Study Visits for Education and Vocational Training Specialists

Information and Application Procedures Meeting

Wednesday 24th February 2010 Clock Tower

Ivanna D’Arcy Study Visits Coordinator studyvisits@leargas.ie

Agenda for the Meeting

14:30 Welcome and Introduction

14:45 Mr David Lonergan, SENONational Council for Special Education

15:00 Ms Noreen Fitzpatrick, Programme Support Manager, Skillnets Ltd.

15:15 Application Procedures

15:40 Question and Answers

Welcome and Introduction

• Introduction to Léargas

• The Lifelong Learning Programme (LLP)

• Study Visits in the Lifelong Learning Programme

• Aims and Objectives of the Study Visits Programme

• Guest Speakers

Léargas

Léargas is Ireland’s National Agency for the management of National, European and International co-operation programmes involving:

- Education and Lifelong Learning- Vocational Education and Training- Youth and Community Work- Guidance in Education

Léargas

•Léargas enables and supports people, organisations and systems to innovate and to harness the benefits of transnational partnership.

•Through European, bilateral and international programmes, Léargas enables the development of intercultural awareness, facilitates change management and assists in the development of new responses to the need for innovation in education and the workplace.

www.leargas.ie

Lifelong Learning Programme (LLP)

•Socrates I 1995 – 2000•Socrates II 2000 – 2006•Lifelong Learning Programme 2007 – 2013

•The Lifelong Learning Programme supports learning opportunities from childhood to old age in every single life situation.

•Grants and subsidies will be awarded to projects and activities that foster interchange, promote bilateral and multilateral partnerships, foster trans-national mobility of individuals and promote quality in education and training systems throughout Europe.

Lifelong Learning Programme

Lifelong Learning Programme 2007 - 2013

ComeniusSchool education

ErasmusHigher education

& advanced training

Leonardo da Vinci

Initial & continuing VET

GrundtvigAdult education

Léargas HEA Léargas Léargas

Transversal4 key activities – Policy development; Language learning; ICT; Dissemination

Léargas and Executive Agency

Jean MonnetJean Monnet Action; European Institutions; European Associations

Executive Agency

Study Visits in the Lifelong Learning Programme

•The Study Visits Programme is a result of the merge of the ex-Arion (formal education) and ex-Cedefop (vocational education and training) visits which were previously part of the Socrates and Leonardo da Vinci Programmes.

•Study Visits fall under Key Activity 1 – Policy Cooperation and Innovation - of the Transversal Programme in the Lifelong Learning Programme

Aims and Objectives of the Study Visits Programme

• The overall objective of the Study Visits Programme is to support policy development and co-operation at European level in lifelong learning, notably in the context of the Lisbon Process and the Education and Training 2020 work programme, as well as the Bologna and Copenhagen processes and their successors

• Study Visits facilitate the exchange of information and experience between decision makers and education and training specialists in areas of common interest

• Study Visits provide a forum for discussion, exchange and mutual learning

• Improve understanding on specific aspects of the education and vocational educational systems in Europe

• Continuing exchange of advice, ideas and information (hosts & visitors)

• Enrich flow of information – including towards policy makers

Who is Eligible to Apply?

• You need to be a national or a permanent resident of one of the 31 countries participating in the Lifelong Learning Programme

• Individuals who have responsibility at local, regional or national levels and whose expertise can be used to increase awareness of others about policy and practice in other European countries and contribute to policy innovation and exchange

• Individuals who have a decision making or specialist role within general education or vocational education and training

• A full list of eligible applicants is available on our website

Key players involved in Study Visits

European Commission

CEDEFOP (Greece)European Centre for

Development of Vocational Training

LéargasIrish National

Agency

What is a Study Visit?

• Week-long visits (3 - 5 days)

• Three types – General Education, VET, Mixed

• Programme is organised for you

• Group consists of max. 15 participants with various professional backgrounds from different countries

•38 different topics to choose from e.g. language teaching, developing entrepreneurship, quality assurance and many more

Each study visit is unique however they all share some common elements:

• A welcome and information meeting on the evening of arrival

• Briefing meeting on the first day• Guest speakers relevant to the study visit topic• Visits to relevant educational organisations• Evaluation time• Group report time• Time for discussion and reflection• A social/ cultural excursion(s)

How are study visits structured?

