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Integration, Enrichment & Enterprise
Start date: Jul 1, 2014, End date: Jun 30, 2016 PROJECT  FINISHED 

Through international cooperation between institutions, this project aims to produce high quality outcomes for participants, encourage new approaches to teaching and learning, reinforce the internationalisation, capacity building and modernisation strategies of Derby College. Building on two previous Leonado da Vinci Lifelong Learning mobility projects, this project aims to develop level 2 & 3 learners as international professionals and entrepreneurs through specialised placement programmes in Estonia, Finland, Germany, Sweden, Denmark and the United Kingdom. This project will mix together a range of vocational areas from Derby College's wast array of subject areas and acts as a positive promotion of the opportunities of vocational learning by encouraging participants to develop and acquire new skills and explore international work, training and enterprise opportunities. 100 learners and staff from Derby College will visit Estonia, Finland, Germany, Sweden and Denmark, countries which they may not have visited if not for this project. Typically, level 2 & 3 learners do not consider the opportunities to work or train abroad, especially Eastern and Northern Europe, or opportunities for self employment. This project will encourage participants to consider different progression opportunities by offering challenging and exciting, but safe work and training placement opportunities to a learner cohort which is normally reticent. Further barriers to work force mobility will be removed by an up-front linguistic and cultural preparation and the acquisition of specific industry terminology during the placement period abroad. The project uses a NCFE Level 2 Award in Developing Enterprise Skills module which provides a pedagogically sound vehicle for learning, supported by specialist work placement opportunities that will provide a rich source of information, skills development and real work experiences. These experiences will enable learners to explore the different approaches to enterprise, commerce and entrepreneurship in each country. This fits with overall strategy of active learning and development of employability and enterprise skills that is strongly embedded in the college's curriculum. The over arching module fits well with the intention to promote enterprise through development of vocational skills through the work and training placements thus valuing the students vocational subject expertise and linking this skill development to further opportunities for students by developing their enterprise skills. The opportunities to work aboard will further broaden learners horizons and instill new attitudes based on real work experiences. In order to develop expertise in the specialist area and complement their knowledge with more technical and practical training, 20 catering learners will attend 3 weeks Retail Butchering training placement at the Danish Meat Trade College. It is believed that the acquirement of these ECVET accredited skills, not yet taught in UK, will greatly increase the participating learners’ chance of finding a job and being successful at work as these can be used immediately after the end of international placement, either in an employed or self-employed role. The participating staff will have an opportunity to tour the partner institution, to include walk throughs of lessons taking place, to shadow an advance practitioners of partner institution, observe a range of teaching and learning activities, coaching and feedback sessions and team teach, if desired. The outcomes of the project are disseminated and used to facilitate the adoption of any best practices that are identified as a result of the project activities. Participation in this project results in college adopting a new technique or assessment practice, or questioning strategy as observed as part of the European visit, and putting it into practice. A specific Derby College’s Moodle page will be set-up as part of this project. This will enable communication with participants and staff pre and post visit, thus encouraging future collaboration and to sustain future curriculum partnerships. The project will be promoted through Derby college’s Web site, Facebook, Twitter, via local and regional media and word of mouth by the learners and staff.
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