English

WHO WE ARE, WHAT WE DO?

PRACTICE ENTERPRISE

Practice Enterprise (also known as a practice firm or virtual enterprise) is a virtual company that runs like a real business silhouetting a real firm’s business procedures, products, and services.

In a Practice Enterprise, trainees/ students/clients are trained in a work-based environment. The integrated environment allows learning to occur as a natural part of the day-to-day activities. The students/trainees/clients do not pour over books studying the principles of business theory; they conduct real commercial business with other Practice Enterprises within the network conforming to accepted business practices and frameworks.

In this didactical concept, the roles of the Teachers/Trainers/Lecturers and the students differ strongly from those in the traditional teaching-learning processes. The Trainer is the general manager of the firm, guiding the trainees as employees to meet the Practice Enterprise’s Business Plans and budgets. Definitely, they are the guide or adviser of the company’s “employees”. The trainees are the workers in the firm. Some are appointed as line managers for a part of their training and development.

The training methodology is the target to resolve typical issues encountered at trainees’ levels

  • Lack of business experience;
  • Only have access to theoretical knowledge, which may not include how to actually complete a prerequisite commercial document;
  • Lack of business knowledge, processes, systems, and procedures;
  • Lack of appropriate social and business skills to undertake tasks;
  • Lack of knowledge business etiquette;
  • Lack of experience dealing with foreign language or international documentation.

The participants are employees of a company, having to apply for a position in the company via Human Resources, receiving an induction program, training schedule, contract of employment, job description, and departmental duties. They rotate around the organization enhancing their practical knowledge of the various departmental procedures, systems, operations, and targets, learning by doing the job functions.

There are 37 PEs in Lithuania.

Activities in PE „Vigora“

SIMULITH CENTRE (LITHUANIAN CENTRAL OFFICE OF PEs)

Each country in which a PEs Network exists has its own service centre, called the National Central Office (CO).
The PE centre coordinating the activities of PEs in Lithuania is called “Simulith Centre”. It was founded in 1994 and operating in Vilniaus kolegija/University of Applied Sciences (VIKO).

VILNIAUS KOLEGIJA/UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES

VIKO is the largest accredited higher professional education institution in Lithuania. It provides higher professional education in the sectors of Tourism, Business, Information Technologies, Electronics, Pedagogical Education, Economy, Health Care, Agriculture, and Arts. VIKO has more than 7100 students, who study here under 42 study programmes in 7 faculties: Electronics and Informatics, Economics, Business Management, Health Care, Pedagogic, Arts and Creative Technologies and Agro-technologies. 7 Degree programmes are in English

EUROPEN-PEN INTERNATIONAL

A CO provides excellent opportunities to initiate and carry out continuous PE concept development on the national and international level.
Since 1999 “Simulith Centre” is a member of worldwide PE network EUROPEN-PEN International.

EUROPEN-PEN International (PEN) is a not-for-profit association that administrates the worldwide practice enterprises network. It supports a worldwide network of over 7,500 Practice Enterprises in schools, colleges, universities, vocational training institutions, companies and training centers in over 40 countries around the world, providing a unique approach to business skills training to more than 200,000 trainees each year.

 “LIBA“ Lithuanian Practice Enterprises Association 

LIBA (Lith. Lietuvos imitaciniu bendroviu asociacija “Liba“) is a non-profit Association, founded in 2015 and providing support to the Lithuanian Practice Enterprise network. LIBA was created by a group of active people and organisations working with Practice Enterprise concept in Lithuania.

LIBA is a young organization but all members have long-time experience working with Practice Enterprise concept. LIBA has 42 members representing numerous institutions (universities, basic education schools and VET) and regions of Lithuania. The Association is working according to the Strategic Action Plan for the year 2016-2020.

The aim of LIBA is to gather various institutions with Practice Enterprises, Practice Enterprise Trainers, Teachers, Coordinators, Trainees who is or where working with Practice Enterprise concept, social partners, other natural or legal persons on purpose to:

  • Improve Practice Enterprise model according to target groups (Trainers, Trainees) needs;
  • Stimulate qualitative and quantitative Practice Enterprise expansion;
  • Organize and moderate mutually beneficial partnership between Association members and all interested organizations.

The main objectives are:

  • To promote lifelong learning concept;
  • To liaise with Lithuanian and European associations working with entrepreneurship education and lifelong learning concept;
  • To organise various seminars and other events;
  • To participate and initiate national and international projects;
  • To cooperate with governmental, public or private institutions, associations and people in Lithuania and worldwide who are taking part in formal or informal entrepreneurship education and lifelong learning activities.

