Project Partners
Hanse Parlament (Lead Partner)
The Hanse-Parlament is an association of 50 chambers of industry, commerce and crafts from 13 countries. The members represent more than 475,000 SMEs in the entire Baltic Sea region. The Hanse-Parlament is dedicated to strengthening the economic performance of the Baltic Sea region in general and promoting SMEs in particular. The improvement of vocational training in the EU is a particular priority. A powerful secretariat based in Hamburg serves as a service centre, think tank and development department. With the involvement of SME representatives, the Hanse-Parlament is constantly developing new support measures, especially in the area of vocational training. It is testing the measures with individual partners and then transferring them to all members. The members receive training for the trainers as well as intensive implementation advice from the Hanse-Parlament. In this way, new demand-oriented support measures are developed and implemented permanently throughout the Baltic Sea region with a broad impact.
The Hanse-Parlament has been in existence since 1994, international cooperation is well established, and a high level of sustainability is achieved through the organization as an association. On the initiative of the Hanse-Parlament, the Baltic Sea Academy was founded in 2010, to which 17 universities from 9 Baltic Sea countries belong. The members of the Baltic Sea Academy carry out dual study programs as well as research and development tasks for SMEs. Together with the members of the Hanse-Parlament, they effectively shape knowledge and innovation transfer. The Baltic Sea Academy is a department of the Hanse-Parlament.
The Hamburg University of Cooperative Education (BAHH) is a vocational tertiary education institution with state recognition for the implementation of dual Bachelor’s degree programs. The BAHH is a non-profit limited liability company whose shareholders are 3 chambers of handicrafts & associations.
Since 2006, BAHH has been conducting dual study programs and has acquired a great deal of expertise in the development of curricula and teaching activities. Due to its shareholder structure and close contacts to the Hamburg skilled crafts sector, the orientation of BAHH is characterized by an intensive exchange with practitioners. In the implementation of educational programs and the development of curricula for educational activities, great attention is paid to practical feasibility and application. BAHH also has special knowledge of SME needs, as various study programs have been tailored only to SMEs.
At the same time, BAHH is characterized by the combination of technical qualifications and business know-how. This, applied to the business fields of the future, guarantees foresight and innovative approaches in project-related design work. In addition, BAHH’s professors and lecturers are characterized by high qualification and a strong practical experience and orientation.
The Chamber of Crafts in Opole represents 2500 small and medium enterprises and 10,000 people working in these enterprises in the Opole region. It is a non-profit public corporation offering a wide range of services to promote a strong and competitive craft industry in Opole.
The main tasks of the Chamber of Crafts include the promotion of economic, social and professional activities of the crafts sector and the support of craftsmen and other associated entrepreneurs. Various educational activities are carried out by the Chamber of Crafts in Opole, with a special focus on journeyman and master craftsman qualifications.
The Chamber of Skilled Crafts in Opole consistently relies on a quality management system in accordance with PN EN ISO 9001:2009 and systematically trains its employees accordingly in order to services of the highest quality level. In doing so, the Opole Chamber of Skilled Crafts acts in accordance with the quality policy “Global reach, highest European standards, centuries-old traditions, crafts and SMEs as a leading force in the national economy”.
Already in 2006, the Opole Chamber of Crafts was awarded for its exemplary work as a chamber of crafts and has been allowed to call itself “Model Craft Factory” since then. Here, outstanding achievements were noted in the following categories:
– Long-term and dedicated social and local government, cultural and educational activities.
– Achievements in the field of inventiveness, improvement and implementation of rationalization solutions in the field of services and craft production.
– Publication in the specialized press of topics related to the craft environment.
– Outstanding professional work and observance of the principles of professional ethics.
– Other merits, among others, for the welfare and development of crafts and organization for merits in the development of cooperation and the Exchange of experience.
