2017 Call Erasmus+ Information Sessions UK: Vocational education and training (VET)
•Download as PPTX, PDF•
1 like•1,468 views
Introduction the Erasmus+ programme for UK organisations interested in applying for funding in 2017. This presentation covers opportunities for vocational education and training. For slides with an overview of the programme and from other sector-specific sessions (higher education, schools, adult education and youth), please visit our clipboard: http://www.slideshare.net/ErasmusPlusUK/clipboards/2017-call-erasmus-information-sessions
Recommended
Recommended
More Related Content
What's hot
What's hot (20)
Viewers also liked
Viewers also liked (16)
Similar to 2017 Call Erasmus+ Information Sessions UK: Vocational education and training (VET)
Similar to 2017 Call Erasmus+ Information Sessions UK: Vocational education and training (VET) (20)
More from Erasmus+ UK National Agency
More from Erasmus+ UK National Agency (20)
Recently uploaded
Recently uploaded (20)
2017 Call Erasmus+ Information Sessions UK: Vocational education and training (VET)
- 1. Key Action 1 and Key Action 2 opportunities in the field of Vocational Education and Training (VET) November 2016
- 2. KA1: Teach or train abroad Three 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 allocated; all fields can apply
- 3. Opportunities for • Learners (students, trainees, apprentices) apprentices) • Staff To undertake a learning and/or professional experience in another Programme country KA1: Mobility of individuals
- 4. Learner mobility • Traineeship in a workplace or VET school Staff mobility • Teaching/ training assignments • Staff training KA1: Activities
- 5. • 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
- 6. • Awarded until 2020 • Rewards, promotes and accredits quality in mobility • Encourages the development of European internationalisation strategies VET Mobility Charter (VMC) What is it?
- 7. • 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)
- 8. OLS Video (Click to watch video)
- 9. • 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?
- 10. KA1: Budget Budget Item Description Funding Type Organisational support Implementation of mobility activities (e.g. preparation, monitoring, validation of learning outcomes, 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 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
- 11. KA1: Budget (continued) Budget Item Description Funding Type Linguistic Support Costs linked to support offered to improve learners knowledge of the language they will to study or receive training during their activity Unit costs (may not be applicable) Special needs support Costs directly related to participants with disabilities and accompanying persons (including travel and subsistence, if justified as long as not already requested) Actual costs (may not be applicable); 100% Exceptional costs 1. Financial guarantee, if requested by the 2. expensive travel costs from/to outermost regions and Overseas Countries and Actual costs (may not be applicable); 1. 75% 2. 80%
- 12. • 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?
- 13. • 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
- 14. • For participants –Enhancing employability –Gain important soft skills –Improve foreign language skills • For organisations –expand internationalisation –Increase in curriculum quality KA1: Benefits
- 15. KA1: Case study (Click to watch video)
- 17. 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
- 19. • 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
- 20. • 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?
- 21. (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
- 22. (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
- 23. 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
- 24. 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 learners Field Staff Duration of activity Learners 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
- 25. KA2: Budget and Statisti
- 26. KA2 Budget Budget Item Description Funding Type Project 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 to disseminate IOs Unit Costs Innovation Only
- 27. KA2 Budget Budget Item Description Funding Type Project 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, and Learning Activities Joint staff training Blended mobility for learners Teaching or training assignments Unit Costs All – where justified
- 28. • 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?
- 29. • 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
- 30. • 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?
- 31. 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.
- 32. KA2: Case Study Exchange 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.
- 34. • 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
- 35. • 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
- 36. • Network of experts across the UK • Offering advice and personalised guidance on implementing European CreditTransfer System forVET • www.ecvetexperts.org.uk ECVET experts Other helpful resources: ECVET
- 37. INTRODUCING ECVET The European Credit System for VET
- 38. 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?
