1
INTERNATIONAL SKILLS PARTNERSHIPS PROJECT (ADVANCED PROJECT)
Vuselela TVET College, Taletso TVET College and Northern Regional College
21 May 2017 – 25 May 2018
2
PARTNERSHIP VISIT TO NORTHERN REGIONAL COLLEGE (NRC)
INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND
The ISP Foundation was a partnership between Northern Regional College (UK) and Vuselela
College (SA) with a common vision to enhance the student experience through
internalisation of the curriculum. Six staff and 60 students participated in a one year
“problem based learning” (PBL) project aimed at developing new, innovative, creative
curriculum in the fields of Travel & Tourism and Business Services. Both Colleges acted as a
host for six local businesses to participate.
The PBL project moved students from a theoretical understanding and develop their skills to
enable them to “hit the ground running” in industry sectors that have an in-build bias
towards entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation.
ADVANCED SKILLS PROJECT
The three colleges Northern Regional College (NRC), Vuselela College and Taletso College
embarked on an Advanced Project which would run between March 2018 until February
2019. Two Lecturing staff members from all three Colleges including 1 student, would
participate in a site-visit, One in UK and One in SA.
The common objectives of the project are: To develop a shared approach to problem based
learning, raise the level of student shared learning, enhance student employability skills and
provide a means for sustaining the international partnership beyond the project lifecycle.
PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION
Ms T.R. Mokaleng from Vuselela TVET College and Mr J.M Nkoane from Taletso TVET College
visited Northern Regional College in Northern Ireland from 21 May – 25 May 2018.
On the first day of the visit, we visited Farm Lodge Ballymena campus and spent the day
with Ms Karen McLeod (Tourism Lecturer). We had the opportunity to participate in the
World Host Service across cultures workshop and training session, which is designed to
increase awareness about visitors and customers from other cultures.
The tourism students also shared some of their experiences as “A Travel and Tourism
Student at NRC”- which allowed us to learn a bit more about some units of their
studies. The students also prepared food from different cultures which was shared
with us.
3
o Farm Lodge, Ballymena Campus
Tourism and Travel classroom
4
On the same day, we visited Galgorm Resort and Spa whereby the Marketing and
Promotions team did a presentation and gave us a brief background on the Resort as
well as an overview on the new digital marketing environment that Galgorm operate
in. This was followed by a group tour around the Galgorm Resort and Spa including
the “signature suite “ where famous blogger Casey Neistat with 8 million followers
filmed and showed Galgorm Manor and Ballymena the power of video in today’s
digital hospitality and tourism environment. Galgorm Manor and Spa endorses the
Level 3 students of Ballymena Travel and Tourism Work Experience programme.
Students from the class shared their experiences and the positive contribution and
opportunities they enjoyed.
Galgorm Resort and Spa enjoys patronage of International stars and Icons and they
pamper their clients with sheer service, with their Thermal Spa’s which are the very
first in Northern Ireland.
Galgorm Resort and Spa
5
DAY 2:
We went to Coleraine campus, and met with Anne McCallum, Business Studies
Lecturer to discuss Business Enterprise Development support for Tourism students
and to review the overall project action plan. We had a tour around campus and had
interactions with students.
Coleraine Campus Tour.
On the same afternoon, we returned to Farm lodge, Ballymena for a campus tour.
We visited the motor vehicle, Engineering, CNC and Robotics workshops. We were
shown a few demonstrations on some of the machines that the student uses in the
workshops.
6
Ballymena Campus Tour
Welding workshop
Computer Numerical Control Machine (CNC)
Robotics workshop
7
DAY 3: The Travel and Tourism students from Ballymena Campus and Coleraine campuses
organised a Game of Thrones Medieval Fantasy Tour of the Causeway Coast Legacy
project from ISP Foundation. The students showcased their tour guiding and event
planning skills during the tour.
The following places/ attractions were visited: Carrick-a-Rede, Carrick-a-Rede Rope
Bridge, Dark Hedges, Giant’s Causeway
Game of thrones tour
Gracehill house
Dark Hedges Balintoy Harbour
8
Carrick-a-rede (Rope Bridge)
Giant’s Causeway
Spotted famous kickboxer Conor
MacGregor
9
DAY 4:
We went to Trostan Avenue campus and visited different departments, including the
following:
- Hairdressing/barbering
- Beauty treatments
- Student Support (Ms Donna) – assisting learners with an identified physical or
learning difficulties to participate in their learning pathway.
- Digital Learning Team (supporting curriculum in developing on-line and blended
learning resources)
Trostan Avenue campus
10
Hair and beauty
Beauty Spar Reception
11
DAY 5:
We visited Newtownabbey campus and went on a campus tour at the following
departments:
- Social spaces
- Motor vehicle
- Engineering
- Digital Media
- Construction
- Animal care
The day was concluded with a meeting to discuss activities, visit report and action
plan.
Newtownabbey campus
Digital Games (Level 3)
12
Heavy vehicle workshop
Welding Workshop
13
Motor Mechanic Workshop
Woodwork workshop
Electrical workshop
14
Learning Centre
15
VALUE OF THE PARTNERSHIP
Strong management: Ensures that the project delivers the greatest impact possible at
all project activities.
Reach: The partnership has an impact in SA and UK not just at a local level, but at
national and international level through the extended network which each partner
brings. We have explored how models of good practice can be transferred across the
SA and further afield.
Building capacity: The scale of the cross-border activity in this partnership is best
utilised and built on the provision of networking, encouraging new partners to
contribute to its growing success and long term sustainability.
Employer engagement: Through direct engagement with employers, the developed
programmes are aligned with market needs and directly supports employers in
gaining employees with the right skills thus growing their workforce in line with their
needs.
Cultural development: Because there are so many partners and countries involved,
this project enhances the cultural understanding and capacity of the partners,
employers and employees.
Improved impact can be achieved by:
o Good practice case studies
o On-line materials and CPD
o Enhanced links with successful foundation projects
o A framework for mentoring partners new to the project
o Building on existing relationships with national skills agencies and policy
makers
o Further involvement of young people and employers
16
17
CONCLUSION
We would like to thank the British Council, The Minister of Higher Education and
training, College Principals and College Council for allowing us to visit the Northern
Regional College in Northern Ireland.
The visit to the Northern Regional College was a life changing experience and several
valuable lessons were learnt that can be implemented and will be of value at
Vuselela and Taletso TVET Colleges.
Through this International Skills Partnership Project the sharing of best practices and
knowledge between the UK and SA were of great value.
Carrickfergus Castle
18
Titanic Belfast
Report compiled by: Ms. Tsitsana Ruth Mokaleng (Vuselela TVET College- Tourism Studies Lecturer) Mr. Joseph Mputuka Nkoane (Taletso TVET College- Business Studies Lecturer).