Organisation Name:  Innovate Trust

Project Description: This project is designed to generate a culture of employment, independence and self worth for young people with learning disabilities to live a valued life in Wales during the 21st Century.

This project will seek to encourage families, carers and professionals to consider employment as a realistic goal for people with learning disabilities to take.

This proposal will tackle the root causes of long term unemployment for people with learning disabilities, particularly at the time of the transitional stage when young people are considering their life goals, options and plans.

We will seek to change the culture in Wales to one where all young people are given the motivation, encouragement and means to progress onto further education, training or work, regardless of their disability.

Activities will be geared to informing young people, their families, teachers, social workers and other professionals, that employment is a viable option. Opportunities will be available for young people to access work tasters, courses and employment using methods that have been proven to work via our Equal Shares for All Project.

The aim is to make a permanent cultural change that will leave a legacy for future generations and ensure that people with learning disabilities can lead a fulfilled life in Wales.

With funding from the new European funds we will:

•           Inform young people with learning disabilities and their families of the

opportunities that are available in the world of work and the means by which this can be achieved.

•           Encourage all appropriate agencies to recognise that employment is a

realistic goal for people with learning disabilities. To raise awareness of transition issues amongst front line staff and to empower people with learning disabilities to carry out this training and awareness raising themselves.

•           Engage with employers and inform them of the capabilities of people with

learning disabilities and help both groups to identify opportunities and options.

•           Engage in new activities that will allow young people with learning

disabilities to explore their identity, their rights, their aspirations and their place as citizens in the community that will enable them to move onto suitable employment.

•           Provide a range of training for the development of new skills and

qualifications in self advocacy, citizenship, participation, community involvement, communication and increased confidence and assertiveness that are appropriate for the workplace.

•           Promote the positive role model of citizenship for young people with

learning disabilities and to promote the concept of voluntary work as a valued role in itself and a means by which they can broaden their skills and expertise that can lead onto employment.

•           Put in place appropriate support measures to ensure young people with

learning disabilities are given the opportunity to access employment.

•           Offer transition routes to employment, providing one to one support via

dedicated job coaches until the beneficiaries are able to work on their own initiative.

We will aim to empower people with learning disabilities to make their own free choice regarding their career ambition. We will provide the means by which this ambition can be fulfilled and sustained.

Empowerment of people with learning disabilities will play a significant role in the operation of this project, building on the expertise gained with running our Equal Shares for All Project, funded by the Wales EQUAL programme. We will endeavour to involve people with learning disabilities at all stages of project activity and ensure they are able to participate in the decision making process at all levels.

We will use tried and trusted methods of delivery that have been known to work with previous ESF funded projects. We will use the appropriate toolkits and processes that have been developed by the EQUAL programme and utilise them throughout the project delivery.

In developing this project we will bear in mind the importance of making best use of the Convergence funding and the importance of ensuring a lasting legacy. We will therefore endeavour to influence a cultural change in thinking that results in employment, further education and training for people with learning disabilities to be seen as a right, thus ensuring equality of access to learning and employment for all people.

Email Address: emyr.williams@innovate-trust.org.uk

Geographical Area of Operation: West Wales and the Valleys (Convergence)

Organisation Core Business: To enable all people with a disability, ill health or poor mental health to live valued lives within the community.

Who will be involved in delivering the project:  Organisations who already have the necessary skills and experience to deliver the programme, including those that have already participated on the Equal Shares for All Project (Equal Round 2 project), plus those organisations who have the necessary skills to enable people to move onto employment.

Who will be the end beneficiaries: Young people with learning disabilities or learning difficulties aged 11 – 19 who have problems with accessing education, training and employment.

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: The eligible Convergence areas covered by each Spatial Plan:

North Wales, Pembrokeshire, South East Wales, Swansea Bay.

What might the outputs(activity measures The number of females aged 11 – 19 with learning

disabilities engaged with the project.

What might be the results of the project: The number of young people with learning disabilities gaining a credit towards a qualification.

