Holistic efforts for retention

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT?

The purpose of this project is to increase the retention of students in GF2 and 1st year main course students for the vocational education programs: Beautician, Dental Clinic Assistant, Hairdresser, Gastronomist, Gourmet Butcher, Waiter and Baker. The project focuses through a holistic approach on 3 main efforts. The holistic effort brings together social activities, co-teaching and team well-being as well as increased company collaboration on SPS in a coherent strategy that addresses the needs of the students from multiple angles. The goal is to create a sustainable learning environment that promotes well-being and retention through a combination of individual and collective initiatives, with ongoing adaptation and support from both school and external parties. The purpose is to strengthen the students' well-being, motivation and professional development through targeted efforts, with a view to retaining the students.

WHO IS BEHIND?

The Danish Employers' Education Contribution (AUB) has chosen to provide funding for the project: Holistic efforts for retention, which Techcollege has applied for and is the lead on.

WHICH COURSES ARE PARTICIPATING?

The following programs from Techcollege participate:

• Beautician, Dental Assistant, Hairdresser, Gastronomist, Gourmet Butcher, Waiter and Baker.

THE PROJECT IN NUMBERS

Total project budget: DKK 752,466.00.

Techcollege's total budget: DKK 752,466.00. *Of which self-financing: DKK 212,184.00.

Project period: Project duration: 2 years in 2025-2026

WHAT ACTIVITIES ARE PART OF THE PROJECT?

Initiative 1. Social activities

The social activities are intended to strengthen the sense of community, belonging, motivation and well-being among students in the programs. The activities include joint events such as team building days, theme nights and workshops, during or outside school hours for the students and are built around ideas from students who were involved in the fall of 2024 in connection with the development of the project. An annual cycle of activities is being developed.

Initiative 2. Co-teaching

To support the students academically and socially, a systematic co-teaching effort is being introduced, where two subject teachers, from each education, with subject competencies, collaborate on planning, teaching and evaluation. One of these could also be a pedagogical counselor from the guidance center, if the nature of the needs in the teaching and the class are more in the social pedagogical direction. The effort is generally about differentiated teaching to meet the students' different learning styles and needs, as well as a competency development for teachers so that they can handle different student groups and their personal challenges.

Initiative 3. Companies' knowledge of students' challenges and SPS support options

The aim of this initiative is to strengthen the collaboration between students, schools and companies by visiting companies 1-2 times in the first half of the students' apprenticeship and with a special focus on areas where students have a high dropout rate. Overall, this initiative is about a targeted effort for the identified issues, students and companies, and to spread awareness of SPS support opportunities in companies.

WHAT ARE THE EXPECTED RESULTS OF THE PROJECT?

Expected effects:

1. Increased student retention

2. Improved well-being and motivation

3. Strengthened communities and social integration

4. Better teacher-student relationships

5. Improved professional development

6. Greater awareness of support opportunities for companies

7. Better feedback and evaluation

8. Dissemination of knowledge to Techcollege's other programs about the effects of the efforts