Project Background: The VET-Safety project has been designed to the meet the needs of people involved within high risk work at height (WAH) activities particularly within the agricultural & environmental sectors of industry. The latest UK statistics indicate that the highest workplace fatalities occur within this sector. Previous project partner research also reported related health & safety concerns within this sector & developed a framework for common European VET competence standards. These standards can be adapted & developed further for use within the WAH occupations. At the same time this project aims to facilitate best practice & high quality instruction amongst VET providers & skills trainers of WAH courses across Europe & beyond, exchanging knowledge, innovations & expertise in the process. Project Objectives: The ultimate project goal is to ‘raise safety standards’ & ‘reduce accidents & fatalities’ of workers at height within agriculture & the environment. The 7 key project objectives to successfully achieve this goal are as follows: 1. Organise & run trainer technical standard setting events 2. Organise & run trainer technical evaluation and verification events 3. Produce trainer Codes of Practice, training guides etc for WAH 4. Produce a project web page/social media links & blogs 5. Develop a high quality VET provider & trainer e-knowledge library 6. Develop a Data Warehouse incorporating web-based analysis tools i.e. statistical analysis of fatalities/accidents etc 7. Develop 3 new European occupational standards & related competence certification in the safe use of chainsaws & other equipment for WAH within agriculture & the environment Project Participants: The project consists of a very experienced & capable partnership of 12 organisations tasked to ensure its success. Their make-up consists of VET & project management specialists, private & public bodies, non-profit organisations, e-learning, WAH & adult education specialists & government institutions in the education & agriculture sectors. Project Activities: Over the project lifecycle the partnership will undertake numerous tasks in pursuit of the ultimate VET-Safety goal. These include for example: • VET-Industry consultations • Meeting presentations • WAH training techniques analysis • WAH competency developments • WAH incident evaluations • Project dissemination on many levels across numerous sectors • International certification events • Training publications & guidance materials etc Project Methodology: The project will be undertaken in 4 stages within its lifecycle as follows. Stage 1: (Pre-cycle) Undertake pre-project planning & preparation meetings Develop an effective management plan, project organisational structure & dissemination plan Schedule the objectives into an action plan of individual tasks & work packages Resource & run trainer standard setting events in partner countries & develop VET training standards Monitor & evaluate feedback & disseminate information gathered till end of project Promote project information through the web, social media links etc till end of project Stage 2: (Mid-cycle) Resource & run trainer evaluation and verification events in partner countries & develop VET assessment standards Pilot test new WAH competency certifications in partner countries Undertake post-project sustainability planning & preparation meetings Develop VET trainer QA materials & e-tools & data warehouse Produce a project interim report & evaluate findings Stage 3: (End-cycle) Live test new WAH competency certifications in partner countries Completion of VET trainer QA materials & e-tools & data warehouse Develop a project ‘Exit Strategy’ Project End & final report & evaluation of the findings Stage 4: (Post-cycle) Analysis of project feedback Continued development, dissemination & enhancement of project products & goals Project Impact: The project will reach its objectives via enhancement of current training products available but more importantly through completely NEW partnership innovations focused on VET WAH safety. These are: 1. Web based VET knowledge library: e-LIBRARY 2. International VET Data Warehouse & associated incident analysis & reporting tools 3. Safe use of ladders & MEWPS & emergency rescue techniques VET qualification 4. Aerial use & safety of a chainsaw VET qualification 5. Safe use of winches in manual & mechanised lifting & pulling operations VET qualification The web based e-tools will enhance training experience, course delivery methods & benefiting both the trainer & trainee. These tools associated with 3 new European qualifications accredited & delivered to high quality standards will have an immediate impact in helping to reduce accidents & fatalities. Longer-term development of these across Europe will lead to further reductions in accidents & fatalities & increased worker safety on a wider scale supported by the unique predictive analysis capability of the VET Data Warehouse