- 39. ECVET Coordination Points ENGLAND: ECCTIS www.ecctis.co.uk/ecvet SCOTLAND: Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework Partnership www.scqf.org.uk/ecvet WALES: Colegau Cymru – Colleges Wales www.collegeswales.ac.uk/en-GB/europe-269.aspx NORTHERN IRELAND: Council for the Curriculum Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) www.rewardinglearning.org.uk/accreditation/euro pean/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:
- 40. 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)
- 41. 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
- 42. ECVET. 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 Learning Agreement (LA) ECVET. During Mobility Provide Agreed Learning Activities Carry Out Assessment Document Assessment Results - Personal Transcript ECVET. After Mobility Validate, Verify and Recognise (assessed) Learning Outcomes Evaluate Processes and Results (added-value) Mobility: Core Phases
- 43. 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
- 44. Before Mobility
- 45. 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
- 46. 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 of Understanding (MoU)
- 47. 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
- 48. During Mobility
- 49. 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
- 50. 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.
- 51. After Mobility
- 52. 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.
- 53. Steps to Recognising Mobility Reflection on Current Practice Memorandum of Understanding Learning Delivery and Assessment Learning Agreements Validation Personal Transcript Recognition
- 55. Resources TEMPLATES: • 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 Explained CASE STUDIES: • Increasing examples of good or interesting practice from UK practitioners making use of ECVET
- 56. 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
- 57. Support EVENTS: • 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
- 58. ECVET and other EU Tools
- 59. Related Tools and Initiatives ESCO European Skills, Competences, Qualifications and Occupations
- 60. VET enquiries: Ecorys UK T: 0121 212 8947 E: erasmusplus@ecorys.com Contact us Find us online: erasmusplus.org.uk @erasmusplusuk ukerasmusplus erasmusplusuk
Editor's Notes
- Hello and welcome to this session specific to the VET sector. My name is XX from the National Agency. We’ve got about 1 ½ hour to talk about the Erasmus+ funding opportunities available to VET organisations under both the Key Action 1 and Key Action 2 decentralised funding streams. During this session we will: Go through the funding available under Key Action 1 and Key Action 2 for VET, what types of activities you can carry out, some statistics from the 2016 Call year and the application deadlines We’ll also explore the benefits of these activities for learners, staff and the organisations involved, looking also at case studies; I’ll explain what help is available from the National Agency and other tools And finally we’ll have time for questions and answers. We aim to finish by 12.30 and after the session you are free to leave. Please complete your feedback form and leave it in the room before going.
- I’ll start off with Key Action 1, which is the largest part of the programme. In 2016 75% of the UK budget was allocated to this type of project of which €24 mill is set aside for KA1 VET projects. Organisations from all fields can apply for this type of projects. Mobility projects are the easiest way to get started in Erasmus+, and are the most likely applications to be funded as the available budget is the largest element of the programme budget.
- Under Key Action 1 VET there are opportunities for: Learners (students, trainees, apprentices) including graduates provided the placement taken place within 1 year of graduation; and Staff to undertake a learning and/ or professional experience in another programme country. Learner mobilities last between 2 weeks and 12 months, while staff mobilities have a possible length of between 2 days and 2 months. As part of the European Commission’s drive to improve the quality of mobility experiences and safeguard vulnerable learners, it is now compulsory to include accompanying persons for VET learner mobility projects and we recommend that you include a minimum of 1 accompanying person per 10 learners.
- This slide covers the activities available for learners and staff whilst on their mobility placement. Learner mobility The Traineeship, or work placement, must include work-based learning at a VET organisation, employer or other relevant organisation. Vocational study alone is not permitted. To ensure the quality of the placement, it is recommended the receiving organisation hosts all or part of the vocational placement, rather than sourcing it out to another organisation. Staff mobility Staff can also choose to undergo training themselves either as part of a structured training course or by undertaking work shadowing or observation of their peers. Teaching/training assignments – where staff deliver teaching or training in a VET organisation abroad; since 2016 this also encompasses hosting a trainer or teacher from a partner organisation to deliver structured training at the applicant organisation or its consortium partners; or Staff training – where staff undertake a work placement or job shadowing experience in an enterprise or any other VET organisation abroad. Projects can be made up of both VET traineeships and staff mobility, but you must demonstrate how the two activities fit with the wider objectives of the project.
