Nottingham College

One hundred students from Nottingham College are set to travel to seven different countries across two continents for work placements in 2022 thanks to funding from the UK Government’s Turing Scheme.

The East Midlands college will receive a grant of £250,000 after making a successful application focused on ensuring equal access and opportunity for all its students, developing the key skills to boost employability and on boosting its Global College strategy.

James Swift, Head of Bids and External Funding, said: “We have participated in the Erasmus+ programme in the past and we were particularly attracted to the Turing Scheme because of its global focus, which we welcome.

“It gives our learners greater opportunities than perhaps we had under Erasmus. That was an impactful programme but the opportunities to travel anywhere in the world on the Turing Scheme were very appealing to us.”

Students from six of Nottingham College’s curriculum areas will be able to participate in a wide range of placements across Europe and Asia ranging from gaining retail experience to helping save elephants.

• In Thailand animal management students will have the opportunity to experience and contribute to work at an elephant conservation centre and participate in an environmental-based rain reforestation project.

• STEM/science participants will support community workshops in Nepal, applying their skills in a practical and real-world situation.

• In Spain: art, fashion and design students will observe how creative arts find their place in a variety of design companies (textiles, architecture and interior design).

•  Media students will apply the skills learned within their course in a variety of small business areas in Berlin and Germany, as well as a visit to the Berlin Film Festival to widen their cultural experience.

•  A-Level students will take part in work-based learning experiences, supporting teachers and educators across a range of educational institutions in Italy.

• In the Netherlands, students will undertake internships within the retail sector incorporating administration, sales and marketing.

International reach and cultural experience

Improving access to overseas opportunities for students and learners who would not normally have access to them is a key focus of the Turing Scheme and Nottingham College’s activities will aim to include those who are economically disadvantaged (50 learners), with disabilities (20), from under-represented BAME groups (36) and learners who are in care/care-experienced or have care responsibilities.

“We liked the fact that the Turing Scheme was very clear in the initial guidance that it focuses on those from disadvantaged backgrounds and those who would ordinarily not get to experience opportunities such as these,” said James. “That was a particular appeal to us because we have some of the highest levels of deprivation in the country.

“We rank very highly on the indices of multiple deprivation and child deprivation. Many of the learners and students do not have these opportunities and we saw, with the Turing Scheme, that we can do something positive for them.”

Global College Nottingham

Taking part in the Turing Scheme will also help the college achieve its global ambitions.

“We are keen on the idea of a globally connected Nottingham College, using the Turing Scheme as the impetus to grow our international links, develop new relationships with organisations all over the world, ultimately for the betterment of our students,” said James.

“When the students go abroad to a host organisation, carry out a work placement, learn new skills, develop new competencies, learn new ways and methods of working, they will also develop soft skills and they would increase in confidence and technical ability. When the learners come back and finish their course and they then enter our local economy, those are skills that would have a great impact on our labour market.”

Read more about FE and VET opportunities under the Turing Scheme on our dedicated webpage.