What would its impact be The aim of this project is to ensure that people with learning disabilities are given the same opportunities as everyone else in society in terms of education, training and employment. The project success will be dependent on the degree to which this has occurred.

Ultimately the long term success of this project will be to achieve a lasting change that will not require further intervention. We aim to ensure that all professionals that are engaged with young people with learning disabilities are fully aware of the opportunities that are available with regards to education, training and employment. That professionals can communicate these opportunities at the appropriate times for example the critical stage of transition to adulthood. To encourage and inspire young people to consider that employment is an option for them instead of a life on benefits.  For young people with learning disabilities to realise their self worth and that they can achieve more in life.

Roughly what might be the scale of the project: The project will run for six years across the Convergence area.

Estimated Cost: To be confirmed

Where might the match funding come from: Welsh Assembly Government, Local Government, Trust Funds, Own Resources, Match Funding in Kind, Volunteer Time.

Date: 01/04/08

Organisation Name:  Swansea Bay Sea School

Project Description: Offer marine based education training and activities to socially excluded and disadvantaged young people

Email Address: Admin@swanseabayseaschool.com

Geographical Area of Operation: Swansea, Neath Port Talbot Bridgend

Organisation Core Business:  Marine based education Training and Education

Who will be involved in delivering the project: Board of trustees project director and manager and instructors

Who will be the end beneficiaries: socially excluded and disengeged and NEET 14 - 25 year olds

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: whole of wales

What might the outputs(activity measures  numeracy literacy IT skills ASdan and \D OF E Marine qualifications

What might be the results of the project: to use marine activities to initially engage, then develop personal and social skills such as self esteem , working with others working with numbers and industry approved qualifications to help these young people into employment

What would its impact be Crime intervention, Increased employment, life skills social integration

Roughly what might be the scale of the project: we aim to accomodate 100 young people per day in various activities from windsurfing, canoeing kayaking dinghy sailing and off shore yachting

Estimated Cost: 900,000

Where might the match funding come from: Trusts, corporate funding, sponsorship and commercial contracts

Date: 31/03/08

Organisation Name:  Connaught Academy

Project Description: The project has been developed building on the success of a pilot project between Connaught plc and Clubs for Young People (CYP
Wales) . This pilot project “ Langland Bay Lifeguard Club” was a joint enterprise between Connaught plc and CYP WALES to work with young people in the area, to develop the skills needed to re-furbish the Langland Bay Lifeguard Club.

CYP Wales has 250 clubs throughout  Wales with a membership of more than 35,000 young people. The age range is 9-19 year olds, however the majority of the members are 12-16 years of age. Approximately 60% are male; 40% female.
CYP Wales has over 3,000 leaders and volunteers all of whom complete the Basic Youth Work Programme.

CYP Wales currently delivers a national programme of full and varied educational, social , sporting and cultural activities. In addition to this CYP WALES delivers accredited awards such as Keystone Awards, Duke of Edinburgh Awards, Sports Leadership awards and  British Expedition Leadership Awards.

They work in partnership with CITB, Summit Skills Police Service, Careers Wales, Local authority youth workers and Youth offending Teams

The project will develop a Wales-wide training programme which will lead to new sustainable employment opportunities for young people in the Built Environment Sector

The aim will be to raise awareness of the Built Environment Sector and the employment opportunities which exist within that sector.

The aim will be delivered by expanding and developing the existing Connaught Academy training provision to CYP Wales Affiliated Clubs using a mobile training facility, club premises and CYP Wales digi-labs.

The project aim to engage 5,000 young people from the CYP Wales membership over a five year period by demonstrating the training and employment opportunities on offer, potentially attaining 400 NVQ’s at levels 1, 2 or equivalent over the duration of the project.

Through Connaught plc, its network of partners and their supply chain, opportunities will exist for 200 young people who have successfully completed Stage 1 and 2 of the project the opportunity to enter a modern apprenticeship or a training and development programme leading to industry recognised qualifications resulting in the potential for sustained employment for the 200 trainees.

