PROJECT DESCRIPTION SLAM STUDENT LEADERSHIP ADVANCEMENT MOBILITY 1 Introduction The SLAM project, or Student Leadership Advancement Mobility project, started as collaboration between ENAS (European Network of Academic Sports Services) and the Hanze (Hanze University of Applied Sciences) in 2016 following the 2015 ENAS Benchmark. The 2015 ENAS Benchmark included questions specifically dedicated to estimation of the required learning outcomes for Sport Management students to be able to meet the needs of University Sport Departments, as one of many potential future employers. Based on the benchmark outcomes and recent international trends, it was found that there is a clear need to develop transferral and leadership skills before entering the job market. The SLAM project was born. In this project description, it is outlined how the SLAM project aims to bring excellent students that are looking for international internship possibilities in contact with top projects in the student sport context to improve their skills in a real-life context. This project was built also on the model and experiences of the DIT (Dublin Institute of Technology) project called LEAD. The LEAD-project aims to recognise and award credit to the important learning that takes place outside the confines of formal academic study, in particular the personal and professional skills developed by undertaking a leadership role over a sustained period of time. It also aims to provide participants with the skills and knowledge to enable them to detail and critically reflect on the ways in which they plan, develop and achieve programme specific employability skills, including leadership skills, through engagement within extra-curricular and co-curricular activities. Further development of the SLAM module to encompass broader internship and volunteering possibilities in line with the DIT LEAD programme are not excluded in the future but concern a potential expansion rather than starting point. This document provides a broad overview of the current state of play, the partner organisations, their roles and potential add-on possibilities in the future. It is ever unfinished. Any suggestions for change or updating are happily welcomed at margo@enas-sport.net. 2 TARGET GROUP(S) The project is primarily aimed at but not limited to (1) students in Sport Management and Sports Education corresponding to (2) EQF levels 5, 6 or 7 (the European levels Associate Degree, Bachelor and Master) where these students (3) have to complete an internship period of more than 3 months as part of their learning outcomes. All students that satisfy all three conditions (1), (2) and (3), are not only eligible to take part in the project but also qualify to avail of an Erasmus + mobility grant to support their period abroad financially. This grant can be requested at the students home institutions international offices. Other potential participants include students from different educational backgrounds or recent graduates that want to gain additional experience in the sports context through the SLAM project. We happily welcome these applications but cannot guarantee the same ease of access as this is partly reliant on the existence of a home institution. SLAM PROJECT DESCRIPTION 1
EQF levels EFQ Level Level 5 Level 6 Level 7 Knowledge Skills Competence Comprehensive, specialised, factual and theoretical knowledge within a field of work or study and an awareness of the boundaries of that knowledge Advanced knowledge of a field of work or study, involving a critical understanding of theories and principles Highly specialised knowledge, some of which is at the forefront of knowledge in a field of work or study, as the basis for original thinking and/or research. Critical awareness of knowledge issues in a field and at the interface between different fields. A comprehensive range of cognitive and practical skills required to develop creative solutions to abstract problems Advanced skills, demonstrating mastery and innovation, required to solve complex and unpredictable problems in a specialised field of work or study Specialised problem-solving skills required in research and/or innovation in order to develop new knowledge and procedures and to integrate knowledge from different fields Exercise management and supervision in contexts of work or study activities where there is unpredictable change; review and develop performance of self and others Manage complex technical or professional activities or projects, taking responsibility for decision-making in unpredictable work or study contexts; take responsibility for managing professional development of individuals and groups Manage and transform work or study contexts that are complex, unpredictable and require new strategic approaches; take responsibility for contributing to professional knowledge an practice and/or for reviewing the strategic performance of teams 3 GOALS & EXPECTED OUTCOMES 3.1 Goals The SLAM project aims to develop a common internship/ exchange programme which is able to: provide international exchange opportunities for young people, that qualify for funding under the Erasmus + framework with particular focus on the development of transferral skills; actively train transferral and leadership