Work Experience / Internships
By participating in the current cycle of Lifelong Learning Programmes, we have served a
wide variety of beneficiaries from all the 27 EU Member States and EEAs as well as candidate
countries in workforce preparedness programming:
Initial Vocational Training (IVT) and transnational placements in enterprises or training
institutions for Persons in the Labour Market (PLM) projects are centered around organizing,
monitoring, and certifying work experience such as internships and work placements. While
IVT projects are training placements consisting of vocational training and/or work experience,
PLM projects aim to support transnational mobility of workers, self-employed or people
available for employment (including graduates) undergoing a training period abroad in a
vocational training context. MS Barcelona Lifelong Learning programming places participants
of both projects in local companies, organisations and enterprises to gain real-world
experience. Our history includes programming designed for high school and college students,
recent graduates, those new to the job market, beneficiaries from marginalised communities,
and those who are chronically unemployed and with low skills sets who seek training and work
experience abroad.
Upon completion of the programme, participants will have gained practical training, skill
enhancements and sector knowledge through their placements with the host companies,
organisations and enterprises that sponsor their internship. Beneficiaries are able to
integrate themselves into the work environment for a real-world work experience and achieve
a wide-range of competencies in the work place, and they are able to return to their country
upon completion of the programme with improved skills in reading, writing and understanding
a foreign language. Additionally, some participants are able to practice the skills they had
learned in an academic environment as applied in the work place while others acquire new
skills altogether. All participants are able to acquire and/or improve Professional Skills such
as Leadership, Teamwork, Influencing/Negotiating and Communication. These transnational
programmes are especially successful at providing the participants with an opportunity to
improve Business Skills, such as Flexibility, Adaptability, and Problem Solving within the
environment in which they complete their internship. They master the skill of Planning, both in
the workplace as well as in their private lives in a foreign country. Placements are also
important to impart and fine-tune technical and specialty skills in their field of interest. Finally,
all participants improve their Personal Skills, such as Self-Awareness, Self-Management,
Motivation and Enthusiasm, Initiative, and Resourcefulness. Much of this improvement comes
from having to live and work in a foreign country and negotiate their private lives in a
totally-foreign environment, sometimes being away from their family or country for the first
time and having to adapt to strange environments and people from other cultures. All in all,
Lifelong Learning Programme participants return to their home country better equipped to
meet the unique challenges of their field or profession with improved opportunities to become
successful in the workforce.
wide variety of beneficiaries from all the 27 EU Member States and EEAs as well as candidate
countries in workforce preparedness programming:
Initial Vocational Training (IVT) and transnational placements in enterprises or training
institutions for Persons in the Labour Market (PLM) projects are centered around organizing,
monitoring, and certifying work experience such as internships and work placements. While
IVT projects are training placements consisting of vocational training and/or work experience,
PLM projects aim to support transnational mobility of workers, self-employed or people
available for employment (including graduates) undergoing a training period abroad in a
vocational training context. MS Barcelona Lifelong Learning programming places participants
of both projects in local companies, organisations and enterprises to gain real-world
experience. Our history includes programming designed for high school and college students,
recent graduates, those new to the job market, beneficiaries from marginalised communities,
and those who are chronically unemployed and with low skills sets who seek training and work
experience abroad.
Upon completion of the programme, participants will have gained practical training, skill
enhancements and sector knowledge through their placements with the host companies,
organisations and enterprises that sponsor their internship. Beneficiaries are able to
integrate themselves into the work environment for a real-world work experience and achieve
a wide-range of competencies in the work place, and they are able to return to their country
upon completion of the programme with improved skills in reading, writing and understanding
a foreign language. Additionally, some participants are able to practice the skills they had
learned in an academic environment as applied in the work place while others acquire new
skills altogether. All participants are able to acquire and/or improve Professional Skills such
as Leadership, Teamwork, Influencing/Negotiating and Communication. These transnational
programmes are especially successful at providing the participants with an opportunity to
improve Business Skills, such as Flexibility, Adaptability, and Problem Solving within the
environment in which they complete their internship. They master the skill of Planning, both in
the workplace as well as in their private lives in a foreign country. Placements are also
important to impart and fine-tune technical and specialty skills in their field of interest. Finally,
all participants improve their Personal Skills, such as Self-Awareness, Self-Management,
Motivation and Enthusiasm, Initiative, and Resourcefulness. Much of this improvement comes
from having to live and work in a foreign country and negotiate their private lives in a
totally-foreign environment, sometimes being away from their family or country for the first
time and having to adapt to strange environments and people from other cultures. All in all,
Lifelong Learning Programme participants return to their home country better equipped to
meet the unique challenges of their field or profession with improved opportunities to become
successful in the workforce.
