CLIKC: Content and Language Integrated learning for Key Competences

CLIKC is an Erasmus+ project which intends to experiment with an innovative way to effectively train unemployed people, in an attempt to shorten the duration of the unemployment period and allow the active labor market system to focus on weaker categories. The project aims to create and test an educational catalog and a new distance learning tool of their kind, focusing on 4 innovations described as follows:
• innovations regarding the teaching methodology (Content Language Integrated Learning and Micro-Learning, CLIL)
• innovations concerning the ICT intermediation tool (Adaptive Learning and Advanced Analytics)
Moreover, the training catalogue will focus on 4 specific skills in the area of basic personal and relational skills.

Unemployment is one of the more relevant issues in the European Union. In 2019 7,5% of work force in the EU-19 area was unemployed (6,7% in EU27 area) and 44% of them was jobless since more than 12 months. The 2012 EFSI (European Fund for Strategic Investments) study asserts that the annual cost of each unemployed person is roughly 25.000 euros and, although only 25,2% of unemployed people receives economic public subsidies, the total annual cost of unemployment is around 90 billion euros per year. In particular, it is the length of individual unemployment periods which constitutes a threat for the social and economic sustainability of the system. It is crucial to support rapidly unemployed people with placement and career services. Training is a powerful driver of employability support. Skills are the main asset capable of qualifying the job offer and their enhancement is essential to support entry and permanence in the market. Among the skills that have the greatest impact on employment, a specific weight is covered by transversal skills: “personal, relationships and learning skills” are defined by (Recommendation of the EU Council 189/2018 as key competences).

The project will develop an adaptive learning web app featuring a multilingual catalog of modular teaching units focused on the specified key competences. These modules will be available in Italian, English, Spanish, and German. Each module, designed as a 15-minute micro-learning segment, will be accessible through various ICT devices, including desktops and mobiles. The courses will be hosted on a web application supporting asynchronous e-learning.

The platform will leverage two core technologies: adaptive learning and advanced analytics. An AI-powered system will recommend the most suitable learning content for each user, adjusting the learning path based on individual progress. Advanced analytics and reporting systems will provide comprehensive dashboards for both individual users (e.g., the unemployed) and labor market operators. These dashboards will facilitate skill verification, career orientation, and training integration into standard practices.

The main achievements of the CLIKC project include the development of a comprehensive contents catalog and the creation, release, and extensive testing of an adaptive learning web platform. The project successfully compiled a multilingual catalog of modular teaching units, focusing on key competences in personal and relational skills. This catalog is designed to be accessed in Italian, English, Spanish, and German, with each unit structured as a 15-minute micro-learning segment. These units are crafted to enhance the employability of users by developing crucial transversal skills.

The adaptive learning web application was developed, released into production, and tested with hundreds of users. The platform supports asynchronous e-learning, leveraging advanced technologies in adaptive learning and analytics. Key features include AI-powered recommendations, where the platform uses artificial intelligence to recommend the most appropriate learning content for each user, dynamically adjusting learning paths based on individual progress and outcomes. Additionally, advanced analytics and reporting provide comprehensive dashboards with detailed insights for both individual users and labor market operators, facilitating skill verification, career orientation, and training integration into standard employment support practices. The user-friendly interface ensures accessibility through various ICT devices, including desktops and mobiles, providing flexibility and convenience for all users.

The platform underwent rigorous testing with hundreds of users, whose feedback was instrumental in refining the system. This testing phase ensured that the platform is robust, user-friendly, and effective in delivering the intended educational outcomes.