July 2023 - Capital City College Group

Applied Science students to go head-to-head in WorldSkills UK finals

Posted on July 25, 2023July 25, 2023 by Paul Cassell

Two Science students from Capital City College Group (CCCG) will go head-to-head in the national finals of this year’s WorldSkills UK competition.

Dante Senior, 19, and Andy Brenya, 20, will compete against six other finalists from across the country in the Laboratory Technician challenge in Manchester in November.

WorldSkills UK aims to raise standards in technical education and apprenticeships through a series of national competitions to support high-quality skills training and boost the economy.

Dante and Andy took part in the competition while studying for an Applied Science Level 3 Diploma at City and Islington College (CANDI) and the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL) respectively this year.

The pair reached the final after undertaking two three-hour challenges in chromatography and titration in the National Qualifier of the Lab Technician competition at Middlesex University.

They were among eight students from across both colleges chosen for the National Qualifiers after demonstrating their skills through a series of online learning assessments.

Dante, who has just completed the first year of his diploma at CANDI, said: “I feel ecstatic to reach the finals. It was incredible news as I wasn’t sure if I’d get through because I’d never done something like this before.

“Our teachers were very supportive and prepared us well in the weeks leading up to the qualifiers. We came in at half-term to practise and hone our skills, which happened to be the same practicals we were asked to do at Middlesex.

“There were times when I saw I was quite far behind compared to everyone else, but I managed to make it up and everything worked out in the end.”

Andy completed his course at CONEL this year and will start a BSc (Hons) Pharmaceutical Science at the University of Hertfordshire in September.

He said: “I honestly didn’t expect to get through to the final. I am very excited. It is a big accomplishment and I’m very happy.

“I was confident when I went into the qualifier because I had prepared well, but when I saw they were only going to pick eight out of 80 or so people who were competing. Initially, there was some pressure because you could see other people doing it, but I took my time and focused on my own work and that kept me calm.

“My teachers said just getting being part of the competition was important, but once I was there I wanted to win.”

WorldSkills UK challenges are designed by industry experts and develop participants’ technical and employability skills including resilience, self-confidence and communication.

The finals will see 442 students and apprentices compete in 51 skills challenges from accounting, construction and health and social care to beauty therapy, landscaping and cybersecurity.

Ben Blackledge, Chief Executive of WorldSkills UK, said: “I offer my congratulations to all of the National Finalists.

“We know our competition-based training programmes deliver real value and benefits to the young person taking part, but the programmes also provide opportunity for the development of their educators and trainers in delivering training that meets the latest industry standards.

“The young people that take part in our national programme are a true inspiration and demonstrate the skills we have in the UK.”

The medallists will be announced at a ceremony at The Bridgewater Hall in Manchester on 17 November

Find out more about Science and Forensics courses with CCCG and apply here.

School technicians discover more at CCCG’s first STEM Technicians Conference

Posted on July 24, 2023February 14, 2024 by Paul Cassell

School technicians had the chance to find out more about the latest developments in science education at a conference hosted by Capital City College Group (CCCG).

More than 100 staff from schools across London and the South-east attended the first CCCG Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) Technicians Conference.

The event at City and Islington College (CANDI), which is part of CCCG, was an opportunity for technicians to network with experts, suppliers and their peers, learn about new industry innovations and discuss ideas at a series of presentations and workshops.

Education consultant David Swinscoe, a former Director of CANDI’s Centre for Applied Science, gave a speech at the conference about science education policy including the introduction of T Levels.

Addressing the technicians at the event, he said: “I believe that young people ought to be doing practical work when they are studying science, and not just reading and hearing about it. The UK has a good record of young people getting their hands dirty, rolling up their sleeves and doing science, and that is no small part down to what you do.”

Workshops at the event included various practical sessions on chemistry, physics and biology and others on using artificial intelligence, chemical storage and stock control, electronics and soldering, making and labelling solutions and data logging.

CANDI Science Technicians Britney Ofori and Melissa Nagas gave a presentation on their careers and how they support students through various practical activities including setting up a crime scene.

