Akershus wanted to offer mobilities and placements to apprentices and professionals working within vocational education and training. Our project focused on the development of technical abilities (hard skills) and soft skills through international mobility. By participating in the project, apprentices and staff can become better professionals, and be more competent in their field of work. Observing and practicing their profession in an international context with different norms is enriching. It allows participants to question their own practices and to learn new methods. This skill set is vital in a changing economy and job market. We also aim to develop soft skills and allow participants to experience discovering another culture and language over a long time. For most participants, the Erasmus + mobility is the first opportunity to travel and live abroad alone. This experience helps participant grow and develop as a person. We also hope the experience will allow participants to be more open to new cultures.
We applied for this project with the aim of continuing the long-term strategy within vocational education and training (VET) of the county of Akershus. The main educational strategy was to offer high quality vocation training by using internationalisation to improve recruitment within vocational education and training, to provide equal opportunities between vocational and general pathways and to offer challenging and innovative learning opportunities. During the course of this project, the county of Akershus merged together with its neighboring counties of Buskerud and Østfold to become county of Viken. Thus this project was completed under the new entity Viken. By traveling and working abroad, we expected participants to experience both professional and personal development. They were exposed to new methods and cultures and to reflect on methods they use in Norway, this in turn would make them better professionals, better adapted and equipped to cope with a changing technologies, economy and job markets. We have had several years’ experience with mobilities for VET learners and applied for this project to continue reaching new participants.