FEMCOOP PLUS

Partners:
AT Innovation Region Styria GmbH (IRS) (lead partner)
AT STMK Weizer Energie-Innovations-Zentrum (W.E.I.Z.)
AT BFI Berufsförderungsinstitut Burgenland
AT NÖ Forschungs und Buildungsges.m.b.H. (NFB)
HU Pannon Novum West-Transdanubian Regional Innovation Non-profit Kft.

Financed by:
Austria-Hungary Cross-Border Cooperation Programme / Interreg V-A AT-HU
Duration of the project: 1 May 2016 – 31 October 2019

Austria and Hungary both face the challenge of labour shortage and the law rate of female labour in technical professions (this rate is 15% in Austria, 10% in Hungary). Nowadays the competitiveness of the economy largely depends on the available skilled labour. A possible solution to the current situation is to motivate young girls to consider choosing technical professions. femcoop PLUS is the follow-up project of FEMCOOP that was successfully closed in 2014. The most important improvement in femcoop PLUS is the development of a common, innovative service package for SMEs in two areas of use: experimental technical modules for training centres (they provide a more active and practical insight into the world of technology) and special tour guides designed for target groups. The project focuses on the key sectors of the programme area (metal and electronic technology and electronical engineering, energy technology, IT and robotics). The introduction and  implementation of the items of the service package are supported by pilot projects. The output of the program is a cross-border knowledge platform – in the form of a Peer Review Group - fostering the  successful implementation with their experience and ideas and guaranteeing  the high standards of the establishment of the project. The cross-border expert  group consists of agents as project partners as well as SMEs, social partners, experts, pedagogical colleges, schools, female role models and idols. The diverse competencies and strength of the partners (agents) and SMEs and their synergies create significant added value.

Objectives:

• Reduce the shortage of professionals
• Increase the rate of female labour in technical professions
• Facilitate the networking and cooperation of SMEs / intermediate bodies / educational institutions

Regional Innovation Council