Julie Nicholson, Senior Technician at Harris Science Academy East London, said: “I’ve got to know more technicians and picked up some ideas in the workshops to take back to my school when I am setting up practical experiments for students, which will inspire and improve their learning.

“I was very impressed with the knowledge of the science technicians here and will be keeping in touch.”

Aaron Augustus, Science Technician at Kensington Aldridge Academy, said: “It’s been great to learn new STEM techniques and hear from other technicians about how they work in their schools, and having an insight into how the science and ethics around our jobs is advancing and changing.

“It was good to learn from other people about their experiences and other career paths you can take as a science technician. It doesn’t have to be strictly one route. It can be with schools, but it can also be applied to industry as well.”

Among the organisations and suppliers at the conference were the Royal Society of Chemistry, Royal Society of Biology, LaBLiFe, Nickel-Electro, Philip Harris, Data Harvest, VITTA Education, Labexpert UK, SLS Select Education, Breckland Scientific and Samples for Schools.

Chris Pambou, Chief Science Technician at CANDI, who organised the event, said: “Technicians play a vital role in education. Without them, teachers would find it very difficult to teach the practical side of their courses. They organise labs, set up and maintain equipment for practical assignments and support students in class.

“However, there is very little training out there for technicians, which is why events like this are so important to keep them up to date with the latest developments in science and technology.

“Today has been very successful. Many of the technicians here have come up to me and said how much it will be beneficial to their careers.”

Find out more about Science and Forensics courses and apply here.

Coding school 01Founders launches new Software Developer Apprenticeship

Posted on July 21, 2023July 24, 2023 by Paul Cassell

Coding school 01Founders has officially launched a new apprenticeship alongside its innovative tuition-free courses to drive forward tech careers.

01 Founders was formed in 2021 and is part-owned by Capital City College Group (CCCG), London’s largest further education provider, which is responsible for a fifth of apprenticeship starts in the capital.

Employers were invited to find out more about the new Software Developer Level 4 Apprenticeship at a Let’s Talk Apprenticeships event at CCCG’s Regent’s Park Centre on 19 July.

Apprentices will initially spend 9-12 months at the free coding school where they will gain skills through gamified projects and peer-to-peer learning instead of being teacher led.

They will then spend the next 12-18 months in paid employment on the apprenticeship, earning a minimum of £21,000 a year, while continuing their training with 01Founders.

Many of the students who have been learning coding skills with 01Founders over the past year are now looking to move on to the apprenticeship to gain more experience.

Jackie Chapman, CEO of 01Founders, said: “We are leading a tech education revolution, spotting untapped talent and welcoming everyone regardless of age, background, culture or education.

“We test individuals for aptitude and ability in a way that removes all other barriers. In our first two years 450 individuals have experienced our three-week intensive sprints and 200 have joined a full-time programme.

“Our students are pioneers, using a peer-to-peer pedagogy to learn how to learn and problem-solve across a range of coding languages, which is essential in an ever-changing tech industry.

“Our apprentices are also unique. They have spent at least 900 hours with 01Founders, learning key skills and coding languages before they start their apprenticeships and are ready for the challenge.”

The apprenticeship will be built around individual business requirements and tailored to employers’ specialisms, such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and web development, with training costs funded through the Apprenticeship Levy and no recruitment charge to the company.

Apprentices will be required to complete an end point assessment to demonstrate their skills against national standards and to gain their Level 4 qualification.

Among the companies and organisations at the launch were the Greater London Authority, UCL, West London Institute of Technology, HDR, SSL, Quantum Group, Khiliad, Amnick, TechSkills, Timeless IMS, Turnbull and the Society for Entrepreneurial Education and Development.

The launch was held in partnership with Tech London Advocates Women in Tech and included a talk by its co-chair Suki Fuller on the benefits of joining the membership body.

Attendees also heard from Anthony Impey, Chief Executive of Be the Business, on why apprenticeships are important to SMEs, and from Laura Giddings, Impact and Stakeholder Manager at Birmingham Digital Futures and Founder of The STEM Project, who spoke about recruiting women into tech.

