|
College students and staff are buzzing with new ideas on returning from the first ever China-Wales skills exchange that took place in the fastest growing city in the world: Chongqing, China. Ten Welsh students from six colleges across Wales worked alongside 40 of their Chinese peers from 12 of Chongqing's colleges. Students worked together on a wide range of specific work-related areas such as engineering, construction, catering, digital media, hairdressing and beauty therapy. It was an extremely valuable learning experience for the Welsh delegation in particular. The event was coordinated by ColegauCymru / CollegesWales, but financed and supported by the British Council.
The programme was coordinated by Head of Creative Industries at College Gwent, Hayley Wilce, who acted as joint coordinator of the Welsh skills exchange delegation on behalf of ColegauCymru. Ms Wilce noted that the students had been great ambassadors for Wales, had worked hard to demonstrate their skills to their Chinese counterparts and learned a lot in return from the demonstrations.
China is now the second largest economy in the world. It is hugely entrepreneurial and packed with cutting-edge industries. Chongqing - a city in the southwest with a population of 7 million in a municipality of 31 million - has huge ambitions. It already produces one-third of all laptops in the world and one-third of all motorcycles in China. It is in addition, aiming to be the world's IT centre.
Wales and its colleges have the potential to learn a lot from Chongqing and expand Welsh students' views of their place in the world economy. The visit also provided the participating students with opportunities to make an impression on their Chinese hosts, experience the skills valued in China, and find out about booming Chinese industries first hand.
There are however a number of challenges facing Chongqing's ambitious drive. It needs to integrate and train around 8 million migrant workers moving from the country to newly created jobs. Hence, it is keen to develop partnerships with Welsh further education colleges to benefit from their solid record of accomplishment in developing relevant vocational skills and their expertise in working with industry.
"The skills exchange between Wales and China is just the beginning. We need to ensure that we can make the most of the exciting opportunities that this link between the colleges of Wales and Chongqing offers. Both countries have much to learn from one another.’’
"Following on from the hugely successful Wales-China skills exchange, I am looking forward to working with colleges across Wales over the coming months to develop firm, productive and sustainable partnerships with our college peers in Chongqing for the benefit of our students."
"It was an eye-opener to see the creativity of the Chinese, but it was also interesting to hear about their skills gaps. I learned a lot from this experience and I'm looking forward to being able to share my experiences and explore new ideas with college staff across Wales."
John Graystone, Chief Executive of ColegauCymru / CollegesWales
A number of other comments were enthusiastically made by those both working and studying on the programme.
I feel proud when reflecting on the skills road-show in Chongqing. What was just an idea last October turned into a reality last week. This was as a result of collaboration between colleges, ColegauCymru, the British Council and thereafter by an exceptional group of students who were supported by excellent staff."
Darren Rodrigues, Coordinator Engineering Programmes Manager, Gower College Swansea
"I am very grateful to ColegauCymru and Neath Port Talbot College for the opportunity to visit Chongqing. A very challenging and busy week enhanced my educational and cultural experience. Now, I feel my career aspirations do not just lie in the UK but also abroad. Not only did I experience new surroundings I also made numerous friends, both British and Chinese."
Neath Port Talbot Student, Emily Evans
"Visiting Chongqing was a life-changing experience. It was such a busy place full of skyscrapers and new industry. The visit was intense and very challenging, but hugely rewarding. My horizons have opened. I now have so many new ideas about where my future might take me."
College Gwent Student Rhys Webb, 19, from Risca
| 
