Successful EXPECT- Peer-Learning-Activity on the implementation of the ESDs in the Austrian VET system

What’s it all about
The two-year Erasmus+ project EXPECT (with the participation of 3s) examines the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (in particular SDG 4 “Education for Sustainable Development“) in the field of vocational education and training in the Netherlands, Austria, Spain, Italy, the United Kingdom, Latvia and Finland based on examples of good practice .

ESD in the Austrian (vocational) education system
At this three-hour online event, Tanja Bacher and Sabine Schwenk from 3s gave  the European project partners an overview on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in the Austrian education system with a focus on VET.
After an overview of the development of the 3 climate indicators “greenhouse gas emissions”, “renewable energies” and “energy efficiency” in Austria over the last 30 years, the participants were given a brief insight into the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Austrian education system, e.g. through the “Austrian Strategy for Education for Sustainable Development” or the “Policy Statement on Environmental Education for Sustainable Development“. Afterwards, Tanja Bacher talked about the peculiarities of the Austrian VET system and the challenges for Education for Sustainable Development.

Best practice examples
During this peer learning activity, guests from the VET sector were invited to present examples of the implementation of sustainable initiatives. Two providers from the sector of higher vocational education (HTL Pinkafeld from Burgenland and HTBLVA für Textilindustrie und Datenverarbeitung from Vienna) presented their training institutions and activities in the field of ESD. Furthermore, Austria’s largest network for schools and the environment “ÖKOLOG” was presented to the participants.  Towards the end of the event, a student of the HTBLVA for Textile Industry and Data Processing and a graduate presented their projects in the field of sustainability.

One was the development of a “Biobox” for the disposal of garden and vegetable waste which produces both compost and biogas by the VET student Finja Dyson.

© Finja Dyson

The second project example was the non-profit start-up “Climate Science” (https://climate-science.com/ ) by VET graduate Eric Steinberger which aims to provide reliable online information and learning materials on the climate change.

   © Climate Science Ltd.

AGENDA_2nd PLA meeting EXPECT-Austria_12.01.2021

Further information on the Erasmus+ project EXPECT