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European Association of Quality Organizations in Mobility – tackling mobility challenges together

The European Association of Quality Organizations in Mobility (EAQOM) is a not-for-profit standards setting association open to organizations engaged in mobilities and stakeholders interested in developing and extending quality standards for mobilities.

Mission of EAQOM

EAQOM has been established to define and promote responsible organizational, logistical and evaluation practices in the planning, execution and follow-up of European mobilities in view of allowing mobile Europeans to benefit from international and intercultural exchanges, experiences, training and learning. The Association’s Code of Practices, to which all members commit to, addresses various quality and responsibility issues in mobilities, including accuracy and comprehensiveness of information, relevance of activities, effectiveness of organization, adequacy of services, staffing and professionalism, value for money and participants’ satisfaction.

Vision of EAQOM

To create a stable and reliable member network, to provide common guidance and to develop standards of mobility implementation in view of advancing high-quality and responsible practices. 

Strategic actions

In order to achieve the aforementioned objectives, to create opportunities for knowledge transfer and exchange of good practices and to raise the public awareness about its goals the management of EAQOM has planned the following activities:

  • Involvement in Erasmus+ strategic projects – EAQOM team consist of professionals from 5 European organizations from Bulgaria, Italy, Portugal, Germany and Belgium, specialized in the elaboration and implementation of EU funded projects. The Association is actively seeking international cooperation projects related to learning mobilities to take part in. In this way EAQOM will be able to develop its activities, expand its network and bring added value on European level. Also working on international projects would give EAQOM further visibility.
  • Organizing Networking Events – In order to present its activities and attract new members the EAQOM team plans to organize and host a series of networking events all around Europe – both virtual and physical (according to the COVID-19 situation in each country). The target group of these events will be intermediary organizations active in providing services and facilitating student and staff mobilities; sending organizations with experience in learners’ or staff mobilities in different fields (school education, VET, higher education, adult education, youth); receiving organizations providing placements or traineeships for student or staff in mobilities – e.g. enterprises, non-governmental organizations, training centers, research centers, etc.; other key stakeholders in mobility, interested in participating in the definition and revision of quality criteria for mobilities – e.g. educational institutions, relevant public bodies at regional and national level, non-governmental organizations active in the areas of non-formal education, skills development, youth, etc. Moreover EAQOM will also organize events as part of the European Vocational Skills Week – an annual event during which local, regional or national organisations showcase the very best of Vocational Education and Training. Organizing events under the European Vocational Skills Week will be a great opportunity for wide dissemination of EAQOM objectives, promoting the European experience in mobility projects, raising the attractiveness of mobility partnerships, reaching out wide audience, establishing contacts, cooperation and an exchange of experience with other organizations in the European Union, promoting cooperation among public and private institutions, consortia, and cooperative societies.
  • Establish partnerships – the EAQOM management team developed a strategy, which includes cooperation with organizations that pursue similar aims. Mutual activities, intellectual outputs elaboration and organization of associated events are also planned. By now EAQOM is in contact with the European Association of Institutes for Vocational Training (EVBB) – the European umbrella association of non-profit providers of Vocational Education and Training (VET). Its objective is the qualitative improvement of vocational education and training in Europe and beyond and to increase the efforts designed to promote VET as a first choice. EVBB has more than 65 members coming both from the private and the public sector and covers all fields related to initial, advanced and further education and training.

If you would like to learn more about the activities and upcoming events of EAQOM, please visit: www.eaqom.eu

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VET4FUTURE Online Conference

The future of VET in the next Erasmus+ programme 2021-2027

In occasion of the upcoming European Vocational Skills Week 2020, after one year from the beginning of the project activities, the partners of “ENNE – European National Networks for the Enhancement of VET” will celebrate the formal establishment of 5 VET national networks in Italy, Bulgaria, Germany, Portugal and Belgium with the organization of an online interactive conference on the future of VET in the next Erasmus+ programme 2021-2027!

The event is scheduled for Monday 9 November 2020, from 15.00 to 17.30 (Brussels time), and it is open to anyone interested to learn more about the forthcoming training and mobility activities offered by the ENNE consortium, as well as to interact and networking with VET experts and practitioners from all over Europe.

