OB1. Empower VET trainers
Empower VET trainers with the right competences, strategies, and digital tools to effectively guide and support company tutors.
Erasmus+ KA220-VET · 2024–2027
Place and train for real inclusion at work
PATCH helps VET trainers, company tutors and employers create workplaces where people with mild to moderate cognitive disabilities can learn, work and be recognised — in the catering and hospitality sector.
101M
people in the EU live with some form of disability
50.8%
employment rate of disabled people aged 20-64, vs 75% of non-disabled
60
people with special needs involved in the national pilots
7
partner organisations across 6 European countries
What is "place and train"?
Instead of training first and hoping for a job later, the person is placed inside a real company and trained there by a company tutor, while a VET trainer follows the progress and prepares the workplace. It works especially well in catering and hospitality — but there is no standard way to train the people who make it happen.
PATCH fills that gap with a shared European methodology, digital learning materials and a recognition system based on micro-credentials.
Consortium partners
Meet all partnersΣτόχοι
Στο PATCH, δεσμευόμαστε να οικοδομήσουμε ένα πιο συμπεριληπτικό και βασισμένο στις δεξιότητες μέλλον στον τομέα της εστίασης και της φιλοξενίας. Οι βασικοί μας στόχοι είναι:
- Ενδυνάμωση των εκπαιδευτών ΕΕΚ (Επαγγελματικής Εκπαίδευσης και Κατάρτισης) με τις κατάλληλες ικανότητες, στρατηγικές και ψηφιακά εργαλεία ώστε να καθοδηγούν και να υποστηρίζουν αποτελεσματικά τους μέντορες/συμβούλους επιχειρήσεων.
- Σχεδιασμός καινοτόμων μεθόδων και υλικών κατάρτισης που βοηθούν τους μέντορες/συμβούλους να εντάσσουν και να εκπαιδεύουν επιτυχώς άτομα με ειδικές ανάγκες σε πραγματικά εργασιακά περιβάλλοντα.
- Καθιέρωση ενός διαφανούς και αξιόπιστου συστήματος αναγνώρισης δεξιοτήτων, μέσω micro-credentials για την αξιολόγηση, επικύρωση και επιβράβευση των ικανοτήτων των ατόμων με γνωστικές αναπηρίες.
- Προώθηση μακροπρόθεσμου αντίκτυπου μέσω της υιοθέτησης των αποτελεσμάτων και βέλτιστων πρακτικών του PATCH από τα συστήματα ΕΕΚ όλων των εταίρων και πέραν αυτών.
OB2. Design innovative training methods and materials
Design innovative training methods and materials that help company tutors successfully include and train people with special needs (SNs) in real workplace environments.
OB3. Establish a skills recognition system
Establish a transparent and credible skills recognition system, using micro-credentials to evaluate, validate, and celebrate the abilities of individuals with cognitive disabilities.
OB4. Promote long-term impact
Promote long-term impact by encouraging the adoption of PATCH's results and best practices within the VET systems of all partner organizations and beyond.
Project results
See all resultsR1 · WP2
VET Trainers' MOOC
An online, 24/7 training programme for the trainers of company tutors, with a guidance module, digital learning modules, a knowledge test and open-badge certification.
R2 · WP2
Company Tutors' curriculum
A standardised blended training course for company tutors, delivered as an interactive e-book with tools, methods and guidance for the inclusion of workers with special needs.
R3 · WP3
Micro-credential evaluation system
An evaluation and recognition system based on micro-credentials that valorises the life skills and technical skills of people with mild to moderate cognitive disabilities.
R4 · WP4
Recommendations
Policy recommendations for public authorities and practical advice for the engagement of entrepreneurs in the hospitality and catering sector.
Latest news
All news18 June 2026 · Pilots
National pilots get ready in six countries
Partners are recruiting company tutors and participants for the pilots that will test the PATCH methodology with up to 48 workers with special needs across Europe.
5 March 2026 · Research
Good practices and surveys completed
The partnership collected 35 good practices and gathered 180 survey answers on inclusive workplaces in the hospitality and catering sector.
12 November 2025 · Meeting
Transnational project meeting
The consortium reviewed the first year of work, the MOOC structure and the design of the company tutors' curriculum.
Work with us
Are you a VET provider, a restaurant, a hotel or a public authority? Join the PATCH community and test the methodology in your country.
Erasmus+ KA220-VET — Cooperation partnerships in vocational education and training