<< Background >>Four partner VET schools from Czech Republic, Slovenia, Lithuania and Latvia have joined their interest and motivation to work in “A Star is Born: empowering creative art talents through competitions and with online tools” project.The main idea for this project came out considering these aspects:-the need of collaborative initiative in exchanging good practice and educational tools for VET teachers who supports creative art students, prepares them for competitions, develop their talents and seeks to reach good results-the need of collaboration in Europe facing the significant challenges in youth employment-the importance of building students’ digital skills as ability to prepare and compete in local, national and international labour market-the need to create more opportunities for students from disadvantaged backgrounds to take part in hairdressing competitions-the need to improve image of VET qualification as attractive and appealing to young peopleExploiting the potential of different approaches on preparation of art students for competitions and developing digital skills can best be achieved through strategic partnership of European VET organisations who specialises in creative study programmes and have interest development of students’ talent and their professional skills. The project should be carried out transnationally because the intended results could not be achieved in isolation and reach planned results.Project corresponds strongly to identified priorities at internal strategies, regional, national and European policies. European Skills Agenda clearly shows how important is to develop students personal and professional skills in order to be adaptable in competitive labour market (transversal skills). A Star is Born project also will foster digital skills development of teachers and students.<< Objectives >>Our project will be one of the key solutions for 21st century challenges. Youth unemployment was already and during the coming up economic crisis will increase as a challenge in the whole Europe and beyond. Schools are playing a crucial role in preparation of young talents to be competitive in the local, national and international labour market. Teachers and students are in need to be equipped with digital tools and increase their ability to solve problems with relevance and novelty which is a creativity.A Star is Born project partners have diverse experience in preparing students for competitions. Lithuanian partner has quite good system in supporting students; Latvian – has extensive experience in taking part in competitions; Czech – mainly national competitions, but in Slovenia there are no national competitions for hairdressers. Therefore, there is a gap between partner countries in this area. All partners want to share experience and improve students talent development. One of the main focuses will be to empower creative art students with high levels of skills that are needed to achieve high results not only at the national level, but international one as well.Combination of key elements will be covered within our project: Talent development + Creativity + Digital skillsThe main project objectives:-to motivate students to be active in learning process and to equip them with skill sets to help them to be successful in their future jobs, to become responsible citizens and attractive for international labour market-to empower talented creative art students no matter their background-to increase students’ digital skills-to enhance knowledge and expertise of teachers-to enforce creative and critical thinking and to promote fair competition-to motivate students to take responsibility of their learning and self-evaluating-to support creation of international competitions for hairdressersProject greatly supports Erasmus+ programme objectives for VET schools in a way to help realise the full potential of teachers and students by the use of new ways of learning, technology and digital tools. Creation of competitions is part of skills development agendas in Europe as well.<< Implementation >>In order to achieve these objectives partners have planned: -1 teachers training which will bring teachers who are working with creative art students, on career guidance, support and motivation of students. It will be essential to exchange good practice in cooperative learning methods, to find creative ways of working with students and to support them in the preparation for competitions, to prepare them to work in multicultural teams, to exchange experience in talent development approaches.-4 students exchanges will include international competitions where multicultural teams of students will work online before each mobility (blended). Preparation of their professional digital portfolio will be part of their training during the mobility.-1 Guide for teachers - A Star is Born will be developed and showcase gathered best practice about students preparation for competitions, digital tools for students professional portfolio creation and practical experience in organising international competitions for creative art students.- Local events will be organised in each partner school.During this project we will use methods of cooperative learning (on/offline), multicultural teamwork, problem-based learning and other student-centered approaches, as creating collaborative learning groups, using debates, discussions, workshops and also previous project developed tools. The implemented activities will be a part of schools’ internationalisation strategy that will ensure continuation of work on “A Star is Born” project objectives. Shared experience and presented project outputs in the community and other organisations will ensure the awareness of importance of talent development, digital skills development, preparation for competitions, creativity and impact of trained teachers in quality of education.<< Results >>Project will focus to achieve these results: -12 trained teachers will improve personal and professional competence-4 blended mobilities will be organised for students from creative art study programmes (hairdressing, beauticians, etc.). All 4 partner organisations will have experience in organising these type of mobilities-64 students (16-25 years old) will increase their personal and professional skills -At least 12 students will take part from disadvantaged background-4 blended mobilities will be organise for students from creative art study programmes (hairdressing, beauticians, etc.)-4 VET schools will improve their quality of education for creative art students -1 Guide for teachers will be developed on methods of preparation of creative art student’s for competitions; digital tools to create students’ professional portfolio; sharing best practices from practical cases-At least 4 videos from the learners´ exchanges to inspire peers to make a step and become their own level stars in labour market-Students´ created materials (creative projects, professional digital portfolios, articles) -Teachers and VET schools increase their capacity and knowledge how to organize international competitions for creative art students (e.g. hairdressers) and support student’s skills development-Project outcomes will be disseminated via various on-/offline channels to inspire more teachers and schools to integrate sustainable systems to support talent developmentProject will develop sustainability plan with activities to ensure integration of gained knowledge into practice after project ends. Needless to say that after completion of the project, trained teachers will act as mentors to creative art students to foster their skills for international competitions. They will become “ambassadors” of cooperative online learning and experienced teachers to use digital tools to create one of the essential element for creative art students to become successful in competitive labour market – professional portfolio. Teachers will become advocates on these aspects to make the project sustainable. They will pass the knowledge within and outside the partnership throughout online and offline channels and networks. Students will become examples of raising stars for their peers. Future projects will be discussed and planned during the cooperation.