The campus VTI Waregem has a long tradition in the field of quality management (ISO certified since 1996). In 2008, on the occasion of the "Internship to Industry" (i2i) project, which provides a quality framework for mobility projects, the campus VTI Waregem started organizing internships abroad. The new two year internship project "VTI2 on European Internship" is a continuation of the projects "2013-LDV-IVT-105" and "2013-LDV-IVT-106" and is specifically aimed at students in the fields of study of Electronic Installation techniques, Electrical Installation techniques and Mechanical techniques. In the curriculum of the 6th year TSO techniques there is a compulsory internship of at least 2 weeks, with the aim of: - putting the acquired skills into practice; - gaining new technical knowledge and skills; - experiencing the real life in a company. We want to challenge the students to do this internship abroad, in innovative companies that are situated at the top of technological development and have a great experience in integrating education and business. We also want them to get acquainted with the technical education in the host country and compare it with ours. Number of participants / Destination The aim in 2016 and 2017 is to offer an internship abroad to: - 6 students from the 6th year TSO Electronic Installation techniques (6EOt); - 6 students from the 6th year TSO Electrical Installation techniques (6EIt); - 6 students from the 6th year TSO Mechanical techniques (6Mt). Every class group is linked to the country that offers the best internship company in their field of study. For 6EOt this is Germany (Coburg), for 6EIt Italy (Udine) and for 6Mt Austria (Vöcklabruck). If possible, we send 2 students to one company on internship. Each internship is supervised by an accompanying teacher who helps the students to carry out all the tasks they have to do. Needs The students usually choose an internship in the familiar context of Flanders, often in a small company, with little guidance and limited perspective of immediate employment after graduation. An internship abroad offers our students the opportunity to get an unique experience, with different working methods and a different company culture. Technical students need to broaden of their horizon and develop their abilities by working abroad and communicating with people in another language. Possible companies and internship jobs - 6EOt (Germany): Kaeser, LASCO, Brose, KAPP in Coburg, … realization of electronic installations, checking errors, doing repairs, ... - 6EIt (Italy): Danieli Automation Buttrio, Solari Udine, ABS Udine, … realization of electronic installations, checking errors, doing repairs, ... - 6MT (Austria): STIWA in Attnang-Puchheim, Hawle Frankenmarkt, Schatzdorfer in Zeiling, MIBA in Vorchdorf, … CNC turning, milling, drilling, CNC programs, writing and testing, assembling parts, ... Internship Period - 1st year: Sat. Jan. 23. - Sat. Feb. 6. 2016 (actual internship: Mon. Jan. 25 to Fri. Feb. 5). - 2nd year: Sat. Feb. 11. - Sat. Feb. 25. 2017 (actual internship: Mon. Feb.13 to Fri. Feb. 24). Preparation of trainees The trainees are prepared by means of a VTI Partner day with an introductory session by a representative of our partner schools, and information evening for parents and students, a pedagogical preparation day, and online manuals on "internship2industry.eu". Objectives / Expected Results The main aim of the project is to further develop the students’ technical and communicative skills, by offering the students a challenge outside their familiar context. The project will also develop the students’ key attitudes and competences: motivation, self-confidence, social attitude, initiative and creativity, independence, willingness to be mobile, and openness to other cultures. The foreign experience and the certificate "Europass Mobility" will offer the students more opportunities on the European labour market. The project will also contribute to the continuing education of the accompanying teachers. For the school, the contacts with partner schools and training companies will offer points of comparison for its own policies and incentives for innovation. The expertise the school gains from repeatedly organizing internship projects will spread to other schools in Belgium and abroad through projects like "Internship2industry".