Key Action 1 and Key Action 2 opportunities in the field of Vocational Education and Training (VET) November 2016

KA1: Teach or train abroadThree types of decentralised project

Key Action 1

Key Action 2

Key Action 3

Key Action 1: Mobility

Largest part of the programme with just under 75% of UK budget allocated; all fields can apply

Opportunities for • Learners (students, trainees,

apprentices)• Staff To undertake a learning and/or professional experience in another Programme country

KA1: Mobility of individuals

Learner mobility • Traineeship in a workplace

or VET schoolStaff mobility

• Teaching/ training assignments• Staff training

KA1: Activities

• Public or private organisations active in the field of VET

• All participating organisations must be registered and based in a Programme country

• Applicant can lead a national mobility consortium

KA1: Eligible participating organisations

• Awarded until 2020• Rewards, promotes and accredits

quality in mobility• Encourages the development of

European internationalisation strategies

VET Mobility Charter (VMC)What is it?

• For mobilities of at least 19 days in length

• Includes language assessments and online language courses (+life coaching)

• Currently available for 12 languages

Online Linguistic Support (OLS)

OLS Video

(Click to watch video)

• Organisations make a funding application to send participants on mobility activities abroad

• Only 1 application per organisation/ the same national mobility consortium

• Projects can last 1 to 2 years

KA1: How does it work?

KA1: Budget Budget Item Description Funding Type

Organisational support

Implementation ofmobility activities (e.g. preparation, monitoring, validation of learning outcomes, dissemination).

Unit costs

Travel Return travel costs of participants, including accompanying persons

Unit costs

Top-up for expensive domestic travel costs

Travel costs to reach a main transport hub in the country of origin and/or a remote place from a main hub in the receiving country

Unit costs (may not be applicable)

Individual support

Subsistence of participants, including accompanying persons

Unit costs

KA1: Budget (continued) Budget Item Description Funding Type

Linguistic Support

Costs linked to support offered to improve learners knowledge of the language they will use to study or receive training during their activity

Unit costs (may not be applicable)

Special needs support

Costs directly related to participantswith disabilities and accompanying persons (including travel and subsistence, if justified and as long as not already requested)

Actual costs (may not be applicable);100%

Exceptional costs

1. Financial guarantee, if requested by the NA

2. expensive travel costs from/to outermost regions and Overseas Countries and Territories

Actual costs (may not be applicable);1. 75%2. 80%

• Travel:– distance band 10 to 99 km added– support for 8000 km+ increased

• Top-up for expensive domestic travel• Exceptional costs now include

expensive travel costs of participants from and/or to outermost regions and OCTs

KA1 funding: What’s new?

• 143 eligible applications received• 113 were successfully approved

and all were recommended for funding

• 21% of funded projects from first time applicants

• 15% increase of projects involving apprentices

KA1: 2016 statistics

• For participants–Enhancing employability–Gain important soft skills– Improve foreign language skills

• For organisations–expand internationalisation– Increase in curriculum quality

KA1: Benefits

KA1: Case study

(Click to watch video)

KA2: Improve Practice

KA2: Improve practice

Three types of decentralised project

Key Action 1

Key Action 2

Key Action 3

Key Action 2: Partnerships

Just under 25% of UK budget allocated; all fields can apply

KA2: Strategic Partnerships

• Organisations can work together in order to address policy objectives, challenges and needs

• Priority topics for 2017 are in the Programme Guide – your application must address at least one

• Projects can focus on one sector alone or work on a cross-sector basis

• Flexibility in terms of size and scale of project and funding

KA2: Strategic partnerships

• Organisations need to be part of a partnership of organisations from different countries

• Minimum 3 partners• One organisation applies on behalf

of the whole partnership• Funding is up to €150,000 per year • Project length: 12 to 36 months

KA2: How does it work?

(1) Supporting Innovation• Projects should develop innovative

outputs and/or engage in intensive dissemination or exploitation of new or existing products or innovative ideas

• Can request additional Intellectual Outputs and Multiplier Event funding where justified

• Can include Teaching, Training and Learning activities where justified

(2) Exchange of Practices• Primary goal is to develop

networks, increase capacity and share ideas, practices and methods

• Activities and outputs proportionate to the scope and aims of the project

• Can include Teaching, Training and Learning activities where justified

KA2: Activities• Curriculum/course

development• Learning, teaching,

training, youth work methods, approaches and tools

• Collaboration and peer-learning

• Capacity building and networking

• Information, advice and guidance activities

• Surveys, evidence gathering, case studies

• Development of standards and profiles

• Improvement of qualification frameworks

• Teaching, training and learning activities

KA2: Mobility• Training, teaching or learning activities of

individuals can take place within a project• Need to be explicitly linked to project’s aims• Can cover staff and learnersField Staff Duration

of activityLearners Duration of

activity

VET • Staff training events

• Teaching/training

• 3 days to 2 months

• 2 to 12 months

Blended mobility

5 days to 2 months

KA2: Budget and Statistics

KA2 Budget Budget Item Description Funding

TypeProject Type

Project Management & Implementation

Local, cooperation and small-scale activities, including dissemination

Unit Costs All

Transnational Project Meetings

Meetings with project partners

Unit Costs All

Intellectual Outputs (IOs)