Opportunities will exist in Construction (120), Administration (80), Waste management (180) Team leader and Supervision (20), our intention is to engage partners from, Construction skills, Careers Wales, City and Guilds, industry representatives and interested professional bodies.

Connaught and CYP Wales are committed to improving young people’s lives from communities by helping to realise their own potential benefiting not only themselves but that of the community as a whole.

•     Alternative challenging and stimulating curriculum delivered thorough a
range of providers
•     Securing successful transition between learning and employment with
interventions that will enhance their skills, increase their motivation and support their development of life-skills and work-skills.
•     Fund personal and workplace mentoring to ensure that beneficiaries are
work ready and once successfully placed in work will continue to support them until they complete the transition

Email Address: ghurleyetc@aol.com

Geographical Area of Operation: All Convergence Area

Organisation Core Business:  Connaught Academy was established in 2001 to address the national shortfall of Mechanical Engineering Services (MES) engineers and falling skills levels within the plumbing and heating industry.

Who will be involved in delivering the project: Clubs for Young People, Connaught Academy, Connaught plc.
Employers in the Connaught supply chain, local SME`s, Business in the Community, Business Eye and local Chambers of Commerce

Who will be the end beneficiaries: 5,000Young men and women 12-19

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: All Convergence Area, including North Wales

What might the outputs(activity measures •    To deliver “taster sessions” to 5,000 young people, that
will also result in accreditation through OCN

What might be the results of the project: Modern Apprenticeships 100

What would its impact be Targeted support leading to participants in employment,
education or training at 12 months

Roughly what might be the scale of the project: All Wales with 5,000 beneficiaries over 5 years

Estimated Cost: Between £5.8 million and £6million

Where might the match funding come from: Connaught plc, Clubs for Young People Wales

Date: 28/03/08

Organisation Name:  North West Wales Network Consortium (Anglesey, Conwy, Denbighshire and Gwynedd 14 - 19 Networks)

Project Description: The project will draw together the expertise and shared experience of four 14-19 networks in North-West Wales to establish a skills centre initiative. The skills centre initiative will provide access to a broad and innovative range of learning options to extend learners’
experience and skills. It will provide enhanced  information and guidance on employment, training and higher education for learners, including the disadvantaged and hard-to-reach, and will promote the acquisition of higher level skills, particularly in relation to the regeneration economy.

The initiative will provide a sub-regional project team of teachers, careers advisers, support staff who will plan and deliver skills- based interventions.

The interventions will be on three levels:

- local pre-vocational skills-based initiatives for pre-16 learners with additional needs

-network-based specialist initiatives based in colleges and local centres to support access to traditional and new vocational pathways

-sub-regional initiatives to support the development of pathways requiring high-level skills directed at opportunities within the ‘regeneration
economy' (information technology, media technology,   creative industries,
environmental sciences, food sciences, leisure).

-a sub-regional enterprise initiative.

Skills centre initiatives will use existing facilities, which will be enhanced and re-equipped to meet identified needs. All initiatives will be integrated, in that they will combine the six key elements of the 14-19 Learning Pathways programme. The project will support the further development of Extending Entitlement, 14-19 learning pathways and the Youth Service Strategy for Wales.

The project will be integrated with the North West Wales Priority 1 Theme
1 proposal for a programme of support for disadvantaged learners and those at risk of becoming NEET.

Email Address: roland.ward@conwy.gov.uk

Geographical Area of Operation: North West Wales - Anglesey, Conwy, Denbighshire and Gwynedd

Organisation Core Business:  Services for Young People (14-19 Networks Incl Local
Authorities)

Who will be involved in delivering the project: North West Wales Network members, including representatives of colleges, work-based learning, schools, youth services, voluntary organisations and careers companies.

