1. Opportunities funded by Erasmus and Leonardo Michele Phizacklea, Ecorys & David Hibler, The British Council

2. Presentation Overview What is the Lifelong Learning Programme Our role as National Agencies Leonardo programme for vocational trainees Erasmus for higher education students The benefits

3. What is the Lifelong Learning Programme? EU programme which aims to support: increased economic development, more and better jobs; and greater social cohesion Funds organisations to: develop education and training provision, and access opportunities for their learners to study or gain work experience abroad. Divided into smaller programmes which relate to areas of education and training

4. The role of the UK National Agencies Two National Agencies in the UK responsible for: Promotion of the programme Selecting and funding UK projects Monitoring and reporting outgoing mobility

5. The Leonardo Programme Michele Phizacklea - Ecorys

6. Leonardo for vocational education and training Funds work placements in Europe for individuals to gain skills, personal development and work experience Participants are: in Initial Vocational Training (IVT) (2- 39 week placements) people in the labour market e.g. recent graduates (2- 26 week placements) Funding covers management, travel and subsistence

7. Project examples: Engineering apprentices from Deeside College enhanced their skills in papermaking whilst undertaking work placements in Germany Craven College sent 20 students for a two week work placement at Malta International Airport Participants sent by Language Link worked for 8 weeks in Italy or Spain alongside experienced staff in art galleries, museums, fashion houses and design companies

8. The Erasmus Programme David Hibler – The British Council

9. Erasmus for students in higher education Provides grants to support students undertaking work placements in Europe, in organisations of all kinds Duration from 3 to 12 months Students may be studying at Foundation Degree, Bachelors, Masters or PhD level The work placement is defined in terms of responsibilities of student and employer, and (for the student) in terms of the skills and attributes to be demonstrated and developed – this forms the basis of the competences acknowledged by ‘academic recognition’ Some work placements are remunerated, some are not – there is usually at least some payment in kind

10. Some background Since its introduction in Erasmus (2007) work-placement has proved a very popular option: now, approximately one third of outgoing students and 1 in 4 incoming students undertake work-placement Of 22,646 incoming students in 2009/10, 5,827 were undertaking work placement UK was the largest ‘receiver’ of work placement students in 2009/10 Across the programme, average duration of work placement is 4.3 months, and most students are from disciplines of business, social sciences and law “Although difficult at first, the stage has given me invaluable experience, taught me a lot about the Property Investment industry and improved my spoken and written French. The confidence and people skills I have developed from dealing with clients by email and telephone stands out on my CV and will massively help my future career prospects.”

11. The Benefits

12. Benefits for employers Stimulus for innovation: - students offer new, fresh, alternative perspectives - existing employees have contact with new techniques and ideas Development of business networks through contact with universities and businesses in student’s home country Staffing and recruitment opportunities: - access to a talented and ambitious workforce - students may return for permanent employment A different cultural dimension: - insight into another culture may open doors to new markets - enriches working environment and methods

13. Thank you