1. Lifelong Learning Programme 2007-2013 – an update on ERASMS work placements from the perspective of the European Commission Patricia De Smet, Higher Education – Erasmus Principal administrator European Commission, Brussels Eracon conference Lisboa Session – Erasmus Work Placements 8 May 2008

2. Overview –Placements – their place in the overall policy context and the promotion of closer cooperation between higher education (HE) and the world of work –Erasmus placements & other actions in the Lifelong Learning Programme (LLP) supporting cooperation between HE & enterprises –Placements – why are they important? –Erasmus Placements - one year after the launch of the LLP –Placements – the new challenge for Erasmus institutions A strategy for cooperation with enterprises Promoting a comprehensive approach to placements Delivery models for placements Dissemination of results and exchange of good practice

3. Erasmus Policy context Lisbon and Bologna Lifelong Learning (LLL) –Delivering LL for knowledge,creativity & innovation (Nov 2007) Higher Education reform (2006) –Curriculum reform –Governance reform –Funding reform

4. Erasmus Policy context An emerging policy to support cooperation between HE and enterprises – themes: curriculum, governance,funding, mobility – clusters on HE modernisation – High level expert group on mobility (2008) – European University/Business Forum (2008) Increased coordination between policy and programmes => Lifelong Learning Pgm

5. School Education COMENIUS Higher Education ERASMUS 3.1 billion Vocational Education LEONARDO DA VINCI Adult Education GRUNDTVIG Budget: 6.97 billion EUR (Proposal: 13.620 billion EUR) - Political development - Languages - ICT - Dissemination The new Lifelong Learning Programme 2007 - 2013 Min. 40 % Min. 25% Min. 4% Transversal Programmes Jean Monnet Min. 13 % 3.1 billion for 7 years

6. LLP – Erasmus-specific objectives –Erasmus: specific programme objectives Support achievement of a European Area of HE Reinforce HE and advanced VET contribution to innovation –Erasmus operational objectives Student and staff mobility (quality + volume) 3 Mios st 2012 Multilateral cooperation between HEI (quality + volume) Qualifications: Improve transparency and make HE – advanced VET qualifications more compatible HE-enterprise cooperation (quality + volume) Development and transfer of innovation Innovative ICT based content, services, pedagogies and practice for LLL

7. LLP- Erasmus actions –Decentralised actions : Mobility Students ( new : placements at all 3 cycles) Staff from HEI ( new: all staff, training) Staff from entreprise (new, ) Intensive programmes ( previously :centralised action) –Centralised actions Curriculum development Modernisation (new) HE-enterprise cooperation (new) Virtual campuses (new) Networks (new: structural network) - transversal actions : preparatory visits, accompanying measures

8. NEW Students Obj LLP: Ø 200 Average per month Grants Students Old/New Actions Duration Standard Mobility Target groups Training in H.E.I. and Enterprises OLDNEW 1-6 weeks Teaching staff/ Administrative staff Zero grant accepted (from 2008) Ex-LEONARDO Programme Students Placements 3-12 months ( *) Obj: smooth transition from LdV -reasonable Teaching Assign- ments OLD 1-6 weeks Teaching staff Staff 3-12 months Teaching in H.E.I.(2008-) Training (2007) 1-6 weeks Enterprise staff NEW Decentralised Actions of ERASMUS

9. OLD/New Actions Duration Grants Target groups e.g. summer schools OLD/NEW 10 days to 6 weeks Teaching staff/ Students Av. 32.000 per project Intensive Programmes Staff n.a. Organisation of Mobility Student study periods OLD n.a. H.E.I.s, Consortia etc. 4 categories Student placements n.a. 4 categories Decentralised Actions of ERASMUS (2)

