Since 2019, our Member FMTS Group, based in Pontecagnano, Italy, has worked on the international education initiative called “Overstep“. This project aims to promote collaboration between Europe and Africa by developing skills-based education systems and encouraging vocational mobility. Along with European partners from France, Malta, and Spain, FMTS has worked with 10 African countries, including South Africa, Senegal, and Kenya, overall involving hundreds of students and teachers in educational exchanges and training programs.
The project Overstep consists in a joint alliance to develop a mobility scheme and share best practices between African and European Vocational Education and Training (VET) Systems while focusing on developing long-term VET strategies. The European Commission provided financial assistance as part of its pilot programs in international cooperation for improving (VET).
Overstep’s main achievements include the creation of three comprehensive guides aimed at improving African and European school systems.
The first guide, Competence-based Curricula Development, serves as a resource for creating curricula that better align with practical work requirements, ensuring that educational programs meet the demands of the job market. The second, titled Strategic School Plan, provides a structured framework to help schools plan long-term skill development for their students, fostering growth that extends beyond the classroom. Finally, the Roadmap to Work-based Learning guide offers a practical manual for integrating work-based learning practices into vocational training, bridging the gap between education and industry needs.
Beyond exchanging knowledge and teaching strategies, the Overstep project focuses on hands-on experiences: African teachers and students were invited to Europe for on-the-job training in sectors like hospitality, tourism, agriculture, and food processing. Similarly, European educators visited African countries to exchange best practices and contribute to the modernization of educational offerings. This exchange does not only serve as practical training, but it also wants to emphasize inclusivity, innovation, and the preparation of younger generations for a more sustainable future.
On October 21, 2024, the final event of the project took place in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, where the project’s findings and achievements has been presented to stakeholders. According to Silvano Del Duca, director of FMTS Experience, Overstep’s collaborative efforts have successfully demonstrated the value of international partnerships in education.
As Giuseppe Melara, president of FMTS Group, highlighted, “International cooperation is a powerful driver of development and progress for young people, schools, and societies.” Overstep has paved the way for further collaboration between European and African educational institutions, with the goal of creating skilled professionals capable of facing global challenges.
To know more about FMTS Group see here.
FMTS Group Promotes Skill-Based Education in Africa through the “Overstep” Project
