For the learner mobilities, our theme for DARE 4 was to focus on ‘using work-based learning to develop creativity and higher order thinking skills’. The College is using project/thematic approaches for learning and assessment. We are also promoting the ‘Future Talent’ programme to all our learners which aims to make our learners ‘work ready’ by providing them a 360-degree learning experience when they are in College. For staff mobilities, our themes this year was about new curriculum design; how to increase employer involvement in the curriculum; use of work experience to enhance learners skills and knowledge and how to embed Career Management Skills (skills for learning, life and work) in the curriculum. Trips were planned and arrangements has been made including flights and hotel booking. This 2019/20 programme was intended to embody the ethos as well as the processes described in the Charter application - representing a cross-section of the College’s functions: This included the following mobilities: Sport & Fitness, Horticulture, Travel and Tourism, Hair and Beauty, Supported Education, Science, Euro Apprentice. For staff mobilities, the programme included Estates, OD, Service Design and Marketing.
Project 'DARE 4' intended to build on the success of our past 3 years of mobilities under the VET Charter. The principles of the Charter underpinned the College’s international strategy to facilitate the internationalising of our curriculum. We aimed to empower all academic areas to have the opportunity to devise programmes that included mobility, a programme that aligned to their course requirements, and cross-college support services involvement. Course leaders and lecturers gave encouraging feedback for our previous mobilities, with one of the outcomes being that students that participated in mobilities gained significant confidence in communication and developed skills that employer’s valued greatly. They developed soft skills, outward-looking attitudes, gained resilience and transversal skills and gained new practical skills that helped them in future employment. Students also engaged with various businesses and local employers while they were on mobility, and it was a valuable experience for the learners. Across the College, the general awareness of the European programme is now very high, and many teaching and support staff are engaged in the project which inspires new teaching and development approaches in those areas.