VET4FUTURE PROGRAMME

  • The ZOOM room will be open starting from 14.45 CEST
  • 15.00-15.20: Welcome and opening speech.
    Mr. Luca PIROZZI, Policy Officer for VET at EAECA (Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency of the European Commission)
  • 15.20-15.40: Presentation of the ENNE project and the international training activities for the enhancement of VET.
    Mr. Altheo Valentini, Project coordinator at the European Grants International Academy
  • 15.40-16.00: ENNE MOOC – How to plan and implement quality mobility projects in the field of VET.
    Mrs. Sabine Roehrig-Mahhou, Managing Director at Wisamar Educational Institute
  • 16.00-17.00: Thematic workshops.
    Participants will join dedicated rooms where the members of the ENNE national networks will present good practices in five different fields relevant for EU policies and initiatives:
    • Recognition/validation of competences in WBL (Work Based Learning – national traineeships/transnational mobility/etc.)
    • Social Inclusion in VET (Disabilities, migrants, economic disadvantages, etc.)
    • Digital transformation / Distance Learning
    • Sustainability and contribution of VET to the achievement of UN Agenda 2030 SDGs
    • Capacity building of VET Staff
  • 17.00-17.30: Conference highlights and final round table to present the recommendations from the thematic rooms on the VET priorities to focus in the next programming period, facilitated by Mr. Ludmil Manev, Managing Director of the European Center for Quality Ltd. And President of EAQOM – European Association of Quality Intermediary Organizations in Mobility

Don’t miss the opportunity to meet the ENNE community!
REGISTER TODAY at https://form.jotform.com/202701478880054

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Use music for getting more skilled in management, business and entrepreneurship!

On 30.09.2020 European Center for Quality Ltd organizes a rock concert as the final multiplier event for the project THE SOUND OF BUSINESS in Bulgaria!

Learn from the big icons of rock music on how to be a successful entrepreneur!

In addition to that, The Sound of Business project partners are happy to share with you the Learning Documentary that has just been published and is presenting an innovative learning method that connects the history of rock music with Project Cycle Management and business.

 By watching the Learning Documentary, you will be able to gain a deeper understanding of the applied methodology, enabling the application of the different phases of the Project Cycle Management for developing your own business idea and for improving your entrepreneurial skills. You will also have the opportunity to learn from the best practices of the biggest rock icons. Already curious? Have a look at the video and enjoy!

SOB Poster

ABOUT “THE SOUND OF BUSINESS” PROJECT

THE SOUND OF BUSINESS Project – “Leveraging the Entrepreneurial Competences of Adults to Extenuate the Business Knowledge Divide” is developed within the Erasmus+ Programme, KA2: Strategic Partnerships for Adult Education.

Project duration: 01.10.2018 – 30.09.2020

PROJECT OBJECTIVES

  • To provide trainers with practical tools leading to an innovate method of training related to basic and transversal skills, innovative managerial competencies and entrepreneurial spirit
  • To use and promote a non-formal approach based on art and music
  • To stimulate self-employment initiatives among adults, according to identified unemployed people’s needs and backgrounds
  • To promote/renovate managerial skills of the adults and foster the awareness of the importance of innovation and lifelong learning
  • To recognize and validate non-formal learning at European level

TARGET GROUPS

  • Trainers for adults
  • Adult learners (age 25- 60):
  • Unemployed or employed with the need of a requalification of competencies (mainly basic/transversal skills and entrepreneurship)
  • Entrepreneurs (incl. potential entrepreneurs) looking for innovative management skills and a creative approach to improve their performances.

OUTPUTS

  • Training Tools
  • Learning Platform
  • Learning Documentary
  • Protocol for certification of competencies

www.soundofbusiness.eu

www.facebook.com/soundbusinessproject/

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COFEP – Belgian central for practice enterprises

 COFEP is part of a worldwide network of practice enterprises called OPEN worldwide. It prepares trainees for the real business world by setting them to work in virtual companies. In this way, COFEP stimulates their entrepreneurship by immersing them in a business reality with ERP business processes and (inter) national partnerships. E-commerce also has been part of this for a few years now. Students get the opportunity to follow a course that results in a webshop for their own virtual company.

