Digital Spaces – The Future of Vocational Education

The world of work is constantly changing, driven in part by advancing digitalization. This transformation demands new skills and competencies from employees and presents education systems with significant challenges. Vocational training should not only impart the necessary professional qualifications and skills for the job market, but also foster personal development. Both of these goals are increasingly achieved through digital learning formats.

"Digital Spaces" is a pioneering project that actively addresses the evolving demands of the digital workplace. It seeks collaboration with apprentices and instructors to develop tailored and career-relevant training content. The overarching goal is to create innovative digital learning formats that meet the individual needs of diverse target groups and complement existing educational offerings. Together with apprentices, content for their vocational training is identified and specific training materials are developed. Furthermore, platforms for content distribution are identified, and a methodological framework for development and implementation as an open-source solution is being developed.

Digital Spaces is a pioneering project that actively engages with the changing demands of the digital workplace. The training materials are available to apprentices, companies, vocational schools, and youth employment support professionals through various channels. These include social media, the websites of supporting organizations (LFS+BS Langenlois, Steppenwolf Youth Center, Chance Plus, the Apprenticeship Foundation, Campus & City Radio 94.4), as well as the websites of St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences and DABEI-Austria. Interested parties can therefore easily access and benefit from the training materials.

Under the direction of FH-Prof. DSA Mag. (FH) Alois Huber, a lecturer at St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences, the "Digital Spaces" project represents a pioneering response to advancing digitalization and the associated demands on vocational education. The team, consisting of Patricia Renner BA MA, Gertraud Anna Michalski MSc, and Mag. Mag. Barbara Stefan, is developing innovative solutions for digital learning formats specifically tailored to the needs of apprentices and companies.