Our work experience programmes provide benefits
for both trainee and host company, and training
objectives include:
use of knowledge, skills and qualifications to
facilitate personal and professional development;
where the participant is placed and the workforce
requirements of different industries and sectors;
knowledge in the job market and development of
an improved Curriculum Vitae to contribute to future
employment prospects;
a range of different projects and working as a
member of the team in a work environment, adding
diversity to the work place, and increasing
productivity;
context and gain fluency in the working language of
the labour market and nomenclature of the field.
for both trainee and host company, and training
objectives include:
- To support participants in training and
use of knowledge, skills and qualifications to
facilitate personal and professional development;
- To increase the understanding of the
where the participant is placed and the workforce
requirements of different industries and sectors;
- To assist beneficiaries in the develop-
knowledge in the job market and development of
an improved Curriculum Vitae to contribute to future
employment prospects;
- To contribute to the development of the
a range of different projects and working as a
member of the team in a work environment, adding
diversity to the work place, and increasing
productivity;
- To develop a greater understanding of the use
context and gain fluency in the working language of
the labour market and nomenclature of the field.
Work placements and Internships offer
programme participants unique opportunities
to practice a chosen career and gain practical
experience in a real work environment while
providing insights into business practices in
Spain.
The benefits of participating in a Work
Placement are innumerable:
proving skills and business capabilities,
establishing critical contacts and references,
communicating and interacting within a foreign
environment, and learning how to live and
work within a diverse setting for preparation of
many facets of life. The experience improves
communication, language and interpersonal
skills, and helps the programme participants
become more confident and successful in the
future of their career. Work placements often
provide the elements needed to create
professional and personal bonds that last a
lifetime.
that have undertaken business and admini-
strative studies are well prepared to hit the
ground running on projects that require the
knowledge they have learned in the classroom
from working with case studies, group projects
and simulated business exercises. Interna-
tional interns bring an added diversity and
cultural dimension to a local business venture
that may want to expand beyond national
borders, open markets for their products and
services, or require the services of a global
business consultant. Host organizations can
access new ideas, knowledge and the latest
innovations for application in their work
environment and an improvement for their
products and services from interns who can
bring a fresh approach to the work environ-
ment. Additionally, interns can supplement
existing staff to provide additional labour and
skills needed to complete projects, initiate new
activity or help meet deadlines while providing
permanent staff an opportunity to gain
supervisory experience.
Most Work Placements organized under the
Lifelong Learning Programme are typically
done so for a period of 10-15 weeks, but can
be shorter or longer according to needs. We
attempt to match the work environment to the
Interns´ specialty and interest. Because we
are located in Barcelona, most of our Work
Placements have been in the hospitality and
tourism, retail, IT, and business administration
sectors, but placements can also be arranged
for many other industries, fields and
specialties. Take a look at the sidebar to find
the sector that interests you the most. We
are also able to offer blended hybrid
programmes that combine seminars on the
subject matter of interest, language training
for terminology of the sector and professional
visits. These are organized for students,
primarily younger students in high school, who
are only able to come for a short period of
time or are enrolled in specific vocational
training that requires exposure to the working
environments of their industries, with the
majority of these projects lasting 1-2 weeks.
programme participants unique opportunities
to practice a chosen career and gain practical
experience in a real work environment while
providing insights into business practices in
Spain.
The benefits of participating in a Work
Placement are innumerable:
- Benefits for the participants – some
proving skills and business capabilities,
establishing critical contacts and references,
communicating and interacting within a foreign
environment, and learning how to live and
work within a diverse setting for preparation of
many facets of life. The experience improves
communication, language and interpersonal
skills, and helps the programme participants
become more confident and successful in the
future of their career. Work placements often
provide the elements needed to create
professional and personal bonds that last a
lifetime.
- Benefits for the hosts – Students
that have undertaken business and admini-
strative studies are well prepared to hit the
ground running on projects that require the
knowledge they have learned in the classroom
from working with case studies, group projects
and simulated business exercises. Interna-
tional interns bring an added diversity and
cultural dimension to a local business venture
that may want to expand beyond national
borders, open markets for their products and
services, or require the services of a global
business consultant. Host organizations can
access new ideas, knowledge and the latest
innovations for application in their work
environment and an improvement for their
products and services from interns who can
bring a fresh approach to the work environ-
ment. Additionally, interns can supplement
existing staff to provide additional labour and
skills needed to complete projects, initiate new
activity or help meet deadlines while providing
permanent staff an opportunity to gain
supervisory experience.
