Project Number: IB_JEP-14337-99
Funded within the Programme: Tempus Phare
Project Duration: 2 years
Web: http://nataly.elf.stuba.sk/expo/index.html
Responsibility of ACRU: Dissemination of project results
Contact person for ACRU: Tomas Sabol, sabol@ccsun.tuke.sk

Slovakia, as one of applicants for membership in the European Union, has to fulfil many demanding requirements during the transition period. One of them is to bring enterprises into line with Community standards. The fact how enterprises in Slovakia (especially SMEs) will be able to cope with the competitive pressure and market forces during the EU accession will have a significant influence on the character and duration of the transition period. The project aims at facilitation of EU market accession for Slovak enterprises, especially SMEs, and at increasing their competitiveness by means of providing a complex package of training activities and consultancy to them. The basic project objectives are based on inputs and needs analysis carried out by the project non-academic partners, specially by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The project aims also at enabling enterprises to implement EU standards and practices and thus possibly support implementation of the "acquis communautaire". In order to achieve this, the experience of the EU project partners (UK, NL) is taken advantage of through W-E and E-W mobilities and information plus knowledge transfer. At the first stage an analysis of trainers training needs will enable the optimisation of targets. Very important aim of the project is also to increase and upgrade training capacities and competencies of Chambers of Commerce, Slovak industry and professional associations, business innovation and information centres etc. They will be involved in the training (as trainees and as trainers as well) and will be providing input to all phases of the project. Thus the educational process will be supported by all Slovakian partner Institutions with special competencies relevant to the project. Prior to the preparation and delivery of the pilot courses, Slovak trainers will be trained (both at EU partner institutions and in Slovakia) in the continuing education style of delivery of subject areas most relevant to the foreseen results, to enable the most efficient transfer of knowledge to the target groups. The project will facilitate the following (re)training programmes: law and finance in international trade; services and programs of assistance to SMEs available in EU and in Slovakia; marketing; project management; general skills (communication, intercultural negotiation); technical skills (information technology and Internet skills), new technologies (electronic commerce, Internet marketing), European studies; and language. The taught materials will be worked into textbooks available to the participants. The expected number of participants of the pilot courses (i.e. SME managers, representatives of enterprises etc.) during the run of the project is about 120. Later this number will increase through sustained effort of the SK partners. To make this training process sustainable, a network of co-operating institutions (including universities, Chambers of Commerce, public bodies, business innovation centres etc.) should be established and plan of future joint activities developed. The project will promote also the development of a university-based multiplier centre (the Institute of Lifelong/Distance education) - to have a possibility of training also other target groups in the public and private sector involved in the "acquis communautaire". The results of the pilot courses will be regularly evaluated. The teaching material development and the teaching itself will be supported by HW and SW procured or upgraded within the project. The developed courses and teaching materials will be applicable also in other areas of Slovakia, but also in the whole Carpathian region.

Content of the project modules: