IP/08/156
Brussels, 31 January 2008
Leonardo da Vinci programme strengthens employability, knowledge and self-confidence Participation in projects financed by the Leonardo Da Vinci vocational training programme brings substantial social and economic benefits, a recent study funded by the European Commission has shown. It demonstrates that international mobility of this kind is a strong incentive for personal, linguistic, social and professional development. The Leonardo da Vinci programme focuses on the teaching and training needs of those involved in vocational education and training. In doing so, it bolsters the competitiveness of the European labour market by helping EU citizens to acquire new skills, knowledge and qualifications in European countries outside their home country. It is part of the Commission's flagship funding programme in education and training, the Lifelong Learning Programme.
Ján Figel', European Commissioner in charge of Education, Training, Culture and Youth, welcomed the findings of the study: “The Leonardo da Vinci Programme is very effective: it helps trainees get jobs by giving them the flexibility and skills that are increasingly demanded in today's globalising economy. We hope to increase the number of training placements from 60 000 in 2007 to 80 000 per year by 2013, following the increase in budget that was allocated to the Lifelong Learning Programme, the 'parent' of Leonardo da Vinci, by the Member States. But given the benefits this programme is now proven to have, there is a strong argument in favour of boosting this programme further, so that more European trainees could benefit."
The study shows that vocational skills gained during a period of vocational training abroad pay dividends during the subsequent career. For instance, 58% of unemployed people received a job after their training abroad, 32% of employed people found a workplace in another country, 27% improved the quality of their jobs and 34% got jobs with greater responsibility. More than one third of trainees in initial vocational training improved their results and 41% said that their participation in training is now more intensive.
Other figures confirm the success of Leonardo da Vinci: 86% of all former participants are interested in another stay abroad, or in a professional life in another country, and 83% are willing to improve their language skills, and are making use of their acquired competencies and techniques.
The experiences gained abroad also boosted participants' self confidence (70%), their adaptability (73%) and inclination to teamwork (62%). The study found out that 66% of trainees improved their language skills, 65% their ability to manage unexpected situations, 72% the ability to interact with people, and 71% to handle new challenges.
The only negative critical point concerns the duration of placement: In 48% of cases participants complained that the stay was too short.
The evaluators came to the conclusion that the success of the projects funded under the Programme depends on the project design, the quality of pedagogical, linguistic and cultural preparation, and on the existence of monitoring/tutoring in cooperation between the sending and the host country. The recognition and certification of the placement abroad has an additional positive impact.
The Commission will discuss the study's findings with the Member States' national authorities and other stakeholders in order to build on the Programme's strong points and address its weaknesses. The aim is to develop a continual impact assessment based on permanent data collection. There are also plans to set up European discussion platforms within the different vocational fields, the results of which would feed into the future design of the Programme.
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Reminder: The Leonardo da Vinci programme gives financial assistance to a wide range of actions, notably involving transnational mobility, European projects focusing on the development or the transfer of innovation and networks. It is aimed at trainees in initial vocational training, people on the labour market and professionals in vocational education and training, as well as organisations active in this field.
The “Study on the Impact of Leonardo da Vinci Mobility Experiences of Trainees” was carried out by WSF Kerpen, Germany. It is based on the answers to 26 000 online questionnaires sent out between December 2006 and April 2007 to trainees in initial vocational training, and to people in the labour market who benefited from the Programme in years 2004 and 2005, in 28 countries. Trainees of all economic sectors, vocational fields, types and levels of training and sizes of enterprise were addressed.
The study is available in English, German, French, Spanish and Italian at: http://ec.europa.eu/education/doc/reports/index_en.html