- As you can see a broad range of organisations is eligible to apply under KA1 VET. You will find a list of possible examples within the 2017 Programme Guide. Within your application you will need to highlight your organisations connection to the field of VET. All organisations, both in the UK and abroad need to be registered and based in a programme country. Since the UK National Agency only funds projects for outgoing mobilities, with the exception of staff teaching/training assignments, all sending organisations need to be based in the UK. Incoming mobilities for VET learners are not possible. A national consortium consists of at least 3 UK organisations. One organisation, the applicant, applies on behalf of the whole consortium and will be the main point of contact for the National Agency throughout the whole project lifetime and holds responsibility for the delivery of the project including the management of project finances.
- A special feature under KA1 VET is the VET mobility charter. The charter is awarded until 2020 and offers charter holders a simplified application and reporting procedure. This means that if you get the charter in 2017 you can apply under the simplified rules from the 2018 call year onwards for the reminder of the Erasmus+ programme Rewards, promotes and accredits quality in mobility Encourages the development of European internationalisation strategies Eligible organisations must have had at least 3 successfully completed mobility projects, under Erasmus+ and/or LLP with the budget spend averaging at least 80% of the combined awarded budget. The deadline for the 2016 call was 19th May and we anticipate the 2017 call deadline to be around that time.
- Under KA1 learners can receive online linguistic support for longer mobilities of at least 19 days in length. The National Agency will allocate your organisation OLS licences based on the amount of learners you send abroad. The licences are then allocated to learners who do a 1st language assessment (as part of their preparation) to determine their current language level. Before and during their mobility they will then have access to online language courses matching their level. After they returned from their mobility, learners will do a second language assessment to show their improvement. The courses will help with listening, writing, vocabulary skills by using live tutoring, forums and massive open online courses (MOOCS). Currently available for Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, French, German, Greek, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish and Swedish and also has VET specific language courses, for example for tourism, automobile or catering. More sectors are planned to be added in the future, so please keep an eye out for these.
- Note to speaker: video is supposed to open in Youtube when clicking the picture
- In order to receive funding for your KA1 VET project you will need to fill out one of the official KA1 VET application forms, which will be available on our website and submit it online before the official deadline. You can apply on your own or as part of a consortium. Only 1 application can be submitted per organisation/ the same national mobility consortium. Projects can last between 1 and 2 years and the length of your project has to be indicated within your application form.
- The funding under KA1 VET is a contribution to the costs of delivering the project. No upper or lower limit on numbers of participants or funding exist. There are two different ‘funding types’: Unit Costs - where funding is calculated on a per participant basis, with set rates for different elements Actual Costs - where funding is specified by you and justified within the application and for which you will need to submit receipts There are seven different ‘budget items’: Organisational Support: Determined by the number of participants and covers the organisational and management work needed to successfully complete a mobility project, like preparation, monitoring, validation and dissemination. Travel: Determined by the distance between the sending and hosting city, using the official EU distance calculator online. Top-up for expensive domestic travel: For organisations situated in remote areas or with project partners in difficult to access areas. Funding is only eligible if domestic travel costs exceed 225€ and will be 180€ per participant. Individual Support: Covers the day-to-day expenses of mobility participants while on mobility, including accommodation, food and local transport. You can also request individual support for one travel day before and one after the mobility.
- Linguistic Support: In cases where the required language is not yet covered by the OLS, applicants can request linguistic support. Like with the OLS, this budget category is only available for mobilities of 19 days of length or longer. You cannot choose between the OLS or linguistic support and the latter will not be provided for any language covered by the OLS. Special Needs Support: Support for specific needs and exceptional costs are based on actual costs and need to be justified within the application. Exceptional costs: Include funding for Financial Guarantees (VERY rare) and expensive travel costs to Ors and OCTs these will also need to be justified within the application.
- Within the 2016 call we received 143 eligible KA1 VET applications. All of these were assessed by external assessors and 113 were approved with scoring at least the minimum of 60 points out of 100. This is a success rate of 79% which showcases the great quality of applications received under this Key Action. While the majority of funded projects were from experienced applicants (65%), 21% have been submitted from applicants new to Erasmus+. The remaining 14% were from formerly unsuccessful applicants. We managed to see an increase of projects including apprentices which will continue to be a priority for the upcoming call.
