Italian delegation visits Crescendo CVO

As part of Erasmus+, a delegation from various Italian educational institutions visited Crescendo CVO.

ITALIAN DELEGATION VISITS CRESCENDO CVO

For the second consecutive year, Crescendo CVO welcomed a delegation from Tuscany, Italy. “This exchange is part of Erasmus+. The goal is to strengthen adult education in Europe by learning from each other, exchanging good practices, and continuing to collaborate,” says Marleen Mast, Director of Crescendo CVO. Through the Ufficio Scolastico Regionale per la Toscana in Florence, an educational organization that supports the quality of educational institutions through training and professional development, five colleagues were given the opportunity to visit Crescendo CVO.

The Italian guests came from various educational institutions, including CPIA1 from Pisa, Prato, Siena, and IISRICASOLI from Siena. They began their visit at the headquarters of GO! in Brussels, where they learned about the core values of GO! and its approach, the structure of Flemish education, and labor market-oriented programs in the context of dual learning. They then explored Brussels' rich cultural heritage from an educational perspective, as well as the European institutions, gaining insight into how they contribute to education and intercultural cooperation.

“Next, they immersed themselves in practice at Crescendo CVO Mechelen and Lier. They also met with our partner organizations such as the Leerwinkel Mechelen and the Agency for Integration and Citizenship.”

Michele Campanini, Deputy Director of CPIA1 Siena, was impressed by what he saw: “This model is inspiring and offers opportunities that we don't have in Italy. It supports newcomers and helps them get on the path to the job market. Your infrastructure is impressive, with well-equipped workshops and spacious facilities. This offers students unprecedented opportunities for practical learning.” Another standout feature for Campanini was the simplicity and efficiency of the administrative process for students: “The barrier to entry is low. The personal guidance makes a big difference. In Italy, we have free training, but the smooth organization and collaboration with external partners are an eye-opener.”

Nicolò Patrone, Italian teacher at the Agricultural School in Montalcino, Istituto Professionale Agrario di Montalcino, was also enthusiastic: “The opportunities adult students get at your institution are enormous,” he says. “The personal guidance and the efficiency of your administration are inspiring. What struck me most is how well the infrastructure meets the needs of practical education. The workshops allow students to gain hands-on experience right away. Unfortunately, we don't have such facilities. We work with local businesses for that.”

During the exchange, there was also discussion about online learning and the use of digital tools. Additionally, the focus was placed on quality development within adult education.

For more information, please contact Marleen Mast, Director

Crescendo CVO, Campus Mechelen, Vaartdijk 86, 2800 Mechelen, tel. +32 15 41 30 4