New international work placement opportunities for students

The University of Wolverhampton has been awarded over 600,000 Euros to provide new international work placements opportunities for students and graduates.

The funding will enable more than 150 students and graduates to gain valuable work experience in Europe over the next two years.

The €606,336 has come through three schemes run by Erasmus+, the European Union programme for education, training, youth and sport.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ian Oakes, said: “Providing opportunities to access work placements is a key part of the University’s mission to enhance the employability of our graduates. This successful approach means that 94% of our graduates are in work or further study six months after leaving us.

“We have found the employment prospects of the students and graduates who have been on an EU placement rises significantly when they return to the UK. We’re delighted to have received funding from Erasmus+ to enable our students, graduates and staff to benefit from international opportunities that will significantly enhance their employment prospects and life experiences.”

The placements vary from three months up to a year, and students in most subject areas are eligible for some form of funding.

The student or graduate can go to any European Union country, although the University already has specific partners in the Czech Republic, Spain, Italy, Malta and France.

The funding includes a project to support 25 students on long-term vocational placements in 2015-2017, and the University plans to target the opportunities at engineering students.

For more information, visit: www.wlv.ac.uk/theworkplace 

ENDS

For more information please contact James Allen in the Media Relations Office on 01902 322003