Matt Kingswood, CEO of The Digital College, explained why the industry needs apprentices, and Susie Lupescu, Operations Manager at Giotech, shared how apprentices had a positive impact on the global IT company.

Attendees were also given advice on how SMEs can secure apprenticeship funding from Ajay Purbhoosing, Senior Account Manager at online recruitment business WorkWhile.

Students who have been undertaking the 01Founders programme also spoke at the event and used the opportunity to network with many of the employers present.

01Founders was co-founded by Brent Hobermann, the name behind online brands including lastminute.com and Made.com, and is powered by 01 Edu technology.

If you are looking for a coding career, find out more about 01Founders and apply here.

If your company is looking to recruit the next generation of coding talent through apprenticeships, please contact the 01Founders business team at enquiry@01founder.co

Student podcasters interview former CANDI teacher about her debut art exhibition

Posted on July 18, 2023July 18, 2023 by Paul Cassell

Students at City and Islington College (CANDI) heard more about a former teacher’s first solo art exhibition when they interviewed her for their podcast.

A Level students Thalir Krishnathas, and Leah Camilleri spoke to Meera Palia, who taught A Level Sociology and Philosophy at the college from 2008-18, for The Jam podcast.

The Surprise Aquarium exhibition was held at Willesden Gallery in north-west London and featured a collection of abstract expressionist pieces created from 2019-23.

A Level student Thalir,18, said: “It was a great opportunity to talk to Meera and hear about her artwork and get to know her as a person and as an artist. We talked about how art is a great way to relieve stress, express your feelings and learn about yourself. That’s something I want to take into my life.

“I enjoyed doing the podcast. It’s a good way for students to gain more insight and knowledge of the world by speaking to people and learning about their lives.”

Listen to the podcast here: Surprise Aquarium interview with Meera Palia

The Jam has been running since 2020 and started as a way for students to talk about their experiences during the COVID pandemic in a series called Voices Lost in Lockdown.

In November 2021 students interviewed another former CANDI teacher, Hannah Lowe, for the podcast ahead of her winning the Costa Poetry Award and Costa Book of the Year Award for her book of sonnets called The Kids.

Students have also spoken to CANDI’s Head of History John Siblon for a podcast called History, Memory and War, and produced many other shows on academic and social topics including art, literature, conspiracy theories, mental health, media, movies and shows.

In May students involved in The Jam this year were presented with certificates in recognition of their work on the podcast and presented with £300 from the college, which will be used to fund training to further develop students’ podcasting skills.

A Level History teacher Debbie Bogard, who set up The Jam, said: “This was a wonderful opportunity for Thalir and Leah, who enjoyed a thoughtful and enlightening conversation with Meera.

“It’s been a fantastic year for the Jam, with a committed and talented group of student podcasters making a whole host of interesting episodes. In addition to developing their podcast skills, the students involved have really benefitted from working together as a collective, supporting each other to develop their ideas and finding their voices.

“It’s wonderful seeing the Jam helping to grow a wider CANDI community made up of current and former students and teachers with shared values and a commitment to learning together.

“I know with so many talented students the Jam will continue to grow. I can’t wait to see and hear where it goes next.”

Find out more about A Levels at CANDI and apply here.

CONEL scoops Women into Construction Partnerships with Purpose Award

Posted on July 13, 2023July 20, 2023 by Paul Cassell

The College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL) has been named among the winners in this year’s Women into Construction awards.

The college won the Partnerships with Purpose Award in recognition of the success of its five-week programme with employers to support women gain work in the industry at the Women into Construction Celebration Event on 28 June.

According to the Construction Industry Training Board, 225,000 extra workers will be required to meet the demands of the UK construction industry by 2027. Currently, just 16 per cent of the construction industry workforce is women.

More than 200 women have taken the programme with CONEL since it began in 2018, with many securing on and offsite roles in the industry, with a record number enrolling this year.

The programme includes five days of construction-related training leading to a Health and Safety Level 1 Award and a CSCS card test, which is needed to work on site, followed by two weeks placement with an employer. It also includes help with overcoming barriers to employment, writing CVs and interview skills.

