The project worked with 2 European partners - BerufsKolleg West, Bocholt, Germany and JB Kompetens AB, Stockholm, Sweden. The project focused on the following vocational areas - Painting & Decorating, Floorcovering and Hospitality & Catering. The project ran for 24 months and will involved 3 groups of students living and working abroad – 1 to Germany and 2 to Sweden. Each of the placements abroad lasted for 3 weeks and included a mixture of work experience, master classes, work related visits (for example to trade manufacturers or food production operations), cultural and social activities. The 3 week period provided enough time for initial settling in, meaningful work experience, application of language skills, development of new skills and knowledge from the relevant vocational area, and development of social and professional networks. It proved long enough to present a challenge for young people who had never been abroad before, without a negative impact on their experience. The project delivered a preparation programme for students and accompanying staff. This included basic language, cultural awareness, relevant work practice (including health and safety) and matching to employers for work experience. The project realised the following benefits:- For the participants • Improved learning performance – motivation, self-confidence, European dimension to learning and work • Enhanced employability and improved career prospects – unique work experience, application of skills and knowledge in a challenging environment, development of new social and professional networks in Europe • Increase in self-confidence – living and working abroad, learning a new language and culture, learning and applying new skills and knowledge. • Increased awareness of opportunities available in Europe and how the EU supports young people to develop the skills needed to work across borders in Europe. • Increased motivation for progressing into future education and training For the College • Increased capacity to operate at a European level – develop partnerships, secure funding and resources, share knowledge and good practice • Greater cooperation with international partners - increase number of partners and projects with an international dimension • Increase in effectiveness of systems, procedures and competences for managing international projects – project management, partnership development and networking, student and staff preparation, project implementation, monitoring and evaluation.