We set the following aims: 1) We wanted to strengthen our presence on the stage of internationally respected Erasmus vocational secondary schools by developing 21st century skills and the command of English as lingua franca. 2) We wanted to improve competences, the combination of knowledge, skills and attitudes needed for successful life, active citizenship, social inclusion and employment. We also wanted our teachers to show the importance of lifelong learning to our students by setting a good example as open-minded, proactive and up-to-date instructors. This kind of genuine and true approach to lifelong learning could ensure the students to acquire competencies that help them with their own working life too. 3) As response to globalization, we wanted to have well-trained students with the help of our experience and practice-based education in foreign workplaces. Our teachers wanted to gain methodological experience in European entrepreneurship from visiting foreign vocational institutions. The improved soft skills could teach the participants how to adopt to constant changes. 4) We wanted standardised learning outcomes in the foreign on-the-job training where evaluation could be based on identifying competencies.
To a smaller extent the Hungarian, but to a greater extent the Erasmus professional training possibilities have made our institution be able to rise to the professional and language challenges intensified by the fast moving, dynamically changing EU vocational job market. Our school has been an ardent player in the Erasmus projects’ world, which made us an efficient and successful training base in the field of business administration, transportation, shipping, logistics and tourism and catering. Before submitting our application, the client groups and resources at our disposal had been analysed and got to know the real-life demands of the labour market. Backing up by Erasmus projects we have always managed to react to the changing needs of the labour market very quickly and competently. We had a strong intention to continue working with our Spanish, Finnish, Icelandic, Serbian, Turkish, Lithuanian, German, Polish, Italian, Portuguese, Norwegian, French, Croatian and Dutch partners. We wanted both our students and instructors to reach in their full potential by understanding foreign company structures, work practices and attitudes, which they could demonstrate after returning home.