Project background

In many Latin American higher education institutions, students’ studies are still not sufficiently connected to the needs of working life. Courses are largely theory‑based, and cooperation with employers is limited. This weakens graduates’ readiness to enter the labour market. The project aims to strengthen practical learning and create models that enable smooth collaboration between universities and employers.

Project objectives

• Build study models in which students work on real assignments from companies.
• Develop courses and curricula that support stronger integration with working life.
• Strengthen the skills needed to guide workplace projects and apply a coaching‑based teaching approach.
• Create a shared framework that helps embed employer cooperation into studies.
• Provide students with opportunities to learn through practical, work‑related experiences.
• Enhance the competences valued by employers in the region.

Project activities

• Piloted courses in which students solved assignments provided by companies.
• Trained teachers and workplace partners in coaching practices and project facilitation.
• Supported partner universities in building their own models for company collaboration.
• Collected feedback from the pilots and analysed how well teaching meets labour market needs.
• Updated curricula to better support project‑based learning in the future.