- To bring these activities to life, I would like to show you a short case study video, illustrating the experiences and impact that taking part in the programme can have on the organisation and individuals. The project shown is by ISA training who have been involved in mobility projects funded via Erasmus+ and Leonardo since 2012 across Spain and Cyprus. The video shows a flow of hairdressing apprentices who spent 2 weeks in Spain honing their vocational skills in local studios. Note to speaker: video is supposed to open in Youtube when clicking the picture
- In 2016 almost 25% of the UK budget was allocated to this type of project. It is worth noting that Strategic Partnerships are the most popular action of the programme in terms of demand for the funding. Only the very best quality projects are funded and if you are starting out in European funding you need to bear this in mind. Organisations from all sectors can apply for this type of projects though the rules can differ between sectors
- Strategic Partnerships aim to support cooperation, peer learning and the exchange of experience and practice at EU level, as well as promoting the sharing, development and implementation of innovative practices. They enable organisations from different countries to work together to address a common problem, achieve a common aim and/ or develop an innovative solution. All Strategic Partnerships need to demonstrate a link to the priorities of the Action outlined in the Programme Guide. They must address at least one horizontal or sector-specific priority. Where a horizontal priority is selected, applicants must still show how their project is relevant to and has potential to impact on the sector the application has been submitted under (e.g. VET). Organisations can work with partners from the same sector or from different sectors, as long as all partners share a common interest in the objective of the project and have the relevant skills and experience to deliver it. Flexibility has always been a feature of Strategic Partnerships, and in 2016 the EC introduced some changes to the Programme rules to make it clearer to applicants the different types of project formats available. Applicants are now able to apply for an Exchange of Practices project; OR a Supporting Innovation project I will go into more detail about these two types of project a bit later in the presentation.
- All Strategic Partnership projects must involve a consortium of organisations from different countries. Under VET this will be a minimum of 3 partners from the Programme Countries. There is no limit to the amount of partners that can be involved in a Strategic Partnership, however funding for Project Management and Implementation is capped at 10 partners. One organisation can apply for funding, and they should do so to their National Agency. The funding is calculated within your application and relates to the items you intend to involve in your project. You can apply for up to €150,000 per year, so for a 3 year project the maximum eligible grant would be €450,000. The minimum duration for VET is 12 months and up to 36 months. You may have some flexibility on the start date of your project, but all 2017 projects must finish by 31 August 2019.
- As I mentioned, there are two different types of Strategic Partnership that applicants can apply for. The first of these is a Supporting Innovation project. These projects are expected to develop innovative outputs and/ or engage in intensive dissemination or exploitation of new or existing products or innovative ideas. Supporting Innovation projects can request additional Intellectual Outputs and Multiplier Event funding where necessary/ justified. However, this is not a requirement and would depend on the objectives of the project. In all cases, applicants would need to present a convincing case for the innovative potential of this type of project. As with all Strategic Partnerships, Supporting Innovation projects can include Teaching, Training and Learning activities where these are clearly justified as supporting the project objectives.
- The second type is Exchange of Practices. The main goal of these projects is to support European cooperation, capacity building and exchange of practice. They are not intended to develop large scale, high quality Intellectual Outputs and it is not possible for applicants to request additional funding for Intellectual Outputs or associated Multiplier Events in this type of project. Projects may still produce tangible outputs but these would be expected to be proportionate to the scope, scale and objectives of the project and would be co-financed via the Project Management and Implementation budget. As with all Strategic Partnerships, Exchange of Practices projects can include Teaching, Training and Learning activities where these are clearly justified as supporting the project objectives.
- Examples of eligible activities are shown here. A project could include any number of these; but you will need to demonstrate your own, and your partner’s, organisational capacity to achieve the results detailed in your application.