Who will be the end beneficiaries: Young people aged 11-19 within the sub-regional area of Anglesey, Conwy, Denbighshire and Gwynedd

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: North West, East and Central Spatial Plan Areas - the counties of Anglesey, Conwy, Denbighshire and Gwynedd

What might the outputs(activity measures The outputs will include: - establishment of six new learning pathways linked to the regeneration economy, - increased levels of participation of learners in learning pathways programmes, - increased levels of participation of learners with additional needs in vocational programmes with planned progression routes, - reduction in the number of young people either NEET or at risk of becoming NEET, - Higher levels of engagement and employment.

What might be the results of the project: Improved levels of skills of young people measured through enhanced levels of qualification, basic skills accreditation, attendance and retention. The project will build the capacity of networks and providers to transform their curricula so that they are more relevant, responsive and innovative.

What would its impact be Increased levels of engagement, learning and economic activity, changing patterns of service provision, wider sustainable skills gained by young people, enhanced levels of retention and employment.

Roughly what might be the scale of the project: Target a minimum of 50% of 14-19 age group in the Counties of Anglesey, Conwy, Denbighshire and Gwynedd.

Estimated Cost: TBC

Where might the match funding come from: Core funding and grants

Date: 11/03/08

Organisation Name:  Welsh Music Foundation

Project Description: Music Skills Action Plan: 14-19 Music industry ‘Learning Pathway’

The project would foster new ways of engaging young people in learning and employment by appealing to a natural interest in music, media, games, software etc. A programme would be developed in line with the Welsh Assembly Government’s Learning Pathways initiative based on existing models. It would encourage non traditional paths to learning and careers and gaining skills through informal and non formal learning in work based settings.

WMF has identified that existing music courses and training opportunities focus largely on creating music rather than the exploitation or promotion of music as an economic activity. The music industry offers opportunities to acquire many associated skills which can be applied to many areas of employment where creative thinking is required.  The project will contribute the design and implementation of an accessible qualification, training and continuing professional development structure for the music sector in Wales.

The project would promote and support links between schools, colleges and businesses in the music and related sectors to promote different career paths and raise awareness of different economic sectors and skill sets.
The project would also encourage greater participation of young women and ethnic minorities in the music industry which is traditionally white male dominated.  The project would focus on technological and business skills via the experience of on the job training.  It would be linked to employers, creating networks of local social enterprise and private sector businesses, exploiting the flexibility and adaptability of young people’s creative ability in a wide range of commercial and technological settings of benefit to the local economy.

The 14-19 Learning Pathways Project will be closely linked to the delivery of a Music Management & Leadership Skills Course (WMF Project idea submitted to ESF Convergence Priority 2 Theme 2: Skills for the knowledge economy; higher level skills and systems for workforce development) and the Community Rehearsal Spaces Network (WMF Project idea submitted to ERDF Community Economic Regeneration Strategic Framework).

The project would build on the experience of the Welsh Music Foundation in developing a management and leadership training course for music enterprises but specially adapted to the appropriate level for the 14-19 age group.

The learning pathway would work across all types of music businesses and operations associated with the music industry and topics including music production, technical support, licensing, copyright, overseas marketing, international trade and business mentoring. Training would be specifically targeted to creating tangible experience of business through work placement in the industry, identifying and capitalizing on commercial opportunity, experience of practical music management linked to the development of community resources in support of creative clusters in Wales through an associated network of Rehearsal Rooms and live venues.

In line with recent NESTA research which suggests that creative individuals contribute to business innovation in the wider economy, an important element will be the full engagement of local business to business networks in accessing the creative pool of young people in the community.

The project implementation will be supported by baseline research and follow-up monitoring and evaluation measure the impact of the project across the Convergence area and examine ways to create more sustainable music businesses.

Email Address: andy@welshmusicfoundation.com

Geographical Area of Operation:  All Wales

Organisation Core Business: Welsh Music Foundation is a not for profit enterprise core funded by Welsh Assembly Government Creative Business Wales. WMF provides specialist support to music businesses and by advising policy makers and representative bodies, and helps create the right long term environment and appropriate infrastructure within which the music industry of Wales can thrive. WMF is the primary information provider to the industry dealing with enquiries from Welsh music enterprises and also signposting companies to other relevant organisations. The organisation currently has over 220 stakeholder members in music and associated industries across Wales.

