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Training in Entrepreneurial and Corkscrew Thinking
Start date: Aug 1, 2016, End date: Jul 31, 2017 PROJECT  FINISHED 

Whilst internships and work placements have the ability to provide a brief window into the working world, they do not go far enough in developing a learners professional skill set or provide the best environment in learning key attributes in the area of entrepreneurship. This innovative 2 week mobility in Dublin and Barcelona aims to address this issue by blending practical training in the field of startup with relevant work placements with local startup organisations.The Training in Entrepreneurship and Corkscrew Thinking (TECT) mobility will take 14 learners enrolled on BTEC business and Enterprise Courses and 2 Enterprise staff from each of Homewood School, York College, Huddersfield New College, Wigan & Leigh College and North West College and place them in two of the most entrepreneurial cities in Europe (Barcelona or Dublin) and immerse them in the world of startups at respective cowork spaces Makers of Barcelona (MOB) or the Guinness Enterprise Centre (GEC). Over the duration of the mobility they will develop the 3 main pillars of their entrepreneurial mindsets; creative problem solving, initiative and confidence in leadership, as well as more specific technical skills in business startup including social media marketing, branding, finance and project management.The vocational startup training is based on a programme developed by Corkscrew, IEP and MOB to introduce the key aspects of entrepreneurship to learners and staff in a practical learning journey. Learners and Staff will develop creative skills to spot business opportunities and how to identify the feasibility of an idea. The final part of the training will train individuals in the process of lean startup and how to take an idea to market (training in website creation, social media marketing and testing). All training is conducted in a real working environment (cowork spaces MOB & GEC) and put in a live context, not a classroom. The training is directly related to their course curriculum in the UK and through the ECVET framework will allow the transfer of credits onto specific modules.The work experience element of the programme will also be conducted at the cowork spaces in Barcelona and Dublin as the Learners work on business projects for residents of the space and staff shadow entrepreneurs in their daily working life. The projects will have a direct implication to the host organisations providing a tangible work project for the learners to develop confidence and experience in a working startup environment, and ultimately making them more employable on their return to the UK.Another key stakeholder to highlight is that of the accompanying staff from the four sending organisations within the consortium. It is these key staff that will assess, evaluate and ultimately implement the learnings of the mobility to have the targeted impact of introducing more entrepreneurial activity within education. Staff will work closely with all stakeholders of the mobility from consortium members, receiving partners and learners in validating the entire lifetime of the project and how best to influence curriculum, not only within the selected BTEC Business and Enterprise courses, but the institutions as a whole. The staff will be instrumental in assisting future mobilities and enhancing entrepreneurship in education, again in line with UK and EU proposals.It is important that the TECT Mobility is successful for a second year, therefore, the consortium has spent time and effort in developing a clear methodology to carry out the project from understanding all stakeholders needs and impacts and also a project life-cycle appraisal from preparation to completion (including recruitment, learner agreements, delivery, assessment, evaluation and dissemination). It has also been important to ensure clear MoUs with all relevant parties to ensure clear guidelines during the implementation of the mobility.From our first KA1 mobility in 2015 we have seen results that have exceeded our expectations in the level of impact on the learners professional and personal development and on the staffs potential in delivering higher value course structure in the UK with EU dimensions. We also feel the impact has been felt at institutional level as we gain interest in future EU mobility partnerships and opportunities. A second round of funding will allow us to build on our European Development Plan as we include new members in the consortium (North West Regional College) and a further partner in delivering this innovative programme in Barcelona (Makers of Barcelona).
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