19th November 2024
South Devon College has forged strong international links with partner colleges over the years, and we recently welcomed staff from Sweden as part of an Erasmus funded CPD trip and recce for future student visits.
Proving that networking is wide-reaching and beneficial to all involved, the new Swedish college partnership was introduced to the College by Matthias Kraski, from RBZ Wirtschaft, Kiel, who we hosted a few months ago. He recommended the Swedish college, Staffangymnasiet, Söderhamn, to South Devon College to host a student trip we organised in 2023.
Fredrik Lindkvist and Julia Möttönen from Staffangymnasiet visited the College as part of their preparations for a student group visit, which is happening this week. Three electrical installation students and five hair and beauty students are visiting South Devon College this week during International Education Week, and a further seven hair and beauty will visit after Christmas, so they wanted to view our quality facilities to see how their students will benefit from the experience.
The visiting lecturers were given guided tours of the building, and took part in an electrical installation Level 2 practical lesson in the South West Energy Centre, the College’s state-of-the-art renewable energy training facility and test-bed for emerging technologies.
The BREEAM Excellent building incorporates a 3-bed demonstration Passivhaus on site for teaching and research, unique in any UK college, so will give the Swedish students a unique insight into that sector and will benefit their learning.
They discussed requirements for their visiting students with Spencer Brown, Programme Co-ordinator, Building Services, at South Devon College. He said: “The visitors were very happy with the workshops, and the similarity and differences between the two countries’ electrical systems.
“The exchange student’s first day will be a visit to an energy recycling facility which they may not have visited before and they will be partaking in practical sessions, particularly types of containment system that are not common to Swedish installations.”
They also participated in a hair, beauty and barbering practical in the College, with Shelly Lee, Head of Hair and Beauty. She said: “It was a pleasure to host our Swedish counterparts at South Devon College. We enjoyed a working lunch in our student training restaurant, Horizon’s, and had the opportunity to reflect on the differences and similarities of our education systems.”
The Swedish guests with Shelly Lee, Head of Hair and Beauty, and Megan Allen, Programme Coordinator for Hair and Beauty
The visitors then met Laurence Frewin, Principal of South Devon College; Steve Caunter, Assistant Principal; And Maria Woodger, Assistant Principal.
Fredrik Lindkvist and Julia Möttönen with Steve Caunter, Assistant Principal; Laurence Frewin, Principal; Richard Stratford, Head of Projects, Grants and Partnerships: and Antonia Wall, Senior Projects Coordinator
They also toured the Beverley Holidays park where the students will be staying during their time in the UK.
Fredrik Lindkvist and Julia Mottonen said: “We would like to thank you for the warm welcome at South Devon College. We are certain that our students will enjoy their time in Paignton just as much as we did.
“We would like to give a special thank you to Antonia Wall, as well as the hair and beauty and electrical installations teams, for all their efforts in preparing for the group’s arrival.
“In a world increasingly shaped by borders and conflicts, we find it more important than ever to build bridges and to cooperate. We are looking forward to continuing our exchanges with South Devon College and are hoping to welcome your students and staff in Söderhamn, Sweden, in the future.”
