According to a recent investigation, "typical" college students (e.g. 18 to 22 years old, living in dorms, studying full time) make up only one fifth of enrollments today, and they are outnumbered by adults lacking diplomas. Many of them work irregular hours or travel, have kids and have no real opportunity for full time education. These people, together with young professionals and people without qualification are the targets of this project. Some of them already have degrees but need lifelong education to advance their careers. Employers also need the most skilled workforce and will be glad if their staff has an opportunity of additional training without leaving the workplace.

JOBeL-Bio vocational training programme

The JOBeL-Bio ODL-programme comprises 8 specialized modules, each consisting of different number of units (1 - 12) thematically unified in various parts. These parts correspond to compulsory/optional courses which are the building blocks of the programme.
Two levels of learning are foreseen, basic and advanced, which comprise the training models lifelong learning, work-linked training and apprenticeship. The assessment of trainees' knowledge is based on ECTS and is documented by a Certificate.

The ODL-programme offers as well a specialized glossary in biotechnology and environment protection.
1. Microbial biotechnology of prokaryotes
2. Microbial biotechnology of eukaryotes
3. Environment protection and biotechnology
4. Methods in biotechnology and environment protection
5. Quality and safety assurance and assessment
6. Quality management in food industry
7. Biotechnology apprenticeship for secondary-school level students: basic techniques for work with yeasts
8. Biotechnology apprenticeship for technicians working in SMEs: process control in biotechnology
9. Specialized glossary in biotechnology and environment protection;
10. Information database in biotechnology and environment protection;
11. Elaboration of computer-based e-learning system in Biotechnology and environment protection.

The JOBeL-Bio e-Curriculum is arranged as three main learning pathways: two for advanced and one - for basic level of education. The advanced level learning pathways cover a whole academic year (60 European Credits (EC), 1800 h) and the basic level one - a semester (30 EC, 900 h)

Advanced Level Learning Pathway
Biotechnology

60 EC = 1800 h Compulsory courses (C); 50 EC = 1500 h Optional courses (O); 10 EC (from a total of 27 EC) = 300 h

Advanced Level Learning Pathway
Environment Protection

60 EC = 1800 h Compulsory courses (C); 50 EC = 1500 h Optional courses (O); 10 EC (from a total of 27 EC) = 300 h

Basic Level Learning Pathway
Biotechnology and Environment Protection

30 EC = 900 h Compulsory courses (C); 21 EC = 630 h Optional courses (O); 9 EC (from a total of 15 EC) = 270 h

JOBeL-Bio programme offers as well various Intensive Programmes (JOBeL-Bio IPs), which are envisaged to cover the training needs of different target groups of the project for knowledge updating / upgrading depending on their current qualification, professional position and own wills.
The development of the Intensive Programmes (IPs) is based on the following principle: 20 EC, 600 academic hours workload, 1 term duration or 40 EC, 1200 academic hours workload, 2 terms duration.

Exemplary Intensive programmes

Area “Biotechnology”

Area “Environment Protection”

Area “Biotechnology / Environment Protection”