Level 3 Business and IT students from Brecon Beacons College were joined by two Chinese colleagues on a recent visit to the Penderyn Distillery. The Business students were investigating Penderyn’s branding and marketing techniques, product differentiation and product USPs. The IT students explored the use of digital and information technology within the distillery.
The students initially visited the museum to learn about the history of whiskey distilling in Wales as well as the history of Penderyn. They were then taken on a tour of the distillery where they learned about how the business is growing and developing.
Linda Kelly Business and IT lecturer says: “These trips give students an understanding of the different types of businesses operating in Wales and also the potential opportunities that are available to them on completion of their course. It is great that we can involve our Chinese colleagues to make them aware of what we do in Wales.”
The Chinese teachers came to the NPTC Group of Colleges in October to shadow experienced lecturers and to learn how to deliver vocational qualifications. Steve Thomas, one of the lecturers the teachers have shadowed, provided weekly sessions at Brecon Beacons College where the teachers learned about various methods of effective delivery and classroom management techniques.
Steve identified that the programme allows links to be created with other FE colleges in China as well as benefiting our teaching staff by enabling them to gain knowledge of how Chinese colleges work. Steve has thoroughly enjoyed working with Li Deng and Jia Zhonghui stating, “It was an honour and an enjoyable experience working with both (Lily and Jack). I was able to gain an understanding and immerse myself with their culture and teaching experiences.”
Li and Jia are part of a new NPTC Group initiative where they have signed up, together with Chinese Colleges, to a world-leading Centre of Excellence for British Vocational Education in China programme (CEBVEC). This programme will enable China to develop much-needed skills to enable the delivery of the Chinese Economic Development Strategy which focuses on high tech manufacturing. It is part of China-Britain Vocational Education Cooperation and Development
Alliance, known as the Alliance, which is committed to promoting close cooperation between China and Britain in vocational education.
For more information on our links with the Chinese Education Alliance click the link below:
