Would you like to gain great international experience, expand your networks, develop your skills, experience and understand different cultures?

If your answer is yes, then let us congratulate you. You are in the right place.

Let`s make this exchange program the best experience of your life.

We will help you to set your goals, overcome your fear and support you on this journey.

Exchange Team

Mobility of Young Landscapers

LINK: Deutscher text Young Landscapers LINK: Texte français Young Landscapers

Introduction

The Exchange Program for Young Landscapers is intended for any person who is working in landscape construction`s trade and is young in this field.

Aims

To develop skills and competences of young landscapers in different working, language, and cultural environment.
To enhance the competitiveness of young landscapers in the EU labour market.
To strengthen the cooperation of landscape constructors in different countries.
To encourage young landscapers to lifelong learning through informal learning.

To participate in the Exchange Program for Young Landscapers you have to have a clear goal for what you want to experience. If you need personal guidance to phrase your goal(s), then contact us exchange@elca.info.

For your mobility to succeed and your goal(s) would be understandable for the host company you need to fill in they registration form and upload your cover letter and CV.

Cover Letter

The purpose of a cover letter is to get the recipient to read your CV. It should be clear, concise and straight to the point. Down below are some points which will help you to write the cover letter:

Provide a little information about yourself
What is your goal(s) to go abroad (vocational, cultural, etc.) and who is the sending partner (if you have one)
What you have to offer and why host company should read your CV
Have the most up-to-date information about your qualifications and education
Describe briefly your work experiences, personal skills, and competence level. See link: EQF levels in the European Qualifications Framework
Highlight what you specialize in
Tell something about your career which will immediately get recipient interest
Add also dates, when you want to go abroad and how long you want to stay there
Do you have a driving license valid in EU
Your expectations for host company (accommodation, salary, insurance, etc.)

Before you mail the cover letter, read it over again. Special attention should be placed to ensure the letter: it is not too long, there are no grammar or spelling errors and the layout should be written in a formal style and correctly.

Curriculum Vitae (CV)

You can create your own CV and language passport in the European language of your choice on the following website using the Europass tool: https://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/

European Qualifications Framework (EQF) level descriptions

European Qualifications Framework is build-up for 8 levels, the vocational ones are level 2 to level 5.

This framework helps to recognize your competency level so that the tasks in the host company would be on your level and would help to improve your skills and competence.

The levels illustrating movie is available also here, in English, in French.

Level 1	Work under direct supervision in a structured content
Level 2	Work under supervision with some autonomy. Time range in planning is days and he/she is not responsible for his own work planning.
Level 3	Carries out tasks autonomously after brief explanation and shows initiative. Take responsibility for completion of tasks in work, adapt own behaviour to circumstances in solving problems. Time range in planning is weeks, also when he/she is responsible for his own work planning
Level 4	Carries out tasks autonomously. Exercise self-management within the guidelines of work contexts that are usually predictable. Supervise the routine work of others, taking some responsibility for the evaluation and improvement of work activities. Time range in planning is weeks (for the complex part of the work) to months (for the complex routine part of the work, like financial targets).
Level 5	Carries out tasks autonomously and shows initiative. Exercise management and supervision in contexts of work activities where there is unpredictable change, review and develop performance of self and others. Time range for planning is months (new or complex work) to a year (more complex routine work).
Level 6	Manage complex technical or professional activities or projects, taking responsibility for decisionmaking in unpredictable work contexts; take responsibility for managing professional development of individuals and groups
Level 7	Manage and transform work contexts that are complex, unpredictable and require new strategic approaches; take responsibility for contributing to professional knowledge and practice and/or for reviewing the strategic performance of teams
Level 8	Demonstrate substantial authority, innovation, autonomy, scholarly and professional integrity and sustained commitment to the development of new ideas or processes at the forefront of work contexts including research

Intercultural and linguistic preparation

Living abroad and working in a foreign country will provide a deeper knowledge of another culture, its people and language.
Searching the Internet is one good way to access information of all sorts. Everything from companies, travel, leisure, language and customs. Important information such as passport and visa requirements are available on the internet as well as information on health and safety conditions. You will find information on currency exchange rates and the cost of living.

Useful links

Travel guides

www.lonelyplanet.com
cityguide-travel-guides.com

Information about countries

www.infoplease.com/countries.html

International newspapers

www.onlinenewspapers.com

Cultural difference

www.geert-hofstede.com

Embassies worldwide

www.embassyworld.com

Language skills are essential to do an effective job and to be able to establish contacts with customers or colleagues. Make sure you will manage in the work place and if needed then have language training before.

Implementing a Mobility Strategy

1. Preparation

Activities	Who is involved
Selecting of participants	ELCA, sending partner
Cultural and language preparation	Participant, sending partner, ELCA
Assessing the competence level of participants (EQF)	Participant, sending partner, ELCA
Assessing the language skills according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Language (CEFR). (Europass Language passport)	Participant, sending partner
Creating CV and cover letter (Europass CV)	Participant
Setting the goals of mobility. (Units)	Participant, sending partner, ELCA
Organizing the trip (tickets, insurance, accommodation, etc.)	Participant, sending partner, host partner, ELCA
Preparation of documents (Memorandum of Understanding, contract/agreement)	ELCA

2. Implementing (minimum of 30 days)

Becoming accustomed and getting to know the host company	Participant, host company
Working in the host company	Participant, host company

3. Validation and recognition

Assessing the level of competences of the participant	Participant, host company, ELCA
Assessing the outcomes of goals	Participant, host company, ELCA
Certificates (e.g. Europass)	Host company, ELCA
Report to the sending company (if there is one)	Participant
Recognizing of mobility outcomes for HR system of the company or qualification system of the country	Sending partner

Have a successful experience and make the best of it!