Who will be involved in delivering the project: WMF and its Stakeholders; Creative Business Wales; CCSkills; Local authorities, Schools; FEIs; Children & Young Peoples Partnerships; DCELLS

Who will be the end beneficiaries: The project will target 5% of people in the 14-19 age group targeted by Priority 1.

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: The project will cover all areas of Wales responding to needs identified in Spatial Plan areas (North West, North East, South East, Swansea Bay and Pembrokeshire)

What might the outputs(activity measures Currently very rough estimates of Total Participants: 1500.

What might be the results of the project: Participants gaining qualifications and employment

What would its impact be To be sustainable the music industry in Wales needs to retain those entering the music industry and make sure their businesses grow. The music business provides opportunities for many excluded from the mainstream especially those who have no formal qualifications, reducing the level of those NEET.  Creating a training framework which includes entry level skills and confidence building will contribute to the Welsh Assembly Government poverty and community regeneration programmes. By giving increased capacity building in deprived communities, potentially reduced levels of anti social behaviour, reductions in crime and vandalism, reductions in drug and drink abuse.

Roughly what might be the scale of the project: The project would involve potentially 90% of the current workforce/businesses (WMF Stakeholders) in the music industry in Wales as well as those contemplating a career in the music industry. By providing a career structure supporting a fully qualified workforce and continuing professional development, the project would move the music industry in Wales into a stronger competitive position in Europe, defining the sector as a valuable growth sector which is part of the essential infrastructure to underpin a vibrant, inclusive creative economy.

Estimated Cost: £800,000 over 5 years

Where might the match funding come from:  The Welsh Assembly Government, Local Authorities, CC Skills; Careers Wales; Coalfields Regeneration Trust; Princes Trust; WMF stakeholders ; Skillset; Cyfle

Date: 07/03/08

Organisation Name:  Education Department - Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council

Project Description: With a strategic focus on schools, 12 geographic clusters of secondary schools in RCT would be created.  The project will bring together a range of integrated services that would work together co-operatively and effectively through co-ordination by a full-time cluster worker.

Work would be targeted:
1.    Geographically by areas of greatest need
2.    Highly targeted interventions in the form of both services and
programmes providing innovative ways of engagement and support.

Youth work would be a key element of this project utilising the expertise of specialist youth workers. Key focuses would be in early identification of issues and promoting re-engagement of young people within the education system.

Targeted interventions to support re-engagement would include: literacy and numeracy programmes, engagement of external agencies in the provision of appropriate curriculum, E3+, Learning Coaches, expansion of work based learning opportunities, apprenticeships, key stage 5 provision for Special Educational Needs, Coleg Morgannwg partnership, and emotional intelligence programmes.

Young people are affected by a number of external factors that affect their ability to effectively engage in education, employment and training.
Issues may include housing/homelessness, health issues and family life/relationships.  It is recognised that by bringing together in a single location and integrating the services young people might need to access it is hoped that it would vastly increase accessibility of services.  Highly targeted interventions will include: FAST, CAMHS, support for young carers, counselling, participation, nurture groups/rooms and pastoral rooms.

It should also be noted that at the end of this project a referral system would be put in place to move those young people still in need of support on to an EST priority two project.

