The project is consisting of seven work packages:

WP 1 Preparation: Research and needs analysis

WP 2 Development: Competence-based entrepreneurship learning approach (incl. validation)

WP 3 Development: Training and counselling of HE staff

WP 4 Development: Piloting the Competence-based entrepreneurship learning approach (inlc. Validation) of competence developments, accreditation and certification

WP 5 Quality Plan

WP 6 Dissemination and exploitation

WP 7 Management

They are clustered in four central research and development work packages (R&D) and three supportive and cross-cutting WPs: quality assurance, dissemination and exploitation and project management.  The partners will work along an action research oriented approach in the R&D work packages.

In a first step they will investigate, develop and implement open learning (and ICT-aided) assessment and validation systems in regard to the acquisition of key competences at the interface of HE and business practice. Output will be a large-scale survey based on qualitative and quantitative research to be finalised at the end of the first year. Interim results will be delivered in project month 6.

Parallel an inventory for sub-competences for the key competence 7 (entrepreneurship and sense of initiative) with a minimum of ten sub-competences each will be set up. For each of the competences so called reference systems will be set up that describe the competences in three dimensions (knowledge, skills and attitudes) on five quality levels. Parallel a modular, competence oriented learning approach (COL) will be set up which is transferable to different target groups, learning settings both in HE and in real business sectors (CPD).

In the pilots the learners will work in the traineeships along a project development approach – guided by counsellors both in the HE institutes, intermediate organisations and their contact partners in the enterprises. The key competences that the learners will have acquired in the real projects will be validated and documented. The results of evaluation and quality assurance (internal processes, developed products, outcomes and impact) are fed back to finalise the REBUS survey as a profound research work and to facilitate the valorisation and transfer.

This way REBUS shows a circular structure securing quality as in modern QM systems like ISO or EFQM.

In the framework of the product and programme evaluation the REBUS approach, its products instruments will be assessed against specific criteria adopted by the partnership and finally transferred on different levels:

–          in innovative learning modules and open learning environments in HE

–          in innovative learning and validation modules in CPD

–          in new validation schemes and accreditation blending formal and informal validation (ECTS, EQF, LEVEL5, EUROPASS)

The Project Cycle Management Approach (PCM) will be used as project planning instrument. There will be a share of content related and administrative project management tasks, the latter will be carried out by a competent staff member of the contractor.

The main steps of the project will be limited by project milestones in the form of 3 transnational meetings.

In a work breakdown structure (WBS) operational objectives envisaged products and related activities will be fixed for each organisation. The results will be rated according to objectively verifiable indicators (OVI’s). The OVI’s will be evaluated during the partner meetings and will then be processed and adjusted for the next evaluation period.