Students test drive careers through European work placements

Students from across SERC have been taking part in two-week European work placements through VET Mobility projects, funded by Erasmus+ and supported by the European Commission. 

The placements have given students an insight into what it’s like to work in the industry they will one day be working in as well as an opportunity to develop their technical skills set and knowledge.  Thanks to the placement’s students will benefit from boosted confidence and skills such as communication, problem-solving and team-work as they had to navigate new cities, public transport and most importantly buying an ice cream in another language!  

Students travelled to Italy, Malta and Spain thanks to several partnerships between different schools and organisations.  

Performing and Production Arts students took centre stage in Italy. This was possible thanks to a two year partnership with UNISER in Forli. Last year, ten students had placements in local theatres, film, events companies and a student radio station, and this year eight students from Bangor got an insight into back stage production and front of house operations, completing placements in theatres in Faenza, Bologna and Forli. By working with professional staff, the students have improved their technical knowledge and skills which will look great on their CV. The group also got to experience the theatre from the other side, enjoying a live performance of an Urban Dance show.  

It was more than just child’s play for Early Years students from Ards, Lisburn and Downpatrick. They had a two-year programme through UNISER to undertake placements in childcare settings including pre-primary and middle schools. Nineteen SERC students supported the childcare staff and designed and carried out activities with the children. Communication was the biggest challenge for the students, but one they enjoyed.

With trips to cities like Florence and Venice, the two mobility programmes gave the students a great Italian work and cultural experience.

Football coaching experience was the goal for 24 Sports students from Bangor, Downpatrick and Lisburn with Luxol Sports Club, an organisation dedicated to promoting sports excellence on the island of Malta. During their two-week work placements, the students assisted, planned and delivered various sports activities for primary school children and worked with Luxol’s qualified coaches at their football academy. It allowed the students to practice and develop their coaching with a range of age groups and skills levels; enhancing their understanding of the role, responsibilities and skills required by a coach.

Surfing of the computing kind took place in Malta as Bangor students also partnered with Luxol who used their contacts to secure and organise placements within IT. 20 students spent time learning from people in the industry. In the second year, students worked in Scan, the largest Computer and IT retailer in Malta assisting with repair and maintenance; and with the Malta Information Technology Agency where students were paired with staff across three departments carrying out tasks within research, design and development of mobile apps, providing feedback for improvements.

Sun, sea and marketing projects was the focus for ten Travel and Tourism students from Lisburn. In a new partnership with FFUSL in Tenerife they learned and improved their digital marketing skills through tourism projects. They also got to experience some of the main tourist attractions on the beautiful island and cultural activities including Flamenco and Salsa.

Nine Professional Cookery students from Bangor, Downpatrick, and Lisburn travelled to Valencia where they completed one week at partner College FEGREPPA, where they took part in intensive skills classes and learned local speciality pastries and breads. During the second week the students were placed in pairs in patisseries and bakeries and were tasked with preparing doughs, baking breads, rolling croissants, and decorating delicate and technical desserts.

Ten Animal Management students from Bangor and Lisburn hoofed it over to Barcelona for two-week work placements in the prestigious Barcelona Polo Club set up through a new partnership with Trainee+ Up. The students were mentored by the staff and learned about maintaining equine health and welfare which did involve mucking out.  

Last but certainly not least, twelve Construction students from Bangor, Lisburn and Downpatrick were building their skills in Malta with the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure (MTI). This is the fourth year SERC have been placed with MTI in the Rehabilitation Projects, Quantity Surveying Section, Building Control, Civil Engineering, Architecture and Planning, and Land Surveying departments and were tasked with real design briefs which they worked on and presented, and visited large-scale construction projects.

SERC Principal and Chief Executive Ken Webb said “At SERC we are passionate about inspiring, transforming and enriching the lives of our students.  Thanks to these international experiences, students will ultimately boost their own self-confidence, independence and improve their employability prospects.”