New ways of continuing education, further training: Exchange instead of course room
Continuing education, further training is no longer just about course rooms, flipcharts and certificates. Anyone working in adult education or vocational training today knows that the most exciting learning moments often happen outside the classroom - when we look over the shoulders of others, experience different ways of working or invite experienced colleagues from abroad to share their knowledge.
Two formats are becoming particularly important: job shadowing and the use of invited experts.
Both are operated byMovetiathe national agency for exchange and mobility, and open up new ways for people in continuing education and vocational training to develop their skills in a practical, inspiring and sustainable way.
With aJob shadowingspecialists spend a few days to several weeks in a foreign organization that is active in a similar field of education. Instead of theory, the focus here is on actual practice.
They sit in on lessons, talk to learners, attend team meetings, observe innovative teaching methods or experience live how other countries tackle challenges such as the shortage of skilled workers, digitalization or inclusion.
The big advantage: you don't learn from a manual, but directly from the experience of colleagues.
Many participants report that their view of their own work is changing. New methods are tried out, old routines are questioned, networks are created. And it often becomes clear that some solutions are surprisingly simple - you just have to have seen them.
It is not always possible to send employees abroad. This is where the second option comes into play: an expert from abroad as a "Invited Expert" to be invited.
This could be an experienced vocational trainer from Finland presenting new models of skills measurement, an adult educator from Portugal bringing innovative methods of learning motivation, or an expert from Austria showing how learning spaces can be designed to be more hybrid and flexible.
Such a visit often acts like a turbo boost for the Swiss institution:
- New perspectives come directly into the institution.
- Methods can be adapted immediately.
- Employees are given a safe space to ask questions and discuss ideas.
In short: international expertise becomes tangible and practicable.
Whether job shadowing or invited expert - both methods have something in common:
They make continuing education, further training lively, human and authentic.
Especially in adult education and vocational training, where practical relevance is crucial, the exchange of experience and concrete insights count much more than pure theory. In addition, international encounters strengthen important skills that are indispensable today:
- Intercultural sensitivity
- Innovative ability
- Agile learning
- Reflecting on your own role
These formats show: Continuing education, further training can also mean having the courage to leave your own comfort zone - or having it enriched by international voices.
Continuing education, further training can be done differently - and often more effectively
If you want to further develop your own educational work, job shadowing and the Invited Experts concept are two inspiring ways to bring fresh ideas into your own practice. These are forms of learning that not only convey content, but also connect people - and show how much potential there is in international exchange.
Take the next step now
Would you like to bring new impetus to your institution or experience international educational practice yourself? Then now is the right time to become active.
- Find out about the funding opportunities forJob shadowingandInvited Expertsonmovetia.ch.
- Check which strategic goals of your institution can be strengthened through international cooperation.
- Search specifically for suitable partner organizations - existing networks, specialist conferences or European platforms such asEPALEcan provide valuable starting points.
- Seek advice at an early stage to ensure that the idea, choice of partner and application are optimally coordinated.
Movetia supports you in developing a concrete project from this question.
