FORMA NAEN

The FORMA NAEN project was implemented between 2019 and 2022 as part of a cross-border program between France and Spain. The project aims to boost the economy of the border region, increase local workforce training, and expand employment. This was achieved by expanding cross-border training opportunities, teaching the language of the neighboring country, providing information on job opportunities available across the border, and harmonizing qualifications related to the automotive sector.

The project implementers have developed a pilot method that enables the cross-border recognition of the knowledge of workers with qualifications in the automotive sector. To this end, the training providers and the certifying bodies have adopted a bilateral cooperation agreement.

The partners have identified a total of four main activities:

• Increasing mobility through the recognition of training and knowledge certificates. This required consultation between the partners and the outline of a mutual recognition system. On an experimental basis, the experiences and knowledge of five students from each institution were compared. Based on this, a cooperation agreement was drawn up and a process for mutual recognition between the institutions was developed. In addition, students and teachers were able to share their experiences, compare the two education systems, and promote the training opportunities offered by the partner institutions.
• Educational material was produced to highlight the administrative obstacles that people taking up employment in the neighboring country can expect to encounter. Workshops and information days were also organized for this purpose.
• In order to overcome language barriers, language courses were organized, taking into account the different levels of knowledge. In addition to basic communication skills, participants were also able to learn professional language.
• Finally, in order to ensure the sustainability of the results, the possibilities for professional mobility were promoted, further project ideas were explored, and the results of the current project were compared with the sustainable development goals.