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Restorative Justice for All International Institute CIC

The RJ4All International Institute is a charitable NGO with a mission to advance community cohesion and human rights locally, nationally and internationally. We redistribute power in a more equal way by delivering social justice projects, educational, sport and art-based programmes as well as high-quality volunteering and mobility opportunities to the most marginalised groups of society. Our e-courses and VET training opportunities are just one of the many vehicles that we use to rebalance power.
The RJ4All International Institute is a Vocational, Educational and Training provider that follows the European Credit System for Vocational Education and Training (ECVET). This is a technical framework that has been introduced by the European Commission and which supports the transfer, recognition and accumulation of learning outcomes across Europe. ECVET provides a set of principles and tools that facilitate the process of learner recognition, with a view to achieving a qualification. Our e-courses are developed within the ECVET Framework. Through the use of
learning outcomes, ECVET allows for an improved design and enhanced quality assurance in the delivery of our e-courses and in-person, training programmes.

In addition, some of our courses have a Continuous Professional Development (CPD) status meaning that successful completion leads to a CPD Certification. CPD points/ units are awarded depending on the weight of each course.
For our young learners, courses that have been designed as part of our Erasmus+ funded projects, we offer YouthPass. Furthermore, RJ4All has the Quality Mark from the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) as a receiving and sending organisation. Therefore, young people who under-take our e-courses as part of our ESC programmes, can also receive ESC Certificate of Participation.
Besides e-courses, we also offer a wide range of training courses that we have accredited with CPD status for professionals and YouthPass for young people.
The courses can run from half (3 hours) to a whole day (6 hours) and include the following topics:
– Introduction to restorative justice (1 module)
– Restorative justice & victims’ rights: The Victims’ Directive (3 modules)
Human Rights and young people (3 modules)
– Restorative justice in higher education settings (3 modules)
Young Citizens: Rights & Responsibilities (2 modules)
– The Victims’ Directive 2012/29/EU: Empowering Professionals (3 modules)
Young people and the criminal justice system (2 modules)
Restorative justice & complex cases (hate crimes, DV, GBV etc) (3 modules)
Gender-based violence & working with victims & offenders (2 modules)
The user-led model of research, policy and practice (2 modules)
Conflict resolution (workplace, schools, private affairs) (2 modules)
Bullying: prevention and control (1 module)
Preventing violent radicalisation and restorative justice (3 modules)

logo_ecourses

RJ4All is also active on social media. We would be delighted to connect with ENNE and project partners across the following platforms. If you are interested in commissioning an e-course from the RJ4All International Institute please email e-courses@rj4all.uk

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
LinkedIn
RJ4All Website Training
RJ4All E-courses

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Bulgarian news English News

A university-led good practice whereby university faculty reaches out to secondary education to impart knowledge in an attractive field of science

University lecturers visit the secondary schools and make presentations that aim to introduce students to systems based on microcontrollers, Programmable Logic Controllers and mobile robots – the main concepts, devices and their application, the logic of programming. During these presentations, theoretical and conceptual issues are made easier to understand by live demonstration with programmable devices and models. At the end of the activity, the students are given the opportunity to test the devices and models that are used during the demonstrations.
Demonstrations are an essential element of the activity since they capture students’ attention.
The activity achieves its impact in two ways:
Students are attracted to STEM through interesting topics and the opportunity to engage in hands-on exercises
Students have the chance to meet researchers and ask questions related to the discipline in which they are interested in or inquire about what it is like to be a scientist.

 

Good practice

Photos from a school visit – lecture with demonstration of equipment, and hands-on activities for students


