It was our intention to raise the profile of the VET sector in Ireland and support the wider European growth and jobs agenda. We hoped to raise the quality and attractiveness of Further Education in the Dublin 12 area and encourage better cooperation between social partners, VET providers, learners, companies, intreo, teachers and trainers, and other stakeholders. The college is also conscious of the importance of reacting to the current job market and the overarching vision of the strategy up to 2025 is based on having an "education and training system that will deliver more flexible, innovative and interdisciplinary skills provision." (SOLAS, Further Education and Training Professional Development Strategy 2017-2019, p.11) and at same time allow for more continuous professional development and peer support and professional exchange for trainers and teachers. We hoped by engaging in mobilities we would develop strategic partnerships and increase opportunities for learning for both students (learners) and staff abroad . It allowed a number of students from the business, sports, photography and science courses the chance to do their work placement (part of their work experience module) abroad. As a result of involvement in Erasmus+ it was intended that Pearse College would increase its international focus and through cooperation with other European partners the college will gain innovation. Furthermore, staff and learners would increase their skills and competencies in their specific field of expertise. It was also envisaged that Staff mobilities would form part of the VET and college’s Continuous Professional Development Plan and that allow for cooperation and sharing of good practice and strengthen our curriculum as well as ensure the relevancy of our delivery in line with industry and business requirements. Lastly, we hoped to learn from our European partners about work-based learning with special attention to traineeships/apprenticeships in the areas of business, technology and architecture. We hoped to increase the skills and competencies of all involved in VET both learner and staff and encourage innovation, internationalisation and modernisation of our Further Education (VET) college through cooperation with European partners
Pearse College is based in Dublin 12 in an area of social disadvantage and the majority of our students come from either Dublin 8 or Dublin 12 and the majority would be considered disadvantaged and or marginalised. We hope as a college by increasing more opportunities in the VET sector and increasing our international involvement both at a staff and learner level we will provide more opportunities for our students and increase their cultural awareness and in turn enhance their future employment and prospects and education progression. In an article in the Irish Times (14th January 2019) Employers stated that they rate further education graduates as highly as college graduates. It is noted in this report that students in FE are actually better prepared in the areas of entrepreneurial skills, commercial awareness and teamworking. It is intended by continuing to foster these skills as well as enhance opportunities for our learners by engaging in opportunities such as Erasmus+ their employment and education prospects are hugely enhanced. In addition, it helps to raise the status and profile of Further Education in Ireland. There is stark class divide in access to third level' and a recent report showed that , 37% of young people in the Dublin 12 and 28% in the Dublin 8 area entered into third level as opposed to 99% in Dublin 6 and 82% in Dublin 6W . These latter neighbourhoods are approximately 3km from our college. Pearse College wishes to increase its international focus. Pearse College is located in an area of huge cultural diversity. The college wishes by getting involved in the Erasmus+ programme both at a staff and learner mobility level to encourage our students to understand different nationalities and their cultures further and to build on our college’s ethos of equality and diversity. It currently holds an event as part of its international studies module that promotes tolerance and understanding amongst different cultures but we are aware many of our students have not had the opportunity to travel abroad. The college demographic has changed in recent years and now over 20% of our students are international students and adds to the culture of inclusiveness and tolerance. We believe in addition many of our students who are from a disadvantaged background will gain hugely both personally and ultimately professionally from a work placement abroad, opening their eyes and giving them a ‘European perspective’ as to how people work and live in a different country. There is a definite skills shortage in languages in Ireland. The notion of “English is enough” is a common problem in English speaking countries. We believe the Erasmus+ programme will help to rekindle an interest in the uptake of languages. Pearse is one of the few FE colleges delivering language provision. From a management point of view, it is felt that an international dimension for the college may help attract more students and furthermore give an opportunity to staff to share best practice and gain professional development from fellow practitioners in their field. It is intended that tutors that engage in a staff mobility may gain more ideas that they can bring back to the classroom and college. In addition the college is interested in the traineeship and apprenticeship models abroad. As a college we wish to engage more with local industry and to consider more collaborative work based learning therefore strengthening cooperation between education and business. It is felt that by staff going on mobilities and shadowing fellow professionals best practice and ideas can be shared. This ensures our college develops and encourages staff to up-skill. Embracing new teaching methodologies such as the flip classroom and blended learning will help the learners gain a stimulating and cutting edge education .Pearse is interested in learning from the long established and well regarded traineeship and apprenticeship models in Germany and the Netherlands as the CDETB's funder, SOLAS is encouraging a greater focus on industry links and work based learning. Furthermore, it is believed international links for students to complete their work placement abroad may attract more applicants and above all be trans-formative for many of disadvantaged learners increasing both their personal and professional development and future employment prospects and choices. We hope that students not only gain technical and professional skills but also gain confidence and improve their soft skills such as communication, problem solving and team-working. We believe the opportunity will provide valuable life experience and broaden our students' horizons and perspective. In addition we believe European mobilities will increase cultural awareness and hopefully an interest in language learning. Mobilities for learners and staff we believe will make Pearse College more in tune with change. It is our intention to be cutting edge and provide the best models of education for our learners and empower our staff to embrace new teaching methodologies such as blended learning and to adapt course delivery in line with a changing student profile. We aim to give students more autonomy and encourage more self-directed learning Staff training assignments abroad will be an excellent way to exchange ideas, learn about new technologies. Staff during a mobility will either job shadow or observe teaching methods and discuss the way a similar aspect may be delivered in the Irish system. Staff returning from mobilities will firstly share their experience with colleagues and be asked to present their experience at a whole staff meeting. Participants will discuss more detailed aspects such as resources and teaching methodologies etc. with management and their relevant department head. They may suggest that certain courses pilot a different approach or technique and indeed they may form part of course development and the organisation's strategic and future development. It is hoped that the impact will lead to better course design and delivery and better engagement with local industry. Management may also be interested in participating on staff mobilities and looking at areas such as student retention as well as overall academic standard procedures and policies