2.2. EU support for professionals
Erasmus+
The EU promotes international learning mobility through the Erasmus+ programme. Young people go abroad for a period of study or training, to enlarge their horizons and to acquire new skills and qualifications. Erasmus+ is well known among university students, and almost 300,000 young academics go abroad every year. But the programme also supports traineeships in the form of work placements or study periods abroad for VET students, company-based apprentices and recent graduates (until one year after graduation). Traineeships can either be in a workplace or in a VET institution with periods of work-based learning. The traineeship may last between two weeks and 12 months.
Professionals have an important role in facilitating the learning mobility of their (graduated) students and apprentices. Individuals cannot apply directly for a mobility grant as an individual, it is the schools and companies who select students and apprentices for a traineeship abroad and make the application. Before a traineeship can start, the school or company that sends students or apprentices and the receiving school or company make a Learning Agreement. They also sign a Quality Commitment. These documents set out the learning goals, rights and responsibilities and how the traineeship will be organised.
Erasmus+ also supports mobility opportunities for professionals working in VET or adult education to spend time to give or receive training at an organisation abroad. These opportunities can consist of structured courses, training periods abroad, job shadowing or observation periods at schools or other relevant organisations. Such organisations could be enterprises, VET schools, adult learning centres, higher education institutes, research institutes and organisations providing courses and training.
Erasmus+ distinguishes two types of participating country. Erasmus+ programme countries can participate in all actions of the programme. Erasmus+ partner countries can participate in a limited number of actions, and special conditions apply. 27 ETF partner countries take part in Erasmus+, most of them with the status of ‘partner country’. Turkey, Serbia and North Macedonia are fully-fledged Erasmus+ programme countries.
Example: Serbia
Serbia became an Erasmus+ Programme Country in 2019. Since the beginning of Erasmus+ in 2014, Serbia has made full use of the opportunities as an Erasmus+ partner country. Educational institutions from Serbia participated in projects with a total value of over 67 million euros. Over 5,800 young Serbians went abroad for a period of study or training and over 3,000 young people from other programme countries came to Serbia. Currently, schools, universities, institutions and other organisations are participating in more than 300 projects. Serbia started preparations to become an Erasmus+ Programme Country in 2016. With the new status, Serbia will be able to participate in all Erasmus+ actions, in particular the possibilities for professional development abroad will be higher.
Erasmus+ can also be used for development projects such as The Blended Entrepreneurial and Manufacturing Technologies project (BEMT).
Each Erasmus+ Programme Country has a National Agency that manages the programme in the country. In Erasmus+ partner countries, this role is filled by the National Erasmus+ Offices.
Further reading:
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