- The mobility of learners and staff is also possible in Key Action 2, as in Key Action 1, but it differs substantially in scope and focus. In Key Action 1 emphasis is on the development of the individual - increasing their skills and employability and expanding their outlook. In Key Action 2 mobility is there to support the aims of the project and the partnership of organisations involved in it. All mobility must be shown to be supporting the project i.e. it is necessary for the aims of the project that the mobility takes place. Mobility activities in Key Action 2 enable organisations to: Get learners involved in the project through study programmes, blended mobility, project work, long term pupil mobility and youth initiatives Involve staff through teaching/ training events and assignments, and youth worker placements
- As with KA1, the grant for any KA2 mobilities is a contribution to the costs of delivering the project and there are again two different funding types; unit and actual. Some budget items are only available for Supporting Innovation projects (IOs and MEs) and some can only be approved where they are adequately justified. There are seven different ‘budget items’: Project Management & Implementation: All projects will have to request funding under Project management and implementation. This budget is a lump sum grant to support the costs of managing/ being involved in the project, smaller scale activities such as project websites and all dissemination costs. PMI is calculated based on the number of partners and duration of the project. Transnational Project Meetings: Generally all projects will also request funding under Transnational Project Meetings to support participating countries in meeting up to discuss the project, and plan project activities. This grant is paid according to a unit cost per participant to cover travel and subsistence, with a different unit cost for short and long distance travel. Intellectual Outputs: Supporting Innovation projects may request additional budget items such as Intellectual Outputs funding which is a contribution the staff time associated with tangible deliverables which should be substantial in quality and quantity, with potential for wider dissemination and exploitation. Examples of tangible outputs include curricula, pedagogical materials, open education resources, IT tools, analyses, studies and peer-learning methods. Multiplier Events: Multiplier Event funding is only available to Supporting Innovation projects which plan to develop Intellectual Outputs. This funding supports the dissemination of the project and the Intellectual Outputs produced beyond the immediate project partners and beneficiaries.
- Exceptional Costs: This is a contribution (75%) of the costs of subcontracting or the purchase of goods and services, where adequately justified. Special Needs Support: This supports project participants with a disability or other specific health need for which additional costs will be incurred. Training, Teaching and Learning activities: Within KA2 it is also possible for projects to include mobilities where they are embedded within broader project objectives and will support the achievement of these. Where these activities are planned and justified, funding is available to co-finance travel, subsistence, and linguistic support requirements.
- Like with KA1, ‘What’s new’ is the same.
- In 2016 we received 119 VET applications, it is really positive that of those 119; Nearly half were from new applicants 36% of the projects were successful meaning that the application had met all the quality thresholds The National Agency was in a position to fund 31% of the 119 projects and spent the budget allocated to KA2 VET As you can see the from the statistics it is competitive and only the highest quality applications receive funding, it is therefore really important that you produce a good quality application and utilise all the support which is available to you through through the National Agency.
- The last two slides of the presentation are to provide you with an example of what a supporting innovation project might look like, As you can see from the slide the objectives of this project is to develop an OER platform , they also plan to develop and test and most importantly make them available freely. The project has included activities which include developing intellectual outputs and disseminating via multiplier events- which only development of innovation projects request. Lastly they will be piloting their results via teaching training learning activities. These projects are expected to develop innovative outputs and engage in intensive dissemination and exploitation activities. Under this type of Strategic Partnerships, as mentioned earlier applicants are able to request a dedicated budget for Intellectual Outputs and Multiplier Events in order to directly address the innovation aspect of the Action.
- From this example you can see that the scope of an exchange of practice type project is different. The primary goal of these projects is to allow organisations to develop and reinforce networks, increase their capacity to work at transnational level and share ideas, practices and methods. Some projects may also produce tangible outputs and they are still expected to disseminate their results and activities, but they should do this in a way that is proportionate to the aims and scope of the project. Exchange of practices projects cannot include Intellectual Outputs or Multiplier Events. Any outputs or dissemination they plan is expected to be co-financed by the standard Project Management and Implementation budget. Exchange of Practices projects can also include Transnational Teaching, Training and Learning activities if they are justified and will support the achievement of the project objectives.