TOGETHER WE CREATE EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT, WHERE PERSON’S CREATIVITY, SOCIAL AND ECONOMICAL PHENOMENONS UNDERSTANDING, AS WELL AS THE ABILITY TO LEARN BY DOING IS PROVIDED

Please contact us with any questions you may have.

Address:
Simulith Centre
Saltoniskiu str. 58-117
LT08105 Vilnius
LITHUANIA

Phone:

+370 687 83304

E-mail:
simulith@gmail.com
slinfo@viko.lt

ONGOING PROJECTS

Web learning approach for advancing and sustaining learners’ wellbeing and mental health

Project Title: “Innovative Web Approach for Advancing and Sustaining VET Learners’ Wellbeing and Mental Health”
Funded under Erasmus+ programme: Key Action 2: Cooperation for Innovation and Exchange of Good Practices
Type of activity: KA202 – Strategic Partnerships for Vocational Education and Training
Project number: 2020-1-LT01-KA202-078016
Project Acronym: STAYWELL
Project period is: 1/11/2020 – 31/10/2022, 24 Months

StayWell project aim is to develop an innovative web learning approach for advancing and sustaining VET learners’ wellbeing and mental health through the acquisition of social-emotional skills that would help them study effectively, master their life and enter the job market.

Target Groups:

  • Secondary VET: learners; teachers, educators, trainers and professionals; psychologists and leaders
  • Representatives of organisations promoting mental health and wellbeing in secondary VET
  • Public bodies involved in secondary VET

PROJECT CONSORTIUM

Project Coordinator:

VILNIAUS KOLEGIJA Lithuania

Partners:

PSICHIKOS SVEIKATOS PERSPEKTYVOS VIESOJI ISTAIGA Lithuania
Foyle International Ltd. United Kingdom
KUTAHYA DUMLUPINAR UNIVERSITESI Turkey
EUROPEAN CENTER FOR QUALITY OOD Bulgaria
AKMI ANONIMI EKPAIDEFTIKI ETAIRIA Greece
MEDNARODNA ZVEZA ZA ZDRAVJE MLADIH – INTERNATIONAL YOUTH HEALTH ORGANIZATION Slovenia

Project Objectives:

  • To provide VET learners, teachers and community with a thorough understanding of the factors affecting and skills favouring students’ wellbeing through the development of a pioneering 4-pillar mapping frame of wellbeing;
  • To foster VET learners to get aware, verify and continuously improve their level of psychological, cognitive, social and physical wellbeing through the development of a new to date approach for self-reflect upon the skills, which could help them improve their wellbeing and mental health;
  • To boost and sustain VET learners’ wellbeing skills through the creation of a virtual challenge-based learning environment to promote wellbeing practices at school;
  • To enrich VET teachers’ pedagogical approaches related to challenge-based learning and wellbeing promotion in the classroom through the elaboration of a full-cycle navigation tool to support them in the application, adaptation and transferability of the project innovative web approach.

Project Results:

1, Wellbeing Mapping Frame providing a thorough understanding of the factors affecting and skills favouring students’ wellbeing shaped in a pioneering 4-pillar frame.
2. Wellbeing Skillbox opening up VET learners’ minds about the importance of their mental health and wellbeing and fostering them to discover and continuously improve the skills,
which could help them improve their psychological, cognitive, social and physical wellbeing.
3. Digital Wellbeing Lab creating a virtual challenge-based learning environment for boosting and sustaining VET learners’ wellbeing skills through collaborative work and guided
discovery in the classroom.
4. Digital Wellbeing Lab Navigation Guide equipping VET teachers with a full-cycle navigation tool to apply, adapt and transfer the project innovative web approach.

VET Teacher Skills Portfolio


Project Title: “Developing VET Teaching Skills – Leading the Success of Tomorrow’s Students”
Funded under Erasmus+ programme: Key Action 2: Cooperation for Innovation and Exchange of Good Practices
Type of activity: KA202 – Strategic Partnerships for Vocational Education and Training
Project number: 2019-1-LT01-KA202-060685
Project Acronym: WEDEVET
Project period is: 1/12/2019 – 28/2/2021, 15 Months

The success of Vocational Education and Training (VET) training outcomes is closely aligned with the quality of the teaching and training provided. Therefore, the VET teacher experience is the defining characteristic of the learning experience. The WEDEVET project aims to review the material, related to team building, leadership and influence skills competencies, adapt and to test it in the Practice Enterprise Education system environment.