CONEL has run four programmes with Women into Construction this academic year. These include two with Wates, one with Acciona and another with Newham Council incorporating Bouygues, Morgan Sindall Construction, Hill Group, Higgins Partnerships, Kilnbridge, Modebest and O’Neill & Brennan.

This week some of the latest participants to have completed the programme returned to CONEL to receive their certificates and share their experience.

Lisa-Marie Mills, 35, has just completed the programme having previously worked in business administration for a cybersecurity company where her interest in the facilities management side of the job sparked her interest in construction.

She said: “Women into Construction gave me that basic understanding of what working in the industry entails, how a site runs, what would be required of me and what I would need to learn to fill those skills gaps.

“During my placement with Wates, I worked with a really great team who were able to show me different areas of the business and how it works. I liked being on site and working with different contractors and being able to absorb everything from everyone.

“Before I started this, I didn’t know how women got into construction and wasn’t sure it was somewhere I belonged. I know that is where I want to be now, and feel there is a real prospect of me getting in. I’m super excited about my future.”

This year’s programmes have provided skills training and employability support to 60 women looking to work in construction with 17 going on to secure employment in the sector so far.

Jo Weaver, HR Business Partner for Wates, said: “Inclusivity and diversity are really important to Wates. We want to make sure our workforce reflects the society in which we operate and the communities where we work. We’re very much looking to increase the number of women coming into the construction industry and remove any perceptions or barriers that may be preventing that happening.”

Shiv Emmimath, Head of Employability and Trade Union Education at CONEL, received the Women into Construction award at Carpenters’ Hall in the City, where he was joined by several women from the programme who are now working for Wates.

He said: “This year has been truly exceptional for us. We have conducted five outstanding Women into Construction programmes with a variety of different employers in the sector. The outstanding success of our initial collaboration with Wates led to more programmes being developed and delivered, and we are grateful for their support and contribution in helping women successfully gaining employment into construction.

“Our teachers are true experts in their respective fields, consistently going above and beyond to comprehend the specific requirements of employers. They deliver training that aligns with these needs, supporting our learners throughout their journey.”

“As a college, we take immense pride in our role of facilitating employment opportunities for women in an industry where they remain underrepresented. By actively supporting this agenda, we are making a significant impact, as demonstrated by our notable outcomes and the receipt of this esteemed award.”

Jacqui Wordsworth, Director of Business Development at Women into Construction, said: “We’ve been partnering with CONEL for a number of years in London now and have always been impressed with the quality and flexibility in delivering that provision to the needs of our learners and the employers we work with. It’s a fantastic relationship and one we felt was worthy of recognition.

“There is a huge gender imbalance in the overall make-up and diversity of the construction workforce in the UK, and it is important and sensible to encourage women, who have a fantastic array of skills, expertise and attributes, to seek and gain jobs in the industry.

“We are finding that now employers are engaging more in the conversation, partly because diversity and inclusion is now high on the agenda for all corporations, but also because they are recognising they need to think differently when it comes to skills shortages and recruitment practices.

“There are brilliant construction career paths for women and we want to make sure we can support as many of them into the sector as possible.”

Find out more about the Women into Construction programmes here.

More information on Construction courses and apprenticeships at CONEL can be found here.

Media students snap up top prizes in Met Police photography competition

Posted on July 13, 2023July 13, 2023 by Paul Cassell

Creative Media students from the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL) have taken the top three places in a photography competition run by the Metropolitan Police.

Claudia Tole, Omar Graham and Daniela-Elena Moise came first, second and third respectively in the competition, which invited students to enter photos on the theme of Celebrating Tottenham.

All three students have had their work framed and displayed as part of a refurbishment of Tottenham police station on the High Road near the college’s Tottenham Centre.

Claudia, 27, won the competition with her black and white photo of West Green Road on a rainy day.

“I’m very happy to have won. It’s a good sign when people appreciate what you’ve done,” she said.

“I didn’t think I would win because quite a few other students were participating in the competition. Some of their work showed people working in the community and I thought they might find them more interesting. Mine was a bit different, and maybe that’s why it won.

