The primary objective of the project was to send young adults abroad for 3-4 weeks during their vocational training. We aimed to advise young people in vocational training and offer the opportunity to complete an internship in another European country to gain intercultural competences, improve language skills and widen their European identity. The tasks are to show trainees and companies how they can organize and finance internships abroad, to support them finding suitable hosting companies in other European countries and to plan and organize the stay abroad together with the trainees and their companies. Other important points are to raise awareness and motivation for the necessity of professional experience abroad among trainees and companies and the evaluation of the internship, what has been learned and how it can be transferred. Another objective was the qualification of personnel in educational trainings in order to increase the professional capacity to cooperate in a European context. The acquisition and selection of the participants was done in cooperation with the mobility counselling centre of a partner organization Arbeit und Bildung e.V. on behalf of the Hesse Ministry of Economy, Energy, Transport and Housing.
Economic life in Germany is highly characterized by international aspects. Every 5th crafts enterprise maintains business contacts abroad especially in the EU neighbouring countries. To secure a good position in global competition in future time, the German economy esecially small and medium sized businesses which are confronted with growing international economic ties, depend on well trained staff with international competences. Only approximately 5 percent of the apprentices already did an internship abroad. There is a need to promote apprentices and their own initiative to benefit from working abroad. Together with the mobility counselors in Marburg and Fulda we promoted business relevant mobilities abroad and support apprentices and young employees to increase their professional qualification and gather skills in their respective areas of work. Working abroad increases the intercultural competences, the language skills and the professional knowledge of the staff members. Overall these days it is important that we seek out for lifelong learning. Experiences abroad increase the interest for a lifelong learning and give the possibility for personal and professional growth.