Erasmus+ provides opportunities for apprentices to gain valuable experience of working in another European country. With an increased national focus on apprenticeships, this session will highlight the benefits of sending apprentices on European placements and the added value to the sending organisation.

1. Vocational
education and
training (VET):
apprenticeships
Mini workshop on 2016 Erasmus+ UK priority area

2. Case Study:
Lincoln College

3. Lincoln College
1. Largest FE College in Lincolnshire
2. Offers programmes from Entry to Level 5
3. Judged as Outstanding in 2011
4. Programme Area Construction and Technology
judged as Outstanding
5. Is the umbrella organisation for Lincoln UTC,
Gainsborough and Newark Academies and 3
colleges In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

4. Apprenticeships at Lincoln College
1. Level 2 and 3 Apprenticeships
2. Specific liaison with CITB and Siemens
3. Apprenticeships available in Bricklaying; Bench and
Site Joinery; Pluming; Fabrication and Welding; Motor
Vehicle; Electrical and Electrical Installations;
Engineering. Hairdressing; Beauty Therapy; Business
and Business Admin; Catering.

5. EU Funded Mobility Projects
1. Commenced in 1998 with Alfa College – The
Netherlands
2. MCAST in 2006 -Malta
3. Richard von Weisacker – Germany 2009
Level 3 Health and Social Care and Childcare full-time
students and apprentices have been the participants in
these projects

6. Other European Funded Projects
2013-2015 Comenius Project working with Alfa
College The Netherlands; Berufskolleg Werther Bruecke
C, Germany and Instituto Tecnico Statale G Caruso, Sicily,
Italy – ‘Virtual Trade, Real Savings’ with Level 3 Business
Studies students.
2014-16 Key Action 2 Project working with colleges in
Belgium, Ireland and Finland – Making Guitars from
Sustainable Materials with Level 3 Musical Instruments
Making students

7. Mobility Projects for Apprentices
• Initial work through Training Bridge and ‘In Went’, now
Key Action 1
• Working’ partnership with Krieshandwerkerscaft –
Coesfeld from 2007
• Exchange of apprentices
• Off job training in Germany with Pictorous and Richard
von Weisacker Colleges
• Total of 50 participants since the beginning in 2008

8. The Guild of Crafts - Coesfeld

9. Participants 2015
• Level 3 Apprentices – Construction and Engineering
Pluming, Bench and Site Joinery, Motor Vehicle
• Ages – 17-25
• Accompanying Vocational Staff
• VET Staff

10. Challenges
• Introduction of ECVET
• Apprentice dietary needs
• IT failure
• Apprentice withdrawals from the project

11. Benefits for Apprentices
• Compare and contrast vocational training and practice
in the work place with specific emphasis on H&S,
Equality and Diversity and Culture.
• Achieve competence and record using ‘one-file’.
• Gain independent living skills.
• Learn another language for use in work and socially.
• Gain an understanding of a different European
culture. And concept of being European.

12. Jak Flatters and Ryan Guppy
Participants March 2015
• Barry and Peggy High Scholarship Foundation
Apprentice Award East Midlands
• Managed by the CITB
• Identified as ‘Shining Stars’
• Ryan will progress to HNC
• Jak will progress to a Level 3 Apprenticeship
• Will compete for the Merlane Trophy
• Prize of £1500

13. Benefits to Lincoln College
• Reflects and supports the Government’s priority to
recruit more apprentices.
• Trainer of choice for employers in a range of
vocational areas in the East Midlands
• Enables staff CPD.
• Sharing of ‘best practice’.
• Liaison with employers.
• Reflects a European and International prespective

14. What the Employers Say
The Work’s Department Lincoln Cathedral
‘It is an excellent example of two major organisations in
Lincoln working together to enhance heritage crafts’
‘The German apprentices have a very professional
approach to the training, have been enthusiastic and
keen to make the most of the opportunity’.

15. Managing the Project
• Read all ECORYS documents carefully.
• Complete and submit applications before the deadline
in case of IT failures etc.
• Establish good working relationships with your
ECORYS Liaison Officer
• Enthusiastic staff team members and senior
managers.
• Supportive employers.
• Effective recruitment and selection process.

16. Managing the Project (cont.)
• Training schedule established at the onset.
• Establish good working relationships with host
partners.
• Check all apprentice accommodation.
• Where possible ask to use the same employers for
the placement.
• Recruit the ‘right person’ to deliver language training

17. Managing the Project (cont.2)
• Strong ground rules during the placement.
• Manage all aspects of ‘Safeguarding’ – insurance,
travel details, apprentice personal details, in line with
own and host institution.
• Agree with hosts monitoring procedures.
• Have a detailed list of contacts and emergency
number.
• Ensure that a named person/s in home institution
have all the details of the project.

18. Questions?

19. Next Steps

20. Erasmus+ is the European Union programme for education, training, youth and sport.
The Erasmus+ UK National Agency is a partnership between the British Council and Ecorys UK.
Contact Details
0121 212 8947
erasmusplus@ecorys.com
www.erasmusplus.org.uk