This project is entitled 'Creative Resources Embedding Awareness Traversing European Strategies' (CREATES) which offers both staff teaching/training and student mobility experiences in an expansion on a previously funded KA1 VET project called "European eXperiences for Confidence in Skills and Employability" (EXCISE) which was very much staff focused. This project progresses the College European Development plan from Phase 2 to Phase 3 on the 5 phase longer term plan. The activities are aligned with the priorities and objects of the 'Smart, sustainable and Inclusive growth proposed in Europe 2020', the ET2020 report and the Rethinking Education communication that underlie the new Erasmus+ programme. In total 5 curriculum areas across the College's 3 campuses have had input in to the activities for this project and have done so based on the needs of the demographic that we serve here in the North West of Northern Ireland, a region on the periphery of the UK, which yet again is on the periphery of Europe. This College serves a region which has suffered greatly in the current economic downturn and the College catchment area has the highest unemployment claimant rates in Northern Ireland out of all the UK Regions. In January 2015 the Derry City Council (DCC) area had the highest unemployment claimant rates in NI at 5.4%, with Strabane 2nd and Limavady 4th highest (6.8%, 5.3%). The skills mix of the workforce is below the NI average. The DCC area has the youngest population in NI - 40% are under the age of 25. School retention rates in the region are a challenge and the College provides bridging opportunities both in the College and community environment particularly to those in the 16-18 age category, with a strong emphasis on essential skills development in literacy, numeracy and ICT and development opportunities through apprenticeship programmes. Students at level 2 and 3 within the college have to date been reluctant to take up placement opportunities overseas. For many the decision has been based on personal backgrounds where an opportunity like that would be seen to be beyond their means and upbringing. For others it would be based on a lack of confidence in themselves, the skills that they have acquired and their ability to build on them in a different environment. The majority of our student demographic would fall under the eligibility criteria for widening participation and those with fewer opportunities. This project provides 9 Staff Training, 8 Staff Teaching/Training, 10 VET Traineeships in companies, 6 accompanying staff and 36 Traineeships in vocational organisations within the curriculum areas of Hospitality, Art & Design, Health & Social Care, Entrepreneurship and IT over a two year period. Our partners comprise of 4 vocational organisations and 1 Social Enterprise and are located in the Netherlands, Germany and Finland. The project will provide learning opportunities for all participants to gain wider experience in skills and employability mechanisms used in other countries with a focus on the the non-formal learning and work based learning environment. These activities have three main aims: 1. Increase Employability and Life Skills which will contribute to competitiveness within the European economy. 2. Increase training opportunities for VET learners to link skills from education and training to the needs of employers and the world of work. 3. Update VET professionals' skills and know-how on their working practices and teaching methods. The anticipated outcomes are exchange of learning on skills and employability opportunities that will better inform curriculum development, teaching methodologies and the student experience. For the student participants the opportunity to become role models for their peers within the College and wider community will be exploited to its full potential, to show that barriers only exist for those not willing to challenge the norm. The project will look at a variety of topics relevant to the delivery of training including teaching and learning, quality, funding and resourcing, employer engagement and cultural matters. This will be shared within the College NI network and with our other European partners through the Ulixes Economic Engagement Working Group. The changes that may emanate from the visit would have an impact at local, regional and national level with regard to how our Apprenticeship systems and related employer engagement is conducted.