Data Science (DS) and Internet of Things (IoT) have been recognized as the technologies among the key drivers of change regarding the skills and competences needed by the IT labor market. The foreseen skills gap together with the rapid and continuous evolution of DS and IoT technologies and their application at many economy’s sectors make the skills required by related occupational profiles increasingly sophisticated, and the need to be constantly updated imperative.

In this context, the main purpose of the project is to deal with the skills gap of the professionals in Data Science and Internet of Things of Information and Communication Technologies and to provide them with knowledge, skills and abilities which are needed by the IT sector. To achieve this goal, SEnDIng will develop and deliver two learning outcome-oriented modular VET programmes using innovative teaching and training methodologies.

Each VET program will be provided according to a mixed learning model which integrates learning and employment.

Project’s Partners

In the project participate partners from Greece (University of Patra, Greek Computer Society (GCS), Olympic Training & Consulting Ltd., Yodiwo SA, Mixanografiki LLC, Unicert, Bulgary (Bulgarian Association of Software Companies-BASSCOM, European Software Institute - Center Eastern Europe, Code Runners, Nemetschek), Cyprus (University of Cyprus) and Ireland (Universal Learning Systems). Although, every partner has a different profile, expertise and philosophy (Higher Education Institutes, Vocational Education Training Partners , IT companies, Media and a Certification Entity), they have joint their forces under a common vision to reinforce the European labor market with professionals of Data Science and Internet of Things with high skills.

Project’s objectives

• To address the skills gap of IT professionals who are operating in the field of Data Science and Internet of Things.
• To provide Data Science and Internet of Things professionals with skills and competences, that meet the needs of employers, are transferable and recognized in all European countries.
• To design a common reference scheme of competences, skills, knowledge and proficiency levels for Data Science and Internet of Things professionals in accordance with European frameworks (e.g. eCF and ESCO).
• To design and provide two modular learning outcome oriented VET programs, one targeting Data Science and another Internet of Things.
• To design a mechanism for the certification of skills and competences provided to learners.

Project’s outputs

• A report of the desired learning outcomes of the vocational trainings in terms of knowledge, skills and competences for the occupational profiles of Data Scientists and Internet of Things engineers.
• A common reference scheme of competences, skills, knowledge, and proficiency levels of Data Scientists and IoT engineers.
• Two modular learning outcome oriented vocational curricula, one targeting Data Scientists and another targeting IoT engineers. Its curricula will include at least five educational modules. In the case of Data Science vocational trainings an indicative list of educational modules is the following: (i) Python for Data Science, (ii) Statistics for Data Science, (iii) Storing and retrieving data, (iv) applied machine learning and Data Visualization (v). In the case of Internet of Things vocational trainings an indicative list of educational modules is the following: (i) smart cities and homes, (ii) wearables, (iii) location tracking, (iv) security and (v) communication technologies.
• Training material for the implementation of the two VET programs. This training material will cover 200 hours of on-line asynchronous training (100 hours of Data Science and 100 hours for Internet of Things) and 20 hours of face to face training (soft and transversal skills).
• A training methodology (online, face to face and work based learning) for the delivery of the VET programs to the learners.
• A methodology for the assessment of the learners during the delivery of the VET programs.
• A mechanism for the certification of the skills and competences provided to the beneficiaries.
• Three workshops organized at Greece, Cyprus and Bulgaria to promote project’s activities and services to stakeholders and main target groups.
• Exploitation toolkits for higher education institutes, VET providers and companies.
• One final conference organized at Greece, to present to all stakeholders the main outcomes of the project, its sustainability plan, and how its outcomes can be further exploited by higher education institutes, VET providers and companies.

Target Groups

• IT professionals in the Field of IT and Communication, and other sectors where the Data Science and Internet of Things technologies are applied (e.g. banking, assurance, energy)
• Businesses
• Vocational Training Centers
• Higher Education Institutes
• Policy makers