The project “Mu.SA: Museum Sector Alliance” is approved in the European Framework of Erasmus+ / Sector Skills Alliances. It aims to address the increasing disconnection between formal education and training and the world of work because of the emergence of new job roles due to the quickening pace of the adoption of ICT in the museum sector. Mu.SA addresses directly the shortage of digital and transferrable skills identified in the museum sector as they have been explicitly recorded during the analysis phase of project eCult Skills, which was funded under the Lifelong Learning Programme (2013-15). The eCult Skills project (http://ecultskills.eu/) was coordinated by Hellenic Open University (HOU), Greece in partnership with Mapas das Ideias (MAPAS), Portugal, with the participation of experts from ICOM Portugal and University of Porto (U.PORTO), Portugal. Also, Mu.SA project supports the continuous professional development of museum professionals.
A set of emerging job role profiles will be composed from the competences identified by the analysis of needs and training offers. For each of them, a modular VET curriculum will be designed, applying a specific VET methodology based on learning outcomes and principles of adult education that realizes new approaches to education and competence development that capitalize on the full potential of various learning settings. A repository of digital OERs will be developed, to support the acquisition of more than 40 digital and transversal competences. Using these, a MOOC for acquiring the basic competences of job role profiles and a Specialization Training Course including e-learning and face-to-face lectures and a work based learning phase will be offered. Training will be delivered via an online platform that stimulates sharing and exchange of knowledge, experiences and best practices. Communities of practice that ensure sustainability of results beyond project end will be formed.
Project outputs will directly benefit museum professionals and unemployed in the cultural sector, as well as the museums themselves. Indirectly, the project will contribute to raising the quality of life of the general public, by enabling museums to offer enhanced cultural experiences.
More information on the Mu.SA website and in the Mu.SA leaflet.