The document discusses the Learning Layers project which aims to address skills mismatches and unemployment by scaling up technologies for informal learning in SME clusters. The project works with clusters in healthcare and construction to pilot solutions that promote workplace learning and lifelong learning. It also plans to establish a network of education innovation clusters to serve other regional clusters and speed the adoption of new learning methods and technologies. The goal is to improve skills development and make clusters more effective at recruiting and developing talent.

1. http://Learning-Layers-eu – Scaling up Technologies for Informal Learning in SME Clusters –
layers@learning-layers.eu
http://Learning-Layers-eu – Scaling up Technologies for Informal Learning in SME Clusters –
layers@learning-layers.eu
Learning Layers
Scaling up Technologies for Informal Learning in SME Clusters
Cluster Matchmaking
Copenhagen April 9-10/13
Recruiting excellence clusters to scale up workplace learning
Joint R&I projects to address Horizon 2020 challenges
Tor-Arne Bellika, Innovation Performance AS
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2. http://Learning-Layers-eu – Scaling up Technologies for Informal Learning in SME Clusters –
layers@learning-layers.eu
The Layers project overview
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• Problem addressed:
– Massive unemployment and at the same time lack of skilled
talents in growth areas.
– to create more jobs we need to build a workforce with the right
skills faster
• Focus of the project and the upscaling effort
– clusters represent growth sectors and experience lack of
talents with the right skills. A major barrier to regional job
creation.
– clusters are arenas to match business skills need and education
offerings better.
– Can clusters be used to scale uptake of new and existing
collaborative learning technology in workplace learning.
• Layers: an FP 7-Integrated R&I project
– nov 2012 until nov 2016/13 mill Euro budget

3. http://Learning-Layers-eu – Scaling up Technologies for Informal Learning in SME Clusters –
layers@learning-layers.eu
European Learning challenges
• Current learning related problems
– By 2020 20% more jobs will require higher
level skills.
– Large dropout rates at VET/Universities
(35-70%)
– Rising cost of education- low take up of
new technologies and methods
– Lifelong learning participation is only 8,9 %
i.e many employed people do not update their
skills.
• Stated EU 2020 goals
– 40% of Young Europeans to complete higher
education.
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4. http://Learning-Layers-eu – Scaling up Technologies for Informal Learning in SME Clusters –
layers@learning-layers.eu
Europe 2020 effort areas
• World Class VET to raise quality of VET
skills.
• Promoting work based learning
– i.e dual learning models (workplace and school)
• Traineeships,
• apprenticeships
– Workplace as primary learning campus.
• Lifelong Learning efforts
• Partnerships between private and
public institutions (to combat skills
mismatch)
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5. http://Learning-Layers-eu – Scaling up Technologies for Informal Learning in SME Clusters –
layers@learning-layers.eu
Layers value opportunity
• Develop and use new technologies,
collaborative work practices and
methods to:
– Increase effectiveness in Lifelong learning
of current workforce
– Increase use of workplace as learning
campus for new talents- on demand
individual and organisational learning
– Increase the value of the learning related
work that the talent performs while
learning at the workplace. This enable
apprentice type salaries for students
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6. http://Learning-Layers-eu – Scaling up Technologies for Informal Learning in SME Clusters –
layers@learning-layers.eu
Clusters
the Layers scaling strategy
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• Research and develop solutions by working with
Excellence clusters and cluster policy makers.
– Piloting in Healthcare and construction.
– Involving ICT Clusters to create coordinated sustainable
development of learning technology
– Involve new clusters in new countries
• Build sustainability beyond project horizon by:
– Invite existing ICT clusters to participate in a network of
Education Innovation Clusters to serve other regional
clusters with services and technologies to speed uptake
of new learning methods, digital learning content and
technology.
– Promote regional collaboration between clusters and
their shared educational institutions to address skills
developments services together to build sustainable
income from skills related members services to the
cluster organizations.

7. http://Learning-Layers-eu – Scaling up Technologies for Informal Learning in SME Clusters –
layers@learning-layers.eu
Become a stakeholder?
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Health
clusters
Energy
clusters
Cons-
truction
clusters
Other
clusters
Other
clusters
• Work with us to improve Your clusters
ability to learn faster?
– Ability to recruit the best talents
– Build world class technology supported
curricula in the cluster core knowledge area
– Improve effectiveness of workplace learning/
lifelong learning in your member base.
– Get sustainable funding to the cluster
organization from skills services?
– Get close to learning policy makers
• How?
– Network with our pilot clusters
– Do new collaborative European R&I projects
with the Layers team and its partners
– Become a pilot cluster
– Receive findings, attend workshops++

8. http://Learning-Layers-eu – Scaling up Technologies for Informal Learning in SME Clusters –
layers@learning-layers.eu
The Project Consortium
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Project Coordination
Technology Research
Regional Application Clusters
Scaling Partners
Technology Partners
Health Care – Leeds
Construction &
Building – Bremen

9. http://Learning-Layers-eu – Scaling up Technologies for Informal Learning in SME Clusters –
layers@learning-layers.eu
How we organize
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10. http://Learning-Layers-eu – Scaling up Technologies for Informal Learning in SME Clusters –
layers@learning-layers.eu
Timeline for our work
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11. http://Learning-Layers-eu – Scaling up Technologies for Informal Learning in SME Clusters –
layers@learning-layers.eu
Scaling Layers 2013-2017
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12. http://Learning-Layers-eu – Scaling up Technologies for Informal Learning in SME Clusters –
layers@learning-layers.eu
Join us to ?
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Health
clusters
Energy
clusters
Cons-
truction
clusters
Other
clusters
Other
clusters
• Build a pan European Learning
Innovation network
– Universities & VET Schools
– Regional Learning Technology
Clusters based on existing ICT and
Media clusters.
• Learning technology vendor
networks
– Learning policy makers
– National Cluster program owners
– Investors
• Work with existing networks/
organizations
– EC-TEL

13. http://Learning-Layers-eu – Scaling up Technologies for Informal Learning in SME Clusters –
layers@learning-layers.eu
Contact info
• LearnTec Cluster: www.learntec.no
• Learning Layers: www.learning-layers.eu
• Tor-Arne Bellika, CEO LearnTec Cluster.
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LinkedIn: no.linkedin.com/in/torarnebellika/
Mobile: +47 90538842
email: tab@i-perform.no