As part of the TRAVEL-project (Trainees Enrich Their Apprenticeship with Valuable Experience and Language) the company HPT (Hochwertige Pharmatechnik) is planning to give 8 apprentices the opportunity of a stay abroad during their apprenticeship in the next 2 years. This is HPT’s response to the growing demands on the labour market. The demographic change and the migration from rural areas make it difficult to find motivated and qualified employees and apprentices. Generally the participation in the project should be possible for all apprentices of the company, including both industrial and commercial apprentices. However, it will be of great importance for us that the apprentices already possess a certain level of knowledge. For this reason we expect participants who are at least in the second year of apprenticeship. We are currently training in the following professions (male/female): processing mechanic for plastics and rubber technology, machine and system operator, mechatronic engineer, industrial mechanic, tool mechanic, IT-system electronics technician and industrial clerks. After having completed the first year of apprenticeship the apprentices of the industrial sector have skills in metalworking and in processing of components. Depending on the chosen apprenticeship further specific specialized knowledge is available. The apprentices of the commercial sector in the second year of apprenticeship have already passed some departments and have worked with different programmes (MS Office). With this measure we hope that on the one hand the apprentices will broaden their specialized knowledge and on the other hand will be able to develop their personality. The decisive factor for the success of this measure is choosing the right partner company. We were able to win companies in Finland, Poland, Italy as well as a vocational school in Finland for the project. Depending on the partner company different activities are planned. In Finland KETEK and Kpedu are our partners. In the company KETEK mainly apprentices who are interested in new, innovative plastics as well as other materials can acquire a lot of knowledge. In the company Kpedu the focus is put on becoming acquainted with other training systems and deepening one’s own specialized knowledge. Basically in Finland vocational training takes place in school. Novopack produces machines on demand.This means that at Novopack industrial apprentices can experience the planning and development of a tool or machine with their own eyes. This is mainly supposed to support the process of understanding of technical equipment and machinery. In the company HP Poland also plastic bottles are produced. However under different conditions and for a different market. Here industrial apprentices can take an active part in the day-to-day business and deepen their specialized knowledge. In addition they become acquainted with other working conditions and work flows. The commercial apprentices can be sent to all of the mentioned partner organisations. In every company it is possible to integrate them into the daily routine. If possible, they should be deployed in the collection and processing of data. In addition they are supposed to improve their communication skills (by mail and, if possible, also on the phone). To participate in the project each apprentice of the company can apply for. After the participants have been chosen first of all the country of destination and the expectations as well as the wishes to the project should be clarified. As soon as these details are certain the contents of the stay need to be clarified in consultation with the participant and the partner company. As the participants are adolescents we see need for support in the preparatory phase. However, the participant should be involved in the organisation so that he can already gain first experiences. The participant should benefit from this measure from the professional point of view as well as with regard to his personal skills. With the stay abroad and becoming acquainted with different working conditions the participant should learn to appreciate his own apprenticeship and return to his own company with new ideas. By dealing with new situations and colleagues, also in another language, both social skills (problem-solving, ability to work in a team, ability to accept criticism), intercultural skills (developing tolerance towards other customs) and foreign language skills should be developed. Due to the growing demands on the labour market we want to lay the foundation for a successful first step into professional life with this project. In the long term we hope that with this modern and future-oriented organisation of the apprenticeship the company will become more interesting for young employees.