International E-PRAGMATIC network for adult engineering education

This paper presents an approach to informal education of the professionals from electro-mechanical industry. The approach will be developed and tested within E-PRAGMATIC network (E-Learning and Practical Training of Mechatronics and Alternative Technologies in Industrial Community). The network is an association of 13 regular and 3 associated partners from seven European countries and is co-funded by the European Union Lifelong learning program, Leonardo da Vinci. The network's partners are the educational institutions, chambers, enterprises and associations. The main network's aim is to modernize mechatronics and engineering vocational training of the employed professionals, apprentices and trainees. Existing in-company training approaches will be updated. Where in-company training does not exist it will be established. Practically oriented learning modules with the remote experiments or an access to the remote working stations will be developed according to the actual needs of the industrial partners. The learning contents will be presented in the multi-lingual, multi-functional learning portal with an efficient learning management system. Beside the educational aims and objectives, also the E-PRAGMATIC international Community of professionals will be established. Within that Community, the information and expertise will be shared between the network's members and other stakeholders.