBL, AMETIC, Budapest University, ASIIIN Consult GmbH, Warsaw school of Computer Science, MODIS Consulting SRL, AICA, Adecco Formazione SRL, IVSZ, UNINFO Associazione, Digital Technology Skills Ltd (Skillnet ICT), GZS, ECDL (Ireland), AS BSC Koolitus, Codecool, Global Knowledge, AKMI, Hellenic Open University, University of Ljubljana, Global Knowledge Netherlands, Amazon Web Services, European Schoolnet, General Assembly, IT Professionalism Europe (ITPE) en NVIDIA Deep Learning Institute.

ESSA aims to develop innovative and comprehensive VET curriculum customised for various role and job profiles and underlying competences, knowledge and skills needed in the sector. An analysis of market and business needs will be conducted at the beginning of the project in order to prepare a concrete data-based foundation for the development and implementation of both the Software Skills Strategy and the VET programmes. To ensure continuous upskilling we will embed a work-based learning / CPD component into the new training programmes including practical "real life" training scenarios related to each role. After testing the developed educational material in a pilot it will be rolled out across curricula in higher educational institutes and commercial training companies.

Further information: