SWEP - Student Worker Education Programme

Concordia is providing a new approach to education and training enabling students to undertake a structured programme of practical training linked to technological training. The programme combines education and training with work practice on UK farms and horticultural holdings. It is an especially valuable programme for students outside the UK. This is a unique opportunity for students to gain United Kingdom educational qualifications and accreditation for practical training, leading to the UK Certificate in Agriculture and Horticulture with progression to National Vocational Qualification Level 3.

Who is the programme for?

The programme is for students who:

- Are currently studying in the United Kingdom or countries other than the United Kingdom who wish to learn about agriculture and horticulture by further study and practical experience in Great Britain;
- Are studying related subjects such as agricultural economics and wish to expand their knowledge and experience of the land based economy and agri-business;
- Wish to gain real experience of working and learning in the most technically advanced horticultural and agricultural business so they can transfer their expertise into regions where the industry is less developed;
- Wish to obtain United Kingdom recognized qualifications in agriculture and horticulture;
- Would like to undertake a structured programme of training as part of their studies in agriculture and horticulture, which is agreed by their own university or college, so gaining credits towards qualifications in their home country(ECTS).The course is to be used as professional work practice.

What is the programme?

Students are able to gain the United Kingdom Certificate in Agriculture and Horticulture at the end of the first 26 weeks of the course. Progression is encouraged to NVQ Level 3 Production Horticulture for students who wish to study for more than one semester of 26 weeks or for more than one year. Students keep portfolio of evidence towards the NVQ throughout their training.

The programme integrates the acquisition of work-based practical experience and skills development with education and training, and is flexible in that students may start and finish at any time of the year. The work-based learning programme must be followed for minimum of 12 weeks. Most students will study on the course for around 26 weeks in any one year. Students who leave before their planned programme finishes will not be able to gain a qualification. The maximum length of participation on the programme is 104 weeks. The course is classified as a sandwich course which involves periods of study linked to work practice.

During the time spent working in agriculture or horticulture in the UK, students will work towards the National Vocational Qualification Level 3 in Production Horticulture and the UK Certificate in Agriculture and Horticulture which is awarded by the City and Guilds of London Institute and The National Proficiency Test Council.

How does the programme link to students` individual study in their home country?

Students will work to an individual learning plan devised in their own university or college. This plan will be written in English and be signed by a senior tutor. The learning plan will contain information on what the student needs to do to gain credit through SWEP towards qualification in his/her own country. For example, students may be required to complete a specific assignment, work diary or investigative project or portfolio. The learning plan will identify how the work practice links to theory work.

Additional Study

Students may undertake additional study whilst continuing to train on the SWEP programme. Students who achieve additional qualifications in the UK e.g. English language exams or Tractor driving and handling, will have details included on their Record of Achievement.

Funding the programme

Students place great value on the opportunity to learn through work based training in the UK and it is planned that training costs for on and off the job training, accreditation, learning materials and tutorial support in the United Kingdom will be met by the course fees.

Whilst a proportion of the course fee is paid in advance students are earning at least 150 pounds per week from Concordia employers which enable them to pay the rest of the course fee of 25 pounds per week and to pay accommodation costs of 32 pounds maximum per week. Food and sundries should not cost more than 40 pounds per week. In addition Concordia undertakes to support any student with additional requirements such as translation services and pastoral care.

Fees for 2009

The total cost of the programme is 775 pounds. Payment options are as follows:

1) 775 pounds total payment with application;

2) 125 pounds enrolment fee with application before course starts followed by 25 pounds per week for duration of course

The weekly fee is collected on behalf of Concordia by the employer.
Fees include exam fees and all tuition and assessments costs.
SWEP students will have a Concordia student card which gives the following benefits:

1 .Concordia sponsorship;
2. Travel insurance;
3. Dedicated support from Concordia to include translation service;.
4. Learning pack with useful agricultural and horticultural information;
5. Free entrance to designated agricultural shows and exhibitions;
6. Internet access;
7. Tutorial support hot line;
8. Free access to RHS gardens;
9. Introduction to local Young Farmers` Clubs
10. List of land-based colleges who are members of Landex;
11. Use of colleges libraries;
12. List of useful web sites for learning material;
13. Half price Farmers Weekly and other technical publications.

Advantages of SWEP to Employers in Agriculture & Horticulture

- Emphasizes importance of education and training for all employees;
- Improves skills of employees;
- Enables employers to recruit highly motivated people for short periods of a minimum of 12 weeks;
- Enables employers to give learning opportunities linked to work for students from non-EU countries;
- Enables employers to be assured that students are legally permitted to be in UK and will return to their own countries at the end of the programme.

Advantages of SWEP to the students

- Enhances motivation so that the student is more aware of learning through practical activity;
- Provides structured programme of education and training in UK Agriculture;
- Provides UK recognized qualifications in Agriculture and Horticulture;
- Provides practical skills in Agriculture and Horticulture;
- Provides link between education programme in their own country & practical skills development in UK;
- May enable credit to be given to study in the UK as part of their Home Country qualification;
- Provides an affordable means of studying in the UK with accommodation provided by the employer at normal student rates and course fees paid in advance and as the student earns;
- Opportunity to earn whilst studying;
- Enhances confidence and interpersonal skills;

Advantages of SWEP to University or Education Establishment in Students` Home Country

Enables home education provider to:

- Evaluate performance in practical training;
- Enhance education programmes by structured assessed practical training;
- Broaden the horizons for young people in education by developing a better understanding of other countries;
- Provide elements of training which are not available in their own country e.g. technologically advanced systems;
- Helps to motivate young people by steering them to achieve additional attributes and skills;
- Gain credit towards qualifications from study abroad to improve arrangements for work practice;
- Be confident that Concordia has an excellent and long track record in looking after young people and has excellent relationships with Agents and Education establishments in other countries;

Universities will be able to set their own assignments, diaries and projects in addition to core of course to enable further credit to be gained.

Concordia Education and Training Programmes

Concordia aims to provide training and education programmes which enable students to progress from undergraduate to roles as managers and supervisors. Concordia runs a management and supervisory course, (CABS) which is available for postgraduate students. (Details on Concordia website - http://www.concordiafarms.org/).

Concordia in partnership with land-based colleges in the United Kingdom

Concordia is pleased to be working on the SWEP programme with local land based Colleges. All these colleges have been regularly inspected by OFSTED and meet the highest quality standards. Plumpton College in East Sussex has responsibility for monitoring the quality o f the SWEP programme. Concordia is a new approved centre for National Proficiency Test Council/City and Guilds of London Awards. Concordia is a LANTRA approved training provider (LANTRA is the lead body responsible for standards and land based training in the UK).And all trainers used by Concordia are accredited by a College or are LANTRA approved. The NVQ level 3 programme is managed for Concordia by Colleges which have centre approval for the qualification.

Applications for student places on SWEP

Applications from graduates from within the EU wishing to obtain NVQ Level 3 qualifications and/or certification are welcome.
Students from the UK may apply directly to Concordia.
From outside the UK, the students wishing to join SWEP should apply to Concordia agents in their home countries. Students must be studying in agriculture or horticulture or related land based study. Students must have support and recommendation from course leaders in their own university or college.

All applicants should be in good physical health.