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Professional Development Programme London 2017
Professional Development Programme London 2017
Start date: Jul 1, 2016,
End date: Sep 30, 2017
PROJECT
FINISHED
As a background, the "Berufsschule II Kempten" is currently in the process of evaluating and updating its strategic direction. During this evaluation, an opportunity for growth regarding its international orientation was observed. The increasing importance of international work experience as part of a successful future work profile is widely recognised. Based on this realisation the German Parliament decided in 2013, that the goal is to enable at least 10% of all apprentices to gain international work experience in some form. The predominantly small and medium sized company landscape in the region of Kempten/Allgaeu, allows for rather limited opportunities for students to gather international experience e.g. in foreign subsidiaries. As a result, the BS II Kempten decided on integrating the “international orientation” into its set of targets. Concrete goal is to support more students, in cooperation with their employers, to gather international work experience.After analysing the demand and defining the strategic goal, available resources to meet the targets were evaluated. As a key result, the main concern is the financial feasibility for the students. As a consequence, this application form was put together. With the financial support of the Erasmus+ programme for the apprentices, the vocational School Kempten II would be enabled to develop an international awareness within its organization by introducing a mobility project and therefore support the Bundestagsbeschluss from 2013.What exactly does that mean? The BS II Kempten is planning a student mobility activity with 22 students from the professions Bank, Industry, Logistics, Retail and Wholesale (potentially IT, Tax Adviser Assistants and Legal Assistants). Our partnering institution is the European College of Business and Management (ECBM) based in London. The ECBM is the educational academy of the German-British Chamber of industry and commerce. It already proofed to be extremely reliable and experienced, which supports our selection as a partnering institution. The 22 participants of the mobility programme will take part in an especially designed 3-week “Professional Development Programme (PDP)”. Besides the in-depth examination of various topics in business, politics and society from a European and international perspective, the programme will touch on multiple functional and cross-functional topics. The housing of the students will be realized in guest families. Benefit of this is twofold; the students will dive deep into the British culture as well as significantly improve their language skills. With the participation in the PDP the apprentices have the possibility to receive the KIC (Kaufmann International Certificate). This prestigious international qualification will be achieved by an oral and a written exam, as well as a dissertation. Additional requirement for this certificate is the graduation of the commercial apprenticeship in Germany. Furthermore all students will obtain the "Europass Mobility" as a record of the acquired competences. In combination with the "Europass CV" (which will already be created by the students in the project application process) these documents constitute the foundation for future application possibilities all over Europe. A multilevel application procedure is conducted for the selection of the participants. A specific preparation phase, the mentoring of the students in London and the reflexion phase at the end of the mobility project are further important components. Rounded up is the mobility by the ceremonial award of the "Europass Mobilität", where not only the participants but also the school management and administration, the staff and the cooperative companies will be invited. The realisation of the project is accompanied by a project management concept that helps to ensure the success of the project. Especially appropriate evaluation tools should support the continuous improvement process of further Mobilities. The expected impact of the project is multidimensional. The apprentices will not only achieve a substantial increase in different competences, but also experience a leap in their personality development. Taking part in an Erasmus+ Programme improves particularly self-confidence and proactivity in young adults. The mobility is also expected to have an impact on family, friends, school staff and the cooperative companies. By being involved in a mobility project, even if it is just in a passive way, people will be more aware of the importance of the European idea and the peaceful international cooperation. This project may open a door for a more conscious international orientation of the "Berufsschule II Kempten".