CEN Launches Online Educational Tool
CEN has launched a new online learning tool designed to help SMEs improve their knowledge on standardisation.
The CENELEC interactive online educational tool provides short animations and explanatory text about the benefits of using standards and of participating in standardisation. It is hoped the new easy to use system will encourage uniformity across the industry.
Commenting on the project, which was co-funded with the European Commission, Ingrid SOETAERT
Programme Manager for Innovation at CEN, said:
“SMEs make up more than 20 million enterprises in Europe and employ more than 80 million people. Despite this, SMEs and especially micro enterprises do not play a leading role in either creating or using standards. However, standardisation allows companies access to state-of-the-art technology and thereby strengthens their innovation capacity. It creates a level playing field for the market access of companies and the introduction of new products and services.
“CEN and CENELEC have developed an eLearning tool that is intended to encourage SMEs to become more involved in standardization and have their say in creating the best possible business environment for their activities. Although the tool has been developed with SMEs in mind, it is useable by anybody who wants to know more about standards and standardization.
“The eLearning tool consists of 6 modules with individual subjects. Each module begins with a review of the learning targets followed by an animation that explains the subject based on a concrete situation.
“After each animation, the participant can read more about the subject and finally test his/her knowledge. Results are not recorded, though, a Certificate of Achievement may be printed for personal use. A 7th module includes a number of cases from European SMEs that show what the companies have gained from using standards.”
Available in 23 languages, ARGE believes the eLearning tool is a step in the right direction for improving progress and innovation within the industry.
The CENELEC tool can be accessed here, as well as from a link on the ARGE homepage.