GUEST SPEAKERS

The Application Deadlines 2010Round 1: 31st March 2010 For study visits taking place from September 2010 to February 2011, applications must be submitted online no later than 11 am on 31st March 2010. A signed hard and stamped copy endorsed and signed by head of organisation must be postmarked no later than 31st March 2010.

Round 2: 15th October 2010For study visits taking place from March 2011 to June 2011 applications must be submitted online no later than 11am on 15th October 2010. A signed hard and stamped copy endorsed and signed by head of organisation must be postmarked no later than 15th October 2010.

• You apply as an individual

• Visits are published in a catalogue (1-121)

• Grants are awarded towards travel and subsistence

• Applications are completed online by 11am on 31st March

• Post the signed version to Léargas by 31st March 2010

The Application Process for Round 1

• Read the study visit catalogue or search online and select 4 visits that you are interested in and relevant to your work

• Complete the online application form in full and submit to CEDEFOP by 11am on 31st March 2010

• Print the application form and sign it

• Ensure the printed application form is endorsed by your organisation –signature and stamp

• Post the signed version to Léargas by 31st March 2010

The Application Process for Round 1

The Study Visits Catalogue • The Study Visits Catalogue 2010/2011 details visits taking place from September 2010 until June 2011

• The 2010/11 catalogue is available to download on our website

• Or you can search for a visit study visit online at http://studyvisits.cedefop.europa.eu

You need to have Java installed on your PC to use this facility

Searching for a Study Visit Online

Applying Online

Guidance for Completing the Online Application Form

• Technical GuidanceProvided by CEDEFOP, this includes using the application system, submitting your application, printing and saving the document

• Advice on Filling in the FormComplete the form in the working language of your first visit choiceAllow 30 - 40 minutes to complete the application form

• If you leave the application idle for 30 minutes your session will expire and you will lose all information

• You must fill in the application form in the working language of your first visit choice

Guidance for Completing the Online Application Form

Submission Data:You need to complete Submitted to : On selecting IE-Ireland from the drop down menu Léargas will automatically appear in the Agency field as well as the time and date

Guidance for Completing the Online Application Form

• Applicant: Complete all fields in this section

• Contact Details: CEDEFOP use the contact details to confirm your online submission, CEDEFOP also send your user name and password to the email address provided, which allow you to update your application if necessary prior to 11am on 31st March 2010

• Applicant’s Organisation: Complete all fields

• Language Skills – demonstrate that you have the necessary language skills to participate in your chosen visit, only recognises the official languages of the EU

• Previous Participation and Previous Projects

Guidance for Completing the Online Application Form

• Your Choices: Please select four visits, there is no guarantee that your first choice will be available

• Description of your functions: Briefly describe your professional role and responsibilities. Clearly show that you work in a relevant field and have an appropriate level of responsibility. Limit of 60-100 words.

• Motivation: Explain why you wish to participate in the visits you have chosen. The fit between your professional role and the theme and topic of the visits. Limit of 60-100 words.

• Expected Impact: Discuss how you and your organisation would benefit from your participation. How the chosen visits will contribute to your professional development, how you expect the increased knowledge to contribute to your organisations work. Please address both parts of the question.

Guidance for Completing the Online Application Form

• Dissemination – if your application is successful you must be able to demonstrate how you will publicise your involvement in the programme. For example, articles in newsletters, reports at meetings, among your professional networks

• Space is limited to 60 - 100 words for each question (9,10, 11 & 12). It is important to be brief, precise and informative as these answers will be used to assess your suitability for participating in your chosen visits

• Declaration – ensure you read the text and select ‘I Agree’

• If you have no more changes to make hit the SUBMIT button

After Online Application Complete

• You will receive a user name and password from CEDEFOP• Print your completed online application form • Sign the completed form • Ensure it is stamped and signed by the head of your

organisation• Only applications which have been submitted both online to

CEDEFOP and a stamped, signed hard copy received by Léargas will be eligible

• Post the completed form to Léargas by 31st March 2010• Obtain proof of postage• If you modify your online application form ensure that

Léargas receive the final version only by 31st March 2010

What Happens Next

• When we receive your hard copy you will receive an acknowledgement of receipt with a reference number

• Technical Assessment• Qualitative Assessment • Selection Committee • Results sent to CEDEFOP• Matching Process• Decisions Sent to Applicants

Léargas,189-193 Parnell Street,

Dublin 1Tel: 01 873 1411www.leargas.ie

studyvisits@leargas.ie