Erasmus+ European Project · 2025–2028
Bridgetown College is proud to be an Irish partner in BGBiVET — a three-year European project tackling gender stereotypes in vocational education and training. We work alongside eight organisations across six countries to open every career pathway to every student, regardless of gender.
Erasmus+ KA220-VET6 Countries · 9 PartnersDecember 2025 – November 2028 - Coordinated in Ireland by Teachers' Union of Ireland
Please see the official website here!
The challenge
Gender segregation in VET: the European picture
Despite progress, gender stereotypes continue to shape young people's educational and career choices. Across Europe, certain vocational pathways remain heavily dominated by one gender — not because of ability, but because of unconscious bias, career guidance, family expectations, and school culture.
What we're doing
Four strands of action
BGBiVET takes a comprehensive approach: combining research, technology, teacher development and institutional planning to create lasting change.
Research and analysis
A comparative study of gender equality policies and school-level practices across Ireland, Finland, Sweden, Italy, Bulgaria and Turkey — identifying what works and what barriers remain.
AI-based learning tools
An innovative simulation platform using artificial intelligence to help teachers and students recognise gender bias in realistic classroom scenarios and make better career guidance decisions.
Teacher professional development
A blended-learning programme focusing on gender-responsive teaching, inclusive classroom practice, and career guidance free from stereotypes.
Gender equality plans
Practical, adaptable plans for VET providers across Europe, including self-evaluation tools, monitoring frameworks, and action-planning templates for institutional accountability.
Our role
Bridgetown College at the centre of European teacher training
As the only Irish school partner in the BGBiVET consortium, Bridgetown College plays a central role. We will host the face-to-face international teacher training activities — welcoming educators from all six partner countries to Wexford for hands-on professional development in gender-responsive teaching.
This places us at the heart of one of the project's most significant capacity-building activities, and reflects our commitment to equality, inclusion, and European educational cooperation.
The consortium
Nine partners, six countries
Irish school host
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Bridgetown College
Hosts international face-to-face teacher training for all partner countries
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Teachers' Union of Ireland
Lead coordinator · 23,000+ members · equality expertise
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LHKK, Finland
Coordinates teacher training · established gender equality plan model
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Staffangymnasiet, Sweden
UNESCO-UNEVOC member · competence framework & teacher handbook
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OpenCom, Italy
Lead technology partner · AI platform development
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Istituto Cellini, Italy
Vocational school with strong gender segregation in fashion vs mechanics programmes
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Euro Education Bulgaria
Communication and dissemination lead
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Prof. School of Food Technologies, Plovdiv
Hosted kick-off meeting · tool testing
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BOSEV, Turkey
Networking, stakeholder engagement & dissemination events
Outputs by 2028
What this project will deliver
- European comparative research report on gender equality policies in partner countries
- AI simulation platform for identifying and challenging gender bias in VET settings
- Teacher training curriculum and teacher handbook for gender-responsive practice
- Gender equality plan toolkit adaptable by VET providers across Europe
- Policy recommendations and a final European conference in Dublin
Links
Erasmus+
BGBiVET (ref. 2025-1-IE01-KA220-VET-000358467) is co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union. The contents represent the views of the authors only and do not reflect the opinion of the European Union or the National Agency. Follow project developments at www.bgbproject.eu
