The NRW initiative “Europe – Experience and Learn” promotes stays abroad for trainees and strengthens international skills.
Europe – Experience and Learn: NRW initiative for international training experiences
The NRW initiative “Europa – Erleben und Lernen” (Europe – Experience and Learn) is specifically committed to promoting stays abroad as part of vocational training. The aim is to give trainees in North Rhine-Westphalia the opportunity to gain valuable international experience and expand their professional and personal skills.
The initiative offers advice on the organization, financing and legal issues surrounding internships abroad. It supports companies and trainees in integrating international experience in a simple and practical way.
Network meeting to promote stays abroad
The “Europe – Experience and Learn” network meeting took place in Essen on November 19, 2025. The event brought together network partners to discuss the opportunities and challenges of internships abroad in education.
The “Europe – Experience and Learn” initiative is supported by the European Youth Parliament Germany e.V. and promotes cooperation between companies, chambers and educational institutions. The aim is to strengthen the mobility of trainees and facilitate access to funding programs such as Erasmus and “Vocational Training without Borders”.
The focus was on two specialist presentations:
“Internships abroad during and after vocational training” by Rebecca Hof, consultant in the “Vocational Training without Borders” network, Düsseldorf Chamber of Crafts. Ms. Hof reported on the support options that trainees and training companies can obtain from the IHK.
Under the heading “Europe and you – opportunities where others see problems”, Nico Gregorincic, Erasmus ambassador and former apprentice, reported on his experiences during his stay abroad in Austria. His vivid descriptions conveyed the impression that he had risen to the challenges. In this context, the other participants reported that the companies also benefit from these experiences and what they learn during their stay abroad.
The advantages for the companies were also discussed, including the fact that they can increase their attractiveness as a training company.
A particular highlight was the signing of a declaration of intent to strengthen the international mobility of trainees in North Rhine-Westphalia by the company LEUE & NILL GmbH Co. KG, which was represented by its training manager Marco Strittmatter.