As a PLC College our main objective was to open up the student's minds to the endless possibilities and opportunities of a QQI Level 5 qualification. Their qualification travels with them abroad and can be used to gain employment, not just in Ireland. Although QQI is awarded in Ireland but as an EU member we have freedom to travel, live and work in another European Union country. Therefore, making it a truly international qualification. Our initial goals included: - Continue to make our PLC courses attractive and inclusive - Increase the professional, language and interpersonal competencies of students. - Develop creativity and innovativeness in the realm of our PLC courses. - Experience of lifelong learning experience for students - Add an international dimension to our courses - Gaining International work experience Our first experience of this Erasmus+ Programme has certainly met and exceeded these goals and our expectations as a college.
Firstly, I never realised that Erasmus was available for PLC students, only university students who could study abroad. Secondly, we applied for the Erasmus opportunity on the basis that other PLC colleges in our TETB scheme were now offering such a programme. We also needed to move with the times and offer an element that was refreshing and new by providing an exciting work placement element in another European country.