Lessons Learnt from Internship Programmes in the European Union

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1 Lessons Learnt from Internship Programmes in the European Union Gerhard Volz Skopje, 9 June 2010 OECD Human Capital Workshop

2 Part of the EU Lifelong Learning Programme Lifelong Learning Programme 2 COMENIUS School Educ. ERASMUS Higher Education LEONARDO DA VINCI Vocational Educ. GRUNDTVIG Adult Education Transversal Programme: 4 key activities Political co-operation Languages ICT Dissemination JEAN MONNET - EUROP. INTEGRATION: 4 action lines Academic chairs European academic institutions - Conferences

3 European Partnership for Higher Education Internationalising Higher Education Largest international educational programme, founded in participating countries (2010) - HR, MK, CH to participate by 2011 Network of 4,200 Higher Education Institutions AT: ca. 5,000 students abroad in 2008/09 Valuable contribution to European higher education policy & to the Bologna process Actions under Erasmus Student mobility for a study period or placement Staff mobility: teaching & training, connection to companies possible Intensive Programmes (multinational summer schools) European projects on centralised level Brussels 3

4 1992/ / / / / / /99 99/ / / / / / / / / /09 The Erasmus Programme Participation of Austrian Students Where do the students go? 5.000Figures from 2007/08 Österreichische Erasmus Studierende Studienaufenthalte Placements

5 Fostering University-Business Partnership Student placements under Erasmus since 2007 (prior experience with Leonardo da Vinci) 30,000 students in 2008/09, 886 in AT Placement has to be either - part of the curriculum or - relevant complementary element of the study course individual recognition for the students Learning agreement between HEI, student and host institution Extended University Charter needed for HEI can be managed by Placement Consortia 5 Commitment of all parties needed!

6 Student Placements cui bono Benefit for Higher Education Institutions Training on the job, add practical elements to the studies Teaching entrepreneurship Contribution to the profile of the HEI Active Public-Private-Partnership 6 Benefit for students Professional & cultural learning in a European setting Job-relevant combination of theory and practice Recognition the Erasmus asset

7 Student Placements cui bono Benefit for Companies / Enterprises Trainee = junior staff with clearly defined tasks - However: intern = no cheap labour force Quality placement = motivated future staff HR dimension: pro-active recruitment 'on the job' - also for SME which might often not have the capacity to accommodate interns Company reputation Networking with HEI - interaction with regards to curriculum design - Public-Private-Partnership models 7

8 Student Placements Where do Austrian students go? Figures from 2007/08 Ost 9,1% Nord 2,7% Rest 8,4% 8 NL 0,6% IT 7,2% FR 2,3% DE 51,8% UK 7,2% ES 10,7% DE ES UK FR IT NL Ost Nord Rest

9 Quality of Student Placements Key Elements (I) Extended Erasmus University Charter - Includes binding ex-ante declaration with regard to quality of the placement, preparation of the student, monitoring & mentoring - Awarded by the European Commission Learning Agreement - Binding agreement between HEI, host enterprise and student; compulsory for Erasmus placements - To be signed prior to placement abroad Recognition - Full recognition as part of the curriculum ( ECTS Credits) or - complementary part of the studies ( diploma supplement) - Transcript of Work frequent exchange between HEI & Enterprises recommended 9

10 Quality of Student Placements Key Elements (II) Management by Placement Consortia - Regional or local mediator/interface (company, research institution, HEI) - Comprises placement arrangements for a number of HEI - Often has excellent relationship to regional enterprises 10 Critical Points Student selection - How to get the most motivated and most promising students - Do not forget: students are ambassadors of the HEI Matching between student & host enterprise - Find the formula for mutual benefit Guidance, Mentoring

11 Management of Student Placements Checklist Finding a host institution Promotion & Guidance Selection process / criteria Involvement of other stakeholders Preparation (language, culture) Mentoring the students Monitoring the students Housing Evaluation of the period abroad Satisfaction of the students Financial aspects Recognition 11

12 Placements under the Erasmus Programme Lessons Learnt Quality Assurance Commitment & Responsibility essential factor, includes HEI management & all levels below written form always strongly recommended Quality standards to be met have a clear perception of quality in order to gain the maximum benefit for all Set clear-cut criteria for students, home institution and host enterprise Be strict on evaluation & follow-up measures Checklists & guidelines (for HEI as well as for enterprises) may help Partnership Be picky when choosing your partner and Be clear when it comes to the rules of the game 12

13 Placements under the Erasmus Programme Lessons Learnt Management Level Do not underestimate the management challenge Selection of students Practical arrangements (insurance, housing, visa) Preparation of the placement (work surrounding, habits etc.) Financial aspects and some more Communication Promote your ideas to students, to the policy level and to the enterprises Internal communication: report your activities, let all levels of the institution share your activities External communication: show what you offer & what you achieve 13

14 Placements under the Erasmus Programme Lessons Learnt Policy level Integration of social partners Whatever you re planning take the social partners on board Make employers and labour unions curious, then give them a role Involvement of policy makers & stakeholders Strategic support & political commitment Financial support as added value Possible examples: steering group, programme council (on various levels) 14 No one necessarily agrees with everything but it s always helpful to keep the relevant stakeholders informed

15 Placements under the Erasmus Programme Lessons Learnt What still lacks 15 Substantial and structured evaluation - Student reports to be examined, they provide comprehensive feedback - Lack of resources sometimes lead to data cemeteries Sustainable use of the company feedback - Satisfaction with the programme to be evaluated - works often well at immediate university-enterprise level that gives us food for thoughts

16 Fostering University-Business Partnership European Projects for University-Business Cooperation European consortium of at least 3 institutions from 3 participating countries Partners may include - Higher Education Institutions (HEI) - Enterprises including SME - Professional organisations - Social partners, chambers of commerce - Local, regional or national bodies Duration up to 3 years Financing up to 300,000 EUR community budget Ca projects selected every year Inclusion of Third Countries possible as of

17 Strengthening the Links between HEI and Enterprises Current Initiatives at European Level Informal National Agencies workgroup 2-3 meetings per year Closer look on quality issues and questions such as monitoring, evaluation of placements etc. Discussions on practical aspects University-Business Dialogue Set of events in order to enhance the HEI-Business Dialogue Flagship Initiative New Skills for New Jobs Commission paper to be adopted in June 2010 Idea: better match of available skills with employers needs Proposal intends to enhance skills upgrading & mobility of workers 17

18 Strengthening the Links between HEI and Enterprises Good Practice Examples & Further Information Examples for University-Business Projects & Platforms GOOD UEP (Good Practises in University-Enterprise Partnerships) Q-Planet (Quality Placements Network): COEUR (Competence in European Entrepreneurship): Fundación Universidad-Empresa (ES), 16 universities and several thousand enterprises: Further Information Erasmus Programme general Erasmus for enterprises 18

19 Gerhard Volz Deputy Director, Head Erasmus National Agency for Lifelong Learning Schreyvogelgasse 2, 1010 Vienna Phone: Fax: gerhard.volz@oead.at