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Stakeholder meeting presenting SMART Farm model and CB4WBL project advancement

25 Jun 2026 11:00
Stepanavan

On 25 June 2026, a national dissemination event was held at Stepanavan State Agricultural College Named After Professor A. Kalantar within the framework of the Erasmus+ Capacity Building in VET project CB4WBL — “An innovative model of SMART Farm adjacent to VET institution for students’ work-based learning towards better employability of graduates.”The event was dedicated to the presentation of the intermediate results of the pilot implementation of the SMART Farm model established adjacent to the college. The initiative aims to strengthen the capacity of Armenian VET institutions to deliver work-based learning by creating practical learning environments where students can develop professional skills directly linked to the labour market, employability, and the green transition.The event brought together representatives of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia, the National Erasmus+ Office in Armenia, project partners, college staff, students, and other stakeholders involved in vocational education and training.The programme opened with welcome remarks, followed by a visit to the cheese production workshop established within the farm attached to the college. During the visit, students presented the products developed as part of their practical learning activities, demonstrating the concrete results of the pilot model and its contribution to improving work-based learning in agricultural VET.The event also provided an opportunity to discuss the main challenges encountered during the pilot implementation of the farm model, including pedagogical organisation, implementation of the SMART Farm business plan, and the development of a farm product sales strategy. These discussions allowed participants to reflect on the practical, educational, and organisational dimensions of the model and to identify perspectives for its further development.A dedicated session was also held on the draft sectoral qualification frameworks for three VET specialties: Veterinary, Milk and Dairy Technology, and Management. This session highlighted the importance of aligning VET qualifications with sectoral needs and strengthening the relevance of training programmes to the labour market.Overall, the dissemination event contributed to raising awareness of work-based learning in Armenia and provided a platform for sharing the first results of the CB4WBL project with key stakeholders. It also helped to promote dialogue on how innovative farm-based learning models can support the modernisation of vocational education and improve the employability of graduates.