Engineering Apprentices Upskill in Galway

For the past two weeks, we have had a 28-strong team from Johann Bierwirth Schule, Memmingen, Germany, participating in a tailored programme here at Atlantic. The group consists of engineering students, training to get qualified in various trades. Most of them work with employers for most of the week while attending classes and lectures for the remainder of the week. We are delighted to have had the engineering apprentices expand their skillset with us.

The two JBS team leaders, in collaboration with Atlantic’s Head of Academics, Aoife Tamura and CEO John Daly, conceptualised a course programme that would allow them to refine their English language skills while preparing them for the workplace. English for professional communication, team building, and engineering through English lay at the heart of the lessons, as did core ESL elements.

Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to speak with team leaders Stefan Wendtlandt and Katrin Brandt about their motivation for bringing a group abroad and their Galway experience.

First, we had Stefan introduce himself:

My name is Stefan, and I’m an English teacher in a vocational College in Germany. And I’m also working in the Civil Constructions Department. And also responsible for the Erasmus projects.

Next, it was Katrin’s turn:

My name is Katrin. I teach electrical engineering mainly at the Department of Electrical Engineering but at our Technical College too. I also teach technical English. And, in addition, I am the vice principal and support Stefan in the preparation of Erasmus projects.

Before finding out how their visit came about, I wanted to learn more about Johann Bierwirth Schule (JBS) and about what career training options the college provides:

We have two different departments. We are a high-level college for Technical, Electrical or Mechanical Engineering. And then we have the other department where students do their first apprenticeship in different professions, including brick laying, joinery, carpentery and so on.

We do train different types of electronic technicians. So may for example specialize in automated systems or others in house wiring. We are a centre of competency in the field of mechanical engineering, and our students qualify mainly as industrial mechanics. Our students operate all cutting machinery, like milling and turning machines. And we also have a department for car mechanics.

The youngest JBS students are 15, with the average age being 18. The apprenticeship programmes take 3-4 years to complete to full qualification, depending on the engineering specifics.

Another Erasmus+ Winner

As Stefan is the JBS Erasmus+ coordinator, I wanted to know how the trip to Atlantic came about.

Before, we used to go to Norwich, but then we had a problem because of Brexit, So we had to find a new location and do quite a lot of research online. First, we discovered another education centre in Kilkenny, but when we arrived there, we were not really satisfied with the setup, so we decided to go on looking for a better option. Luckily, we found the Atlantic Centre of Education and finally now we’re here.

Asked about the course preparation, Stefan said:

It’s a mix. We have some ideas from former projects. So we took what was good and gave it to John. But in some cases, I just left it up to John to organize things.

After this trip, we can discuss what was good, what can be changed next time and how we can improve and all benefit from this trip.

Katrin highlighted that they were heavily involved in the lesson planning, so much so that the content was refined day by day:

During these two weeks, we are in close contact with Tak or Aoife as well with John, and so we can adjust some topics if necessary.

While the students worked intensely in the classroom, Katrin and Stefan processed the Erasmus+ documentation. Asked whether their Erasmus+ objectives would likely be fulfilled, Stefan said:

I think the biggest objective is for the students to be able to work or to communicate in other environments, or in this case, an English-speaking environment. The students learn that there are different cultures and behaviours within these cultures. Of course, we also want them to improve their language skills.

The trip is also an opportunity for them to develop life skills like, for example, organising when to go out, where to stay and so on. They also organised activities for the weekend.

Stefan and Katrin both mentioned the upcoming trip to farming machinery manufacturer, McHale, in Ballinrobe, County Mayo, as one of the programme highlights.

The Planning for the Next Visit is in Full Swing

As the experience unfolded so positively, plans for next year’s trip are already underway. This week’s collaboration between Stefan, Katrin, John, and Aoife will make the organisation and realisation of next year’s project much easier.

As Katrin explained:

We’re busy with the preparations for the next year’s course, and so we can negotiate a lot of things during our stay. Then next year, it will be much more easier for the teachers.

Here a few snaps from the group’s Galway stay!