Substantial, high quality, tangible outputs

Unit Costs Innovation Only

Multiplier Events

Seminars, events or conferences to disseminate IOs

Unit Costs Innovation Only

KA2 Budget Budget Item Description Funding

TypeProject Type

Exceptional Costs (Goods and services)

Subcontracting of goods or services that cannot be provided by partners

Actual Costs –

75%

All – where justified

Special Needs Support

Additional costs directly related to participants with disabilities

Actual Costs – 100

%

All – where justified

Teaching, Training and Learning Activities

Joint staff trainingBlended mobility for learnersTeaching or training assignments

Unit Costs All – where justified

• Travel:– distance band 10 to 99 km added– support for 8000 km+ increased

• Top-up for expensive domestic travel• Exceptional costs now include

expensive travel costs of participants from and/or to outermost regions and OCTs

KA2 funding: What’s new?

• 119 applications received, budget requested: €31,224,191.05

• 57 applications from newcomers • 36% of projects successful• 31% of projects awarded funded,

grant awarded: €9,627,652.50

KA2: 2016 statistics

• For participants– better understanding of practices, policies

and systems – improved competences, linked to professional

profiles and employability• For organisations

– exchange of good practice– synergies with organisations working in

different fields– improving organisational capacity

KA2: Why take part?

KA2: Case Study Supporting Innovation

Objectives: To develop an Open Educational Resource (OER) platform to support language learning in four key business sectors. To develop and test the language teaching materials and make them freely available via the online platform, in ten languages. Key activities: Transnational partner meetings; developing Intellectual Outputs (language teaching courses and OER platform); piloting the online course with learners during blended learner mobility activities; and disseminating the Intellectual Outputs via Multiplier Events.

KA2: Case StudyExchange of Practices

Objectives: To work with partners to exchange practice and develop common approaches to improving ICT and entrepreneurship skills amongst adults from disadvantaged backgrounds across Europe. Key activities: Transnational partner meetings; developing a project website to showcase tools and materials shared and developed during the project; small scale dissemination activities and local testing and evaluation activities with learners.

Next stepsNext steps

• Check the date and time of the deadline• Register online with the European

Commission’s EU Login (formerly ECAS) system to obtain a unique reference code for your organisation

• Refer to all the eligibility and quality criteria when putting your application together

• Complete and submit the online eForm before the deadline

How to apply

• Stay informed: sign up to our newsletter for regular news and important alerts

• Learn more: consult our website and join our application support webinars

• Let us help: contact our helplines for more information or to have a chat about your ideas

Next steps

• Network of experts across the UK

• Offering advice and personalised guidance on implementing European Credit Transfer System for VET

• www.ecvetexperts.org.uk

ECVET

experts

Other helpful resources: ECVET

INTRODUCING ECVET

The European Credit System for VET

ECVET is a system for the transfer, recognition and accumulation of the learning outcomes achieved by an individual with a view to achieving a qualification.

What is ECVET?

EnhancingQuality

Agreed LearningOutcomes and aShared Understanding

Added Value ofLearning Abroad

RecognisingLearning

geographical mobility

AccumulatingLearning

Changing Pathways

Formalising LearningOutcomes

Supporting Progression

lifelong learning

ECVET Coordination Points

ENGLAND: ECCTISwww.ecctis.co.uk/ecvet

SCOTLAND: Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework Partnership www.scqf.org.uk/ecvet

WALES: Colegau Cymru – Colleges Waleswww.collegeswales.ac.uk/en-GB/europe-269.aspx

NORTHERN IRELAND: Council for the Curriculum Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) www.rewardinglearning.org.uk/accreditation/european/ecvet/

Plus a national team of ECVET Experts managed by the UK National Agency for Erasmus+ (Ecorys UK) www.ecvetexperts.org.uk

There are four ECVET National Coordination Points in the UK:

ECVET and Erasmus+

KEY ACTION 1: Learning Mobility of Individuals (learners and staff)

KEY ACTION 2: Cooperation for Innovation and Exchange of Good Practices

KEY ACTION 3: Support for Policy Reform (e.g. Youth Policy, VET Policy)

VET Learner and staff mobility Application form Section F1: Learning Outcomes • Europass, ECVET and Youthpass

Section G2: Project Management Memorandum of Understanding, Learning Agreement

KA1 Guide for Applicants 2016, p35-36• ECVET , European instruments

Practical links with Erasmus+ Applications

EC

VE

T.Before Mobility Establish Partnership Prepare Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) Identify Units of Learning Outcomes (LOs) Discuss Assessment Agree How to Document Learners’ Achievement Clarify Validation and Recognition Sign LearningAgreement (LA)

