Galway Community College Further Education courses have a planned period of work placement, which is accredited under QQI. This placement is undertaken by all students — the college offers students in all departments the opportunity to avail of the Erasmus programme.
Participants can complete their fully funded work experience placements abroad, spending two weeks in their chosen field of study, where they will learn new skills and competencies that increase their ability to progress in education and obtain future employment. This year GCC has sent students to Malaga in Spain, Braga in Portugal, Malta, and Belgium. Students have gained work experience in garages, gyms, laboratories, businesses, schools, childcare centres, production companies, florists and equestrian centres. 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 this project to offer European work placements for all students.
For more information on all Galway Community College Further Education courses, Erasmus+ opportunities and to apply now for September 2024, see www.galwaycc.ie and follow @gccfurthered on social media.