The activity targets students from secondary vocational schools. However, some of the visits were attended by pupils from elementary schools, too. Indirectly, it also targets teachers at the same schools.
Organization
For the activity to be commenced in a particular school, the head of the relevant Department or the Dean of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Electronics has to establish contact with the director of the vocational high school. The contact can be initiated by either side. There is no department or staff member responsible for this activity. On the side of Technical University – Gabrovo, the organization boils down to identification of the lecturer(s) that will visit the school. The lecturer is responsible for preparing for the lecture itself.
A list of lessons with brief annotations is sent to the vocational school beforehand. The details are negotiated with the receiving school so as to fit the interest of the students and teachers. From the side of the school, the negotiation involves the school director and the teachers in the relevant subject. Typically, it is teachers that are consulted on the topics and details of the presentation and the demonstrations.
The vocational school is responsible for providing a lecture hall and for inviting the students to participate in the activity. The leading role in organizing student participation is played by teachers in the relevant subject.
Higher education students’ involvement in the activity.
In some lectures, university students are also included in the team of lecturers. This greatly increases the effectiveness of the activity and the impact on the secondary school students because young researchers can establish a more effective connection with high school students and serve as role models.
Sustainability
This activity has been conducted for 10 years at various schools in Bulgaria. It faces no serious issues of sustainability since it does not require much financing or special equipment. It can always be continued at the request of a school or a new collaboration with a new school can be established if there is interest on the part of the school. Maintaining links to vocational high schools is a long-lasting tradition of Technical University – Gabrovo. Thus, the activity has always been considered compatible with the development strategy of the university.
Financial sustainability
The activity is funded by Technical University – Gabrovo. The participating lecturers are paid travel expenses, each lecture counts as 4 hours of work. The equipment used for the demonstrations is taken from the laboratories of the university.

Good practice
Impact
Every year, Technical University – Gabrovo organizes around 15 such educational outreach activities at different schools. In each activity, between 20 and 40 students are present. Unfortunately, due to the limited time available for the lectures and the demonstrations, the impact of the activity has not been formally assessed. The general feeling among teachers and lecturers involved is that students show interest in the topics and hence, it could be expected that the activity also sparks interest for a science career. All in all, this is a practical low-key method of maintaining continuous relationship between universities and schools and exposing students to scientific information and new technological advances. It allows students from high schools that are not endowed with sophisticated equipment to work with such equipment, even if for a short time period.
Factors for success
For the activity to be successful, the following factors have been important:
– The activity has been perceived as part of a long-term strategy of the University to connect with secondary schools in the region
– The success of the activity strongly depends on the relations between the university and the recipient school being characterised by long-term cooperation. This allows the university staff and the school teachers to design and deliver lectures with demonstrations on a variety of topics, often linking these lectures to the compulsory curriculum
– The activity’s relevance increases when the lecturers maintain continuous contact with the relevant teachers in order to determine the interest and the level of prior knowledge of the target students. This can make sure that the participating students benefit from the activity and that the activity can be used to upgrade knowledge received in the classroom

More such good practices can be found at the webpage of DISCOVER project.

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Thinking outside the box

Which concrete experiences from and with mobility projects have managers and teachers in German VET gained? The German partner in the ENNE team, Wisamar, enquired.

What are the chances of mobility for learners, vocational schools and companies? Can you give examples from your practice that have worked very well? And in your experience, what are the main difficulties in organising and implementing mobilities? These are some of the questions, which Wisamar asked to actors in German vocational schools, who are responsible for European exchange projects there.

Coming back with more self-confidence

The interviewees agree that there are many advantages for VET students who complete a mobility abroad. It is a very important experience for young people and their personal development. In general, they come back more worldly and open-minded. “They simply think outside the box,” says a vocational school teacher from Flensburg. “They gain flexibility and self-confidence and then also appear much more confident in the workplace. In addition, they generally improve their language skills, of course, which is also a great advantage for their training company. On the other hand, the chance of a stay abroad increases the attractiveness of the apprenticeship place: “Knowing that I will participate in a mobility during my training makes it much more interesting, of course,” explains one interviewee.

For some of the VET students, the work placement is their first stay in a foreign country. Erasmus+ also enables trainees from families with lower incomes to do an internship abroad. The number of people who go abroad for an internship after finishing their vocational training is increasing, according to the mobility adviser from a business school, because immediately afterwards they have the opportunity to stay longer in another country. During a two to four-week stay abroad, the trainees did not always learn a lot of new things in their profession, “but afterwards they are better equipped to assert themselves in unfamiliar situations.”

