Leonardo Lifelong Learning Mobility Projects (PLM) By Helene Turley (Employment Centre)

Aim - to provide graduates from the West Midlands, additional knowledge, skills and confidence to enhance their employment prospects in the current economic climate. “………… my professional life has changed because I have learnt so many different skills which will help me get jobs” “interest from employers in the work placement scheme has led to job interviews directly related to the work carried out in Holland”

The Project The Hague University 60 unemployed graduates 7-12 week work placements Promote Scheme Interview and Selection Induction Mid Term Evaluation Dissemination Final Evaluation ‘I can’t believe 11 weeks have passed already and the scheme is over, thinking of the people I have met, places I have visited and things I have learnt, I will never forget this experience.’ ‘ There is nothing I would change about this experience, I have been to new places, experienced different cultures, learnt and developed new skills, thank you Holland.’

Project includes: Flights Insurance Accommodation Subsistence Language training Placement / project Mentor / Supervisor

The Results Benefits to graduates –Employment / Employability skills –Career focussed –Confidence –Independence (never travelled abroad) –Euro Pass Mobility Certificate “my experience has been enlightening, because I have seen many processes which normally I would not see, including using ultra violet radiation to sterilize water and how synthesis carbon black granules are used to produce items like black dustbin bags” “Thank you Holland and to all the people I’ve met.... I hope to see you again soon!” “I Learnt how to use various CAD design software including ArchiCAD and AutoCAD2011”

The Results continued Benefits to the University –delivering exchange educational modules –Improved graduate employment statistics for DLHE e.g. Since the introduction of the scheme to our Engineering and Built Environment graduates we have seen a rise in employment from 60.8% (2009) to 63.4% (2010) (unemployment rate has fallen from 8.4% to 7.7%).

The Future 75 Unemployed graduates 12 week work placement in Spain (Seville) and the Netherlands (Hague) Open to most discipline including: Built Environment Education Engineering Information Technology Marketing Media Photography Sport and Tourism etc. ‘I can't Thank You enough for giving me the opportunity …. I’m deeply and immensely grateful and so happy with the way it went and its outcome there. It was such a great experience that i will never forget in my life. ….. Everything about Holland truly was special‘ = €300, € 162, € 137,631.00