STOCKTON Sixth Form College has secured additional funding to enable students to continue to experience working life in Spain’s travel and leisure industry as part of their studies.

The college has been awarded 87,000 euros (£62,000) by the Leonardo da Vinci (Erasmus+) programme to fund paid work placements in hotels in the traditional town of Tossa del Mar, on the Costa Brava coast.

The college’s Leonardo programme is now in its ninth year, and will this summer see eight travel and tourism students fly out to Spain to begin a ten-week secondment in busy roles which bring them in constant touch with customers.

Students will learn valuable teamwork and customer service skills as well have specialist language tuition through their designated placement support. The group will also work towards the internationally-recognised Europass qualification throughout their time spent abroad.

Joanna Bailey, principal at Stockton Sixth Form College, said: “Our Leonardo’s programme gives Stockton Sixth Form students the edge in securing a future career because it allows them to gain substantial paid work experience abroad with the support of a specialist member of staff.

“We are committed to expanding opportunities which enable our students to put their studies to the test and work independently both at home and abroad and, most importantly, help set them apart as they progress to university or employment.”