Students Take Off to Germany for Work Experience
Ten Engineering students from Coleg Menai recently undertook a two-week work experience placement in Germany, as part of the Erasmus+ scheme.
Students completed their work placement in local engineering companies, specialising in a range of areas; from motorsport engineering, to aeronautical engineering and mechanical engineering.
The visit was hosted by the College’s Erasmus+ partner, Akademie Klausenhof, an adult-education and training college. Erasmus+ is a programme to support education, training, youth and sport in Europe, which funds and supports learners to travel across Europe to gain experiences and insight.
During their time in Hamminkeln, the students also visited local monuments, attractions and other nearby towns and villages on the weekends and in their free time.
Level 3 Automotive Engineering student, Josh Royale, completed his placement at a motorsport engineering company whilst in Germany. He said,
“The trip was excellent! The opportunity to go to a foreign country to work was great, I’ve learnt a lot and will use the knowledge I gained abroad as often as possible in my studies”
Leighton Anthony Owen, who studies Level 3 Electrical Engineering, explained,
“On the first night we arrived we were welcomed really warmly by the staff at Akademie Klausenhof! Everyone there, and at my work placement was friendly and helpful.
“The experiences I gained during the placement were fantastic and will be very useful in my career in the Engineering industry. I would 100% do it all over again.”
Andy Brookes, International Officer at Grŵp Llandrillo Menai, said,
“This Erasmus+ project was developed to give our learners the opportunity to gain work experience in their chosen specialised area in another country, in a bid to inspire them and to expand their knowledge”
“All of the learners made the most of this opportunity and have been a credit to the college and their tutors. We have received fantastic feedback from Akademie Klausenhof staff and the employers in Germany, and would like to thank the participating learners and staff from the Engineering department for making this visit a huge success.”
Arron Peel, Deputy Programme Area Manager for Engineering at Coleg Menai, accompanied the students to Germany. He said,
“All of the students thoroughly enjoyed their time in Germany, and the trip has been a great addition to their bank of experiences during their studies here with us at Coleg Menai”.
He added, “The Erasmus+ work placement scheme is a fantastic way to give students a realistic insight into the real world of work. We are extremely grateful to Akademie Klausenhof for kindly hosting us, and to the local companies which provided our students with really great work placements”.
