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Agricultural Practice and Practical Learning in Eu..
Agricultural Practice and Practical Learning in Europe
Start date: Jun 1, 2016,
End date: May 31, 2017
PROJECT
FINISHED
Context/Background:The European Commission issued a Green Paper “Promoting the learning mobility of young people”, where transnational mobility for the purpose of acquiring new skills is one of the fundamental ways in which individuals, can strengthen their future employability as well as their personal development. Macedonia as a candidate country produced a Strategy for Vocational Education and Training in a lifelong learning context (2013-2020). Internship (practical work) is activity that is important within the labor market sphere which can significantly contribute to creating quality workforce and vibrant labor market. Agriculture in Macedonia and in EU faces new challenges. EU farm policy in 2013, shifted the focus towards: greener farming practices, research and the spread of knowledge, a fairer support system for farmers, and a stronger position for farmers in the food chain.Two-fold OBJECTIVES are defined:1. improve employability and increase the career prospects of the Agricultural Vocational STUDENTS; - increase sense of initiative and ENTREPRENEURSHIP of the students; - increase the motivation for taking part in future (formal/non-formal) education or training after the mobility period abroad.2. develop the skills of the Teachers and the STAFF of the partners in the Consortia in regards to improving the effect and efficiency of the practical placements of the Students at the partner schools and companies, using the evaluation and quality assurance methods for the students' training (including tools, methods and involvement of the stakeholders, as well as using portfolios as a method to document students' progress).Number and profile of Participants:The participants will be 20 students from 5 Agricultural VET Schools (4 students from each school) from Macedonia, as well as 6 Teachers/ Staff from all 6 Partners in the Consortium. They will be divided in two Groups, one for Italy and one for Portugal. Each group will have 10 Students and 3 Teachers/Staff. All together it will be 26 participants + 2 accompanying persons.Profile of Students: To be student, or just graduate, from the selected school; To be at least 16 years old and enrolled in the 3 or 4 year of study, or just graduated student; To have an very good/ excellence grades (average 3,5 and above) in the previous years of education; To have a sufficient knowledge of English language; (an on-line test is mandatory); To have personal characteristics (personal independence, positive attitude, motivation, ability to adapt to changes) that ensures that full advantage of the experience is taken.Profile of Teachers/Staff: Must be a professional in close contact with the student and fully aware of the student’s curriculum and academic subjects; To be a teacher or employee in the school or in FACE with sufficient knowledge of English language; To have personal characteristics (personal independence, positive attitude, motivation, ability to adapt to changes) .Description of Activities:1. Actions before the mobility (FACE and Consortia) incl. Selection of the participants; Preparations of agreements; the on-line linguistic support, Testing the level of English language; organising international transport; Preparation of detailed program of activities; and mobility tool application.2. Actions during the mobility (host organisations) include: Implementation of the learning program; Accommodation and food for the participants; Local transport; Cultural and study visits.3. Actions after the mobility (VET Consortium and learners) include: recognition of the learning outcomes; reporting; dissemination of project results; monitoring and evaluation. Methodology:Vocational training needs to be approached as a mean of providing students with the theoretical and practical knowledge required to give a flexible and satisfactory response to labour market needs. In order to do so FACE together with the host partners prepare special programs with each partner organisation. The programs will ensure theoretical part and practical part. The mobility will take place in Portugal (near Braga) for the first group and on Sicily in Italy (near Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto) for the second group. The mobility will take a place in first half of 2017 (Most likely February/March 2017).Results and impact envisaged:- 20 VET students with improved adaptability, increased autonomy and ability to acquire professional skills, increased sense of initiative and entrepreneurship skills; - 6 Teachers/Staff from the Partner Schools with improved skills and competences in regards to the practical placements of the Students at the partner schools and companies, using the evaluation and quality assurance methods acquired for the students' training.Longer term benefits: An increase in mobility contributes to promoting and sustaining understanding and respect among EU citizens and would contribute at a later stage to greater worker mobility at European level.