The City of Dublin ETB International Desk is an education support and innovation service where the focus is on not only learning from international experiences but also contributing and disseminating to it. Its vision is to generate and create a culture of innovation and creativity in collaboration with City of Dublin ETB schools, colleges and centres and generate partnerships and networks at local, national and international levels.

Many City of Dublin ETB schools, colleges and centres participate in international project work that is supported by the International Desk. Funding is provided by Leargas, the government body in Ireland with responsibility for the management and distribution of European funding currently known as the Erasmus+ Programme.

Erasmus+ Programmes are mainly in the areas of Vocational Education and Training (VET) and the Adult Education sectors and are defined as Key Action One Projects (KA1). As a result of Erasmus+ many City of Dublin ETB students experience an overseas work experience placement as part of their programme/course.

In recent years the City of Dublin ETB International Desk has partnered with several institutions in European countries and has completed Key Action Two Projects (KA2) in the VET area. Models of good practice have been developed and implemented in the areas of:

• Technology Enhanced Learning: TELMS
• Work-based Learning: BRIDGES
• Digital transformation: DiTRAVET
• Future Skills for Apprenticeship Trainers (FSTVET) 
• Intrapreneurship in the Social Economy Sector Social Intrapreneurship 

The International Desk has ensured that all of these models have been disseminated and adapted to suit various sectors of education nationally.

We are currently involved in two large scale KA3 projects: STREAM which aims to build a new micro-credential framework for the design and management of high quality WBL experiences both nationally and internationally and Cutting Edges.

Cutting Edges assists film and media teachers in further education (FET) and higher education (HE) in enhancing their skills in virtual production. By utilising digital tools, artificial intelligence, and creative workflows, these educators will be better equipped to teach these skills to their students. Additionally, Cutting Edges aims to develop a Studio Access Model that introduces film and media professionals to contemporary, non-linear virtual production systems.

In our Adult Education sector we are involved in a KA2 project: LIAM Language Inclusion of Adult Migrants: Supporting language skills for better job empowerment which aims to strengthen the language skills of adult migrants especially in relation to job searching and employment.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is key to generating and supporting the innovative process at all levels. The International Desk is active in the design and implementation of CPD opportunities for City of Dublin ETB staff to experience international best practice. It also accommodates and hosts customised study and research programmes for a growing number of international education bodies coming to Ireland.

The City of Dublin ETB International Desk is also involved in supporting global school projects in which our teaching staff contribute to the educational development of less developed countries such as Zambia and Sierra Leone.

The International Desk on behalf of City of Dublin ETB is happy to share and engage with schools, colleges and education bodies at all levels. Our contact email addresses are: erasmus@intl.cdetb.ie or mary.hickie@intl.cdetb.ie