Funded by


ECWORK project. Agreement No: 2016-1-HR01-KA202-022214. The European Commission support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the contents which reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use may be made of the information contained therein.

Welcome to the ECWORK students toolkit for work placements in Vocational Education and Training!

Organizing a work-placement for the first time is not easy especially if the placement is abroad: it implies not only a confrontation with the working environment and its rules but also a challenge with a new country, a different language, culture and tradition.

Consequently, this site wants to be a support for students who are interested in going abroad for work experience, providing suggestions, advices, tips and also templates, models and materials that can be used before, during and after the organization of the placement.

Why work-based learning?

Work-based learning is the first occasion to transit from education to the real working environment, shifting from transmission models of teaching –learning about- to experiential learning –learning for- and provide the opportunity to apply hands-on experiences to theory.

Work-placement allow students to create key connections and network which could smooth the school-to-work transition and improve their future career perspectives. During placements, in fact, it is possible to improve or acquire skills and abilities which are crucial to grow personally and professionally: interpersonal skills, entrepreneurial spirit, career awareness and intercultural competences will be associated to specific skills to be spent in working environment such as hard skills – mainly technical knowledges and abilities- and soft skills also known as ‘people skills’ because they are related to interaction with other people.

Last but not least, experiencing work-placement abroad has an added value: the unique possibility to explore and confront with a new country and learn about its language, culture, traditions and holidays, to meet people and make new friends from all over the world.

Work-based learning is a challenge: a new country, a new language, a new working environment, new people, yet, do not be afraid of testing yourself and being open to any kind of experience.

Why work based learning?