Target Groups:

  • VET Teachers/Trainers working with PE methodology
  • VET Teachers
  • Other Stakeholders: VET schools, Colleges, HEIs, other institutions with Practice Enterprises

PROJECT CONSORTIUM

Project Coordinator:

LIETUVOS IMITACINIŲ BENDROVIŲ ASOCIACIJA „LIBA“ (Lithuania)

Partners:

OULUN SEUDUN KOULUTUSKUNTAYHTYMA OSEKK (Finland)

EUROPEN-PEN INTERNATIONAL EV (Germany)

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS COLLEGE (Denmark)

Project Objectives:

  • review literature, best practices, development, and implementation of similar initiatives and programs and conduct a gap analysis and needs assessment to promote VET teachers skills with the use of Practice Enterprise.
  • develop material for VET Teachers, in order to foster the development of their competencies, to form the knowledge base-ground of team building, leadership and influence skills.
  • disseminate the created material to relevant multipliers and support its further promotion, implement online activities targeting the wider society in all partners countries, EU and worldwide through various channels.

Project Result:

The VET Teacher Skills Portfolio. The Guide for VET teachers and trainers on how to foster team building, leadership and influence skills and to be able to transfer these skills to students. The project will also work out the material for acquiring management competencies which most teachers may lack.

The Practice Enterprise in Higher Education Institutions

Project Title: “Inclusion of Innovative Work-Based-Learning and Business Partnerships in HEI Curricula Development” 
Funded under Erasmus+ programme: Key Action 2: Cooperation for Innovation and Exchange of Good Practices
Type of activity: KA203 – Strategic Partnerships for higher education
Project number: 2019-1-LT01-KA203-060514
Project Acronym: HEIPNET
Project period is: 1/11/2019 – 31/12/2021, 26 Months

Project aim: To integrate and combine academic knowledge with practical experience in HEI curricula so that students are enabled to develop attributes and employability skills. The Practice Enterprise (PE) concept will be supported, promoted and scaled to curricula of HEIs in the EU and strong strategic links between Practice Enterprises and businesses will be built using work-based learning methodology.

Target groups:
The main project target group: 

  • Trainers/ teachers/practices organizers / HEIs;
  • HEI Students; 
  • Business representatives.

Other stakeholders: Practice Enterprise Central offices, other educational institutions, etc.

Project consortium:

Project Coordinator:

Vilniaus kolegija | University of Applied Sciences (Lithuania)

Partners:

Universitaet Graz (Austria)

University of National and World Economy (Bulgaria)

Universita degli studi di Pavia (Italy)

Klaipėdos valstybinė kolegija (Lithuania)

Europen – Pen International EV (Germany)

Project objectives:

  1. To improve the PE curriculum/module by updating its content according to the needs of the labor market and the strategy of the educational institution.
  2. To develop a syllabus and manual of reference which can be used for new HE interested in implementing the PE concept and tools.
  3. To strengthen the partnership between universities, their PE and Business world.

Main results:

  1. A manual of reference which will be used for new HE interested in implementing the PE concept and tools.
  2. PE partnership with real business guide for PE trainers (set of innovative pedagogies) and students (set of recommendations, examples, etc.) and companies.
  3. Database for real business companies – online tool. The HEI database will be a new part of existing PE database and will be designed for HEI PEs and business mentors who are interested in engaging in educational-business partnerships. It will increase PE concept awareness and recognition among HEIs and across the business world.
  4. Recommendations for improvements PE module(s) /curricula of different study programs in HE.

The Practice Enterprise for Entrepreneurship Education for Youth

Erasmus+ K2 Project “Innovative method to promoting entrepreneurship education to teenagers” (IMPEET).

The aim of the project is to create a simulation practice enterprise model for 12-15 years old secondary school pupils to develop their entrepreneurial skills, social relationships, behavior, to increase motivation to learn and adapting seven INSPIRE preventive strategies against children’s violence.

More about INSPIRE strategies:

http://www.who.int/violence_injury_prevention/violence/inspire/en/

Tasks:

  • To familiarize secondary schools with the practice model of practice enterprise aimed at developing entrepreneurship skills for 12-15 aged pupils.
  •  To equip secondary schools with methodological-teaching material that would help to develop teenager’s entrepreneurial competences while studying and working in practice enterprise.
  • To enhance the adaptation and transfer of innovative aspects of project by providing practical examples of recommendations, strategies and implementation.

Project Coordinator: “ Simulith” centre, Vilniaus kolegija/University of Applied Sciences, Lithuania.

