ContextResearch states that 59% of SMEs do not undertake any formal training activities (European Commission 2003). This project found that despite attempts to make learning more flexible SMEs have a preference for informal learning, however they feel it has a number of constraints. In particular due to its unstructured nature informal learning makes it difficult to identify if the employee acquired the skills and often there are a lack of staff to develop external skills. The project explored the use of Problem Based Learning (PBL) in structuring informal training in SMEs and allowing companies to leverage off of external expertise. It produced a collaborative ICT platform and two modules (one accredited) to allow SMEs to use problem based learning in their organisations.ObjectivesThe main objectives of the project achieved were:• Identify the common methods of learning in SMEs, barriers to learning and the problems SMEs face on a daily basis• Develop an organizational PBL framework with effective support mechanisms such as mentoring • Create a curriculum and online learning material to train trainers in companies to facilitate PBL.• Create a curriculum and online learning material for staff in SMEs.• Accredit the training course and recognition of such forms of learning in one Higher Education institute in Europe• Test training in 180 SMEs.• Create a learner-mentor network supported by an IT platform.• Develop a transferability model for other companies. ParticipantsSix partners from Germany, Ireland, Lithuania, Portugal and Romania collaborated on the project, each of these partners has close links with thousands of SMEs and HEIs and have experience in research projects concerning learning in SMEs ActivitiesThe main activities of the project are concerned with:- Gaining an understanding of current learning practices in SMEs- Evaluating past and current research in the area of learning in SMEs and Problem based learning-Examination of past and current research on the use of ICT tools in supporting informal learning and PBL-Development of a handbook on how SMEs can use PBL (A tutor handbook has also been developed)-Development of an ICT platform to support PBL -Development of two courses on PBL and mentoring for PBL-Creation of a network of SME learners, mentors and HEI experts in PBLMethodology The project was concerned with producing high quality research that is focused on the practical needs of the SME and SME organizations. There was extensive research conducted into the learning needs of SMEs, problems they face and how to exploit ICT for learning purposes. SMEs collaborated with the consortium by conducting surveys, interviews, evaluating outputs and providing feedback to improve these. High quality research was achieved by providing a workpackage methodology with detailed quality objectives for collaborative workpackages. The training outputs were accredited by academic institutes and the project partners will continue to work with VET\HEIs to accredit further courses.Result-Report on Informal Learning, Problem Based Learning and the use of ICT for Learning in European SMEs-Handbook to inform SMEs of how they can use PBL, a tutor handbook has also been developed-Two online courses on PBL for business professionals and facilitating PBL-Creation of a learner network with 180 members-Development of an ICT platform to support PBLImpact-180 SMEs undertook the modules- There are 192 members of the learner network-Three journal publications, three conference papers and one book chapter have been developed to inform academic audience of how PBL can be adopted for workbased learning and a third will be developed in the coming months- Three newspaper articles have been published during the project and 4 after the project ended-Accredited programme which will aim to recruit 40 students from SMEs per year on an ongoing basis -The consortium have identified two potential projects on Problem based learning to submit in 2018.Long term benefits- Provides a platform for SMEs to share problems (In the pilot several SMEs stated that they would refer to the platform on a regular basis)- Improve the competitiveness of European SMEs (92% of those that took part in the pilot felt the programme benefited them in some way, 46% solved a long standing problem and 46% expected to see a number of benefits in the coming months)- Attracts SMEs into formal education programmes by providing a 'taster' module were they can see the immediate benefit of training- Provide a research platform for further collaboration between HEIs\VETs and SMEs (2 projects are being proposed, a knowledge alliance and strategic partnership, in addition an event was held in Ireland on 'The role education can play in supporting small business')-Allow HEIs to reach a wider audience, attract SME learners-Methodology for accrediting informal learning-Structured method for SMEs to solve problems

Overall objective. To develop innovative high-quality flexible adult learning pathways for smart specialization oriented SMEs. Specific objectives:1. To identify new patterns how to cover gap of knowledgeable and skilled human resources.2. To develop high-quality flexible approaches for unlocking potential of the available human resources and their motivation.3. To foster implementation of new human resources management patterns and approaches in smart specialization oriented SMEs. 4. To encourage integration of new adult education provision approaches into human resources management patterns, including more productive cooperation between different adult education providers, prior learning recognition and guidance and counselling bodies in involved countries. Participants:1.Adult education developers and providers – professionals working in the adult education institutions and developing and providing adult education trainings and other measures (at least 18 persons, 3 per partner). 2.Human resources development specialists in smart specialization oriented SMEs (30 persons, 5 per partner). 3.Participants of stakeholders’ groups: public institutions, being responsible for education guidance and counselling, bodies recognition of the prior learning, education quality assurance; employers’ associations, trade unions, chambers of trade and commerce, adult education associations and their members (at least 240 persons).Activities: 1. Elaboration of the intellectual outputs: 1.1. Methodology for integration of AE into personnel development measures of smart specialization oriented SMEs; 1.2. Guidelines on application of the methodology.2. Transnational short-term trainings: 2.1. Training for AE experts on preparation for piloting of the methodology in SMEs; 2.2. Training of AE experts for exchange of experiences and lessons learnt during the piloting of the methodology; 2.3. Training for AE experts, SMEs on application of the methodology. 3. Multiplier events (6 in total, at least 240 participants at the total). 