Kakoneni, Kenya — Two automotive service technician instructors from Saskatchewan Polytechnic have returned to Canada, after two weeks of teaching and learning from their counterparts at Weru Technical and Vocational College.
According to a press release by Saskatchewan Polytechnic, Rick Russell and Nick Guthrie signed up for a learning opportunity, but unwittingly became students as well.
During the training period which lasted between Oct. 20 to Nov. 4, the two instructors helped repair equipment that had fallen into disrepair, provided electronic learning material and took away an appreciation for the challenges faced by some of their students at home in Canada.
“It was very educational for us and for them,” said Russell. “Seeing their technical school and experiencing their culture first-hand has given me a better understanding of what international students go through when coming to Canada. It’s made me a better instructor.”
“The highlight for me was the people,” says Guthrie. “They are fantastic people. They are very keen to learn. They’d take in as much information as they could, just like sponges and then we’d step back and they’d do it.”
This partnership is part of the Young Africa Works Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Project and is managed by Colleges and Institutes Canada.
