We are delighted to announce a significant new release on the Piramid platform: the launch of the comprehensive Training Course for Host Company Tutors. This specialized course is now freely available and designed to equip company mentors—who guide Vocational Education and Training (VET) students during their placements—with the essential skills needed to manage and support multicultural training environments.

As businesses become increasingly globalized, the role of the company tutor is evolving. They are no longer just technical guides but also crucial cultural facilitators. The Piramid course directly addresses this need, transforming mentors into skilled intercultural tutors ready to maximize the learning potential of students from different backgrounds.

The structure of the training is meticulously designed to provide both theoretical foundation and practical application.

Key content of the course

The course starts with the Introduction, establishing the importance of intercultural awareness and laying the theoretical groundwork. It deeply explores The Lewis Model (When Cultures Collide), providing tutors with a powerful analytical framework to understand and anticipate cross-cultural communication styles.

The course is divided into practical frameworks and useful modules:

• The P.IR.A.M.iD Framework: This section introduces tutors to the project’s method for understanding intercultural dynamics, providing specific Measurement Tools & Indicators and Development Strategies tailored for the tutoring role.

• Core Competencies for Intercultural Tutoring: This module is highly practical, focusing on direct skills through podcasts and associated activities. Tutors will learn about communication across cultures, effective conflict resolution styles, crucial professional self-management, and fostering cultural sensitivity and behaviour in the workplace.

• A unique and invaluable component of the course is the Cultural Profiles: National Overview. This extensive section provides detailed insights into the professional and cultural norms of 12 different countries, including key VET partners such as the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Bulgaria, Portugal, Poland, and further global perspectives like China, the United States, Mexico, Iran, and South Africa. This knowledge empowers tutors to adapt their mentorship style to specific student origins.

• Finally, the course integrates real-world application through Intercultural Simulations and essential Evaluation and Self-Assessment Tools. Tutors will engage with simulation briefs and sample scenarios to practice their skills, and use tools like the cultural awareness rubric and tutor reflection log to track their own development. The course finishes with the final test.

This launch represents a significant step towards the Piramid project’s objective: to strengthen the internationalization process of companies and provide applicable methods for better management of multicultural environments. The course is available now on the Piramid platform: https://www.piramiderasmusplusplatform.com/.