Nelson and Colne College has held a series of new Industry Careers Days to inspire students studying vocational subjects to focus on their futures and to support them in gaining valuable employer links.
Dozens of industry professionals from employers large and small contributed to the days across a two-week period, with the events spanning the vocational curriculum at NCC, including Business, Childcare, Creative Arts and Media, Digital, Engineering, Football and the Fitness Industry, Health and Social Work Professions, Science, Sport Sciences and Uniformed Services.
The days provided students with the chance to meet potential future employers and learn from motivational speakers, as well as gain further advice and guidance for Higher Education, develop portfolio building and improve employability and CV/interview skills.
Employers also benefited from the event, and had the opportunity to learn more about the advantages of student work placements and the arrival of new technical T Level qualifications nationwide in 2021 – with NCC being selected to deliver the new Childcare and Digital qualifications a year earlier from 2020.
Chloe Beagles, 17, who is studying Level 3 Health and Social Work Professions at NCC, has her heart set on a career working in the NHS. Chloe, formerly of Park High School, said: “I’m having an amazing time at Nelson and Colne College – my tutors have been so supportive and I have a good relationship with them. They really do make sure that you understand the topics you are studying and help you achieve your full potential.
“I would like to become a paramedic and I’ve done all sorts of work experience – in GP practices, hospitals, day centres and in nursing homes. I’ve also had the chance to complete the A&E Cadets as part of the extracurricular offer at College, which promotes practical skills like CPR.”
Former Marsden Heights Community College student Shazaib Farooq, 17, who is studying Level 3 Networking and Systems Support, said: “I gained a lot of confidence from the Industry Career Day in Digital and it has focused me to go for the job I want in the future. I would really like to go into website building because I enjoy the design element and coding involved with it.
“We also had an interesting session on perception versus reality, and I gained very useful information and advice on how to improve my CV. I’m really enjoying the course here at NCC – my teachers are really good, the course content is ideal for me and it is interesting and challenging.”
Spencer Phelan, 17, formerly of Park High School, is studying Level 3 Business at Nelson and Colne College. He said: “I enjoyed the day and it was really beneficial for me. I’m interested in going into visual merchandising in the future and I’m looking at progressing into a Degree Apprenticeship. I have an interview with Morrisons in January and the session with Morrisons was good in helping prepare me for that.
“College has been really good – studying Business has boosted my confidence in my ability to write and in delivering presentations and all of my teachers are really helpful.”
Assistant Principal for Technical Curriculum Morag Davis said: “Our very first Industry Careers Days were designed to inspire our students right across our technical curriculum areas to explore the world of opportunities that exist beyond post-18 education, encourage them to engage with the large numbers of employers invited and to really think about their future employment, further education or volunteering aspirations.
“The days were also a fantastic chance for the college to develop and grow its already strong links with a broad range of employers and industry sectors, particularly ahead of the introduction of T Levels from 2021, where each students’ qualification will include a minimum of 45 days of work placement with an employer. I would like to thank all of the employers who have supported the events and contributed to their tremendous success.”
Nelson and Colne College achieved a 99.6% pass rate in advanced vocational courses in its 2017/18 results, and is the top college in the country for 16-18 learner achievement, at all levels.
Government data also places NCC as the best college in the area for vocational courses, based on progress scores, and it is the best college in Lancashire for student satisfaction, according to the FE Choices Learner Satisfaction Survey.
For more information about Nelson and Colne College visit www.nelson.ac.uk or contact the Admissions Team on 01282 440272.
