4th May 2017
Thirteen business students from the Technical Skills Academy in Barking got the chance to practice their linguistic and business skills in The Czech Republic.
The students did work experience in various organisations in Prague for three weeks, as part of Barking & Dagenham College’s Career Ready programme.
Jephta Asamoah, 17, from Dagenham, who is deaf, completed his work experience at a school for the deaf. Accompanied by his signer, Michelle McCabe, and his knowledge of international sign language he found he was able to communicate with everyone from day one. The school was very friendly and welcoming and Jephta had a great time working there.
Meanwhile, Catia Pontifice, 19, from Ilford, who speaks three different languages, found herself in popular demand when she began her work experience with a local tourist company!
Some students even came back with job offers! For example, Akvile Arbaciauskaite, told how her work experience at Czechitas, an IT company, performing administrative tasks such as organising events and taking lead on the social media marketing channel has been a great experience for her. The team was very impressed with her and that they had asked her if she would stay if they gave her a new contract. Sadly, she had to decline the offer because she wants to complete her Business Admin course at College.
All the students returned to the UK last week with great references and were delighted with the opportunity that the trip provided them with.
Tutor Dilon Beqa coordinator for the Career Ready programme at the College, commented: “Once again we can be very proud of our students. All their employers were delighted with how they performed and importantly the students really enjoyed their time in Prague. It has given them some great work experience which they can now add to their CVs and also it has prepared them for the Career Ready four weeks summer internship in London.”