skills through practical experience and mentoring in the context of verified ENAS member projects that allow the young person to take the lead; further develop transferral and leadership skills in young people beyond what is necessary to execute their project through work context assessment, online/offline course modules, timely reflection and contact across Europe; improve employability of young people by certifying the acquired transferrable and leadership skills via a multi-signature European certificate; stimulate knowledge exchange by providing an additional platform within the ENAS network for the exchange of projects and students between institutions; celebrate the success of international student-institution collaborations by awarding the best project and student with an annual ENAS GrandSLAM Award; help institutions to meet their mobility goals and add value to the role of the sport departments and to the ENAS membership by actively contributing to the educational mission of the institutions both on the sending and receiving end; These goals are also reflected in the 6 pillars that the project is built on: 1. Organising an Erasmus qualified international exchange 2. Developing a high skills-oriented common standard for projects 3. Developing an additional leadership advancement module 4. Providing certification for the acquired skills 5. Providing an annual award for the best student-institution collaboration 6. Providing a platform for knowledge exchange SLAM PROJECT DESCRIPTION 2
3.2 EXPECTED OUTCOMES 2017 > 2018 10 project partners 5 participating students/young people (=> Internationalisation) +80% Positive evaluations by partners / participants 100% Certificates provided 100% Report received 1 Awarded best collaboration with GrandSLAM Award +5 project partners / year +5 participating students/young people / year (=> + Internationalisation) +80% Positive evaluations by partners / participants 100% Certificates provided 100% Report received 1 Awarded best collaboration with GrandSLAM Award Follow-up into job market? 4 GETTING IT DONE! 4.1 WHAT & how will WE DO IT? Erasmus + internship The existing European Erasmus + programme gives students in higher education the opportunity to take on an internship in another European country and provides financial stimuli for them to do so. We will rely on this existing framework to develop the SLAM mobility programme. More information below and via official Erasmus+ web: https://ec.europa.eu/programmes/erasmusplus/opportunities-for-individuals/trainees/students_en REQUIREMENTS UNDER ERASMUS + REGISTERED IN HIGHER EDUCATION To qualify to apply for an internship abroad, the student must be registered at an institution of higher education and be studying for a higher qualification, including bachelors, masters or doctoral degrees corresponding to EQF levels 5, 6, 7 or 8. As mentioned above, for this project, we will focus on 5, 6 and 7. Level 8, doctoral and post-doctoral degrees, is much less applicable. DURATION & PREVIOUS ERASMUS+ EXCHANGE The internship period is limited under Erasmus + to last a minimum of 2 months and a maximum of 12 months. Erasmus allows the student to train abroad more than once, as long as the total does not exceed twelve months per study cycle in line with the EQF Framework. Due to the expectation that the internship period requirements will vary per sending partner the SLAM project guidelines do not contain a hard rule concerning the length nor period of the internship. In any given case the internship offer contains a period outline which can be further detailed and agreed between the hosting institution and the student applicant between the 2 months minimum and 12 month maximum. It is assumed at the moment that most internships will have an average duration between 3 and 6 months and will take place from September to January or February to June based on the semester system. We advise receiving partners to adjust their assignments to these periods. The first internships created by the SLAM project are expected to start in February 2017. SLAM PROJECT DESCRIPTION 3
LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS The student may be asked to complete a language assessment test prior to departure after selection. Depending on his/her ability, the home institution may offer free language courses or other forms of support to prepare the student for his/her time abroad. HOST ORGANISATION The host organisation where you will do your internship can be private or public. They must be active in the labour market, though, or in the fields of education, training or youth. University sport departments obviously fall within this category. REQUIRED DOCUMENTS Throughout the internship the student will be required to complete a number of documents in order to receive enrol in the mobility programme and to be eligible for grant payments. This process is facilitated by the Erasmus Office, Internship Coordinator, or the International Office at the home institutions. The documents include: 1. [Prior to departure] The Grant Application Form, Learning Agreement for Traineeships, and Letter of Intent. The student also needs an Agreement of Internship from the host organisation and the Erasmus Student Charter, which outlines his/her rights and responsibilities. 