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Taith Pathway 1 Mobility of Participants 2024

FE & VET Version 1.0, January 2024
  1. Taith Pathway 1
    1. An introduction to Taith Pathway 1
    2. Inward mobilities (Reciprocity)
    3. Eligible Sectors
    4. Sustainability
  2. Pathway 1 Timelines and Available Budget
    1. Timelines
    2. Available Budget
  3. Eligibility
    1. Project duration
    2. Eligible organisations
    3. Eligible mobilities, participants and costs
    4. Inward Mobility
  4. Pathway 1 Grant Rates and Eligible Costs
    1. Travel, Subsistence and Organisational Support
    2. Course/Training Costs
    3. Virtual Group Exchanges: Development Costs
    4. Inclusion support
    5. Additional Eligible Costs
  5. Applying for Pathway 1
    1. Deadline
    2. Before you apply
    3. Completing an application
    4. Pathway 1 Application Questions and Assessment Criteria
  6. What happens once an application is submitted
    1. Assessment of applications
    2. Funding allocations
  7. What happens if your application is successful
    1. Project Management
    2. Additional funding
    3. Reporting
    4. Certificates of Expenditure
  8. Annex 1 Pathway 1 Grant Rates
  9. Glossary

3. Eligibility
Mae grŵp mawr o bobl yn sefyll rhwng dau adeilad. Mae'r mwyafrif yn dal chwe bys i fyny.

This section details all the information on eligible organisations, activities, durations, participants and costs for the FE & VET sector. Information relating to other sectors can be found in the relevant sector’s Pathway 1 Guide.

3.1. Project duration

Eligible project durations are:

  • 12 months
  • 18 months
  • 24 months

When considering the length of mobilities, please ensure you investigate the visa requirements of the country(ies) to which you plan to travel and allow sufficient time for the visa application process (where relevant).

Taith is unable to provide advice on visas or provide support for organisations or individuals with visa applications.

3.2. Eligible organisations

Organisations can only submit one application per sector per Pathway funding call. Applicants should ensure that multiple applications to the same Pathway funding call are not submitted by different parties in the same organisation. Where organisations work across multiple sectors, they can submit one application per sector, provided they meet the eligibility criteria for those sectors.

Eligible organisations should apply directly to Taith for funding on behalf of their participants. Individual participants are not eligible to apply directly to Taith.

3.2.1 Eligible applying organisations:

FE

  • Any public or private organisation regulated or registered in, and operating from, Wales active in the field of further education, and which offers a range of courses at different levels within the Credit and Qualifications Framework for Wales, leading to accredited qualifications;
  • National, regional or local co-ordinating bodies operating within Wales and overseeing the provision of further education; 
  • Consortium of organisations/providers, which comprises a single lead organisation applying on behalf of two or more further education providers, in the field of further education. All members of the consortium must be regulated or registered in, and operating from, Wales. Consortium partners must be agreed and named at the point of application and it is not permitted for the lead organisation to charge a fee to consortium partners for inclusion in the bid. 

Applying organisations must have demonstrable, recent, experience of delivering activity within the sector to which they are applying.

VET

Any public or private organisation regulated or registered in, and operating from, Wales, active in the field of vocational education & training, which offer a range of courses, leading to accredited qualifications, including:

  • National co-ordinating bodies operating within Wales and overseeing the provision of education or training in the field of vocational education and training;
  • Companies and other public or private organisations hosting, training or otherwise working with learners and apprentices in vocational education and training; 
  • Consortium of organisations, which comprises a single lead organisation applying on behalf of  two or more vocational education and training providers, in the field of vocational education & training. All members of the consortium must be regulated or registered in, and operating from, Wales. Consortium partners must be agreed and named at the point of application.

Applying organisations must have demonstrable, recent, experience of delivering activity within the sector to which they are applying.

All potential applying organisations are advised to check they are eligible to apply prior to submitting an application and to contact the Taith team if they have any questions.

3.2.2 Eligible receiving organisations:

The applying organisations, as defined above, can generally send their participants to the following receiving organisations outside of the UK or (for introductory travel experiences only), outside of Wales to receiving organisations in the rest of the UK (to ensure inclusivity or participation):

  • Any public or private organisation active in the field of vocational education and training recognised and regulated by competent authorities of the country within which the provider is operating and incorporated and/or domiciled;  
  • Any public or private organisation active in the labour market or in the fields of vocational education and training. 