Email Address: Clare.Manning@rhondda-cynon-taff.gov.uk, Joan.G.Smith@rhondda-cynon-taff.gov.uk

Geographical Area of Operation:  Rhondda Cynon Taf

Organisation Core Business: Education - Training

Who will be involved in delivering the project:  Own Staff, Children and Young People's Service (Fframwaith), Sub-contracted organisations, Coleg Morgannwg

Who will be the end beneficiaries: Young People aged 11-19, and meeting the specific needs of those most disadvantaged and hard to reach groups

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: Rhondda Cynon Taf

What might the outputs(activity measures Increased engagement with target group. Increased number of young people engaged in employment, education and training. Increase in percentage of pupils with recognised qualifications. Increased collaboration with education/training providers and employers

What might be the results of the project:  Re-engagement of young people in training (both formal and informal), employment and education. Increasing number of young people achieving qualifications. Engagement with the hardest to reach young people through packages of personal support and vocational training.

Increase in number of participants entering employment. Increase in participants gaining other positive outcomes.

What would its impact be A significant improvement in learning and engagement.
Increased use of non school settings for learning within Key Stage 3.
Increase in participants gaining qualifications. Increase in the number of
11-19 year olds participating in training and education and moving onto employment.

Roughly what might be the scale of the project: Number of beneficiaries TBC

Estimated Cost: £4 million per year for 6 years

Where might the match funding come from:Welsh Assembly Government, Local Authority Framework

Date: 06/03/08

Organisation Name:North West Wales Network Consortium (Anglesey, Conwy, Denbighshire, Gwynedd 14-19 Networks)

Project Description: The project will draw together the expertise and shared experience of four 14-19 networks in North-West Wales to enhance personal support for young people. The personal support initiative will target all learners and potential learners in this age group, including the disadvantaged and hard-to-reach, and will promote the acquisition of higher level skills, particularly in relation to the regeneration economy.

The initiative will provide sub-regional project teams of teachers, careers advisers, support staff and youth workers who will plan and provide coordinated personal support in the sub-region.  The initiative
will:

- establish teams of professionally qualified support staff, youth workers and careers advisers to co-ordinate and deliver personal support generally and for those in most need;

- establish a team of specialist workers within Careers Wales to keep in contact with all young people in this age group;

- establish  processes and embed systems which enable workers to identify and engage young people who are hard to reach and those who are NEET, and to facilitate access to learning coaching,

- extend personal support to include opportunities for young people to develop their skills and educational achievements in informal and non formal settings;

- Build further partnerships for the benefit of young people.

The initiative will further secure a strategic approach to developing provision both in the formal strand of an individual learning pathway and the non-formal strand.
Personal support will be provided in the communities where young people live, as well as  in the institutions they attend. Support staff will reach out to young people who are harder to reach through the detached and outreach teams in urban, rural and smaller communities.

The teams will work closely with YPP in each network to maximise the opportunities resulting from partnership working. Although all young people will be entitled to high quality personal support, the team will offer personal support particularly to:

• Those who are at risk of becoming NEET • Young people in transition • Young people in and leaving care • Young people who are at risk from disengaging • Young people having difficulty in accessing their rights and entitlements.

The teams will operate during the day and evening to work directly with young people.
The teams will also deploy mobile personal support units to operate in hard to reach areas of communities in North West Wales. This unit will enable one to one and small group support work, mobile internet access and youth work resources to meet with young people in the streets and in the numerous smaller, rural, isolated communities and on large urban estates.

Email Address:roland.ward@conwy.gov.uk

Geographical Area of Operation:North West Wales - Anglesey, Conwy, Denbighshire, Gwynedd.

Organisation Core Business:Services for young people. (14-19 Networks Incl Local Authorities)

Who will be involved in delivering the project:North West Wales network and Young Peoples Partnership members, including representatives of colleges, work-based learning, schools, youth services, voluntary organisations and careers companies.

Who will be the end beneficiaries:The end beneficiaries will be young people aged 11-19 within the Counties of Anglesey, Conwy, Denbighshire and Gwynedd

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: North West, East and Central Spatial Plan Areas - the counties of Anglesey, Conwy, Denbighshire and Gwynedd

What might the outputs(activity measures The outputs will include: - increase in the skills levels of young people,  - increased levels of participation of learners in learning pathways programmes, - increased levels of participation of learners with additional needs in vocational programmes with planned progression routes, -  reduction in the number of young people either NEET or at risk of becoming NEET, - Higher levels of engagement and employment.

