Erasmus+ is an EU programme that can help students to travel to experience work, study, or training in another country. Galway Community College of Further Education (GCC ) introduced Erasmus mobilities for students and staff in 2016, giving further education students an opportunity to complete their work experience, a mandatory element of their course, in European countries.
These Erasmus placements are fully funded by Leargas Ireland, offering bursaries for travel, accommodation, and living expenses for the two-week placement. By studying abroad with Erasmus+, GCC's further education (FE ) students improve their communication, language, and intercultural skills and gain soft skills highly valued by future employers. GCC is committed to the 2021-2027 programme, which places a strong focus on social inclusion, the green and digital transitions, and promoting young people’s participation in democratic life.
GCC offers students in all departments the opportunity to avail of its Erasmus programme. Participants are sent abroad for two weeks of fully funded work placement where they will learn new skills and competencies in their chosen field of study that increase their ability to progress in education and obtain future employment. This year GCC has sent 65 FE students to Malaga in Spain, Braga in Portugal, and Oslo in Norway. Students have gained work experience in garages, gyms, laboratories, businesses, schools, childcare centres, production companies, florists, and the entire equine class travelled to work in state of the art stables in Norway. Students develop greater social skills by being immersed in new cultures and social experiences.
The programme continues to grow in GCC, and new European networks in education and industry are being developed annually. GCC has welcomed staff from other European educational organisations, fostering continuous professional development through job shadowing and peer learning, while GCC staff have travelled for similar collaborations. GCC is hoping to expand on this project to offer European work placements for all FE students.
For more information on all GCC further education courses, Erasmus+ opportunities, and to apply now for September, see www.galwaycc.ie and @gccfurthered.