EC

VE

T.During Mobility Provide Agreed Learning Activities Carry Out Assessment Document Assessment Results - Personal Transcript

EC

VE

T.AfterMobility Validate, Verify and Recognise (assessed) Learning Outcomes Evaluate Processes and Results (added-value)

Mobility: Core Phases

Why use ECVET?• acknowledgement and recognition of achieved

learning outcomes (knowledge, skills, competence) giving value to all learning experiences

• improved employability

Benefits for Learners

• capacity-building for staff: insight into different teaching delivery and assessment techniques in other European countries

• improved profile and greater visibility through participation in European VET partnerships

Benefits for VET Institutions

• improved knowledge and understanding among employees, including through exposure to new and different work practices

• attractiveness of workforce development practices among employees

Benefits for Employers

BeforeMobility

Identifying or Preparing Learning Outcomes (LOs)

Learning Outcomes can be SELECTED from existing qualifications (units) or CREATED specifically for a mobility programme.

It is also recommended that Learning Outcomes:

are written in the future tense use language that learners can understand

use active verbs to describe what the learner will be able to do and to

demonstrate (e.g. define, describe, evaluate, perform, explain)

avoid using verbs where the meaning is ambiguous (e.g. understand, listen, learn)

be achievable as a result of a learning activity

be able to be observed, measured and assessed

An agreement between organisations that formalises the ECVET Partnership and which outlines (or confirms):

• qualifications, sectors and programmes associated with planned mobility programmes - with direct reference to qualification levels and using the EQF as a tool for comparison and translation

• targeted learning outcomes

• assessment, validation and recognition processes (and roles)

• acceptance of existing quality assurance processes and criteria

Memorandum ofUnderstanding (MoU)

Learning Agreement (LA)An individual document for each learner that explains (or confirms):

• Information on a specific mobility period

• Learning outcomes that the learner is expected to achieve

• Details on planned assessment mechanisms (confirming tools and approaches, timing and required documentation)

• Details on the partner roles and responsibilities confirming Who will assess and where and when

• What evidence is require to ensure recognition on return home

DuringMobility

Assessing Learning Outcomes (LOs)

Can be assessed using a variety of methods and approaches

Both partners should reflect on the feasibility of assessment

Consider whether there may be existing assessment requirements that need to be met

Sending organisations should consider the appropriateness of assessment methods, tools and approaches

Recording Assessment Results

Requirements for assessment documentation should be clearly detailed, for all parties, in the Learning Agreement.

Learners must have a record or personal transcript of learning outcomes they have achieved.

Europass Mobility is recommended for this purpose.

www.naric.org.uk/europass/organisations/documents/mobility.aspx

There may be a need for additional documentation to meet the needs of the sending organisation

Examples are:• Completed assessment grids• Written assessment• Portfolios.

AfterMobility

Validation & Recognition

VALIDATION: the process by which the sending institution confirms that the assessment meet their needs and expectations

Validation is primarily the responsibility of the sending organisation and in the UK could be described as Internal Verification

RECOGNITION: a more formal process allowing inclusion of assessed learning outcomes as part of or in addition to an existing learning programme or qualification.

Recognition is carried out in connection with the relevant Awarding Organisation. In the UK, this is often described as External Verification.

Steps to Recognising Mobility

Reflection on Current Practice

Memorandum of Understanding

Learning Delivery and Assessment

Learning Agreements

Validation

Personal Transcript

Recognition

ECVETResources and Support

ResourcesTEMPLATES:• Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)• Learning Agreement (LA)EXAMPLES:• Completed Memorandum of Understanding• Completed Learning Agreements (e.g. DECViP Project)GUIDANCE MATERIALS:• Getting the Credit your Learners Deserve• Guidance for Awarding Organisations: ECVET ExplainedCASE STUDIES:• Increasing examples of good or interesting practice from UK

practitioners making use of ECVET

ECVET Mobility Toolkit Enables continuing learning about ECVET and its use in facilitating recognition

within geographical mobility.

Provides tools and examples (including learning outcomes) developed in past projects and initiatives which can be useful for those considering ECVET implementation.

www.ecvet-toolkit.eu

SupportEVENTS:• Targeted workshops held in England, Northern Ireland,

Scotland and Wales• National ECVET Conference

INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT:• Telephone support provided by one of the UK ECVET Experts

FURTHER INFORMATION AND SUPPORT:

• www.ecvetexperts.org.uk• ecvetexperts@uk.ecorys.com

• www.ecvet-toolkit.eu• www.erasmusplus.org.uk• www.ecctis.co.uk/europass

ECVETand other EU Tools

Related Tools and Initiatives

ESCOEuropean Skills, Competences, Qualifications and Occupations

VET enquiries: Ecorys UKT: 0121 212 8947E: erasmusplus@ecorys.com

Contact us

Find us online:erasmusplus.org.uk @erasmusplusuk

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