The Turing Scheme supports Global Britain by providing an opportunity for UK organisations from the higher education, further education, vocational education and training and schools sectors to offer their students, learners, and pupils life-changing experiences to study or work abroad.
Travelling abroad – in any capacity – is a privilege, yet not everyone has the opportunity to experience it. Being immersed in another country and other cultures helps with navigating and understanding the world we live in. That’s why the Turing Scheme is an opportunity that shouldn’t be missed for the UK’s education sector, as it funds outbound study and work placement opportunities for students, with particular focus on those from disadvantaged communities.
For Further Education (FE), the Turing Scheme offers three different types of activities. Firstly, institutions can send their students overseas for study periods at partner institutions. Secondly, they can use Turing Scheme funding for work placements or traineeships abroad. Thirdly, institutions can organise participation in international skills’ competitions. Furthermore, the Turing Scheme’s schools, FE and HE strands are open to FE providers, so that groups from different study levels can benefit.
Completing a work placement abroad, for example, develops interpersonal skills such as team-working, communication and problem-solving. It also helps with building personal confidence and technical knowledge, leading to improved employability prospects.
Looking at some of the social media posts of FE students who have completed the first Turing Scheme placements (in a range of enviable global locations!), you can see young people putting their skills to the test, meeting their international counterparts, and having a great time! Their testimonials will be invaluable in helping future groups prepare and encouraging other institutions to apply for funding.
The UK college sector has made good use of learning and teaching technology during the pandemic. Technology makes it much simpler, quicker and more cost-effective to communicate internationally, and is invaluable in preparing for a successful overseas trip. Yet whilst COVID-19 hasn’t gone away, international travel from the UK is becoming far easier again.
The Turing Scheme provides the chance for students to now complete work and study placements in person, something that hasn’t been possible for a few years, and that sadly, whole cohorts of young people have missed out on.