10. U-E cooperation, enhancing employability etc. NEW H.E.I.s, enterprises etc. Max. 150.000 per year 2 years Actions OLD/NEW Target groups Grants Curriculum Develop- ment Contract Period Modernisation of Higher Education University- Enterprise Co-operation Virtual Campuses Thematic Networks Joint curricula (BA,MA, DOC), European Modules (incl. language modules) OLD H.E.I.s, enterprises etc. Max. 150.000 per year 2 (+1) years Updating of curricula, enhancing quality, attractiveness etc. NEW H.E.I.s, networks etc. Max. 300.000 per year 2 years Increasing virtual mobility NEW H.E.I.s, enterprises etc. Max. 150.000 per year 2 years Large-scale consortia (31 countries)/struc tural networks (less partners) OLD/NEW H.E.I.s, enterprises etc. Max. 150.000 per year 3 years Centralised ERASMUS Actions

11. The importance of placements –For students –For enterprises –For higher education institutions and their staff

12. The importance of placements for students –Familiarising students with the world of work –Enhancing employability Discipline-related skills Soft skills (problem-solving, teamwork, coping with the unexpected…), job-seeking competence Awareness of the enterprise culture (different objectives and time constraints, need for confidentiality,..) –Improving foreign language competence –Promoting inter-cultural understanding and knowledge of other European countries –Contributing to the stimulation of other forms of HE-enterprise cooperation

13. The importance of placements for enterprises –Influx of new ideas at low cost –Testing phase for potential future collaborators –Promoting stronger links with higher education institutions and their staff –Adding an international dimension (especially for smaller locally based enterprises) –Win/Win situation

14. The importance of placements for HEI –Better motivated and competent students –Input for modernisation ( CD,..) –Links with enterprise leading to other forms of collaboration –Improving awareness and competence of staff (teaching and administrative) –Strengthening links with the local community, –Contribution to the local economy

15. Placements – part of education- enterprise cooperation in the LLP –Within Erasmus Placements (and language preparation) Training for HEI teaching staff in enterprises Training for HEI non-teaching staff in enterprises Mobility of staff from enterprises to HEI (2007:training; 2008:teaching) Intensive programmes HE-Enterprise in Multilateral Projects HE-Enterprise in Erasmus Networks Preparatory Visits Accompanying measures –Within the LLP

16. Erasmus Placements - one year after the launch of the LLP –Taking stock of Year 1, Improving through: Feedback from National Agencies : Helsinki March/April 2008 Feedback from HEI : Eracon 2008, reporting,.. Feedback from consortia Feedback from enterprises Feedback from students –Transition from LdV to Erasmus Quantitative trends Consortia Challenges and new role for NAs New rules Challenges for HEIs

17. Erasmus Placements - one year after the launch of the LLP – a challenge for HEI -HEI not yet familiar with student mobility for placements -Promoting a comprehensive approach to placements -NEW delivery models for placements -Dissemination of results and exchange of good practice –Optimising effectiveness and impact, minimising bureaucracy Key factors: HEI mission, proactive, integrated approach, new culture

18. Erasmus Placements - one year after the launch of the LLP- from mobility for study to mobility for placements New requirements at the different stages of the mobility - New type of needs ( non academic actors) - Need for promotion of the action - Selection - planning and criteria of enterprises - Funding levels - possible enterprise contribution, - minimize loss of traditional facilities - Finding a host partner out of the academic world => adapting the internal organisation => involve new external actors - Preparing the mobility : training agreement Quality commitment

19. Erasmus Placements - one year after the launch of the LLP- from mobility for study to mobility for placements Quality commitment: –interlinkage with study, –learning outcomes, –recognition within and out the CD –mentor in enterprises –logistical support, specific issue (insurance,..) Increased Monitoring: –keep in contact –mentor in enterprise, contact in the home university Reporting

20. Optimising delivery models for placements –Higher education institutions as stand-alone senders –Placement consortia –The need for support and counselling mechanisms –Learning from Leonardo da Vinci experience –Recapturing pre-Leonardo experience –Input from other placement schemes –Listening to students

21. Dissemination of results, exchange of good practice –Analysing reports –Meetings and seminars –Exchanging information via the net –Organisational level (HEI, consortia) –Local and regional level –National level –European level –Sharing experience with the rest of the LLP

22. ???Three questions to the audience Suggestions to boost placements in their institutions Main barriers for HEIs Expected support from the NA and the EC