Coleg y Cymoedd apprentices gain global experience through Taith-funded travel

10 February 2026

Apprentices from Coleg y Cymoedd have been building confidence and practical skills through Taith-funded learning experiences in Denmark and Portugal.

Health and Social Care apprentices recently travelled to Denmark, where they visited Svendborg’s Dementia Village, an innovative community that supports people living with dementia to live with independence and dignity.

During the visit, apprentices saw person-centred care in action, learned how technology supports daily care, and explored approaches that focus on wellbeing. They also visited SOSU College to see how Danish care professionals are trained through hands-on learning.

One apprentice said: “Seeing the joy on residents’ and staff’s faces was inspiring. I feel better equipped to care for people living with dementia after this experience.”

On a second trip, Business Administration and CIPD apprentices travelled to Figueira in Portugal, where they completed work placements in HR and office settings. The experience offered insight into how businesses operate in different countries and highlighted the importance of clear communication when working in multilingual teams.

A learner shared: “The trip helped me understand how different countries work. Communication and language skills are essential when working with people from across the world.”

One apprentice said: “Seeing the joy on residents’ and staff’s faces was inspiring. I feel better equipped to care for people living with dementia after this experience.”

On a second trip, Business Administration and CIPD apprentices travelled to Figueira in Portugal, where they completed work placements in HR and office settings. The experience offered insight into how businesses operate in different countries and highlighted the importance of clear communication when working in multilingual teams.

Coleg y Cymoedd apprentices visit dementia village in Denmark

Across both trips, apprentices reported increased confidence and a better understanding of working in different cultures. Staff praised the apprentices’ professionalism and the pride they brought back, along with new ideas that will support their future careers.

Coleg y Cymoedd is committed to widening access to these international opportunities, helping more apprentices learn from practice abroad and bring new ideas back to benefit local services, businesses and communities.

If you’re interested in an apprenticeship that offers more than classroom learning, explore our apprenticeship programmes.