2. [Upon arrival] Once arrived at the internship, the student requires a Certificate of Arrival and the fully completed Learning Agreement which should be returned to the home institution. Payment of the first grant amount usually follows this important step. 3. After finishing the placement, a Certificate of Attendance and Traineeship Certificate have to be provided by the host. ECTS CREDITS Successful completion of the internship under Erasmus+ will see ECTS credits (European Credit Transfer System) added to the academic achievements of the students. Alternatively, these credits may be included in a Diploma Supplement. Information on how many ECTS will be awarded is contained within the Learning Agreement. ERASMUS + GRANT Students qualifying under the programme as outlined above and via the Erasmus+ resources, are eligible to receive an Erasmus grant to assist with the extra costs of studying and living abroad. The grant is intended to be a supplement to the existing form of financial support - not a replacement. The level of grant funding depends on the destination country, with those travelling to more expensive locations getting higher amounts. The actual sum may vary between 450 Euro and 500 Euro per month. Having special needs may enable further supplementary funding. Receiving an Erasmus+ grant does not preclude earning extra money by working or payment provided by the host organisation. Under the SLAM project, additional payment of the intern is in principle not provided by the host. HOORAY FOR THE INTERNATIONAL OFFICE As a general rule, regulations, rules and procedures differ from one place in comparison to another. The international or Erasmus office is a vital to guarantee a smooth process for home institution, host institution and he student. SLAM PROJECT DESCRIPTION 4
4.2 SKILLS WHAT ARE TRANSFERRAL SKILLS? Transferable skills can be defined as skills developed in one situation which can be transferred to another situation. They are sometimes called generic, soft or key skills. This definition, as any other definition of transferable skills, is deliberately broad and vague. This is because any experience can contribute to future action and decision and can for this reason be an important element for future employment. However, in order to be able to focus on the development of certain transferable skills during the SLAM internship period, we have to choose what skills are considered important and we have to be able to name them. A COMMON REFERENCE MECHANISM? ESCO! The ESCO classification identifies and categorises skills, competences, qualifications and occupations relevant for the EU labour market and education and training. It systematically shows the relationships between the different concepts. (ESCO 2016) ESCO uses a linking pin system starting with a general skill group widening into smaller specific skills. The skills formulated are useful for international reverence however do not completely cover the goals the SLAM projects pursues. For the SLAM project 10 learning outcomes have been formulated based on ESCO skills. The reasons ESCO skills were used as a foundation is due to the fact that (almost) all ESCO skills are available in EU member languages thus minimalizing the discrepancy in terminology. THE SKILLS / LEaRNING OUTCOMES The ENAS benchmark of 2015 and the input of the start-up partners gathered in spring 2016 was used to find a general direction towards which skill are considered important in the ENAS network and should be used in the SLAM project. To avoid discrepancy in terminology, we make use of the European classification system of skills known as ESCO to define the learning outcomes and the specific skills linked to each header. 1. Responsible leaders 2. Active team players 3. Global citizens 4. Strategic problem solvers 5. Creative innovators 6. Self-reflective organisers 7. Committed professionals 8. Effective communicators 9. Capable financial planners 10. Digitally literate creators The SLAM project uses these 10 learning outcomes for all interns to indicate their development during the internship. The outcomes are also used for receiving partners to indicate which skills are essential for a certain internship. The ESCO skills connected to each of the learning outcomes can be found in attachment 1 to this project description. 4.3 THE SLAM MODULE: LEARNING THROUGH EXPERIENCE, MENTORING & SELF-REFLECTION The SLAM project aims to develop a handbook combining text elements and online-seminars (MOOC etc.) to boost skill development during the practical internship period in a leading role working on a project. The process is continuously supervised by a mentor assigned by the host organisation with vast experience in the sector, to assist in the learning as well as self-reflection process. This serves as continuous assessment before during and after the internship period. The specific details for this handbook are still to be further defined. SLAM PROJECT DESCRIPTION 5
