Ten Motor Vehicle students from North Shropshire College (NSC) have recently visited Muret, Toulouse on a European Work Placement for two weeks. The students were working at garages including; Nissan, Citroen, Renault and Ford.

The programme is funded via the Erasmus+ Project ‘Continental and vocational educational training’ (COVET). The College uses this experience to test student independency and show them how their industry works in Europe.

Derek Coffey, NSC Motor Vehicle Lecturer comments: “The group were Level 3 students; the work experience has really helped them in their practical sessions. They worked at main dealerships, visited the college in France, went to Toulouse, took part in go-karting and, visited Airbus. It was all round a great experience for the students to gain life, language and communication skills.”

Alan Lee, a student who went on the trip commented, “I would definitely recommend going on work experience abroad. It gives you an insight into what you want to do once you reach the working world. Google translator came in really handy as a lot of the people we were working alongside did not speak much English. I really got into the work; the past three days were among the best in my life. I was treated like an adult and left to get on with jobs with no rushing. In fact I was even told to slow down as the pace of work is slower and more relaxed over there. The culture in France allows a two hour lunch break where many workers go home, after one hour I wanted to get back to work! I learnt a lot more than being in the UK as I got to experience what a working environment was like in another country.”

For more information about the Erasmus+ Project, please contact Katie Edwards via k.edwards@nsc.ac.uk or call 01939 262154.

To apply for Motor Vehicle courses, please visit the College website via www.nsc.ac.uk or call the Admissions Team on 01691 688080.

Pictured – The students had a tour and talk from industry professionals in France.