Most Work Placements organized under the
Lifelong Learning Programme are typically
done so for a period of 10-15 weeks, but can
be shorter or longer according to needs. We
attempt to match the work environment to the
Interns´ specialty and interest. Because we
are located in Barcelona, most of our Work
Placements have been in the hospitality and
tourism, retail, IT, and business administration
sectors, but placements can also be arranged
for many other industries, fields and
specialties. Take a look at the sidebar to find
the sector that interests you the most. We
are also able to offer blended hybrid
programmes that combine seminars on the
subject matter of interest, language training
for terminology of the sector and professional
visits. These are organized for students,
primarily younger students in high school, who
are only able to come for a short period of
time or are enrolled in specific vocational
training that requires exposure to the working
environments of their industries, with the
majority of these projects lasting 1-2 weeks.
Over the years, we have successfully
identified appropriate work environments to
fit the diverse interests and backgrounds of
the participants, devise a training schedule
of capacities to be developed or improved
during the internship period, serve as liaison
with their host companies, and process the
placements, including managing, monitoring,
evaluating and certifying placements. We
are able to issue Europass documentation
from the initiative sponsored by the European
Commission that aims to make labour market
skills and qualifications clearly and easily
understood.
Europass Mobility was established by the
European Parliament for a single Community
framework regarding the transparency of
qualifications and competencies. The Euro-
pass Mobility certification process is monitored
by MS Barcelona Lifelong Learning to record
an organised period of time (i.e., the mobility
experience) that is undertaken for the purpose
of learning or training. In our case, this refers
to a work placement in a business enterprise
or entrepreneurial venture, or a volunteer
placement in an NGO, where real-world labour
market skills are learned, developed or honed.
Click here to read more about the Europass.
identified appropriate work environments to
fit the diverse interests and backgrounds of
the participants, devise a training schedule
of capacities to be developed or improved
during the internship period, serve as liaison
with their host companies, and process the
placements, including managing, monitoring,
evaluating and certifying placements. We
are able to issue Europass documentation
from the initiative sponsored by the European
Commission that aims to make labour market
skills and qualifications clearly and easily
understood.
Europass Mobility was established by the
European Parliament for a single Community
framework regarding the transparency of
qualifications and competencies. The Euro-
pass Mobility certification process is monitored
by MS Barcelona Lifelong Learning to record
an organised period of time (i.e., the mobility
experience) that is undertaken for the purpose
of learning or training. In our case, this refers
to a work placement in a business enterprise
or entrepreneurial venture, or a volunteer
placement in an NGO, where real-world labour
market skills are learned, developed or honed.
Click here to read more about the Europass.
Popular Work Placements:
architecture and design * enology and
wine production * business and
commerce * tourism and ecotourism *
sustainability * transportation and
highway safety * retail * wholesale *
logistics * technology, biotechnology
and innovation * hotel management *
catering * energy, solar energy and wind
energy * theatre, dance, and music
event productions * artistic and cultural
presentations * art restoration * art
gallery and museum docents * textiles
and clothing * sport and leisure
activities * telecommunications *
recycling and waste management *
pulp, wood, and paper products *
multimedia * repair of motor vehicles
and automobiles * mining, mines,
metal products and metallurgy * media
and communication * machinery
installation, maintenance, and repair *
NGOs and nonprofits * microfinancing *
urban development and smart growth *
just commerce * dental technology
heating, ventilation, plumbing and
air-conditioning * health and human
services * graphics and marketing *
publishing and printing * media and
journalism * forestry * food and catering
industry * fisheries * environmental
protection * entrepreneurship * social
entrepreneurial enterprises * defense,
rescue and security * engineering *
culture and arts, crafts and design *
construction, building, and renovation *
culinary arts * cleaning, chemical
products, plastics, ceramics, other
non-metallic mineral products * marine
biology * fishing * conservation and
biological diversity * micro- biology and
biotechnology * finance and economics
* agriculture, viniculture, and horticulture
* boating and maritime transportation *
language training * translations and
interpretations * office administration
and management.......
