The main objective of the Erasmus+ VET project is to modernize the Wuppertal city administration through the internationally acquired experience and competences of trainees and trainers who have completed a vocational training period abroad. More than 5,000 people work for the City of Wuppertal, of which 352 are currently trainees and 228 are trainers in 31 occupations plus 3 dual study programs. Partial goals are: - International updating of professional competences, also in relation to the top cross-cutting issues (promotion of young talent, Green Deal, digitization, etc.) - Improvement of intercultural competences in a city with a very high multi-cultural share in the citizenship - Expansion of international networks and cooperation - Participation of underrepresented target groups in the mobilities - Participation of the entire community of colleagues through the reports, which are read by 600 - 1200 colleagues and are archived thematically (Thinktank).
European municipalities are facing comparable challenges of our time: For example, the achievement of the 17 sustainability goals is changing urban development, digitization is enabling new forms of work, drastic effects of demographic change are intensifying the search for and retention of young talent in competition and require being a modern employer: inclusive, family-friendly and international. The variety of topics and development needs is not complete, but is reflected in all areas of the administration and demands a high level of professional competence from each individual employee, which must be constantly updated. That is why our mobility project focuses on the individual person and his or her development opportunities: "Wuppertal goes Europe" ... and we have done so for 7 years now with more than 80 EU trainees. And we are consistently continuing along this path: In 2021, we interviewed 30 managers and set goals and compiled measures in an internationalization strategy. Wuppertal is an accredited Erasmus+ VET provider and will thus remain a strong driver of internationalization until 2027.