4.4 SYSTEMS To provide a clear overview on how the project will work in practice we have created a systems outline showing a step by step process starting at the receiving partner. This systems outline shows how an internship vacancy is communicated to the student and which connected party has to perform which task. The full system outline can be found in attachment 2 to this project description. 4.5 Roles partners ENAS and Hanze Though ENAS and the Hanze University of Applied Sciences are the creators of the project the roles they have will be completely different when the start-up of the project has been finished and the internships have started. The Hanze University of Applied Sciences has invested in this project by contributing in the creation of the core of the project. The goal of the Hanze University of Applied Sciences was to strengthen the relation with ENAS and to be able to send students as interns to the ENAS members. When the start-up phase of the project has been finished the Hanze University of Applied Sciences will simply become a connected (sending) partner. ENAS has also contributed in the creation of the core of the project but will naturally not cease the leading role once the start-up phase has finished. The SLAM project is an ENAS project and therefore ENAS will continue to put time and energy in the project. Eventually ENAS will play a facilitating role connecting sending institutions to receiving institutions, continually improving the SLAM project, evaluating with partners and searching for more interested partners. If the project is successful a (new) partner might be approached to help managing the project. Receiving partner The responsibilities for the receiving partner are described below: TWO CONTACT PERSONS The receiving partner will indicate two contact persons for the sending partner to contact in case of need. Intern supervisor (mentor) The receiving partner will appoint an intern supervisor within the organisation. The intern supervisor will support the intern and will be the first contact for the internship regarding questions or problems. The intern supervisor will also monitor the progress the intern makes and will provide feedback according to the intern s needs. Every sending institution will have varying expectations from the intern supervisor and it is advised to discuss these before the start of the internship. WORK SPACE The receiving partner will provide with the intern with a work space (desk, pc, office supplies etcetera) where the intern can work on the assignments. Access to needed information on organisation The receiving partner will provide the intern with the needed information on the organisation. Naturally some information is private and does not have to be shared with the intern however the intern should have the opportunity to gain all the information he/she needs. Some institutions work with a duty of confidentiality contract creating extra protection for the private information. SLAM PROJECT DESCRIPTION 6
ASSIGNMENT / PROJECT IN LINE WITH CORE COMMON STANDARDS The receiving partner will have an assignment / project which is in line with the core common standards which the intern can complete during the internship. Besides the core common standers usually each sending institution has a set of requirements that an international internship must suffice. The intern will mainly be responsible in checking if all requirements from the institution are met, the partners are responsible for maintaining the core common standards. Housing (optional) The receiving partner will do its best to facilitate the intern in finding appropriate housing in the city. Due to the fact that the facilities available at the receiving partners may vary greatly it was decided not to compel receiving partners to finding housing for the intern but to request a facilitating role. Compensation (optional) Though not compulsory it is appreciated when the receiving partner reviews ways of compensation for the intern. This compensation can take many forms, the simplest being financial. However a pick up at the airport, a bike, a bus card, sports membership etcetera are also great options. Sending partner The responsibilities of the sending partners are described below. Two contact persons Each sending partner will indicate two contact persons on behalf of its institution to Approval of assignment / project in line with core common standards The sending partner will send approval of the assignment provided for the intern and that the sending partner agrees that the assignment is in line with the core common standards. Regulations and requirements institution The sending partner will inform the receiving partner of any requirements or regulations that the institution maintains concerning international internships. Scholarship Though the intern is mainly responsible for applying for a scholarship the institution should naturally provide a helping hand in completing this application. STUDENT Of all, the largest responsibility lies of course with the student. Broadly speaking, the student has to find his/her own placement and organise all necessary paperwork, find housing and keep in close contact with the home and host institutions. The student also has to ensure adequate health insurance, as well as wider insurance covering you for the period of your internship. You are also responsible for travel documentation, including passports and visas. All this adds to the learning experience of a placement abroad. As part of the learning experience, of course, also there the student is entitled to adequate mentoring on both ends to ensure optimal conditions for personal development. SLAM PROJECT DESCRIPTION 7