Orphanages are not eligible receiving organisations.

3.2.3 Eligible sending organisations (inward mobilities):

FE and VET providers registered and operating outside the UK and the British Overseas Territories can send eligible participants to be hosted in Wales. 

Sending organisations can be: 

  • Any public, or private organisation, registered with the relevant regulatory body/bodies, delivering vocational education and training; or 
  • National or regional co-ordinating bodies overseeing the provision of education or training in the field of vocational education and training.

3.3. Eligible mobilities, participants and costs

Taith’s purpose is to create life-changing opportunities for learners and young people across Wales, in particular those from underrepresented groups.  At least 25% of learners or young people taking part in the planned project must be from underrepresented groups and applicants will be expected to demonstrate that this target will be met within their application. 

If learners or young people aren’t participating in the project, applicants will need to explain why this is not feasible and how the proposed project will create immediate and lasting benefits for learners or young people, in particular those from underrepresented groups.

Grant rates and eligible cost can be found in section 4.

3.3.1 Learner Activities

Group Mobilities

Minimum 3 days – maximum 1 month.
For UK based introductory mobilities: Minimum 3 days – maximum 5 days.

A group mobility is an opportunity for groups of FE/VET learners to experience an international learning exchange, accompanied by staff who can support them and guide the learning experience. Staff from the organisation must accompany the learners for the entire duration of the activity. If needed, other adults may also act as accompanying persons to support the accompanying staff. Activities must have clearly defined learning outcomes. Learning can be formal, informal or non-formal, but must involve exchange and collaboration with peers from an international partner organisation, enabling learners to develop skills, competencies, intercultural awareness and understanding. 

Mobilities which do not involve exchange with peers from another country/other countries are not eligible for funding.

Introductory group mobility: These are short, UK based introductory mobilities which are possible as part of a progression to an international mobility, where applying organisations feel that an international mobility would otherwise not be achievable. Applications for introductory group mobilities must also include an international group mobility for the same intended participants. Applying organisations must be explicit in their applications as to why a UK based introductory mobility is essential to enable their learners to engage with an international mobility opportunity.

Introductory mobilities are only eligible for learner group mobilities. 

Eligible costs

Detailed information on eligible costs and grant rates can be found in section 4.

  • A subsistence grant
  • A travel grant
  • 100% of actual costs for additional travel related costs for participants from disadvantaged backgrounds. 
  • 100% of actual identified inclusion costs for Disabled people and people with additional learning needs. 
  • The applying organisation(s) will receive an organisational support grant for each outward (and inward) participant.

Eligible participants

  • FE learners engaged with learning activities and enrolled on an accredited programme at an eligible FE college. 
  • VET learners engaged with learning or training activities and enrolled at a VET provider. 

Accompanying persons: Learners must be accompanied by staff employed by the FE college/VET provider – teaching or non-teaching. If needed, other adults may also act as accompanying persons to support the accompanying FE/VET staff.

Individual Mobilities

Minimum 2 weeks – maximum 12 months

An individual mobility is an opportunity for an individual participant to have an independent and bespoke learning experience through an international learning exchange. These learners do not require any accompanying persons. Learning can be formal or informal, but must involve exchange and collaboration, with young people working alongside peers from an international partner organisation to develop skills, competencies, intercultural awareness and understanding. Because learners are unaccompanied on the mobility, a bespoke learning programme must be developed for each participant, obligatory pre-departure training must be provided, and continuous support arrangements made with a relevant receiving organisation for the duration of the mobility.  

Mobilities which do not involve exchange with peers from another country/other countries are not eligible for funding.  

Eligible costs

Detailed information on eligible costs and grant rates can be found in section 4.

  • A subsistence grant
  • A travel grant
  • 100% of actual costs for additional travel related costs for participants from disadvantaged backgrounds. 
  • 100% of actual identified inclusion costs for Disabled people and people with additional learning needs. 
  • The applying organisation(s) will receive an organisational support grant for each outward (and inward) participant. 

