New students have been inspired to start thinking about their future aspirations during an exciting week-long programme at Nelson and Colne College.
Level 2 vocational students from different subject areas, including IT, Health and Social Care, Catering and Engineering, have been engaging in a number of thought-provoking activities to get them ready for College life and ultimately get them thinking about their future as part of an Ambitions Programme.
Opportunities throughout the week have included talks from motivational speakers, including actor Dave Keeling, team building exercises and workshops, such as ‘Managing your own PR’ with Sweetheart Marketing. Other highlights were a trip to Rock & River, in Mawdesley, and a session with training company AFTA Thought.
Employer and Community Projects Manager at NCC Barbara Livesey said: “College is so much more than students just getting a qualification – it is about also helping them to develop personally and helping them to become more employable, so they are ready for the workplace upon leaving College.
“For the first time this year, we have launched the Ambitions Programme for our Level 2 vocational students, to help them develop a range of skills, including confidence, communication and presentation, and to get them motivated for the rest of the College year. It is essential for all our vocational students to take part in meaningful work experience to prepare them for employment, training, or higher/further education, and this week was designed to get students ready for this at the start of their NCC journey. We look forward to seeing them develop over the course of the year.”
Former Pendle Vale College student Dean Plant, 16, who is doing the Level 2 Pre-Apprenticeship Engineering programme at NCC, said: “I want to be an RAF Engineer, where I will need to be motivated, conversational and confident. In Dave Keeling’s session, I learnt that being negative isn’t going to get my anywhere, and I need to do things that I am not comfortable with to make me learn and to get me a better future. It has opened my mind, and made me think about my future options.”
Vocational programmes, such as BTEC or an NVQ may be right for students who already have their mind firmly fixed on a particular industry, such as Nursing, Forensic Science, Hairdressing or Engineering. More about vocational programmes can be found by visiting www.nelson.ac.uk/16-18/vocational-courses
Information about courses, enrichment, and life at NCC can be found in the College’s new prospectus, which can be downloaded at www.nelson.ac.uk or collected from NCC’s Student Services. For more information about studying at NCC contact the Admissions Team on 01282 440272.
