Bavarian Apprentices Enjoy Busy and Memorable Erasmus+ Visit at College of FET Campuses in the region
Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board’s College of Further Education and Training (FET) recently welcomed 25 apprentices and their teachers from the Traunstein district of South-Eastern Bavaria as part of an Erasmus+ Programme which supports education, training, youth and sport throughout Europe.
The visiting group included brick-laying, carpentry and painter and decorator apprentices, along with six teachers led by Thomas Mayr. During their stay, they got hands-on experience of many areas of the construction industry across three campuses in Limerick city.
While based at the Moyross Youth Academy campus, the students took part in a wide range of practical and enjoyable activities across different trades. Brick-Laying Instructor David O’Flynn delivered a paving class in the campus’s new wet trades workshop, where students showcased their precision and creativity by producing an impressive display. Carpentry and Joinery Instructor Pat Lynch guided the group through wood-turning workshops which resulted in a selection of handmade items including egg cups and miniature whiskey tumblers.
“This 10-day visit represents a further strengthening of the partnership between Limerick and Clare ETB and the Bavarian school, Berufsschule der Jugendsiedlung as it is their third time to visit the Mid-West Region where they experienced the Further Education and Training provision in Limerick as well as the best of Irish culture. I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all my staff for planning and organising a full and very busy itinerary for the group during their time with us in the region,” said Martin Cournane.
Instructors at Limerick and Clare ETB’s College of FET who welcomed the international apprentices to campuses across Limerick and Clare.
Electrical Instructor Ronan Lynch conducted a series of workshops on network cabling which proved very popular with the students. Adult Educator Deirdre McGrath helped the students to make Jacob’s Ladder toys and operated the ever-popular simulators, where students were able to discover what it would be like to drive diggers, telescopic cranes and a dumper truck among many more construction-related vehicles.
“Our students enjoyed another brilliant visit to the Mid-West region. We would like to thank Limerick and Clare ETB for their hospitality and warm welcome. The students learned a lot about the approach to the trades in Ireland and about Irish culture. It was great to once again come together in the spirit of education and friendship,” said Thomas Mayr, group leader.
The group also enjoyed an extensive tour of the Green Innovation Centre in Roxboro, where they learned about air tightness from Instructor Padraig Fahy and put their knowledge to the test by making rigs airtight before sitting down to a traditional Irish breakfast. They also visited Raheen Training Centre to see the top-class facilities there, including the Robotics room.
Outdoor activities were another highlight, with a trip to Kilfinane Outdoor Education Centre where students went mountain biking in the Ballyhoura Mountains and took on the centre’s impressive high ropes course.
They also visited Ardnacrusha Hydro-Electric Power Station and learned about the early and important links between this ground-breaking project and their native Germany. Other highlights of the visit included a cliff walk in Kilkee and an evening of traditional Irish music in the Lough Bar in Limerick city.
Share this on...