architecture and design * enology and
wine production * business and
commerce * tourism and ecotourism *
sustainability * transportation and
highway safety * retail * wholesale *
logistics * technology, biotechnology
and innovation * hotel management *
catering * energy, solar energy and wind
energy * theatre, dance, and music
event productions * artistic and cultural
presentations * art restoration * art
gallery and museum docents * textiles
and clothing * sport and leisure
activities * telecommunications *
recycling and waste management *
pulp, wood, and paper products *
multimedia * repair of motor vehicles
and automobiles * mining, mines,
metal products and metallurgy * media
and communication * machinery
installation, maintenance, and repair *
NGOs and nonprofits * microfinancing *
urban development and smart growth *
just commerce * dental technology
heating, ventilation, plumbing and
air-conditioning * health and human
services * graphics and marketing *
publishing and printing * media and
journalism * forestry * food and catering
industry * fisheries * environmental
protection * entrepreneurship * social
entrepreneurial enterprises * defense,
rescue and security * engineering *
culture and arts, crafts and design *
construction, building, and renovation *
culinary arts * cleaning, chemical
products, plastics, ceramics, other
non-metallic mineral products * marine
biology * fishing * conservation and
biological diversity * micro- biology and
biotechnology * finance and economics
* agriculture, viniculture, and horticulture
* boating and maritime transportation *
language training * translations and
interpretations * office administration
and management.......
Our history of having secured high quality
placements for their beneficiaries is unmatched
– we work with enterprises that are both large
and small, national as well as international, with
a rich organizational and industry history as
well as start-ups. There are certain industries
where we are not able to organize placements.
These include medicine (not dentistry, for we
have successfully placed dental technology
interns), toxic wastes, and chemical
engineering. Additionally, we have not been
able to place in the public sector or interns
interested in public administration, as all official
activity here is conducted in Catalan, and very
few people outside our region of Spain have
this level of language capabilities. Interns in all
sectors are encouraged to participate in what
turns out to be the most invaluable foreign
work experience possible. And, of course, we
make sure all certification and documentation
is in order.
placements for their beneficiaries is unmatched
– we work with enterprises that are both large
and small, national as well as international, with
a rich organizational and industry history as
well as start-ups. There are certain industries
where we are not able to organize placements.
These include medicine (not dentistry, for we
have successfully placed dental technology
interns), toxic wastes, and chemical
engineering. Additionally, we have not been
able to place in the public sector or interns
interested in public administration, as all official
activity here is conducted in Catalan, and very
few people outside our region of Spain have
this level of language capabilities. Interns in all
sectors are encouraged to participate in what
turns out to be the most invaluable foreign
work experience possible. And, of course, we
make sure all certification and documentation
is in order.
Download the background material on
the work experience programming
sponsored by MS Barcelona Lifelong
Learning.
the work experience programming
sponsored by MS Barcelona Lifelong
Learning.
Click on the icon to learn more about
the Lifelong Learning Programme
sponsored by the European Union:
the Lifelong Learning Programme
sponsored by the European Union:
LIFELONG LEARNING - PROPOSAL SUBMISSION DEADLINES
Attention project coordinators! This year´s deadline for submitting proposals to your
National Agency for an IVT/PLM or VETPRO project sponsored under the Lifelong
Learning Programme is February 4th. Send your participants to Barcelona for the most
valuable work experience possible.
Programme Coordinators of Erasmus Mobility Programmes for students mobility for
placements - for both university students and Upper level Vocational Training students -
have until March 11th to submit proposals.
Whether you are a seasoned mobility programme coordinator or new to Lifelong
Learning, we are capable and experienced partners in ongoing efforts toward workforce
preparedness. MS Barcelona Lifelong Learning organizes mobility projects throughout
the year. In terms of being able to accommodate groups with specialized service, we can
receive groups of up to 20 beneficiaries at one time for either placements or hybrid
educational projects that combine professional visits with language training and
seminars. We have cultivated a solid base of local host companies and enterprises in
most sectors and fields, and our personalized attention to the needs of participants
begins before they leave their country of origin with our introductory correspondence
prior to their arrival. They are informed of tentative placements and are given informa-
tion on their project and a lot of information about Barcelona, its landscape, people,
language and culture. They even have an opportunity of communicating with their
tentative host company. Upon their arrival to Barcelona, they are met at the airport by
our staff. During orientation, participants receive information about the public
transportation system for the metropolitan area and receive their passes for public
transportation. This is an important note to make, as the success of their programme will
depend on their ability to move around freely on public transportation, the most
cost-effective and efficient transportation mode available. For this reason, we make sure
that their accommodations are located within walking distance of a metro, bus or train
where they can use the passes that are provided by the programme.
We have come to realize that having the public transportation option leads to
participants achieving a more intense cultural experience during their time in Barcelona,
as they are able to explore the different areas of the city, immerse themselves in the
culture of the people, and improve their language skills as they visit with the natives.
Barcelona is an important cultural centre and a major tourist destination with a rich
cultural history. Particularly renowned are architectural works that have been designated
UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and these are taken-in and savoured by participants
visiting our city. They also take advantage of their weekends to travel throughout the
region and many have taken the initiative to travel beyond our province to explore other
areas of Spain. Augmenting these experiences are the cultural outings we organize for
the groups to expose them to the uniqueness of our region.
We also organize work experience programming such as internships for participants from
outside the European community, so contact us today if you are interested in coming to
Barcelona for the most valuable experience possible.
We look forward to welcoming you to our corner of paradise right on the Mediterranean.
Please contact us if you require a Letter of Intent.
Attention project coordinators! This year´s deadline for submitting proposals to your
National Agency for an IVT/PLM or VETPRO project sponsored under the Lifelong
Learning Programme is February 4th. Send your participants to Barcelona for the most
valuable work experience possible.
Programme Coordinators of Erasmus Mobility Programmes for students mobility for
placements - for both university students and Upper level Vocational Training students -
have until March 11th to submit proposals.
Whether you are a seasoned mobility programme coordinator or new to Lifelong
Learning, we are capable and experienced partners in ongoing efforts toward workforce
preparedness. MS Barcelona Lifelong Learning organizes mobility projects throughout
the year. In terms of being able to accommodate groups with specialized service, we can
receive groups of up to 20 beneficiaries at one time for either placements or hybrid
educational projects that combine professional visits with language training and
seminars. We have cultivated a solid base of local host companies and enterprises in
most sectors and fields, and our personalized attention to the needs of participants
begins before they leave their country of origin with our introductory correspondence
prior to their arrival. They are informed of tentative placements and are given informa-
tion on their project and a lot of information about Barcelona, its landscape, people,
language and culture. They even have an opportunity of communicating with their
tentative host company. Upon their arrival to Barcelona, they are met at the airport by
our staff. During orientation, participants receive information about the public
transportation system for the metropolitan area and receive their passes for public
transportation. This is an important note to make, as the success of their programme will
depend on their ability to move around freely on public transportation, the most
cost-effective and efficient transportation mode available. For this reason, we make sure
that their accommodations are located within walking distance of a metro, bus or train
where they can use the passes that are provided by the programme.
We have come to realize that having the public transportation option leads to
participants achieving a more intense cultural experience during their time in Barcelona,
as they are able to explore the different areas of the city, immerse themselves in the
culture of the people, and improve their language skills as they visit with the natives.
Barcelona is an important cultural centre and a major tourist destination with a rich
cultural history. Particularly renowned are architectural works that have been designated
UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and these are taken-in and savoured by participants
visiting our city. They also take advantage of their weekends to travel throughout the
region and many have taken the initiative to travel beyond our province to explore other
areas of Spain. Augmenting these experiences are the cultural outings we organize for
the groups to expose them to the uniqueness of our region.
We also organize work experience programming such as internships for participants from
outside the European community, so contact us today if you are interested in coming to
Barcelona for the most valuable experience possible.
We look forward to welcoming you to our corner of paradise right on the Mediterranean.
Please contact us if you require a Letter of Intent.
At MS Barcelona Lifelong Learning, we have come to specialize in a few industries and sector that are of paramount economic importance to
this region of Spain: hospitality and tourism; fashion and retail; technology and innovation; entrepreneurship; management, administration and
international trade; ecology, sustainability and architecture; language training; and the wine industry. These sectors offer the most availability
of host companies willing to participate in the framework of training. However, we also have had a good track record of placements in a wide
variety of fields and internships with requirements in esoteric subject matter. Our placement process takes place over several months we we
coordinate with the promoter the specific requirements of the project and liaison with the host companies to prepare the training objectives of
the placement. We require an application form accompanied by a CV and motivational letter from all applicants at least six weeks prior to their
anticipated arrival. We look for indicators that inform us of the applicant´s background, studies, interests and capabilities as well as his or her
language fluency. With this information, we set in motion the search for appropriate host companies in the industries indicated in the
application form. Once an appropriate host is identified, the negotiations spearheaded by MS Barcelona staff for the placement take place.
When participants become members of the host organization´s workplace team, they work under the same environment and working conditions
as normal employees. They must observe company policy with regards to timekeeping, discipline, standards of dress, health and safety. It is
expected that participants work the same hours as are the regular business hours of the host company. Under the Lifelong Learning
Programme guidelines, beneficiaries are expected to work a minimum of 30 hours a week but cannot exceed 40 hours in their work week
except by mutual consent between the beneficiary and the host company. We have found in our experience that many participants coming for
work experience programming under LdV seek additional work during their time off to practice their language, improve their skills, or earn
some money with part-time paid employment.
