About the Wider Project

The WIDER project celebrates over 10 years of North Devon College activity utilising European funding, particularly within the scope of the Leonardo da Vinci programme (and its predecessors), which promotes the mobility of students and staff across Europe, focussing on vocational education and training. The programme provides opportunities for vocational trainees to undertake work experience in other EU countries as part of a structured training programme and for vocational trainers to exchange best practice and observe different ways of delivering training across the EU.

 The overall aim of the WIDER project is to increase the number of applications made to the Leonardo programme from the South West, increase the number of participants and the involvement of businesses in the programme and to stimulate interest amongst staff working in vocational education and training in the possibilities of transnational partnerships. The project also seeks to increase the number of Leonardo participants welcomed into the region on placements from other EU countries.

During the past 10 years, small groups of vocational trainees have taken enormous benefit from the opportunity to gain work experience in other EU countries, with North Devon College staff, who have worked with those involved, witnessing the immensely positive immediate impact EU mobility has had on individuals in terms of raised aspirations, and skills, knowledge and experience gained.

We have undertaken research to assess the longer term benefits of participation on these projects. A questionnaire was sent to all students who had previously participated on a Leonardo mobility project through North Devon College, and staff who have participated have been interviewed. Parents of a number of participants have also completed questionnaires regarding the impact they felt the experience had on their son or daughter. The results of the research confirm that not only does the experience increase skills and aspirations, it also enhances employability and opens up new opportunities for participants, and helps to provide a stronger workforce to support the economy of the region.