Español Euskara Italiano Ελληνικά Polski Français Dansk English
High Contrast Low Contrast Increase Text Size Decrease Text Size Default
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.
Equipo en cocina profesional

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

Tutora explicando una tarea a dos aprendices

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.

Read the full story →

Consortium partners

Meet all partners
AFP
Co-Talent
HCCI
RESOL
Stella Virium
FO-Aarhus
Gureak Lanean

Objectives

At PATCH, we're committed to building a more inclusive and skill-driven future in the catering and hospitality sector. Our main objectives are to:

OB1. Empower VET trainers

Empower VET trainers with the right competences, strategies, and digital tools to effectively guide and support company tutors.

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 results

R1 · 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 news

18 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.

Get in touch →

Erasmus+ KA220-VET — Cooperation partnerships in vocational education and training