Project Overview
DigiTrain was a two-year European partnership project delivered between 2017 and 2019, bringing together education and training organisations from five countries to address one of the growing challenges facing adult education.
As technology became increasingly embedded within everyday life and the workplace, training providers needed better ways to develop digital skills and support educators in delivering effective digital learning.
Futuretrend joined the partnership as a specialist training and development organisation, contributing its extensive experience in adult learning, professional development and educational resource design.
The Challenge
Across Europe, organisations recognised that digital skills were becoming essential in both employment and daily life.
While many adults regularly used technology for communication and entertainment, there was often no structured approach to assessing or developing the digital competencies required within education and the workplace.
At the same time, many educators lacked guidance on:
- What digital competencies should be taught
- How digital skills should be assessed
- How technology could be integrated into teaching and learning
- How digital learning could be delivered through blended approaches
The partnership was established to create practical frameworks, resources and guidance that could be adopted by training providers across Europe.
Partners Involved
The partnership consisted of six organisations working collaboratively to research, design, develop and pilot a comprehensive digital competency framework and supporting learning resources.
- Futuretrend Pro (UK)
- Futuro Digitale Association (Italy)
- Eurosuccess Consulting (Cyprus)
- Action Synergy S.A. (Greece)
- GO EUROPE (Spain)
- Global Learning & Skills Partnership (GLaSP) (UK)
Futuretrend’s Role
Although not the lead organisation, Futuretrend played a significant role throughout the project.
The competency framework was divided into five core modules, with each partner taking responsibility for the development of specific areas.
Due to Futuretrend’s experience in training delivery, curriculum design and educational resource development, the organisation contributed beyond its original allocation and provided additional support to other partners throughout the project.
Futuretrend was responsible for:
- Developing two complete framework modules
- Creating supporting learning materials
- Producing lesson plans and tutor guidance
- Designing assessment methods and learner activities
- Conducting pilot delivery within the United Kingdom
- Supporting dissemination events and project promotion
- Contributing to project meetings and international collaboration activities
Futuretrend became the central delivery partner responsible for ensuring that the framework could move beyond paper-based resources and become an accessible digital learning solution.
Framework and Resource Development
Futuretrend led the development of two full modules within the Digital Competency Framework.
This work included:
Framework Development
- Digital competency standards
- Learning outcomes
- Skills progression pathways
- Competency descriptors
Learning Resources
- Tutor lesson plans
- Learner handbooks
- Workshop activities
- Practical exercises
- Worksheets and classroom materials
Assessment Design
- Assessment activities
- Evaluation tools
- Skills measurement methods
- Learner progress tracking resources
Research Activities
Futuretrend also contributed research examining digital skills requirements and educational needs within the UK adult learning sector.
This research helped ensure the framework reflected real-world educational and workplace requirements.
Pilot Delivery and Testing
A key stage of the project involved testing the framework and resources with educators and learners.
Futuretrend organised and delivered pilot workshops across the United Kingdom, including sessions at its own training facilities and partner education venues.
The pilot phase allowed the partnership to:
- Gather feedback from educators
- Refine learning materials
- Improve assessment methods
- Validate the framework structure
- Ensure practical usability within adult education settings
The results of the pilot activity informed the final version of the framework and associated resources.
International Collaboration
One of the project’s greatest strengths was the collaboration between partners from different educational systems and cultural backgrounds.
Futuretrend participated in:
- International project meetings
- Resource development workshops
- Partner training activities
- Dissemination conferences
- Knowledge-sharing events
This collaborative approach ensured the framework could be applied across multiple countries while remaining adaptable to local educational requirements.
Project Outcomes
The DigiTrain project successfully produced a suite of resources designed to improve digital competence within adult education.
Key Outputs
- Digital Competency Framework for Adult Educators
- Digital Competency Framework for Adult Learners
- Modular Digital Skills Training Programme
- Tutor Guidance and Delivery Resources
- Assessment and Evaluation Tools
- Blended Learning Resources
- Handbook for Adult Educators
The project also developed practical guidance to help educators integrate technology more effectively within teaching and learning environments.
Impact and Reach
The project achieved significant engagement across the partnership network.
Project Highlights
- 6 Partner Organisations
- 5 European Countries
- 100+ Educators Engaged
- 1,500+ Learners Involved in Pilot Activity
- Resources Translated into Multiple Languages
- Framework Adopted Across 8 Countries
- International Training and Dissemination Events Delivered
Lasting Impact
One of the most significant achievements of DigiTrain is that the framework and resources continue to be available and used beyond the life of the project.
The work undertaken by the partnership helped establish a structured approach to digital competency development and demonstrated how blended learning methodologies could be applied effectively within adult education.
The project also influenced Futuretrend’s own approach to training delivery, with all tutors undertaking the programme and many of the principles becoming embedded within subsequent training and development activities.
Reflection
DigiTrain demonstrated the value of international collaboration in addressing common educational challenges.
For Futuretrend, the project provided an opportunity not only to contribute expertise but also to help shape practical frameworks, resources and learning approaches that continue to support educators and learners across Europe.
Services Delivered by Futuretrend
- Framework Design
- Curriculum Development
- Learning Resource Creation
- Assessment Design
- Tutor Guidance Development
- Pilot Training Delivery
- Educational Research
- International Project Collaboration
- Dissemination and Stakeholder Engagement