The collaborative project Start2train aims to integrate Start-ups into the vocational training and education program system and establish innovative training structures across various networks.
Start2train consists of four sub-projects (SP):
- SP1: Acquisition and Integration of Start-ups into vocational training
- SP2: Recruitment and support of trainees for and during vocational training programs in Start-ups
- SP3: Quality monitoring and formative (process) and summative evaluation
- SP4: Project management
The University of Mainz is responsible for SP3. Under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Olga Zlatkin-Troitschanskaia it supports the entire project in its capacity as research partner and is responsible for the evaluation and quality monitoring of all measures taken within the project.
SP3 aims to identify the need and potential for optimisation during the project enabling process adjustments as well as summative examination of project results. Based on the evaluation findings, further implications for research and practice can be determined.
A key focus of the evaluation and quality monitoring in Start2train relates to the question of which factors contribute to Start-ups participating in vocational education programs in the long-term and which support measures are required.
The systematic evaluation will make a significant contribution to an evidence-based foundation for the successful and sustainable integration of Start-ups into vocational education and training programs
A key aspect of the evaluation process is the involvement of all stakeholder groups and their participation in the project and network (project & practice partners, trainers, trainees) in the two model regions (Rhineland-Palatinate & Saxony).
Working Areas and Objectives of SP3
The quality monitoring and evaluation addresses the following steps:
- Definition of project-specific quality and evaluation criteria in cooperation with all project and practice partners
- Analysis of the initial situation, conditions, and necessary structures and resources for vocational training in Start-ups
- Support of all project partners through a formative process evaluation with targeted and group-oriented feedback to identify and communicate conditions for success as well as the need and potential for optimisation
- Summative evaluation to analyse the effectiveness of all project measures, successful developments in vocational education networks, and key indicators for success.
- Derivation of actions for practice and policy for the optimisation and consolidation of the measures and expansion (e.g. into further regions)
- Systematic group-oriented dissemination of evaluation results through newsletters, publications and presentations (e.g. at conferences) within and beyond the network
- Transfer workshop involving all stakeholder groups, including actors on a political level to support long-term capacity building
Methods of SP3
Standardized online surveys and semi-structured interviews with all project partners are primarily used for evaluation. These instruments are based on grounded work and the current state of research on quality criteria, measure of success and network and transfer analyses.
