This small scale project will enable selected staff from across the wide ranging curriculum offer and support services of Lancaster & Morecambe College to undertake short training overseas with established training and research centres across Europe. The courses chosen are in line with CPD requirements of LMC staff and address current issues in the UK educational system. ObjectivesCPD is a vital part of the personal and professional development of all staff at Lancaster and Morecambe College and every effort is made to validate and match that experience with the individual and departmental needs. As well as giving the staff member vital training in their specific field, it is also expected that this opportunity will give them cultural insight and a personal experience that will stay with them for the rest of their careers. The participants will need to display how the learning objective of the course fits in with their CPD objectives. ProfilesThe project compliments current mobility projects with the inclusion of new destinations to maximise the impact on the whole organisation and benefit a wider range of staff. In this application LMC are applying for 16 mobilities which will broaden the horizons and contribute to personal and professional development of the participants. QualityThe outgoing numbers are balanced to ensure realistic quality and consistency for all participants involved. Selection criteria will be managed at a senior level and in line with current LMC procedures while the LMC International Team will manage the project at every step. The areas selected for staff training and CPD represent small and manageable numbers to ensure the end result and if successful can be scaled up, increasing the number of outgoing placements. ActivitiesThe placements are negotiated and developed between the LMC International Team, managers, service sections and host organisations. This is a continual process to help refine the activities for future participants and improve the projects. The emphasis is on improving staff confidence and competence, gaining new skills to contribute to the wider LMC culture and meeting CPD objectives. In all instances there will be opportunities for preparation training and linguistic preparation for all participants. The training courses are all 5 days in length. This is the optimum time based on staff and past feedback over recent mobility projects. Mobility dates will be confirmed well in advance of the activity and shared with wider college. In all projects a timetable of activities is agreed in advance and worked out by key staff and the hosts who manage the training. This ensures a realistic and manageable project with all expectations and requirements clearly laid out. This design of the programme is often adapted for specific needs of participants with specific skill sets. Results and impactLMC is situated in a deprived area of the North West of the UK. Staff and students are often from poorer areas and the typical staff/student profile is one of very little exposure to different cultures and little or no experience of travelling away from the region, at least for employment. This project will provide a tremendous opportunity for broadening participant's horizons and developing an appreciation of European Citizenship and international collaboration as well as introducing new techniques, methods and innovations for the workplace. These results will then have a lasting impact on the wider LMC community in terms of increased awareness of international opportunities, educational techniques as well as added value to the college and the student experience. Long Term BenefitsAfter each visit the participant will feedback their experience to the European Committee at LMC. This is when the real feelings and benefits are shared with the wider college. LMC also ensures that all international activity is disseminated across the college and into the wider community of the Lancaster and Morecambe areas. This ensures that LMC has a solid international dimension and that European collaboration forms a key unique selling point for both our staff and students. LMC, OFSTED and QAA reports have cited international mobility experiences as improving and contributing to positive culture of the college.