The Wielkopolska Chamber of Crafts in Poznań (WCCP) is a self-governing organization of crafts and operates on the basis of the Act on Crafts of March 22, 1989, as amended. It unites 52 organizations on a voluntary basis: 43 guilds and associations, 9 craft cooperatives and the cooperative wholesale craft trade. Since 2002, WCCP has been accredited and has the certified quality management system PN-EN ISO 9001:2015-10. The main tasks of WCCP are:
– Conducting journeyman and master craftsman examinations and conducting control examinations,
– Monitoring vocational education and training;
– Providing information on current business activities, tax and legal regulations, labour law, labour and safety regulations;
– Facilitating business contacts for entrepreneurs;
Organizing competitions to promote skilled trades.
– In its own educational centre: organization of trainings, seminars, lectures and workshops for entrepreneurs and managers,
– Keeping the list of professional evaluators,
– Organization of exhibitions, trades and festivals in Poland and abroad,
– Cooperation with business organizations in Poland and abroad,
– Keeping job lists for trainees and employers.
Founded in 1925 and re-established in 1989, the Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ECCI) is now the largest business representative organization in Estonia. As of October 2019 ECCI had more than 3300 members. According to a study by Krediidiinfo (Credit Info Estonia), the net sales of ECCI members account for more than 41% of the net sales of all Estonian companies.
ECCI’s mission is to develop entrepreneurship in Estonia. ECCI is an active partner for the Parliament, the Government and the Ministries in shaping the economic policy and the business climate. Whenever it comes to tax policy, company law, property and debt law, foreign trade and EU related issues or professional qualifications, ECCI actively speaks on behalf of the Estonian business community.
ECCI also provides many business-related services and advice. These include legal issues, foreign trade issues, EU issues, mediation of business contacts (trade missions, trade fair visits, presentations), information services (business contacts, cooperation proposals, etc.) and assistance with foreign trade documents. In addition, ECCI is very active in professional training activities, such as special training courses. The ECCI also hosts the Court of Arbitration, which is the only permanent arbitration court in Estonia. ECCI has offices in Tallinn, Tartu, Pärnu, Jõhvi and Kuressaare and employs a total of 43 people.
The ECCI is also involved in many European projects. For example, ECCI has participated in sustainable tourism and eco-design projects and is an integral part of EU-wide consortia. In addition, ECCI is a member of the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN).
International Business College (IBC) in Kolding, Fredericia and Aabenraa is an independent educational institution under the supervision of the Danish state. IBC educates people in the age group from 15 to 70 primarily in business skills.
IBC is located in the fastest growing region of Denmark, home to over 350,000 people. Active cultural life, high-performing universities, and a large number of dynamic companies offer a wide variety of opportunities for collaboration. Areas of the IBC are:
a) Vocational education is a cornerstone, especially in the areas of energy, marketing, economics, management, internationalization and entrepreneurship.
b) Business School: here the emphasis is on enhancing active learning and promoting creativity and independent thinking and responsibility without unnecessary restrictions.
c) Adult Education Center: from basic to A-grade level, learner-centred programs are offered at different levels.
d) Management Training Center, targeting companies and their employees in Denmark.
IBC has 525 employees and about 5,000 students per year.
IBC is recognized primarily in the areas of innovation and project management, human resources and business management, lean and process orientation, IT and digital media, and has gained great experience in opening up new markets for SMEs through individual and group coaching. The training concept of IBC is “closer to reality”, the training activities are focused on reality and practical cases.
Arbeit und Zukunft EV
The Hamburg-based non-profit association Arbeit und Zukunft e.V., founded in 2001, participates in publicly funded national and international research projects.
The aim is the participation and empowerment of people in shaping working and living conditions through qualification, cooperation (chambers, associations, etc.), initiatives with industry to improve the transfer of results of labour research for companies and the working population; holding colloquia, seminars and workshops; publications. workshops; publications.
The organization is made up of scientifically qualified persons from Germany and Austria. They represent the disciplines of occupational medicine, occupational psychology, occupational sociology, ergonomics, health and sports science, vocational education, business and economics, philosophy and political science.