Northumberland College students given opportunity to work in Europe

College students from Northumberland College have been given the opportunity to work abroad in Europe as part of their studies.

The college has been granted a 200K grant from the Department for Education (DfE) for students to work abroad as part of the Turing Scheme.

The Turing Scheme offers education providers the opportunity to apply for funding to support their students with study and work placements around the world.

For colleges, it is an opportunity to offer students a fantastic experience, as well as developing partnerships and international links.

Lee Lister, Campus Principal at Northumberland College’s Kirkley Hall Campus said: “The personal development opportunities, cultural immersion and further skill enhancement for students this programme offers will fundamentally change and enhance the lives of students.

“This scheme supports specifically students from disadvantaged backgrounds to engage in activities that they would normally have been prevented from accessing for a variety of reasons.

“Further Education bridges the gap between school and a successful career for students and this project is a unique and brilliant way to develop the skills and knowledge and to become aware of wider opportunities away from the Northeast. create friends and see a different part of the world.

“We have introduced Global Skills to our enhanced curriculum this year, which will support students in the core skills for their success, including resilience, environmental stewardship and digital mastery. This project will directly support the development of these skills, and we are thankful for the support of the DfE, the Turing scheme and Training Education and European Project (TEEP).”

Last year, the college took 45 students abroad, this year they are able to take 130 across several sectors and courses.

Turing Scheme projects support social mobility and expand international opportunities for students across the UK and British Overseas Territories, particularly for those who might not otherwise get the chance to study and work abroad.

For a student participating in the scheme, it is an opportunity to get hands-on experience in a new environment, where they will gain new skills, bring a new perspective to their work and also help them stand out from the crowd.  Students also develop their language skills and a deeper understanding of other cultures.

International travel can have a huge impact on student’s personal and professional development. Programmes like the Turing Scheme give students of all backgrounds the chance to study or work abroad and develop a range of skills. Successful Turing Scheme applicants will receive grants to cover travel expenses, living costs and administrative costs for students.

This means more students get the chance to learn about foreign cultures, improve their language skills, work in different countries and gain valuable employability skills which are crucial for succeeding in a globalised environment.