Norsk-tysk interregionalt nettverk for lærlingmobilitet

<< Background >>Norway has had an increased focus on cooperation with Germany due to the importance of the country as a trading partner. Vocational education and training is an area that is strongly related to this, and closer cooperation between Norway and Germany in this area is of national interest. The German-Norwegian Chamber of Commerce had been in contact with various stakeholders concerning how to increase apprentice mobility and VET cooperation between Norway and Germany. In these talks, the improvement of the efficiency and simplification of the process of finding an internship in Norway was discussed. Germany has a network for apprentice mobility, “Training without Borders”. A similar network in Norway, connected to the already existing German network, was identified as a way of enabling effective dissemination/forwarding of requests for mobilities in both directions. The needs addressed by the project included:-Companies’ needs for knowledge and capacity for enabling apprentice mobilities.-Ensuring a qualified workforce through practical training in the workplace and exchange of experience with Germany. -Apprentices’/companies need for adapting to an international labor market-Improving the quality of education and training<< Objectives >>The creation of a Norwegian pilot network for apprentice mobility in Eastern Norway with the necessary partners and actors was the main objective of the project. This network was then connected to the existing German network. By establishing this mobility network, companies, apprentices and young skilled workers will have a contact point for advice and assistance in organizing and implementing mobility projects.<< Implementation >>The project consisted of activities meant for supporting the organization, finding and establishment of a network. This included: -Planning meetings-A kick-off with the Norwegian and German project partners in Germany and online-Mapping of relevant Norwegian actors and potential network members-Arranging two information meetings/workshops for potential network members and stakeholders-Arranging an in-depth workshop for designing the network-Organizing a visit from the German partners to Norway in order to get to know the newly established network-Monthly online status meetings in the project team-Ongoing project work, follow-up and rework and -Writing a project reportThese activities also included work with dissemination of information on the project on social media and other relevant channels. << Results >>There has been established a network for apprentice mobility between Eastern Norway and Northern Germany. Requests from both countries are now channeled efficiently to the correct members within the network, and the different stakeholders that work with mobilities on a day-to-day basis have been able to connect and learn from each other. More vocational training offices (opplæringskontorer) and companies in Norway have heard about the possibilities of apprentice exchange. The exchange of experience concerning the different VET systems and apprentice exchange between both the project partners and external participants has been especially valuable. The regional pilot is an ideal template for a national expansion of the network. An extended result was also that the German and Norwegian project partners have organized mobilities as a way of “testing” the network after the project ended.