4. Management and coordination, including communication and dissemination. Expected results and impactThe project aims to develop innovative high-quality flexible adult learning pathways for smart specialization oriented SMEs, and it is foreseen to be the main intangible result. The tangible results are intellectual outputs: 1. Methodology for integration of AE into personnel development measures of smart specialization oriented SMEs. 2. Guidelines on application of the methodology.Potential longer term benefitsThe methodology and the guidelines have potential to be integrated in the adult education praxis and applied further by partners, other AE institutions, as well used by smart specialization oriented SMEs and other stakeholders. Innovative intellectual outputs will empower adult education providers will knowledge and skills, helping them to develop tailor made adult education approaches and content, thus having positive impact on adult education quality in a longer term. Smart specialization oriented SMEs will obtain knowledge and skills helping them to manage human resources availability and quality, to attract and upskill local people available and achievable considering realistic socio-economic and demographic situation. Better HR management will support and promote economic activities of the SMEs, who will manage HRs by applying the developed methodology. Other stakeholders will use the knowledge for improvement of existing approaches and/or transformation into new initiatives. In a long term perspective beneficiaries will be also regions’ less advantaged social groups: low skilled persons, young people, persons in age 50+, as new pathways will increase their possibilities to upskill, find jobs and become active participants of the economy. Methodology to be used in carrying out the project:Activities and tasks are planned and will be implemented in a way they support achievement of the objectives.Size and scope of the each activity group has been planned it ensures appropriate time for addressing and involvement of the target groups and stakeholders, provision of activities, gathering data and information, and elaboration of the main results - intellectual outputs. Sequence and timing of the activities are structured in a way results of implemented activities provide and ensure smooth implementation of the further activities. Partnership is ensuring all necessary knowledge, skills and competencies, which, mutually exchanged and shared will support partners in achievement of the objectives.

Small and medium-sized enterprises, SMEs, are the dominant form of business organisations in the EU. The new economy brings with it many challenges for SMEs. In order to survive SMEs, need to be innovative. However, innovation alone does not ensure success and the ability to turn ideas into value for a company and their customers is key. This requires an entrepreneurial mind-set which turns ideas into action (Zhao, 2005). A needs analysis with over 140 European SMEs reinforced this illustrating the need for skills that identified new opportunities for the business, new ways of doing business and using technology to deliver products/services. SME owner/managers are concerned about the survival of their organisations and find it difficult to forward plan (Garland et al, 1984). It is important for SMEs to develop an internal entrepreneurial culture (intrapreneurship) to support SME owners in growing the company into the future and become more innovative. The aim of the ReInnovate project was to address this gap by providing an inquiry based entrepreneurial education program for employees in SMEs to develop research skills allowing them to create the knowledge to develop new ideas to progress their company, implement these ideas and reflect on their success. Reinnovate focused on employees in SMEs and building an entrepreneurial mind-set through inquiry, leveraging some of the responsibility from the owner/managers.ReInnovate has developed a learning methodology and accredited curriculum to support the development of SME orientated practice based research skills in order to ensure research skills were orientated towards the needs of SMEs; developed the learning material for the ‘Smart Research as a 21st Century Skill for Business' programme and developed an ICT platform to support the delivery, mentoring and development of research skills in SMEs; has tested and evaluated the Smart Research as a 21st Century Skill for Business programme with SME learners in the EU to ensure it met with requirements. 178 SME learners registered for the programme, with a total of 68 SME learners completing all of the modules; has developed a methodology to transfer the development of research skills to a variety of sectors and VET programmes. A report ‘Integration of practical research skills into entrepreneurship education’ describes the process and the results of the programme developed and the recommendations for the transferability of the course and the platform.•An SME working group of 10 SME owner/managers provided feedback to ensure project outputs addressed the needs of SMEs in their sectors. •178 SME learners across all partner countries took part in the pilot of the Smart Research as a 21st Century Skill for Business programme. •16 SME owner/managers participated in a survey to evaluate how the Smart Research as a 21st Century Skill for Business programme met the needs of their sector.•13 VET providers participated in workshops, online discussions and surveys to inform the development of the transferability model.For SME learners that participated in the pilot programme the impact has been the development of a new set of skills allowing them to fill knowledge gaps; develop an entrepreneurial culture; and also the development, implementation and evaluation of an opportunity to make their SME organisation more competitive. The SME learners noted the impact of the workplace project which had directly benefited their organisations (29% noted that it had improved the productivity of the process, 16% noted improved quality of a product, 16% noted that it solved a long standing problem, and 10% noted reduced number of defects in product/process). Participation in the programme has increased the work opportunities and progression of the SME learners and the analysis of the learner interviews and reflective learning journals all participants noted an improvement in their knowledge and skill level through participation in the programme, including communication skills, research skills, critical thinking and problem solving skills. All participants were unanimous that the learning experience had a positive impact on their professional development. For VETs the impact of Reinnovate has been to enable them to adapt their programmes to increase their target audience to individuals in SMEs as well as entrepreneurs. It has provided the potential to integrate teaching methods that develop research skills that are relevant to the needs of SMEs and to increase the number of SME learners undertaking their programmes. The project has raised awareness and improved recognition of work based research skills in SMEs. It has provided VETs with insight into the current learning needs of SMEs and a pathway for VETs to collaborate with SMEs and improve the working relationship between education and industry.