12 Medi 2011

International Work Based Learning Gathers Pace in Wales 

The second of a series of work placements organised by ColegauCymru for students from Europe to come to Wales for international work-based learning is coming to a successful end, at the same time as Welsh students are preparing to take up their own placements in Europe.

Thanks to a partnership between ColegauCymru and the Escola Técnica del Clot in Barcelona, Spain, three engineering students from Barcelona have been learning on the job for the last three months at GE Healthcare in Cardiff.

This week, with the work based learning placement at an end, Victor Rusiñol (19), Alejandro Almazán (19) and Samuel Perez (18) are returning to Spain to start their second year of a higher degree in Regulation and Automatic Control Systems.  An assessed work placement is a compulsory part of their course. 

A number of colleges across Europe, such as Escola Técnica del Clot, have gained a lot of experience in preparing their students for work placements in foreign countries as part of their studies, introducing them to the global skills economy. Now, through ColegauCymru’s central coordination, Wales, too, is joining its European counterparts, helping to coordinate a series of work placements in Wales for students from Spain whilst at the same time preparing Welsh students to have work experience in industry on the continent.

This type of work-based learning exchange scheme is ambitious and challenging for learners. It offers work experience for individual students in the workplace. Their tutors settle them in to the host country but then return home, leaving the learners to
 
fend for themselves. They have to cope on their own in a foreign country, communicate in an unfamiliar language, get along with work colleagues in a new environment, and sometimes, with a local family.

Victor said of his experience at GE Healthcare: “It was difficult at first. I was on work experience so of course I needed time to learn the job, but I was also learning in a foreign language and trying to understand a new culture – and my colleagues. But the effort was definitely worthwhile. I have learnt a lot of things that are relevant to my studies as well as learning about life. I have become more adult and mature.  Now I know I don’t have to depend on my parents. I can be independent and find my own place in the global workplace. 

“Without doubt I would recommend my work placement to other students. This experience has been awesome.”

The three students’ supervisor at GE Healthcare, Craig Elward, Instrument Team Leader in the Engineering Department said: “We were very pleased to be able to offer this placement. The challenges set for the students were sometimes technically difficult; however they did extremely well in completing the tasks with good humour and ability. We were initially concerned about spoken communication issues, but we soon discovered that this concern was not warranted. The students proved to be great ambassadors for their college and country.”

International Coordinator at ColegauCymru / CollegesWales, Siân Holleran, said: “ColegauCymru is working hard to provide opportunities for learners in Wales to broaden their horizons and find their place in the global economy.

“I am delighted that the work placement coordinated by ColegauCymru has proved a success for GE Healthcare, the three students, and their college in Spain. It augurs well for future international placements between Wales and other countries in Europe. Indeed, the first work placements for Welsh students have just begun. Last week, two apprentices from south Wales arrived in Italy and are now settling in to their three week work placement.

“I am looking forward to expanding these opportunities in Wales by widening the participation of Welsh learners in work placements in Europe.”

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Contact: Sylvia Davies on 029 2052 8384 or 07968 771913.
Notes to editors:

1. ColegauCymru / CollegesWales used to be called fforwm. It is a national educational charity that represents all 21 further education (FE) colleges and institutions in Wales. Its mission is to raise the profile of further education with key decision-makers to improve opportunities for learners in Wales. For further information about ColegauCymru / CollegesWales, and the colleges it represents, visit www.colegaucymru.ac.uk 

2. GE Healthcare Life Sciences employs more than 500 people at The Maynard Centre in Cardiff. The site is the centre of excellence for reagent development and manufacturing for Life Sciences products. The site was opened in 1980 at a cost of over $40 million and since that time has grown to become one of the major development and manufacturing centers in the GE Healthcare Life Sciences organization.

3. The work placements have been funded through the Erasmus internship programme, sourced by the Escola Técnica del Clot, Barcelona, Spain.

4. This is the second time that ColegauCymru has sourced work placements for international students. The first took place in May-June this year.