What might be the results of the project: The results of the project will be improved levels of skills of young people measured through enhanced levels of qualification, basic skills accreditation, attendance and retention. The project will reduce the number of people who are the in the non-work sector by preparing more young people for employments of further education and training.

What would its impact beIncreased levels of engagement, learning and economic activity, changing patterns of service provision, wider sustainable skills gained by young people, enhanced levels of retention and employment.

Roughly what might be the scale of the project:Target a minimum of 50% of 14-19 age group in the counties Anglesey, Conwy, Denbighshire and Gwynedd.

Estimated Cost:TBC

Where might the match funding come from: Core funding and grants

Date: 21/02/08

Organisation Name: Aberystwyth University and Swansea University

Project Description: To raise the skills and aspirations of socially excluded young people to enable a higher proportion of them to progress to post-16 education and training and to Higher Education. Utilising the structure of the two Reaching Wider partnerships and the 50 or more partner schools and colleges within the region the two Partnerships will provide a range of activities for the most disaffected young people including residential provision for those most likely to underachieve and become NEETs without intervention. The provision will include access and training in the use of innovative web 2.0 technologies ensuring that the beneficiaries become part of the net generation and not contribute to the digital divide.

Email Address: sjp@aber.ac.uk

Geographical Area of Operation: West Wales

Organisation Core Business: Research, Education, Knowledge Transfer

Who will be involved in delivering the project: West and Mid Wales Widening Access Partnership & South West Wales Reaching Wider Partnership

Who will be the end beneficiaries: Direct Beneficiaries: young people from the target groups who are likely to leave school without the necessary qualification to progress to Higher or Further Education, schools and colleges in the region.

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: South West Wales and parts of Central Wales

What might the outputs(activity measures): numbers of people from the target groups achieving nationally recognised qualifications, numbers of people progressing to Higher and Further Education, numbers of people acquiring key (transferable) skills,

What might be the results of the project: More people achieving higher levels of education and training, more positive attitudes to learning,

What would its impact be: increased participation in learning by socially and economically excluded groups and communities, increase in skilled workforce, reduced levels of economic activity, more economically vibrant communities, greater cross-sector collaboration between schools, youth agencies, colleges and HEIs.

Roughly what might be the scale of the project: The project would encompass the whole of the South West Wales and parts of Central Wales area.

Estimated Cost: £3,600,000 (over 3 years)

Where might the match funding come from: Reaching Wider grant and institutional contributions

Date: 14/02/08

Organisation Name: DCELLS, WAG

Project Description: The provision of a centrally organised international VET student mobility training placement programme.

One of the many lessons learnt from the Welsh Assembly Government’s participation in the European Association of Regional and Local Authorities for Lifelong Learning (EARLALL) network to date has been the benefits to be gained by VET students from participating in international training placements, which focus on their specific area of study.
European partner regions have evidenced impressive outcomes from mobility programmes in terms of increased employability to raising students’
self-esteem, knowledge, motivation and progression into further learning and broadening their horizons. In Wales, there are some examples of good practice evident, though overall take-up has been poor. Further Education Institutions (FEIs), for example, have expressed concern over the level of administration for relevant European programmes, the capacity of staff to manage such programmes, difficulties in identifying partner institutions overseas, the length of some existing placement programmes and the limited availability of placement support materials.

The Strategic Framework documents covering Priorities 1, 2 and 3 each note that they will support trans-national actions through collaboration with other European regions particularly those with which the Welsh Assembly Government has formal co-operation agreements. The documents suggest it is also be possible to build upon the successful trans-national cooperation arrangements established with regions that are members of the European Association of Regional and Local Authorities for Lifelong Learning (EARLALL); and that potential trans-national activities will be explored as the frameworks are further developed and reviewed.