Experience enrichment as a host company

Vocational training staff or students do not always have to go abroad to broaden their horizons, emphasizes an interviewee from Leipzig. Visits to one’s own institution by vocational trainers and trainees from other countries are always an enrichment and variety in the daily routine. And sometimes they bring a breath of fresh air into the company where they are doing their internship abroad: One interviewee told us that Italian trainees developed the social media presence for their German host company and then explained and showed it to their German colleagues.

The motivation to organise mobilities despite all obstacles and difficulties stems from the enthusiasm and excitement of the trainees returning from their mobility, explained a vocational school teacher from Pinneberg. The students often do not see the negative points at all or find a way to turn them into positive learning experiences and actively use their time abroad.

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Suitable internships, legal framework and huge responsibility

But what are the problems faced by Erasmus+ actors? Finding really suitable placements for trainees is difficult, many of the interviewees’ stress. Some schools work with intermediary organisations in other countries and are not always satisfied with the quality of the placements allocated. The placements often did not really fit the profile of the trainees. This sometimes leads to frustration among the trainees, according to the teacher from Pinneberg. 

Another interviewee said that the main obstacle in organising mobility is the different legal regulations of the countries. In Sweden, for example, it is not allowed to work without payment, and it has to be clarified that trainees receive a scholarship, etc. Someone has to take responsibility for organising everything, including planning the trip and booking tickets and accommodation. This is very time-consuming. Furthermore, it is a huge responsibility as an accompanying teacher when traveling with a group of VET students, emphasises an experienced vocational school teacher. “It took a load off my mind every time when everyone was safely back at their home station.” A well-designed programme is also very important, she says, that does not overburden the pupils and does not overestimate their independence. Many of them have never been away from home alone, have never used a plane or travelled far away.

Exemption by the partner companies

However, not only the organisation of the stay and programme abroad is perceived as challenging, but also the cooperation with the partner companies in Germany, where the young people complete the practical part of their training, is not always easy. According to the experience of one vocational school teacher interviewed, the partner companies are not so interested in sending their trainees abroad. Although the stay abroad often takes place during the trainees’ school time and not during their time in the company, one company has already opposed this so that not too many lessons are missed. It happens again and again that apprentices take leave in order to be able to participate in a mobility. It should be normal that apprentices receive an official leave of absence from the company for their mobility.

Special challenge COVID19

This year, COVID19 of course made it very difficult to carry out mobilities: Many of the planned stays abroad were cancelled or, if possible, postponed until 2021. Only few individual mobilities are still taking place. Due to the situation, those who still want to do their internship abroad prefer to travel to neighbouring countries like Denmark or Austria. They don’t want to be too far away from home. Two interview partners from VET schools stated that the willingness to participate in mobilities has decreased among trainees and VET staff due to the COVID 19 pandemic. They don’t want to take such risks. Other reasons were liability and the question of who is responsible if mobilities cannot take place as planned. That is why everything is being planned with reservations. It needs to be avoided that trainees would be burdened with the costs if the mobility cannot take place. Another interviewee stated that the trainees themselves still wanted to go abroad, but that their companies in Germany as well as host companies in the other countries are more hesitant.

The companies’ view

In addition to this brief insight into mobility experiences of vocational training institutions in Germany, the next ENNE newsletter will present the viewpoint of companies, represented by various Chambers of Industry and Commerce and Chambers of Crafts. Wisamar has also talked to some representatives – so stay tuned!

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Teaching on the net: Digitisation as a Resource

The Italian Chamber of Commerce for Germany ITCAM, an associated ENNE partner, will participate in four virtual events organised by DIDACTA ITALIA and dedicated to the world of school.

Under the motto “Extraordinary events require extraordinary changes”, an overview of the transformation of school over the past year will be given on 13 and 14 October 2020, between 3 and 7 pm. ITCAM, which is also a member of the organising committee of DIDACTA ITALIA, will present a video on e-learning during the webinar “Teaching on the Net: Digitalisation as a Resource” (13/10/2020, 5 pm). It compares the practical implementation of online teaching in different European countries.

The webinars are free of charge, more information (in Italian) here

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Role Models for VET: Stories from the shooting sessions

How to inspire people to participate in an Erasmus mobility? How to create something so engaging that people cannot say no to living and working/studying abroad?  

