"The project “Mobility for STaff and STudents – MO.ST.” is promoted by the Secondary Institute for Education and Vocational Training “Garfagnana”. Located in the town of Castelnuovo Garfagnana in the north-west of Tuscany, it represents an important “educational hub” for young people living in the area which also comprises isolated mountain centres. The Institute gathers four educational and training institutes: Istituto Professionale Industria e Artigianato/IPIA “Simoni”, l’Istituto Tecnico Economico e Tecnologico/ITET “Campedelli”, l’Istituto Tecnico Tecnologico/ITT “Vecchiacchi”, il Liceo Scientifico “Galilei”. In the current 2017-18 school year, 860 students are enrolled. The main project objective consists in improving the Institute’s training provision, adding a complementary component of on-the-job practice and personal development for all addressed learners (students and recent graduates, as well as teachers), giving them the opportunity to improve their training achievements and to better define their employability profile. In particular, for the involved staff (teachers) the mobility experience will contribute to their in-service records adding insight into the professional practice implemented in selected training centres abroad. They will particularly focus on the design and implementation of ""alternance training"" schemes (Alternanza Scuola-Lavoro”), implying curricula design as well as networking with local economic players, third sector and public agencies. Thanks to the MO.ST. project, 40 students attending the IV year will be engaged in an international internship programme with flows directed to the UK, Poland, France and Ireland. For 30 days, they will have direct/in-company professional experience, consistently with the alternance training which must be carried out by all students in secondary education and training. 3 newly-graduates will be involved in long-term mobilities, according to the ErasmusPro scheme. They will spend a three-month placement period at companies located in the UK, deepening their knowledge and competences in line with their qualifications and professional interests. 6 teachers will be engaged in a seven-day-long job-shadowing and an observation period at the premises of VET providers in the UK, Poland and Ireland. It is expected that the Institute, and the community in which it operates, will greatly benefit from the project’s outcomes, with respect to the development of curricula/training provision, project management and organisational advancement, networking at local and international level. The involved learners (students, graduates and teachers) will have an unforgettable experience: not only will it improve their skills and professional/technical competences, but it will also shape their attitudes and ability to live and work in an open and international environment."

Using internships in host companies, in order to develop real time practical experiences to complement academic qualifications has been shown to be valuable, both in IEP’s past programs & in the increasing use by educational institutions of a practicum element in an increasing number of courses. Internships can be of great value in developing employability and personal development. In the programs based in Exeter, UK & Barcelona, Spain, a framework of entrepreneurship is used which develops business start-up skills (e.g. innovation, creative problem solving, self-learning initiative & confidence in Leadership etc.). The participants work in groups in a technology hub with startup companies. Increasing employability & developing entrepreneurship skills are key areas of development for the Erasmus Plus programs & are key foci for IEP’s programs. Program Objectives:1) Enhanced employability, improving skills & demonstrating capacity to perform professionally2) Enhanced entrepreneurial spirit 3) Application of theoretical knowledge in a real-time vocational environment4) Learn new transferable business & technical skills5) Improve & develop confidence6) Develop interpersonal skills7) Experience team work8) To encourage self-improvement & being proactive9) Clarify career choices10) Develop international contacts & experience Our Employability and Business Start-up (EBS) program had a total of 74 participants; 51 went to Exeter, UK for a two weeks program; 20 went to Barcelona, Spain for a two week program; 2 went to France for an 8 week program & 1 went to Malta for a 10 week program. The gender balance of participants was roughly equal. Ages ranged from18 to 58 years. Dublin, Meath and Cork were the origins for most of the participants. The 4 main colleges from which the participants were sourced were Dunboyne College FE (33 participants), Ballsbridge College FE (21), Sligo College FE (8) and Mallow College FE (6). Examples of Activities/Tasks Undertaken by Participants: Gavin Fox (Business Studies), Exeter, UK, Host Company – Foxwell FilmsHe compiled an overview & background of the company; developed an analysis of Foxwell Films’ target market & the competition within the sector. He analysed social media platforms & websites, & made recommendations to the Host Company. Gavin worked as part of a team & on his own initiative, using different software packages (Canva, Weebly, Powerpoint) & developing reports and presentations. Multiple ‘Soft Skills’ were practiced & developed, like scheduling workload, prioritising workload, working as part of a team, scheduling workload. David Sheridan (Computer Applications), Barcelona, Spain – Public AppDavid worked within a group for his company which was focused on developing an app to put travellers in touch with one another in order to share travelling costs. From a brief presented by his host company, he was involved in analysing the company’s competitors & helped to research & develop a marketing & growth strategy for the company. As part of a group they had to present their findings to the host company. ‘Soft Skills’ were learned in working within a group, presentation skills were developed along with creative problem solving. See the presentation in Appendix 7. Sarah Huttscher (Language and European Studies), Bordeaux, France – Cap UlysseSarah created Welcome Brochures for students in English, French and German. She translated documents. Used Microsoft Excel and Adobe InDisign. Supported intercultural activities. Prepared cultural activities for groups. General administration. Sarah practiced & developed her ‘Soft Skills’, working as part of a group, time management, prioritising workload, developing communications skills, creative problem solving etc. Darragh Cummins, (Creative Media), Barcelona, Spain – InmertecDarragh worked as part of a group on competitor analysis, company growth strategy & a marketing plan for his company which specialises in the use of Virtual Reality, developing programs teaching meditation, mindfulness, sex education; an expanding list of areas of use. Darragh developed his ‘soft skills’, developing presentation skills, working within a group, developing innovative ideas, time managing & prioritising workload. See the presentation in Appendix 6. The average score for each of the 52 questions from the total number of completed Participant Reports (PR) was calculated. These mean values were then averaged to give a value of 1.57 (on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being the most positive). The Standard Deviation was calculated & the values were found to be within the parameters of a normal distribution curve with 68% of values within one Standard Deviation and 95% within two Standard Deviations. Total number of data points (questions):52Mean:1.57Standard Deviation0.244 The Standard Deviation shows that the spread of the averages for the full 52 questions was relatively narrow.

The PERCIVAL project is presented by the consortium made of the public tertiary vocational education institutes (ISIS) “Einaudi Ceccherelli” in Piombino, “R. Foresi” in Portoferraio e “B. Lotti” in Massa Marittima (which signed a network agreement called “A.T.L.A.S. - Alberghieri Toscani del Litorale Area sud) and Accademia europea di Firenze. The project aims at valuing and make tangible the European dimension of VET provisions (concerning hotellerie and touristic reception), giving all participants (LEARNERS) the opportunity to go through an international internship. This would allow them to put their skills and competences to the test and to observe the labour market “from within” in an international context. Not only will they be able to further develop their language skills and technical abilities, but they will also acquire competences with respect to intercultural relations, entrepreneurship and communication. At the same time, the project aims at providing the involved TEACHERS and STAFF with an experience to improve their in-service training outcomes, acquiring competences and knowledge about competence-based learning design, CLIL teaching, design of alternate training, which take into account the local resources, curriculum needs and students’ expectations. The project proposes international internships for 76 students enrolled in 3rd and 4th grade in the different sectors/specialties taught in the Institutes members of the project consortium: tourism, hotellerie, reception services, food and wine, and a number of complementary sectors such as social and healthcare in touristic environments, administration, finance and management of reception structures, maintenance and technical assistance in reception structures. For 15 newly graduates the project proposed longer mobilities, called “ErasmusPro mobilities”, with the aim of enriching their employability profile and support their motivation, especially in cases of school failure or other difficulties. These mobility experiences will be real work experiences/placements lasting 150 days, this improving participants’ chances to find a job. The mobility programmes for 9 teachers will last only 7 days, implying job shadowing and observation at VET providers in the UK, Spain and France. They will have an insight into learning design methodologies (e.g. competence-based design and evaluation; CLIL; laboratory-based learning, alternate training, etc.) so to take back to the Institutes a fresh view of how learning methoodlogies can be innovated and improved. The project implementation will positively impact the addressed target groups: LEARNERS (STUDENTS and NEWLY GRADUATES): Development of key competences; personal development, increased awareness and autonomy, critical thinking, ability to take informed decisions, entrepreneurship; improvement of social relationships in the different contexts (school, family, friends) and prevention of bullying. Employment for newly graduates. STAFF / TEACHERS PARTICIPATING IN THE MOBILITY PROGRAMMES: Improvement of their professional competences with respect to: competence-based learning design; co-design of alternate training (with companies and other labour market actors); design and management of transnational projects. STAFF / ACCOMPANYING TEACHERS: Acquisition of new technical/professional skills and competences; increase of their motivation to participate in international mobility programmes; increase of their awareness about job opportunities in the hosting countries. CONSORTIUM (STAFF and ORGANISATIONS): Acquisition of skills to manage transnational projects and mobility programmes; strengthening of the alternate training programmes; improvement in the capacity to contribute with innovative elements to the design of school curricula; improved use of the EUROPASS CV and MOBILITY tools, benefiting young students and graduates.

