The Natural Resource Programme has to offer a minimum of 15 weeks of apprenticeship during three years. One aim of our project is to give some students the possibility to perform a 3 weeks’ apprenticeship period outside the comfort zone of Sweden, as an eye-opener towards working in a foreign country. The goals in the curriculum of the education stipulate that students should develop enterpreneurial and innovative skills, and should develop a global mind. A journey and stay abroad for some of our students is a way of adressing those goals. Furthermore, the opportunities of development as a human being is a very important issue in the project. Also, the European framework 2020 emphasis the merits of formal and informal learning, and by assisting in a mobility in France, there are multiple opportunities of informal learning. Learning by doing is a powerful method and one that is frequently used in a Vocational education.
Since 1998, Västmanlands Naturbruksgymnasium Ösby has been involved in echanges with 3 different Lycées, two in the region of Ain, and one in the Tarn region. There is strength in having long-term connections with the same coordinators. Also, these regions offer areas of mobilities that are different, less common or not available in Sweden. The Natural Resource Programme consists of Agriculture, Forestry, Animal Care and Equestrian profiles. The opportunity to have a period of apprenticeship abroad is very interesting for our students as they gain knowledge of different methods and develop skills in their profession by discovering differences and similarties in their line of work. A major focus is also the development on a personal level for each participant.