Eligible participants

  • FE learners engaged with learning activities and enrolled on an accredited programme at an eligible FE college. 
  • VET learners engaged with learning or training activities and enrolled at a VET provider. 

Virtual Group Exchanges

A minimum of 35 hours of virtual engagement.

A wholly non-physical exchange which will allow the virtual engagement of a group of learners where physical mobility or travel for participants would otherwise not be possible/feasible. Staff from the organisation must accompany the learners for the entire duration of the activity and guide the learning process. 

Virtual group exchanges should enable learners to experience an international exchange, communicate with and work alongside peers from an international partner organisation, and to develop skills, knowledge and understanding.  

Virtual exchanges must not be used as a substitute for those participants that require extra support and funding to undergo a physical mobility. Applying organisations must be explicit in their applications as to why a wholly virtual mobility is the only format suitable for their learners.

Blended mobilities (those which involve both physical and virtual mobility elements) are encouraged, but will not generate additional funding for the virtual mobility element. Funding for virtual mobilities is only available where there is no element of physical mobility involved.

Eligible costs

Virtual exchanges development costs:

A contribution towards the cost of developing and delivering high-quality virtual exchanges, including a contribution to course fees where virtual exchanges are facilitated by a third-party provider. 100% of actual costs and up to £1,200 is available per project, based on actual costs.

Organisational Support:
The applying organisation(s) will receive an organisational support grant for up to 20 participants per project who complete the minimum 35 hours of virtual engagement. Additional participants are strongly encouraged but will not attract additional organisational support.
3.3.2 Staff Activities

All staff mobilities should create immediate and lasting benefits for learners, particularly those from underrepresented groups. Applicants are expected to provide details on how this will be achieved under ‘Objective 1- Ensure Exchanges Provide the Greatest Impact’ of the Pathway 1 assessment criteria. 

Job shadowing and Placements

Job shadowing: A minimum of 3 days – a maximum of 2 months.
Placements: A minimum of 3 days – a maximum of 12 months.

Placements must comprise a minimum of 10 hours of training per week. If the mobility lasts less/longer than one week, the minimum number of training hours for an incomplete week should be proportional to the actual duration.

Job shadowing will involve mobility opportunities for staff to undergo a job shadowing mobility, facilitating best practice, knowledge exchange, career development and professional development.

Placements for appropriately experienced staff to spend a period of time teaching learners at a partner organisation abroad. Placements may include providing training for the development of the partner organisation.

Placements and job shadowing may be combined during a single period abroad.

 

Eligible costs

Detailed information on eligible costs and grant rates can be found in section 4.

  • A subsistence grant.
  • A travel grant
  • 100% of actual costs for additional travel related costs for participants from disadvantaged backgrounds. 
  • 100% of actual identified inclusion costs for Disabled people and people with additional learning needs. 
  • The applying organisation(s) will receive an organisational support grant for each outward (and inward) participant.

 

Eligible participants

For teaching placements:

Appropriately qualified/experience teaching staff or school leaders holding a contract of employment with an eligible college.

For job shadowing: 

  • Staff involved in the delivery of further education and vocational education and training and employed by the participating eligible education provider.
  • Other members of staff employed by an eligible participating further and vocational education and training provider. 

 

Training Courses and Professional Development

A minimum 2 days – maximum 2 weeks (maximum 10 days course fee per participant).

Funding for participants to access a structured course or a similar kind of training provided by qualified professionals and based on a pre-defined learning programme and learning outcomes. The training course, or professional development, must have demonstrable added value to the participants function and wider strategic goals within the applying organisation. The training must involve participants from at least two different countries and must allow participants to interact with other learners and with the trainers. Predominantly passive activities such as listening to lectures, speeches or attendance at conferences are not eligible.

 

Eligible costs

Detailed information on grant rates and eligible costs can be found in section 4.

  • A subsistence grant.
  • A travel grant
  • Contribution to course fees up to a maximum of £40 per participant per day and maximum £400 per same participant per project/Grant Agreement.
  • 100% of actual costs for additional travel related costs for participants from disadvantaged backgrounds. 
  • 100% of actual identified inclusion costs for Disabled people and people with additional learning needs. 
  • The applying organisation will receive an organisational support grant for each outward (and inward) participant.