At this point, it is already known the main goals of the ENNE project and that it truly believes in the power of Erasmus as a fundamental aspect for the professional and personal development of individuals. To better demonstrate this, the ENNE project has planned the realization of Role Model videos.

In a broader concept, Role Models come from all walks of life and professional backgrounds and their experiences can serve as examples to young people struggling to find a place in society or tempted by easy shortcuts.

The main goal of the Role Model Videos within ENNE project is to inspire young people in their learning paths and encourage them in taking part in a mobility experience, but also to promote VET Teachers’ participation in Erasmus + mobilities and foster communication and cooperation between VET providers, as well as to promote VET quality and attractiveness also for companies, which are important stakeholders for WBL experiences.  

In order to do this, 15 video-interviews (3 per country) are being produced by project partners. These videos should be a positive reflection on the impact of transnational mobility projects on VET learners, staff and hosting companies

At this moment, Arts & Skills from Portugal already filmed all the interviews, and what an amazing experience it was! The first interview was with the student Cátia Silva. She was a student of the vocational course of Marketing Technician from the Francisco de Holanda Secondary School. In 2018, she had the opportunity to go to Reggio Calabria, Italy, for an internship of 3 months in a local company. Throughout the interview, it was possible to see and feel her enthusiasm. With emotion in her eyes, Cátia told us the stories from her experience, from the moment of her arrival in Italy, the conviviality with her colleagues, the welcoming environment from the company to all the memories she was able to build. It is certain that all of this will remain forever in her memory.

We proceed to the second interview: the hosting company Plantas da Fonte. It is a gardening company located in Guimarães and has been working with Arts & Skills for quite some time. From the interview with the tutor, it is clear that they could not be happier with the experience. For them, the most outstanding aspects are the knowledge and skills that the students acquire in school and their willingness to work and learn more. It is certainly a rewarding experience for the company and for all its employees, who still keep in touch with some of the learners that they welcomed throughout the years.  

For the last video, the interview with Guiomar Silva, the director of the School Group of Arrifana. When she was asked to do this interview, she immediately said yes! As you all will see in the video, she is so passionate and dedicated to her Erasmus+ projects. We were all fascinated with her stories and how she loves to see the impact of Erasmus in the life of her students and teachers. This is truly is an excellent example of how mobility activities influence a school and all the community around it. 

We will not tell more because we are saving it for the videos, but we can tell you that you will be inspired to write your Erasmus project, to receive an Erasmus student in your company, or to go abroad on an Erasmus adventure! 

See you soon!

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The CDA College Pafos

The CDA College Pafos is a branch of the CDA College which has a long tradition in Tertiary Education in Cyprus going back to 1976. In those early years, it was the first institution that offered the first graduates in the Travel and Tourism Industry.
In 1978 the CDA College established new branches in Limassol and Larnaca and in 2014 a new branch in Pafos.

The CDA College Pafos operates as a separate entity and is evaluated and accredited by the Cyprus Accreditation Council. The College shares most of the programmes of study and syllabi of CDA College main branch and currently is providing the following 11 programmes of study:

  • B.A. Business Administration
  • B.A. Travel and Tourism Management
  • Travel and Tourism Administration
  • Higher Diploma in Office Administration,
  • Executive Secretarial Studies and Secretarial Studies
  • Information Communication Technology
  • Hairdressing
  • Styling
  • B.A. Aesthetics
  • Beauty Therapy
  • Diploma in Accounting and its own unique programme of Diploma of Funeral Director and Embalmer

CDA College Pafos is participating in mobility and other European activities as a branch of the CDA College through which a number of students and staff participated in mobility projects.

Following consultations of the Management, Staff and the Students Union a 5-year plan was formulated aiming to engage the College in the ERASMUS programme and expand the involvement of staff and learners. The activities
will be managed and implemented by a team who have previous experiences in organizing and participating in learners and staff mobility in association with the CDA Erasmus coordinator as well as involvement in other European projects throughout their
academic and professional career.

The CDA College Pafos is providing short term VET training in most of its programmes
of study acting as a training provider for VET projects in Hairstyling, Beauty Therapy,
Travel & tourism, ICT etc.

For any more info and contacts: