Researchers develop toolbox for employers, study programmes and cross-border workers
What do people need to work successfully on both sides of the border? In the Interreg VI project “Euregionale Doorlopende Leerlijn” (EDL) a toolbox is being developed: a collection of practical tools for employers, study programmes and cross-border workers. At a project meeting, an update was given about the research and skills profile of the ideal cross-border worker.
The Saxion Employability Transition Research Group, together with the ROC van Twente, DNL-contact and Hochschule Osnabrück, is conducting research to discover which skills are important for people who want to work in the neighbouring country. Not just the social and digital skills, but also creative thinking and being able to deal with differences in culture and communication. The research team is also looking at what cross-border workers need in terms of guidance and preparation, with topical issues such as digitalisation and sustainability also being included in the research.
Skills profile of the ideal cross-border worker
Researchers Cora van Triest and Jacqueline ten Voorde-Bovendeert, together with Professor Dr. Ines Schell-Kiehl provided a research update. At a meeting held at Saxion they gave a more detailed update of the current state of affairs, skills profiles of cross-border workers and learning community.
Presentation by the research team
“We have already interviewed many employers and cross-border workers to gain insight into their experiences and challenges,” the research team explained. Based on these discussions, initial skills profiles have been developed into personas, including a German professional working in the Netherlands and vice versa. It is important that we distinguish between personal and professional competences.
Toolbox with practical tools
The created personas and further interviews are being used to help develop a toolbox. “We hear in interviews that employers find supervising cross-border workers complicated. We want to help with this.” The researchers explain further: “The toolbox is to be a collection of practical tools for employers, study programmes and cross-border workers. Examples include supporting materials, checklists and tips for supervision or preparation for working in the neighbouring country. We don’t create such a toolbox on our own, we do it together in a learning community.”
“We want to remove barriers and stimulate cooperation. Working across borders needs to become more normal. Not an exception, but rather an opportunity.”
Learning Community
Part of the programme involved an initial brainstorming session on setting up a Learning Community. “A group of professionals from education, government and the business community who think about what works and what could be improved. This helps us ensure that the toolbox really connects with practice,” the researchers explain.
The research also uses models and experiences from other Dutch-German projects. The ROC van Twente, for example, gave a presentation on the Euregionale Kenniswerkplaatsen during the meeting. This project, for example, compares secondary vocational education curricula in the Netherlands and Germany and organises student exchanges to give participants a look at life and school across the border.
More about the EDL-project
Euregio.euThe EDL-project is subsidised by the European Regional Development Fund. The following Interreg partners have also contributed: Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy and the Province of Overijssel on the Dutch side and the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate and Energy NRW (Ministerium für Wirtschaft, Industrie, Klima und Energie NRW) on the German side.