Ineligible costs: 

  • Conference fees or travel to international conferences.

 

Eligible participants

  • Staff involved in the delivery of further education and vocational education and training and employed by the participating eligible education provider.
  • Other members of staff employed by an eligible participating further and vocational education and training provider. 

 

Best practice and innovation

A minimum 3 days – maximum 2 months

These are activities which focus on quality, innovation and recognition of FE & VET work and bringing back lessons learnt and tools to the organisations involved in the projects and beyond. 

Activities could include working with participants from partner organisations abroad to develop new educational approaches or collaborate with partners to bring together examples of best practice from different countries.

 

Eligible costs

Detailed information on grant rates and eligible costs can be found in section 4.

  • A subsistence grant.
  • A travel grant
  • 100% of actual costs for additional travel related costs for participants from disadvantaged backgrounds. 
  • 100% of actual identified inclusion costs for Disabled people and people with additional learning needs. 
  • The applying organisation(s) will receive an organisational support grant for each outward (and inward) participant.

 

Eligible participants

  • Staff involved in the delivery of further education and vocational education and training and employed by the participating eligible education provider.
  • Other members of staff employed by an eligible participating further and vocational education and training provider. 

 

Preparatory visits

A minimum of 2 days – maximum of 7 days.

Funded visits to new or existing international partners for the purposes of supporting planned or ongoing Taith mobilities being applied for within the same application. Each preparatory visit must have a clear rationale and must serve to improve inclusiveness, scope and quality of mobility activities. For example, preparatory visits can be organised to better prepare for the mobility of participants with additional needs, to start working with a new partner organisation or to prepare mobility activities for a longer duration. They can also be organised to provide support for learners on longer term individual mobilities. Preparatory visits can be organised in preparation for any type of learner mobility, and for staff mobilities where there is a clear rationale.  

Taith will fund up to a maximum of three preparatory visits per application and up to a maximum of two participants per visit. In exceptional circumstances,  applying organisations may request more than two participants per visit where clear rationale and justification is provided.  

The activity that the preparatory visit(s) is intended to support must also be included within the application.

 

Eligible costs

Detailed information on grant rates and eligible costs can be found in section 4.

  • A subsistence grant.
  • A travel grant.
  • 100% of actual costs for additional travel related costs for participants from disadvantaged backgrounds. 
  • 100% of actual identified inclusion costs for Disabled people and people with additional learning needs. 

This activity will not generate organisational support payments.

 

Eligible participants

  • Staff involved in the delivery of further education and vocational education and training and employed by the participating eligible education provider.
  • Other members of staff employed by an eligible participating further and vocational education and training provider.

 

3.4. Inward Mobility

Applicants may request an additional 30% of the amount requested for outward mobility activities to bring people into Wales. Information on eligible sending organisations can be found in section 3.2.3.

Eligible participants

Learners: 

  • Learners enrolled/registered with an eligible organisation and pursuing a course in the field of FE or VET. 

Staff: 

  • Staff working in the field of FE or VET, holding a contract of employment with an eligible sending organisation.
  • Staff must be a minimum of 18 years old.  
  • Appropriately experienced staff working in the field of further or vocational education and holding a relevant qualification where appropriate.
Eligible activities

All activities defined as eligible activities for outward mobility are also eligible for the purposes of inward mobility. All restrictions and requirements are the same for inward mobilities as outward mobilities.

Eligible costs and payments

Inward mobility participants are eligible to receive grant funding for travel and subsistence for their mobility to Wales. The applying organisation in Wales, as the Taith Grant Recipient, will receive an organisational support grant for every inward participant to Wales.  Funding for inward mobility activities will be paid to the Welsh applying organisation to appropriately distribute to the partner (sending) organisation.

The applying organisation in Wales, as the Taith Grant Recipient and host of the inward participants, will be expected to clearly communicate the terms of any contributions to be made and to specify the amount of financial support allocated to the inward participant(s). 

Inward mobility participants will receive Group 1 subsistence rates, and a travel grant at the same level as the rates defined for the equivalent outward mobility. Payments to an inward participant may not exceed the equivalent grant rate of an outward participant from Wales to a Group 1 country for the same duration and type of mobility activity.