doc. Ing. Jiří Koleňák, Ph.D., MBA, LL.M.
CEO NEWTON University Group
Project for Assessment and Support of Key Skills/Competences
The PASS project (Project for Assessment and Support of Key Skills/Competences) responded to the accelerated technological development and changes in the automotive industry, which have significantly increased the demand for so-called key competences – especially soft, transferable skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration and adaptability. These competences, often overlooked in current vocational education and training (VET) systems, are now essential for employees to succeed in the changing environment of the digital and green transition. The aim of the project was to create a framework, tools and methodologies for the assessment and certification of these skills.
Project Team
Mgr. Jan Orava
Project Manager
Mgr. Bc. Jiří Peřina
Project Consultant
Ing. Milan Lindner, Ph.D.
Vice-Chancellor for Quality Management
Mgr. Petr Peniška
Member of the Expert Team
Mgr. PhDr. Barbora Pánková, MBA, Ph.D.
Lecturer in Psychology, Member of the Czech Association of Coaches
Mgr. Ing. Milan Bobek, MSc.
Member of the Expert Team
Mgr. Ondřej Benda
Member of the Expert Team
Working Group Objectives
WP1 – Project Management
This work package focused on the overall management of the project and the coordination of all involved partners. The main tasks included setting up working procedures, ongoing monitoring of activity implementation, and managing financial and administrative processes. Emphasis was placed on effective team communication, regular reporting to the grant provider, and timely resolution of potential challenges to ensure the smooth progress of the entire project.
WP2 – Dissemination and Exploitation
The dissemination strategy, led by ASA Asbl (Belgium), included the creation of a project website, visual identity, promotion through social media, and the presentation of results at workshops and conferences. It also involved a sustainability plan, which envisages the continued use of the outputs through the Automotive Skills Alliance (ASA) network even after the project’s completion. Emphasis was placed on the practical applicability of the tools and methodologies in both educational and industrial practice.
WP3 – Study on the Key Competences State of Art
In this work package, the partners carried out extensive desk research and surveys among employers and experts from the automotive sector in four countries. The activities included national and international workshops, a market needs analysis, and the synthesis of results into the Key Competences Framework – a framework defining key skills such as critical thinking, teamwork, problem-solving and adaptability.
WP4 - Methodology and Guidelines for Key Skills/Competences Assessment & Certification (micro-credentials)
Within this work package, a methodology and guidelines for the assessment and certification of key competences were developed. The outcome consists of tools that can be applied in real educational and workplace settings – for example, for issuing micro-credentials. The activities included case studies, pilot testing of the tools, and recommendations for their integration into teaching and HR practice.
WP5 - Assessment of Key Competences in Partner Countries
Within this work package, pilot activities were carried out in the partner countries (SK, CZ, IT), during which the developed tools were tested and more than 100 participants were assessed. The feedback served to finalise the methodology and to verify its practical applicability across national vocational education and training systems. The results were summarised in reports and presented at international workshops.
Summary Information about the Project
- Applicant — STU – Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava
- Partners — NEWTON University, a.s., VSB – Technical University of Ostrava, SPIN 360 SRL, ASA Asbl
- Project ID code — No2022-1-SK01-KA220-VET-000088988
- Project duration — 01/09/2022 – 31/08/2024
- Budget — EUR 250,000
- Funding source — Erasmus+ Programme, call 2022, Round 1, Key Action KA2, Action type KA220-VET – Cooperation Partnerships in Vocational Education and Training
Funded by the European Union. The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for the views expressed.