Work experience in Gran Canaria:

Welcome to Las Palmas

With a surface area of 1532 square km, Gran Canaria is one of the largest of the Canary Islands – the cluster of resorts in the Atlantic Ocean, just off the north-west coast of Africa.

Gran Canaria is known as the Small Continent, because of its varied landscapes with European, African and even American vegetation. The 2000m mountain range in the island centre is cut by some bizarre canyons, and really has to be seen!

Take a tour of the island and you’ll find a whole world of climates and landscapes compacted closely together: from huge mountains to desert land, from tropical forests to wide sandy beaches.

So when you come here for work experience, you’ll need to pack for all occasions...

Meet Your Host Organiser
When you come to Gran Canaria, you’ll be looked after by S.T.A.F: a Spanish training organisation with a strong history of managing Petra and Leonardo programmes.

S.T.A.F. has worked with ETS since 1991, creating placements in the tourism and general commercial sector.

So – what can you expect during your placement in Gran Canaria?

Travel
Your air travel will be arranged by ETS. Many UK airports offer flights to Las Palmas, but as we book according to price and availability, we find that London airports are generally the best choice.

You’ll be met at Las Palmas Airport by a Host Organiser from S.T.A.F, who’ll accompany you to your accommodation, arrange your language course and settle you in to your work placement.

Language Course
Your programme begins with a Spanish course at a Las Palmas language school. Classes cater for all abilities, from beginner to degree level, and tutors will aim to take your personal needs into account.

The course runs for 4 hours per day, from Monday to Friday for a period of 2-3 weeks. This is a key part of your placement, so attendance is compulsory.

Accommodation
During the language course, you’ll be offered accommodation in a Las Palmas residence or hostel. Then once your work experience begins, you’ll move to new accommodation.

For placements in the hotel & catering sector, you’ll stay in a hotel guest room or staff quarters (half-board). For business and admin placements, you’ll be offered a flat or bungalow on a self-catering basis.

Work Experience
Most of our work placements are based in Las Palmas, around the south of the island in the popular tourist area.

Placements fall into two categories: hotel & catering, which suits participants who have just a basic knowledge of Spanish, and office work for participants who have a better grasp of the language.

Choosing your work placement
Although the local economy is driven by tourism, there are still opportunities in other commercial sectors. Selection for a placement is based on your language skills, past experience and qualifications - as well as your personal interests and future aspirations.

At the moment we have placements running in these – and other - sectors:

1. Arts and Cultural organisations
2. Hospitality
3. Archaeology
4. Environmental companies
5. I.T.
6. Import, Export & Shipping
7. Business Consultancy
8. Social work
9. Sport & Fitness
10. Media
11. Graphic design

These industries can offer you extensive opportunities. And naturally, new market sectors are always being explored...

Don’t forget, your placement is about more than work experience. As you’ll discover here, there’s always something to see and do in Gran Canaria!