Partners:

Kauno r. Garliavos Jonučių progimnazija, Lithuania
Europen – Pen International EV, Germany
Friedrich Frobel Schule, Germany
Istituto Comprensivo Panfili Serafini-Lola Di Stefano Sulmona AQ, Italy
Istituto Don Calabria, Italy

Target groups:

  • 12-15 aged pupils
  • Teachers of secondary schools
  • Other interested persons and organizations (school community, pupils’ parents, network of practice enterprises, etc.)

Results

4 intellectual products will be created:

  • Practice Enterprise’s Competencies Framework
  • Handbook for Practice Enterprise Trainer in Secondary Education
  • Practice Kit for Student
  • Final Practice Enterprise Model for Students aged 12-15.

Project number:2018-1-LT01-KA201-046977

Project lifetime: October 2018 – September 2020

More information here: http://sl.viko.lt/projectsimpeet/

Completed projects:

 The Practice Enterprise for Leadership Skills Development

Erasmus+ K2 Project “Flexible Educational Tool For Leadership Development“ (FETLED)

More about FETLED Project here: https://liba.lt/leadership-skills-development

FETLED project aims to review the material, related to leadership and management competences, adapt and test it in Practice Enterprise Education system environment.  The research work will be done – which core leadership competences could be developed focused on during the PE training. The catchy and engaging way for examining the nature of leadership competences, with great attention to awareness of socially responsible business. That comes from the fact that a people in VET training system are young people and they have less opportunities to gain knowledge in this field compared to those coming from Higher education system.  Also, PE methodology in VET schools can help to get the “Europe 2020 strategy“ objective related to early school leavers, it will help to decrease the number of dropouts, will have the effect of increase the attractive of VET school system, both to students and teachers.

Target groups:
Trainees, working in PE (VET students).
Project will also involve:
Trainers working with PE methodology (VET teachers).
Indirect target group:
Parents, VET schools.

Project Coordinator:

LIETUVOS IMITACINIŲ BENDROVIŲ ASOCIACIJA „LIBA“ (Lithuania)

Partners:

BULGARIAN CENTRE OF TRAINING FIRMS (Bulgaria)

FUNDACIO PRIVADA INFORM-INSTITUT PER A LA FORMACIO DE JOVES VERS L’ADMINISTRACIO D’EMPRESES (Spain)

EUROPEN-PEN INTERNATIONAL EV (Germany)

Project objectives, with references to outputs and results, are to:

* review the literature, best practices, development and implementation of similar initiatives and programs and conduct gap analysis and needs assessment to promote entrepreneurship and leadership skills, with use of Practice Enterprise.

* develop material for trainees, in order to foster the development of leadership competences, to form the knowledge base-ground of being socially responsible person, to improve level of skills for employability and new business creation.

*disseminate the created material to relevant multipliers and support its further promotion, implement online activities targeting the wider society in all partners countries, EU and worldwide through various channels.

Result: Practice Enterprise Leader SkillBox. The guidance for Trainee how to acquire leader abilities while working in the Practice Enterprise. The product in four languages (EN, LT, ES, BG) can be found here: https://liba.lt/leadership-skills-development/

Project No. 2018-1-LT01-KA202-047026

Project Lifetime December 2018 – January 2020

Reducing Early School Leaving with Practice Enterprise

Erasmus+ K3 Project „Reducing Upper Secondary ESL with Practice Enterprise“ (RUSESL).  

Working Together to Reduce ESL

The project partners aim to study, design and create a Practice Enterprise model that will contribute to the development of social, ICT and entrepreneurial skills in upper secondary students of 16-19 years old with a high risk to be early school leavers. The outcomes of the project are to be applied on a European and international scale.

The proposal consists of an innovative educational path including the acquisition of language, ICT and social skills to help to increase the self-esteem of students and to and encourage teamwork and cooperation. Through the simulation of a real-world business environment, to increase management and administrative skills; build entrepreneurial mind-sets and stimulate innovation and creativity.

More information: https://www.rusesl.info/

The RUSESL project consortium consists of 9 partners from Germany, Spain, Italy, Bulgaria and Lithuania.

Project Partners:

Project Coordinator
EUROPEN-PEN International e.V., Germany

Partners
Fundacio Inform, Spain
Istituto Don Calabria, Italy
Bulgarian Centre of Training Firms, Bulgaria
Lithuanian Practice Enterprise Association, Lithuania

School Partners
Escola Tècnico Professional Xavier, Spain
ITES Roberto Valturio, Italy
SOU Asen Zlatarov, Bulgaria
Vilnius Tourism and Commerce School, Lithuania

Project No. 2018-1-LT01-KA202-047026

Project Lifetime January 2018 – January 2020