There were several key objectives that we aimed to achieve. These include language skills, vocational competency, improve understanding of EU and its opportunities for future studies, work and cultural exchanges. These specifically included: Language skills: English language skills have become very important in our modern society and by offering a two week work placement abroad within the EU, we hope that all our students improve their skills further. English is included in all of our students study with the course English 5 and many continue to study English in their second year. These English courses are standard courses with limited focus on vocational needs and are more of a broad based nature. By participating in this project and gaining work experience abroad, our students will directly develop their language skills in areas that they hope to work with in their future careers. Our students participated in their final year or in their second year and in preparation we will also offered them work specific language lessons in order to prepare them for the work experience period abroad. During the work experience we wanted our students learn how to conduct themselves in an English speaking country both at work and in their free time. This project has hopefully lead to more capable & confident speakers and increased the student employment opportunities. Vocational competency: By offering our students an opportunity to do a work placement in the EU (Malta) we hope to widen their perspectives in many different ways. They will have the opportunity to work in a very multicultural environment where working culture differs a lot from Sweden. Please see section 'Participants' for programme specific learning outcomes. Overall / broad goals: By offering out students a work placement in the EU (Malta) the goals for each students are that they improve their general learning ability by showing interest in new experiences and practices, they develope better ability to take initiative and engage in entrepreneurial thinking, the students develop their self-reliance and self-confidence, strengthen their intercultural awareness, and finally, extend their knowledge about the European system and shared European values.
To provide our students with learning opportunities, skills training and to first hand experience new cultures and possibilities with the European Union and the Erasmus program. We applied for the project to benefit and improve the development of key competences and skills of our students and their learning needs. This can be divided further into two categories; language skills and vocational competency. Many of our students lack international experience, have socioeconomic or personal challenges so we want to offer them a chance to broaden their views of multiculturalism and their understanding of the EU work market and work opportunities. Furthermore, we want to give our students a better chance to improve their English language skills and specifically work related language skills. Our school offers a wide range of vocational programs designed to meet the local branches demands. Our cooperation with the local entrepreneurs and employers are deep and frequent. Our school has to address this och the attractiveness of the vocational educations has to improve among potential students as do the entrepreneurial skills among our students. International contacts and interning abroad will be ways to meet these issues.