CollegesWales is delighted to provide an exciting opportunity for the FE sector to explore innovative ways to internationalise teaching and learning in colleges in Wales with a staff visit to Nexgen in Barcelona.
Funded through the Welsh Government International Learning Exchange Programme, Taith, the visit will take place from 13 – 17 February 2023. The visit will be led by CollegesWales staff and will involve 21 staff from 11 colleges across Wales. In addition, Emma Vincent, FE Support Officer for the new Advanced Skill Baccalaureate Cymru will be participating in the visit and will be working alongside facilitators from Nexgen on co-developing a 7 to 14 day overseas programme for learners linked to the new qualification. Nexgen is already a partner in CollegesWales' mobility programmes and, supports learners to develop their skills, mindsets and networking to succeed in their chosen careers. It’s anticipated that this will lead to pilot overseas learner programmes in the future, funded through Taith, with learners achieving elements of the new qualification whilst in Spain.
CollegesWales International Project Manager Siân Holleran said,
“This is an exciting opportunity for the sector to explore innovative ways to internationalise teaching and learning in FE colleges in Wales. This partnership will support us in progressing the aims of our Internationalisation Strategy to embed and integrate an international dimension more effectively into the FE curriculum. I am really pleased that Emma is involved in the programme - her expertise in-situ will support us with this exciting development."
Nexgen Head of Global and Digital Partnerships Cecilia Nilsson added,
“We’re looking forward to welcoming our colleagues from Wales on this exciting visit. Nexgen's mission is to build the next generation workforce, and future-proof learners’ careers. With over 10 years’ experience working with programmes including Erasmus+ and the Turing Scheme, we’re excited to work with Taith and CollegesWales to take the next steps in internationalising teaching and learning in FE.”
Emma Vincent – Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales FE Support Officer for WJEC said,
"We are thrilled to present the new Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales on a global platform. This new and innovative qualification has been designed to support learners to become effective, responsible, and active citizens. Incorporating international elements to the teaching and learning will enhance the opportunities this qualification offers learners.
We are grateful to CollegesWales and Nexgen for hosting this event, which provides an opportunity for us to strengthen our partnership with colleges across Wales. The event will enable us to further enhance colleges' understanding of the requirements of the qualification as they prepare to deliver from September 2023.
The workshops will also allow colleges to co-create innovative and inspirational activities for skill development, which is the central focus of the qualification. By harnessing international teaching and learning, we can create practical opportunities for learners to showcase their skills."
CollegesWales will provide feedback on the outcomes of the visit to the International Strategic Group and encourage participants to disseminate their learning within their own organisations and more widely across networks within Wales.
Further Information
Taith, the new International Learning and Exchange Programme from Welsh Government
Sian Holleran, CollegesWales International Project Manager
Sian.Holleran@ColegauCymru.ac.uk
