Industry Partnership and Workplace Mentoring

The bridge between classroom and workplace makes all the difference.

Inclusion and DiversityParticipation in Democratic LifeErasmus+ KA1 VET

About This Course

The relationship between VET institutions and the employers who host their learners is one of the most critical and most neglected dimensions of VET quality. Research consistently shows that placement quality is determined less by the placement itself than by the quality of the relationship between the VET institution and the workplace host.

This course gives VET professionals a thorough, practical and relationship-focused engagement with industry partnership and workplace mentoring. Participants explore how to build and sustain productive long-term partnerships with employers, and develop effective workplace mentors who can support VET learners.

The course is aligned with the Herning Declaration's emphasis on VET as a driver of local economic development, the Erasmus Quality Standards and the EU agenda for strengthening VET-employer cooperation.

Industry Partnership And Workplace Mentoring

Who Should Attend

  • VET teachers and trainers who coordinate work placements and industry partnerships
  • VET institution managers responsible for employer relations
  • Erasmus+ coordinators managing VET learner mobility
  • In-company trainers who mentor VET learners
  • VET curriculum developers working with industry advisory groups

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course participants will be able to:

  • Build and sustain productive long-term partnerships with employers across your vocational sector.

    A strong employer partnership is built over years. You will have a practical framework for developing employer relationships from initial contact to strategic partnership, with communication strategies for each stage.

  • Design and deliver effective workplace mentor preparation programmes.

    Most workplace mentors receive little or no preparation. You will design a practical mentor preparation programme for your own sector covering the skills, knowledge and attitudes that effective mentors need.

    LifeComp Social AreaErasmus Quality Standards for VET
  • Use structured work-based learning agreements and review processes to maintain placement quality.

    You will have practical tools for monitoring and improving placement quality on an ongoing basis, including mid-placement reviews, learning agreement monitoring and employer feedback processes.

    Erasmus Quality Standards for VETHerning Declaration 2026 to 2030
  • Connect VET-employer partnerships to local economic development and the twin transition agenda.

    VET institutions that position themselves as drivers of local skills development for the digital and green transitions are the ones employers most want to partner with.

    EntreCompHerning Declaration 2026 to 2030

A 7-Day Professional Development Experience

Five days of intensive training with a structured arrival day and cultural excursion. We tailor every programme to your organisation's needs.

Day 1
Sunday - Arrival and Welcome

Welcome dinner and orientation walk.

Day 2
Monday - The VET-Employer Partnership Landscape
MorningThe policy context: Herning Declaration, Erasmus Quality Standards and EU VET-employer cooperation agenda.
AfternoonPartnership audit: participants map their current employer relationships.
Day 3
Tuesday - Building and Sustaining Employer Relationships
MorningThe partnership development cycle. Communication strategies for different employer types.
AfternoonParticipants develop an employer engagement strategy for their sector.
Day 4
Wednesday - Workplace Mentor Development
MorningWhat effective workplace mentoring looks like. Research on mentor quality and placement outcomes.
AfternoonDesigning a workplace mentor preparation programme for your sector.
Day 5
Thursday - Quality Assurance and Improvement
MorningMonitoring and reviewing placement quality. Structured reviews and employer feedback.
AfternoonUsing industry partnerships for curriculum development.
Day 6
Friday - Action Planning
MorningIndustry partnership development plan for your institution.
AfternoonPresentations, certificates and farewell dinner.
Day 7
Saturday - Cultural Excursion and Departure

Guided cultural excursion. Departure at convenience.

This outline is a starting point. Contact us to discuss how we can tailor this programme for your organisation.

EU Policy Alignment

EU Competence Frameworks

EU Policy Initiatives

Herning Declaration on VET 2026 to 2030Erasmus Quality Standards for VET MobilityEU VET Employer Partnership Framework
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Available Locations and Dates

Check the dates page for current availability.

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