Although mobility projects can be terrific opportunities, safety measures during mobilities are crucial parameters for their regular fulfillment.
Job shadowing and other activities with educational or training purposes are conducive to learners’ progress and to the educators’ professional development. Such activities not only enhance the learning processes but sharpen linguistic competences.
Furthermore, mobilities are advantageous initiatives for the participating institutions and their requirements.
Safety Measures During Mobilities According to the National Context
Undoubtedly, we refer to experiences with multidimensional impact on the participants and involved institutions as well. Therefore, participants’ safety should be a priority, to deploy the opportunities to the fullest.
Obviously, safe mobility assurance is analogous to the hosting national context. The partnership of VET Squared has produced an e-book that collects best practices for the successful and secure materialization of mobilities.
A Best Practice Example from Italy: According to organization 1, the selection process is crucial; and, participants’ filtering occurs through certain criteria, such as: academic performance; incentive; teachers’ comments. After the selection phase, both parents and minors need to sign forms that foresee their responsibilities; GDPR; health issues etc. In this stage, the organization dedicates time to go through the rules with the participants.
During mobilities, minor participants are always accompanied by a school representative, who reports back to the organization. The accompanying person ensures the safe materialization of mobility. The process ends with participants’ evaluation, as a future reference for the organization.
A Best Practice Example from Spain: Spanish organization 1 does not participate in the selection process. Education centers determine who the participants will be. However, organization 1 sends questionnaires and conducts interviews with the potential participants, for profiling purposes, such as: mapping needs and interests etc. The organization mediates and has agreements with all the parties involved; and contributes to the preparation phase of participants and host organizations. Responsibilities are allocated between the involved parties. And, in worst case scenarios, there is a coordinator with a strong problem-solving capacity that takes on the responsibility to guide students through.
Moreover, there is a tutor within the host organization that accompanies minors; meeting students’ needs; monitors; and mentors. During mobility, organization 1 communicates through several ways with the participants; and encourages feedback of the process. The process concludes with an evaluation from the host organization and one from organization 1, as a reflection process for improvement.
You can read the entire Safeguarding best practices e-book – VET^2, here.
VET Squared: VET Mobility Safeguarding Quality Charter for Europe
VET Squared is an Erasmus+ project that focuses on VET mobility and is aiming at reinforcing those learning experiences and benefit all the participating parties. In particular, the VET Squared strategic partnership centers on safeguarding mobility processes, through the provision of safety measures during mobilities.
Learn more about the VET Squared project by visiting the official website.
