24 November 2011
Spanish: Key to Engineering Apprentices' Work Programme
The chance of a European work placement is inspiring engineering apprentices from Wales to broaden their horizons. First step: learn Spanish.
Spain is hosting two-week work placements for apprentices from Wales under a programme led by CollegesWales International - the international arm of ColegauCymru / CollegesWales. The European-funded programme is working with colleges across Spain - in the Basque Country, Catalonia and the Balearic Islands - to source work placements for up to 26 apprentices from Wales in the spring of 2012.
This work placement programme is ambitious and challenging for learners. The apprentices' tutors settle them in to the host country and then leave the apprentices to take on the responsibility of doing a job of work in a company in Europe. They will have to adapt to a new culture, get along with new colleagues and communicate in an unfamiliar language for the duration of their stay.
Today, five engineering students who study at Coleg Morgannwg have been given time by their companies - FSG Tool and Die, RPC Containers and Eries Magnetics, along with two tutors from Neath Port Talbot College - Michael Rees and Colin Thomas, to start to prepare for the placements that will take place next March by learning Spanish.
One of the apprentices, 19 year old Luke Parry who works FSG Tool and Die, said: "I chose not to study languages at school: science and technology was my thing. But this is different. It's real - I'm going to work in Spain. I will need to understand my job, my colleagues, and of course the boss! And I'll need to sort myself out - buy food, use public transport. Everything.
"It puts learning a language into a whole new perspective. I'm totally motivated to learn Spanish now. I'll have to work hard between now and March to squash enough Spanish into my head to be able to make the most of this experience.
"I'm also looking forward to adding a modern foreign language to my CV. Itís great that the language course Iím on is going to be accredited so Iíll have something on paper to show for it. And a work experience in another country, too, Iím really hoping that that will help in many ways in future."
International Coordinator at ColegauCymru / CollegesWales, Siân Holleran, who is herself a linguist, said: "ColegauCymru is working hard to provide opportunities for learners in Wales to broaden their horizons and find their place in the global economy. There has never been a better time for ambitious college students who have set their sights on a vocational career path to add a modern foreign language to their suite of vocational skills.
"In partnership with CILT Cymru, the National Centre for Languages in Wales, ColegauCymru has organised intensive language training for the apprentices, accredited by the WJEC, with sessions held in North and South Wales.
"Internationally portable vocational careers can be found in beauty therapy, business administration, catering, construction, education, engineering, and more. High level technical and soft skills plus experience of other cultures and a grasp of another language make for an unbeatable combination.
"I am looking forward to expanding these opportunities in Wales by widening the participation of Welsh learners in work placements in Europe and I wish this first group of apprentices the best of luck with their Spanish!"
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Contact: Sylvia Davies on 029 2052 8384 or 07968 771913.
Notes to editors:
1. ColegauCymru / CollegesWales was previously known as fforwm. It is a national educational charity that represents all 20 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 or www.collegeswales.ac.uk
2. CollegesWales International is the international arm of ColegauCymru / CollegesWales.
3. The European work placement programme organised by CollegesWales International is funded by the Leonardo Programme - part of the European Unionís Lifelong Learning Programme http://www.leonardo.org.uk/
4. CILT Cymru is the National Centre for Languages in Wales http://www.ciltcymru.org.uk/
5. In the first year of the CollegesWales International programme, up to 30 apprentices from colleges across Wales will be supported in work placements in Spain. Other countries in Europe have already signalled their interest to become involved in the programme if CollegesWales International is successful in its funding bit to continue the programme beyond 2011/12.
6. The five apprentices learning Spanish today were (L to R in the photo): Rhys Johnson, Rhys Jones, Andrew Stubbs, Luke Parry, Evan Griffiths.