Future Ways in Career Orientation and the World of Autonomous Vehicles

QUICK: programme-initiative

Future Ways in Career Orientation and the World of Autonomous Vehicles
Organisation:
Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME), MOME, PFA
Country:
Hungary
Education level:
Secondary Education, Vocational Education and Training (VET), Higher Education
Year start:
2018
Status:
Finalised
Year end:
2020
Link to website
Short summary:
Hungary in recent years has been increasingly confronted with the undesirable phenomenon of young people not being able to study mathematics, science, technical or informatics training, fields in which exist big labour market shortages. The growing demand for professionals is not followed by the student skills. The main objective of the 'Future Ways in Career Orientation and the World of Autonomous Vehicles'-programme (Future Ways) is to increase the number of students that pursue this specialisation in higher education and to promote the mathematics and informatics fields in general.
Description and objectives:

The objective of the Future Ways-programme is to improve the level of education of young people and to facilitate the transition to higher education in these subject areas. This objective was set by the government, in line with related government strategies for STEM. To support the implementation of the objective, the consortium partners implement a wide range of activites, spanning multiple education levels. These include:

 

  1.  Experience-focused workshops focusing on innovation
  2.  Innovative and interactive roadshows that arouse students’ interest in the profession
  3.  Company visits at leading organizations
  4.  Summer camps with career orientation and skills development modules
  5.  Skills development workshops for the cumulatively disadvantaged
  6.  Organization of open days at the universities
  7.  Training of trainers for staff members
  8.  The preparation and methodological guidelines of curriculum integration

 

The members of the consortium (higher education instituions) took part directly in the activities. For example, iin the design of the high school quiz, where playful yet professional and thought-provoking questions were formulated designed to arouse interest in the topic and technical training. The consortium partners also participated directly in the compilation and implementation of the summer camp program. In the camp, they provided lectures on technical care / engineering t raining, the transport of the future, self-driving and electric vehicles and their effects. The lectures were designed to be understandable for the target age-group. Furthermore, during the one-week camp, students were continuously mentored and participated in teams looking for innovative solutions to future mobility and urban problems. In particular, the interactive presentations and the direct conversation with the students were well-received. Mentors encouraged students by passing on their personal experiences. Students were able to hear first-hand about the courses, new research findings, and opportunities.

Reach:
The consortion organised around 40 events and a staff training have organized almost 40 events and a staff training (50 participants). Around 100 schools were involved during the programs, and more than 1200 students participated at the roadshows and events.
Impact:
The impact of the programme was measured primarily by the number of students that particpated (see above). In addition,  
Budget and funding model:
The funding was originating from the Hungarian Human Resource Development Operative Programme, aiming at the implementation of skills development and communication programs to promote access to higher education and promotion of mathematics, science, technical or informatics subjects in higher education.   A consortium of universities and civil organisations were invited to submit project proposals, where some outcomes and KPIs were defined, such as presentation of the teaching portfolio, realisation of roadshows, organisation of experience-oriented professional days and open days at the university, promotion of possible career opportunities, organization of summer schools, trainings for staff members.