As the European mobility and the acquisition of transversal key competences during the first career training are of high relevance, we want to extend our services in the present Erasmus + Pool project EuroMobility and simultaneously contribute to the European networking. Many trainees showing their interest in participating in study abroad and looking for appropriate support and guidance, especially as the own application to a mobility project is an obstacle for them and their companies. That interest was reinforced by the previously realized Leonardo-da-Vinci-mobility-project by bwhw and the advertisement of poolprojects. With this application we want 80 trainees, mainly from SMEs, enable a stay abroad within the next two years. The trainees and their companies are supported by qualified bwhw professionals. The planned industry focuses of the project including the areas of electrical, metal/ engine- and vehicle construction, services [esp. Hotel / catering, cleaning], logistics, business / management [esp. in the field of wholesale and foreign trade, retail, office] and care / health. That kind of industries benefit from the European Economic Area and have concrete prospects of integration because of the impending of skilled workers shortage.The participating students can be sent individually from four to six weeks in suitable foreign partner companies, so they can gather new practical experience, additional qualifications and key skills. During that time the trainees should learn particularly traditional work processes and situations and develop their own mobility and flexibility in the European job market. The planned stay abroad is an integral component of the first career training and is prepared as well as worked off by the bwhw [in linguistic, educational, professional and intercultural aspects]. There is a comprehensive support and supervision by the bwhw and the current partners abroad. The work plan abroad is based upon the current occupation and is coordinated in advance with the training company, the vocational school and the relevant authority. Partner countries like Austria, France, Italy, Poland, Ireland, Great Britain and Turkey are provided.The partners abroad are foreign companies and business-related institutions in the partner regions of the state Hessen which providing or mediating available internship positions. There already exists a cooperation with some foreign companies. Depending on demand that pool will be added.

"The E.T.E project is addressed to students taking part in their initial vocational training in the economic sector (administration, finance and marketing) and tecnology sector ( Construction Environment and Territory) in the region of Tuscany, in particular from the Institute of Secondary Education Salvemini Duca D'Aosta (50 students) and the Institute of Secondary Education Signorelli di Cortona (40 students) and is aimed at spreading student mobility in the social health care field in Europe. Objectives of the project:- To give students the opportunity to acquire or improve skills to ""experience"" in care services for the elderly and childcare experience through internships abroad;- Motivate students to study more profitable;- To motivate young people to become promoters of mobility abroad among their peers and thus spread the opportunities offered by the European Union - Promote intercultural dialogue and a deeper sense of European identity and citizenship among young people;- Encourage the use of ECVET in European countries ;Results of the project for participants :- An improvement in technical and professional skills , linguistic - communicative- Develop the acquisition of an entrepreneurial mindset useful to deal with increased awareness of future educational and professional choices- An improvement of skills "" from experience,"" Interpersonal, intercultural and social competences and civic competence , digital and language , business and cultural expression as well as learning how to learn throughout their lifetime- A personal development that allows to finish their schooling , with adequate preparation to the demands of the local labor market .- Improvement of the level of study and of their autonomy thanks to the international mobility, certification , validation and recognition of the same .The results of the project for the promoter and the partners can be measured in terms of:- Acquisition and improvement of skills in the management of international networks and routes of international mobility.- Acquisition or improvement of the ability to organize and manage training of future professionals in quality of health and social sectors ;The mobilities will be 3 weeks (1 week of cultural and logistic preparation and two weeks of internship) and will take place in France and United Kingdom during April 2015 (Signorelli) and in Juin of 2015 (Salvemini Duca D'Aosta) when the students must carry out their training internship provided by their education. In the year 2016 mobility will be place in same months."