The idea for Towards Variable-Access & Digitalisation of Wellness Courses in VET (DWC) Project comes partly from the current unprecedented situation in which we are all living, and partly from ongoing work & initial discussions between stakeholders via EPALE that started in September 2020, we identified 3 target groups for our project idea:

• Cosmetology and Wellness VET course providers
• Cosmetology and Wellness course teachers
• Initial VET learners of Cosmetology and Wellness courses.

Europe is facing its greatest threat since World War II. The COVID19 outbreak is triggering unprecedented social & economic consequences. We are faced with a ‘new normal’; a previously unfamiliar or ‘atypical situation that has become standard, usual or expected’, bringing established practices into question.

The integration of digital tools and immediate transfer to distance training and learning has caught in surprise the centres of Vocational education and training. It is obvious that the VET system has suffered because of not only the improper preparation of the VET providers but also the lack of the materials has played an important role.

The pandemic has been accompanied by a rise in nationalist sentiments in EU member countries. It has re-ignited debates about national-versus-European identity.

This internal research has shown that 80% of activities in Wellness courses have turned online without proper digital materials.
75% of the teachers from partner and applicant organisations have pointed out the lack of digital materials especially in the field of Wellness and Cosmetology courses and the need of interactive, inclusive and free access online sources for both teacher and learners.

The DWC is a project proposed by the European Commission to promote innovative, inclusive and digital opportunities in the vocational education.  We have worked together to provide students  with the possibility of always having an easy-to-use tool available for the professional skills required in the first year of the aesthetic sector.

The primary objective of the project is to facilitate innovative, digital & inter-European collaboration so as to encourage Wellness and Cosmetology VET course providers, teachers and staff to learn from each other & to create new digital materials for distance teaching in VET. By connecting inter-national teachers to the European community, the project aims to improve the digital learning process of VET students through the upskilling of key competences & reinforce the ‘values of supporting development of professional networks across Europe, International dimension, Recognition and validation of skills and qualifications, multilingualism, essential parts of European identity’

Firstly, we will design Smart Varied-Access Pedagogical Programme with adaptable varied-access approaches; Teaching Resources; Learning Resources for Wellness and Cosmetology Course providers (R1). The target groups are VET teachers. The Pedagogical programme will be available in English and in all 5 languages of the participating partner countries.

Secondly, we will design an eBook with 6 inclusive digital didactic modules for initial vet programmes. It will be a variable-access interactive E-book for Initial VET Wellness and Cosmetology courses with 5 learning modules (R2) The eBook modules will cover the following topics.

The contents concern manicure, pedicure, hair removal and facial treatments with the relative safety rules.

The courses are meant as integrative materials for Wellness courses when taught online, in remote or hybrid mode.

The provided content is designed for Initial VET course teachers and students addressing Wellness and Cosmetology courses.

We wish you a pleasant consultation of this tool which we hope will be of help for your vocational studies.

THE DWC TEAM