We aimed to develop the European and International learning of all partners in the project and build on the success of the programme of 2 week work experience Erasmus plus placements in Leeds for the Slovenian VET trainees. Learning objectives were set in discussions with potential beneficiaries and the hosts. These were supported by the addition of individual learning objectives. The first theme was to assess and evaluate the different models of assessment and mentoring of childcare VET trainees used by the different providers. Knowledge was to be gained as to the linkages between the formative assessments and the practical college based training. The placements also supported the development of sign supported communications skills and language learning within VET training in the UK. The knowledge gained aimed to further support curricula to support the development of communication skills, including situations a child’s first language is not English. Additionally it was identified that forest and outdoor learning is well developed in Slovenia and the project activities aimed to look at how this can be developed and introduced within training programmes.
The plan was for 30 x 1 week VET staff training programmes in Slovenia over a 2 year period, involving work shadowing and learning for Vocational Trainers, Assessors and Mentors from Language in Your Hands and our network of trainers , training organisations and childcare settings in Leeds. This project was developed with our network of training providers and VET trainers in Leeds and Yorkshire. The Slovenian VET providers have been sending students to the Leeds area for two week work placements within the Erasmus programme. Prior to Covid, prior to Covid between 60 and 80 VET childcare trainees took part in the programme on an annual basis. The aim of the project was therefore to develop learning from Slovenia to the UK by initially setting up a staff VET mobility programme. The programme was set up therefore based on the demand to learn more by the VET trainers and the learning objectives were set up in discussions with potential beneficiaries. We were successful in applying for a 2018 VET staff programme, but the programme (which took place in May 2019) hadn’t taken place before this application. The demand and interest in this led to this application.