Utilizing Wales’ educational links with EARLALL partner regions and building on bilateral arrangements piloted with the Government of the Balearic Islands over the past 18 months, it is intended that mobility agreements will be signed with (initially) 6 partner governments to underpin the programme: the Balearic Islands, Catalonia, Brittany, Andalusia, Tuscany and the Basque Country, thus providing a suitable base of potential partner institutions.

A number of Welsh FEIs have shown strong interest in the development of a centrally organized programme of reciprocal training placements with these partner regions, and Assembly Government officials will be engaging with others over the coming weeks and months. Depending on the initial success of the programme, there will be scope for expanding bilateral mobility agreements with other EARLALL member regions in Germany and Scandinavia, as the need for a greater range of partner institutions and a wider range of sectoral placement choices increases.

There are already strong indications that EARLALL partner regions wish to engage with Welsh institutions in the joint development of placement training programmes and preparation materials.

The programme would necessarily include provision for a coordinating officer, to manage the identification and allocation of placements, in addition to the draw down of funding. It is envisaged that this would be provided on an agency basis on behalf of the Welsh Assembly Government by the British Council which has extensive experience of arranging overseas placements for young people under the Comenius, Erasmus and Youth-in-Action programmes. One of the main attractions of such an arrangement for FEIs is that this would relieve them of the administrative burdens of bidding individually for Leonardo funding to provide such placement opportunities on a unilateral basis. In addition, the provision of central coordination enables participating institutions to focus staff time on the skills development aspects of the placements.

However, the overall aim is to make these reciprocal placement arrangements sustainable indefinitely by using them to trigger close working relationships between Welsh institutions and their counterparts in EARLALL regions, so that such placements become part of the regular curriculum offer and become funded, beyond the ESF period from mainstream sources.


Email Address: susan.edwards@wales.gsi.gov.uk

Geographical Area of Operation: Wales

Organisation Core Business: Government

Who will be involved in delivering the project: DCELLS, Welsh Assembly Government. British Council Wales.
European regions with signed partnership agreements with the Welsh Assembly Government. FEIs. Voluntary sector groups, which meet certain criteria. Private sector training providers, which meet certain criteria.
VET institutions from European partner regions.

Who will be the end beneficiaries: Participating students would be studying a recognized vocational training course at a recognized Wales-based learning provider, with the majority of participants studying at level 3 (though level 2 students would not be excluded, subject to certain criteria).
Consequently, it is envisaged that the majority of participating students would be in the 18-20 age range, though participation of older (or
younger) students who meet specific criteria would be possible.

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: Entire convergence and competitiveness areas.

What might the outputs(activity measures): Number of young people engaged on VET courses of learning who participate in overseas training placements. Total number of placement weeks. Number of Welsh institutions participating. Number of overseas institutions participating. Percentage increase in course attendance for participating students. Qualification rates at levels 2 and 3

What might be the results of the project: Increase in progression rates to further education and training. Improved job outcomes and employability. Improved take up of training places on courses where placements are organised. Improved orientation to overseas trading opportunities and competition to take with them into employment. Improved appreciation of job opportunities in other parts of the EU. Improved links between FEIs/other relevant learning providers in Wales and their counterparts in European partner regions; thereby helping to enrich the curriculum, assist in the professional development of staff and the transfer of best practice ideas, and strengthen the fabric and relevance of the EARLALL network.

What would its impact be: The programme will enable vocational learners to put into practice developing skills and gain experience in their chosen field of study in a different operating environment. It will expose them to different ways of doing things and test their skills/competences against the standards and requirements that are customary in their host region.
This will provide an extra dimension to their learning and preparation for employment.

Roughly what might be the scale of the project: To be calculated following completion of an exercise mapping existing VET overseas placement activity and FEI planning, and the evaluation of the 2007-08 pilot programme. However, it is envisaged that placement activity will increase year on year throughout the duration of the programme.

Estimated Cost: Projected costs relate directly to the scale of the project, and will be calculated following completion of the above work.

Where might the match funding come from: Welsh Assembly Government

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