Analysis of the effects of Leonardo da Vinci mobility measures on young trainees, employees and the influence of socio-economic factors

The Leonardo da Vinci (LdV) program is one of the most important European programs of vocational education and training (VET). It aims to improve the transnational mobility of young people and to generate innovation in VET. This research contains an impact analysis of LdV mobility measures on young trainees and employees, and the influence of socio-economic factors. From January until March 2007, participants in mobility measures were surveyed. Replies were received from 8,397 people, a response rate of 35.2%. This high rate of return, and the huge number of completed questionnaires can...  [+] Show more

The Leonardo da Vinci (LdV) program is one of the most important European programs of vocational education and training (VET). It aims to improve the transnational mobility of young people and to generate innovation in VET. This research contains an impact analysis of LdV mobility measures on young trainees and employees, and the influence of socio-economic factors. From January until March 2007, participants in mobility measures were surveyed. Replies were received from 8,397 people, a response rate of 35.2%. This high rate of return, and the huge number of completed questionnaires can be considered as generating representative results. The study found that LdV measures in particular strengthen so-called soft qualifications, such as individual initiatives, team play, and cultural and individual openness towards new developments and changes. It also found that there is a positive coherence between training and education, and the vocational career, higher income, and gaining individual and socio-cultural qualifications. The acceptance of training certificates by (potential) employers has to be improved. There should be a certificate for all participants that is generally accepted as valuable in vocational and further training, which at least provides the employer with detailed information as to which competencies and techniques were acquired by the mobility measure.