4 Dissemination The dissemination of the SLAM project towards students and other potentially interested participants will happen using a range of channels and communication methods. ENAS CHANNELS ENAS will take the lead in disseminating the project information towards the project partners and potential project partners and ENAS members more generally. The ENAS website will be the pivotal point of all project information. Besides this also other communication channels will be used: A. ENAS website Not a direct dissemination tool as such but thé resource to find information about the project for partner organisations, ENAS members and other people interested in the project. It combines all project information including project vacancy templates, letter of acceptance templates and promotional materials, allows partners to sign up to join the project, it allows already registered partners to submit projects and it provides an overview of all existing and passed projects including reporting information. B. erasmusinterns.org The N 1 direct dissemination channel towards potential participants in the SLAM project where all projects will be uploaded. All links, including the ones on the ENAS website and partner institution websites, will refer back to the project as it is outlined here including the vacancy. C. ENAS National Representatives The ENAS National Representatives will play a vital role in additional distribution of the project details with a call to participants and partners to be sent out to all ENAS members and potential ENAS members in ENAS member countries. D. Other ENAS Communications All other ENAS channels such as Facebook, newsletter, direct mailing and meetings between members will also be used to promote the project where possible. The schematic overview can be found in attachment 3 to this project description. PARTNER CHANNELS All partners are requested to disseminate the project via any possible channel they have at their disposal. Format and templates including Facebook photo s to promote the project and posters at several sizes will be provided via the ENAS website to facilitate dissemination and to make sure the project is able to attract attention. OTHER CHANNELS After discussion with the partners also other channels can be used including considering the development of a dedicated SLAM website. SLAM PROJECT DESCRIPTION 8
6 FUNDING There is currently no external funding for the SLAM project which means that all partners contribute to the project on an equal basis from their own resources. This contribution almost exclusively consists of human resources contributed to the cause and only where explicitly approved by all partners also other costs such as costs for meeting and potential promotional materials. ENAS and Hanze have invested additional time to kick-start the project and to develop all outlines and materials to make the project manageable with minimal input from each of the partners. Upon approval by all partners, there is potential to apply for Erasmus + funding to further develop the project in the years to come. 7 EVALUATION 7.1 PARTNER MEETING To ensure the quality of the project an annual evaluation must take place between all connected partners. Ideally this will happen adjacent to the annual ENAS Forum & Assembly attended by many ENAS members. Additional meeting can be called by any of the partners and will be held in mutual agreement. 7.1 SURVEYS All participating students, home institutions and host institutions will be requested to provide feedback towards their participation in the project through online surveys developed in collaboration with the partners. SLAM PROJECT DESCRIPTION 9
ATTACHMENT 2 System outline SLAM Project Steps: 1: Sports Department (SD) downloads internship vacancy format, fills out the format and uploads it on the ENAS website 2: ENAS checks the vacancy and informs the SD about accepting or declining the vacancy 3: ENAS uploads the vacancy to eramusinterns.org and the ENAS website 4: The connected partners disseminate the vacancy found on Erasmusinterns.org and the ENAS website to their students 5: Student applies for the vacancy by sending a letter of application and resume to the publisher of the vacancy (SD) 6: SD accepts/declines student 7: If SD accepts the student the SD informs ENAS to adjust the vacancy on Erasmusinterns.org and the ENAS website. 8A: When accepted by the SD the student contacts the institution to attain approval for international internship 8B: When accepted by the SD the student contacts the international internship desk of their institution to apply for an Erasmus scholarship 9: The student, institution and the SD sign a contract concerning the international internship 10: When all is completed the student is ready to start the internship. The Sport Department will help the student with housing and other facilitating needs 11: At the end/after the internship an evaluation will take place between the student, ENAS and the SD SLAM PROJECT DESCRIPTION 10
ATTACHMENT 3 SCHEMATIC OVERVIEW DISSEMINATION SLAM PROJECT DESCRIPTION 11