ERASMUS CHARTER FOR HIGHER EDUCATION 2021-2027

Erasmus Charter for Higher Education

Declaració de la política Erasmus

ERASMUS POLICY STATEMENT

1. Institutional Context

INS Milà i Fontanals is a public vocational education and training centre located in Igualada, Barcelona (Catalonia, Spain). We provide 14 studies of Vocational Education and Training programmes at Intermediate (EQF level 4) and Higher (EQF level 5) levels belonging to 11 different families, closely linked to the local and regional productive sectors, together with Basic Vocational Training programmes and an IFE (Itinerario Formativo Específico) programme.

We are committed to innovation, quality education and the comprehensive development of our students, preparing them for active participation in the labour market and in European society. We understand internationalisation as a key tool to improve educational quality.

We are the largest educational centre of vocational education in our area, and we maintain a strong and long-standing collaboration with local companies and business associations. This close relationship with the local environment allows us to fit international mobility with real labour market needs.

Our participation in the Erasmus Programme started in 2014, and this experience has confirmed the positive impact of international mobility on both students and staff. For this reason, our strategic vision for the 2021–2027 period is to consolidate and increase the number of mobilities, embedding them structurally into our school life.

From our daily teaching practice, we have clearly identified that there is an increasing demand for professional profiles with international experience. Students who take part in Erasmus+ mobilities improve their employability, access better job opportunities and show a higher degree of entrepreneurship. At the same time, international experiences foster personal development, self-esteem, equity, social cohesion and a stronger sense of belonging to Europe.

For teachers, Erasmus+ mobilities enhance teaching strategies, encourage methodological innovation and improve the use of foreign languages in the classroom. All these elements contribute directly to the modernisation and internationalisation of our institution and to our active participation in the European Education Area.

2. Strategic Objectives of Participation in Erasmus+

Based on our previous experience and on the needs identified in our educational community, the objectives of INS Milà i Fontanals within Erasmus+ are:

• To expand labour market opportunities for our Intermediate (Grado Medio – EQF 4) and Higher VET (Grado Superior – EQF 5) students through international work-based learning experiences in European companies.
• To improve students’ personal autonomy, responsibility and adaptability by enabling them to live and work outside their usual environment.
• To foster shared learning and exchange of practices by promoting cooperation with European educational centres and companies.
• To improve foreign language competence of both students and staff as a key factor for professional development and employability.
• To promote equity, social cohesion and active European citizenship among all participants.
• To enhance the quality, efficiency and relevance of vocational education and training, for both sending and hosting institutions.
• To stimulate creativity, innovation and methodological renewal at all educational levels.
• To actively contribute to the European Education Area and to strengthen a collective awareness of being part of Europe.

All these objectives are fully integrated into the internationalisation and modernisation strategy of our centre and respond to a clear demand from both students and teachers to participate in international experiences.

3. Erasmus+ Mobilities

INS Milà i Fontanals plans to implement the following Erasmus+ activities:

3.1 Learner Mobility (KA1 – VET / KA1-HED)

Learner mobility is a core element of the Erasmus strategy of INS Milà i Fontanals and is aimed at both Intermediate and Higher programmes (KA1 121 / KA1 131):

• • Short-term learning mobilities and group mobilities for Intermediate (Grado Medio) students, focused on: First international professional experiences.
  • Development of basic professional, linguistic and cross-curricular competences and soft-skills.
  • Reinforcement of motivation and employability.
  • Long-term Student Mobility for Traineeships for Higher (Grado Superior) students, focused on: Advanced professional skills and sector-specific competences.
  • Greater autonomy, responsibility and initiative in the workplace.
  • Preparation for skilled employment and/or further education at European level.
  • Traineeships in European enterprises or organisations closely linked to the students’ vocational specialisations.
  • Full integration of mobility periods into the official curriculum, especially linked to mandatory work-based learning modules (FCT).
  • Clear definition of learning outcomes agreed with host organisations and recognised upon return.

3.2 Staff Mobility

From a teaching point of view, staff mobility is essential to ensure that internationalisation has a real impact in the classroom:

• Training courses abroad for teachers and staff to improve professional, pedagogical, digital and linguistic competences.
• Job shadowing activities in European institutions and companies.
• Exchange of good practices and innovative approaches in vocational education.

4. Quality Measures

INS Milà i Fontanals ensures high-quality implementation of Erasmus+ activities in accordance with SEPIE guidelines and Erasmus+ quality standards through:

• A clearly defined Erasmus management structure, led by an Erasmus coordinator and supported by the management team.
• Transparent, objective and documented selection procedures for students and staff, published in advance.
• Specific preparation adapted to Intermediate and Higher programmes participants, including: Linguistic preparation.
• Cultural and intercultural awareness.
• Professional and pedagogical preparation.
• Continuous monitoring of participants before, during and after the mobility period.
• Formal recognition of learning outcomes achieved abroad, especially those linked to FCT modules.
• Systematic internal evaluation of activities, impact and satisfaction of participants.

The Erasmus coordinator and the school management team are responsible for strategic planning, financial management, quality measures and compliance with SEPIE and Erasmus+ requirements.

5. Inclusion, Diversity and Equal Opportunities

As a public educational institution, INS Milà i Fontanals is firmly committed to the principles of non-discrimination, transparency and inclusion, which are applied to Erasmus+ activities.

• All students have access to the same opportunities regardless of their social, economic or cultural background.
• Students with fewer financial resources can access public scholarships.
• All Erasmus+ calls, procedures, deadlines and results are published transparently on the school website, in compliance with data protection regulations.
• No discrimination is made on the grounds of gender, origin or disability, and specific support measures are applied when required.

6. Environmental Sustainability and Digital Transition

INS Milà i Fontanals actively promotes environmentally friendly and digitally efficient practices within the Erasmus+ Programme:

• Administrative procedures and Erasmus-related documentation intend to be fully digitised, including the use of digital signatures, whenever it is possible.
• Digital platforms such as iEduca are used for communication with students, families and staff, reducing paper use and unnecessary travel.
• These measures contribute to the reduction of CO₂ emissions and foster environmental awareness among participants.

7. Impact and Dissemination

The impact expected from our participation in Erasmus+ includes:

• Improved employability and professional competence of graduates.
• Increased student enrolment and attractiveness of the centre due to higher educational quality.
• Stronger links with local companies and European partners.
• Positive impact on the competitiveness of companies in our area of influence through better-prepared students.
• Long-term modernisation and internationalisation of the institution.

Erasmus+ activities and results are disseminated through:

• The school website and the Erasmus+ section (https://agora.xtec.cat/iesmila/categoria/erasmus/).
• The iEduca educational platform.
• Information sessions, tutoring activities and staff meetings.
• Visual material displayed in the school building.
• Local media and collaboration with local authorities.

These dissemination actions help strengthen the sense of belonging to Europe among students and staff and ensure the sustainability of Erasmus+ activities.

8. Commitment

As a teaching team, we are fully committed to the principles, quality standards and values of the Erasmus+ Programme and to the continuous improvement of our international activities during the 2021–2027 period.

This Erasmus Policy Statement reflects our shared, teacher-led vision of internationalisation and our commitment to offering meaningful, high-quality European learning opportunities to our students, as well as to the professional development of our colleagues.

INS Milà i Fontanals Igualada – Barcelona Spain