The aim of Petroc Go V was for staff, and learners of all ages and abilities, to broaden their educational and cultural horizons by. 1) Continually increasing and diversifying the curriculum areas and partnerships involved. 2) Continuing to refine and develop all aspects of the Petroc Go Mobility Framework to seek efficiencies and make improvements. 3) Working to increase the development of staff mobility opportunities to facilitate staff professional development. 4) Investigating alternative funding options to supplement or replace Erasmus+ funding. 5) Increasing the employability skills of all the participants. 6) Broadening the opportunities available for participants with additional needs.
Petroc’s catchment area is one that is geographically isolated and primarily rural, with significant disadvantage gaps within its population. With pay rates lower than the national average, the college sees a high proportion of its learners with financial challenges, low aspirations and lack of enriching work experience that caters towards their future goals. Petroc Go’s provision of overseas work experience and learning provides learners with opportunities to experience various training and work experience options. In turn, this raises aspirations, whilst also developing independent living and social skills which will enhance learners’ CVs. Being able to offer learners overseas opportunities enables the college to meet its strategic objective of providing international perspective which would not be possible without the funding opportunities provided by Erasmus+. Gaining first-hand experience in another country has enabled Petroc’s learners - from a variety of ages and abilities - a life changing chance to enrich their studies and enhance their learning, giving them a bespoke experience that they can carry with them for the rest of their lives.