German exchange visit a huge success

A group of German apprentices recently spent three weeks at Gower College Swansea, during which time they gained an invaluable insight into the electronics and digital technology industry in South Wales.

As part of their visit, the students toured a range of companies with close links to the college such as Elite Aerials, Zeta Alarm Systems, Trojan Electronics, BSC and TongFang Global.

“Inspecting workshops, warehouses and assembly lines, they were able to compare and contrast with how things are done back home in Stuttgart,” says Curriculum Leader Steve Williams.

During classes at the Tycoch campus, the students were given tasks including soldering, taking measurements with an oscilloscope, building circuit boards and a games console. They also studied the components of a television and the differences between analogue and digital.

During one lesson, they were given a handbook containing Electronics terminology which they had to translate into their own language.

But it wasn’t all work, work, work. During their free time, Steve and his colleagues within the Engineering department organised a football tournament for the apprentices and also accompanied them to the Gower Peninsula and the Liberty Stadium.

“We wanted our guests to relax and enjoy what Swansea has to offer,” adds Steve.

This exchange trip was made possible thanks to funding from the Erasmus+ Project, a European Union programme for education, training, youth and sport, and the assistance of Gower College Swansea’s International department.

Staff and students from Gower College Swansea are now looking forward to making a return trip to Germany in April 2016.