The aim of the project, (PIE~Pathways In Europe), is to research, explore, discuss and address the core issues that impact young people accessing the European labour market with a view to creating a wide range of resources, lessons and activities to enhance school curricula which will endure beyond the duration of the project. This includes the areas of skills development, careers education, work experience, entrepreneurship as well as the key competences of ICT, mathematics and literacy. The concept for the project was born out of the realisation among the partners that our school systems are quite insular and thereby fail to a large extent to prepare our young people for education and employment beyond their national boundaries. The key objects of the PIE project include: •To deliver opportunities for participating students to develop a range of skills required by today's European labour market • To engage young people in the production of sustainable educational resources which enhance school curricula and which will be both beneficial and attractive to their peers • To create opportunities for students to experience the recruitment and selection process • To create opportunities for the development and practice of basic and transversal skills including entrepreneurial skills. • To create opportunities for students to identify alternative European pathways for both education and employment • To enable students to identify alternative ways for both personal development and self improvement within a wider European context, for example, through work experience, gap years, volunteering, social entrepreneurship • To create an effective European collaborative partnership which gives all participating schools equal input into the development, delivery, monitoring and evaluation of the project while respecting different cultures and systems • To foster the European values of tolerance, respect for intercultural diversity and solidarity • To create opportunities to cooperate innovatively and to exchange good practice • To create opportunities for students to experience a variety of learning contexts to benefit their personal development and future employment opportunities Over the duration of the project we expect to achieve the following key results: -420 students will be selected to participate directly in the project activities -2175 students will participate in project generated activities -the management of each school will amend curriculum policies to reflect outcomes from the project -all students within each institution will experience teaching and learning activities as created by the project. The result will be that 4493 students will benefit from the project The project methodology involves active collaboration between the partners and includes a series of structured SMART activities. A contract of work, incorporating a schedule of activities is instrumental in ensuring that project activities and achievement indicators are realistic and appropriate for delivering the project objectives. The activities will occur over the three years and include a focus each year: YEAR 1 – LABOUR MARKET - local education systems, employability education, pathways to further education and employment, structure of the labour market, qualifications/skills required to get a job, attitudes to and knowledge of working abroad YEAR 2 – WORK PLACEMENTS/EXPERIENCE – CV preparation, recruitment and selection procedures and simulation, cultural awareness of working abroad, development opportunities, skills surveys. YEAR 3 – ENTREPRENEURSHIP - small business start-up, sources of support for small businesses, social entrepreneurship/volunteering, entrepreneurs and their skills, business planning and presentation Local, national and European impacts include: enhanced curricula in participating schools in keeping with objectives of the Pathways in Europe project -increased variety of resources and methodologies available to staff and curriculum designers -improved levels of attainment among the student populations of the participating institutions -increased student retention rates especially among those who are most at risk of leaving school early -increased levels of basic and transversal skills among 14-16 year olds and among those participating directly in project activities -improved uptake and interest in European qualifications particularly the Europass/Youthpass -enhanced appreciation and understanding of the concept of Europe and their European identity -increased number of students with broadened horizons including appreciation of the value of pathways in Europe -local education systems that are better aligned to the needs of the labour market, and closer links to business and the community Potential longer term benefits include: -increased quality of education in Europe that combines higher levels of excellence and attractiveness with increased opportunities for all, including those at disadvantage