- Please check carefully the deadline for applications and also the time – this is usually given in the Call document and the Programme guide as Central European Time, so here in the UK you’ll need to submit the application at the latest one hour before the stated time. If you have not already done so for previous Erasmus+ applications, you must obtain a unique reference code called ‘PIC’ for your organisation from the Commission’s EU Login system, which has until recently been called ‘ECAS’ . When preparing your application, please go through the eligibility and quality assessment criteria which you can find in the Programme guide, and make sure your application addresses all the points well. Finally, when you are happy, you can submit your application online. Applications are live PDF forms called eForms and are submitted electronically.
- The NA is here to provide support and advice on making an application. You can sign up to our newsletter via the website to make sure you receive the latest programme information. Application eForms will be available from our website over the coming weeks under ‘Apply for funding’ and we will produce step-by-step guidance documents to help people complete the forms. We will also hold application support webinars for each different project type and again the will be published on our website and promoted via our newsletter. For any question you may have on your VET project feel free to contact us at Ecorys UK, and I’ll give you the details towards the end of the presentation.
- ECVET Experts are available in the UK to provide you with advice and support to understand the implementation of ECVET, the European Credit System for Vocational Education and Training. This is a technical framework to facilitate the transfer, recognition and accumulation of assessed learning outcomes with a view to achieving a qualification. Luckily we have an ECVET expert with us today who will know give you an overview.
- Can talk through the dual goals of ECVET (lifelong learning / geographical mobility) or can focus solely on the core text.
- Provides details of the four ECVET National Coordination Points (NCP) in the UK and refers to the team of national ECVET experts managed by Ecorys.
- Highlights the three core actions of the (new) Erasmus+ Programme – through which the majority of UK VET mobility activity is funded.
- Iillustrates where ECVET is mentioned in the application forms. Explain that the workshop should enable participants to complete these parts of the forms with more confidence and understanding..
- Indicate this is the final stage of the 3 stages and can sometimes be the most challenging.
- Only one slide in this section, highlighting benefits for three core ECVET stakeholder groups.
- A short section in which some of the key “before mobility” actions are presented in greater detail.
- Takes forward the issue of Learning Outcomes (LOs), building on references in the previous slide, and confirms how they might be developed or identified and (if the former) key considerations for the development of LOs. Only use/ develop this if the group is likely not to have experience of LOs eg community/ voluntary organisations
- Confirms the core elements of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
- Confirms the core elements of a Learning Agreemen ).
- A short section in which some of the key “during mobility” actions are presented in greater detail.
- Confirms that different approaches (to assessment) exist, some tied to institutional or programme requirements, and states areas for reflection and consideration for “home” and host” partners.
- Previously references to the “Personal Transcript” (e.g. Europass Mobility) have been extended, in this slide, to encompass requirements for evidence that the “sending”” institution might also require if full recognition is to be sought.
- A short section in which some of the key “after mobility” actions are presented in greater detail.
- Highlights the differences, from a UK perspective, between “validation” and “recognition”.
- Shows that all steps have now been covered.
- Confirms the different resources developed by the UK ECVET Team and by others.
- Single slide in which the goals and expected use of the ECVET Mobility Toolkit are confirmed.
- Confirms onsite, event and online support routes for those present.
- Introductory slide for selected transparency and recognition tools (can be used alone and talked through or can also work through the four supplementary slides: each with greater detail on the selected tools).
- If you need to get in touch with us at any time with an Erasmus+ VET query, then please contact the National Agency team at Ecorys UK either via our Helpline from Monday to Friday, or by emailing erasmusplus@ecorys.com. On the screen you can also see the details of our online presence – our website is the main source of information about Erasmus+ funding in the UK, but we are also on various other platforms such as Twitter, Facebook and Youtube. Thank you for your attention. That’s it from us as far as the formal presentation goes, but we will be pleased to answer any questions you may have – all our National Agency staff are here and we have about half an hour (tailor as needed) to go through any questions that you may have. After this you are free to leave as there isn’t a concluding plenary session. Don’t forget to fill in your feedback forms!