“When I started at CONEL I didn’t know how to use a camera, but the course really explained the technical aspects and settings and my photography skills have really improved.”

Omar, 28, captured the owner of a shopkeeper on the High Road, while Daniela-Elena, 20, took a photo of a fruit and veg market trader near Seven Sisters underground station.

Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley viewed the entries and met the students at the station where Superintendent Rhona Hunt is expected present them with their prizes at a later date.

First prize was a family tour of Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, second prize was four tickets to Rollernation in Bruce Grove and the third prize was two tickets for Go Ape at Alexandra Palace.

Tamara Lesniewska, Curriculum Manager Creative and Digital Media, said: “The students used their creative eye and photography skills to capture many beautiful buildings, people and green spaces around Tottenham.

“We are immensely proud of all our students who took part, and especially our talented winners on their success in the competition.”

Find out more about Digital Media and Creative Computing courses and apply here.

Draw inspiration from these 10 fantastic arts careers

Posted on July 12, 2023July 12, 2023 by Paul Cassell

Not sure where your creative flair might lead? Here’s a list of our top 10 arts careers.

The arts world is diverse and captivating and offers many career opportunities for anyone with a passion for creativity.

Capital City College Group (CCCG) runs A Levels in Art and Fine Art, and a range of Art, Design and Fashion courses to develop your skills and showcase your talent in these dynamic fields.

There are numerous arts jobs where you can express your flair and creativity. Here’s our list of 10 exciting and fulfilling careers to pursue in the creative sector.

Graphic Designer

With the rise of digital media, graphic design has become an essential field. Graphic designers utilise their artistic skills and technical expertise to create visual designs for various purposes such as advertisements, websites, and branding. This profession offers the opportunity to work with diverse clients and industries, making it an exciting and versatile career choice.

Fashion Designer

Fashion designers are the architects of style. They conceptualise, design and create clothing and accessories that define trends and capture the essence of personal expression. From sketching initial designs to selecting fabrics and overseeing production, fashion designers are at the forefront of the industry, shaping the way people dress and express themselves.

Art Director

Art directors play a crucial role in the creative industries, overseeing and guiding the artistic vision of a project. They collaborate with artists, designers, and photographers to ensure the visual elements align with the desired message. Art directors can find employment in advertising agencies, film production companies, and design studios.

Textile Designer

Textile designers are the artists who create the patterns and textures found in fabrics. They use various techniques, such as drawing, painting, and digital design, to develop unique prints and patterns. Textile designers often work closely with fashion designers to create fabrics that bring their visions to life, adding depth, personality, and visual interest to garments and accessories.

Curator

Curators work in museums, galleries, and cultural institutions, where they research, select, and organize exhibitions. They play a vital role in preserving and presenting artwork to the public, ensuring its historical and cultural significance is conveyed effectively. Curators often have extensive knowledge in art history and work closely with artists and collectors.

Arts Therapist

For those who believe in the healing power of art, a career as an arts therapist can be profoundly fulfilling. Arts therapists use various artistic mediums, such as painting, music or drama, to help individuals express themselves and promote emotional wellbeing. They work in healthcare facilities, schools, or private practice, helping people of all ages and backgrounds.

Costume Designer

Costume designers are responsible for creating the visual identity of characters in theatre, film and television productions. They collaborate with directors, actors, and production teams to bring the story and characters to life through costumes. This job requires a strong sense of creativity, historical research, and attention to detail.

Creative Writer

Writers in the arts industry use words to evoke emotions and tell captivating stories. They may work as playwrights, screenwriters, novelists or copywriters, depending on their interests and talents. Creative writers have the power to influence and inspire others through their words, making it a highly rewarding profession.

Art Teacher

If you have a passion for art and a desire to share your knowledge and skills with others, becoming an art teacher or educator could be an ideal choice. They work in schools, community centres or private studios, teaching various art techniques, art history and nurturing creativity in their students. They play a vital role in shaping the next generation of artists.

Fashion Photographer

Fashion photographers capture the essence and beauty of fashion through their lenses. They work collaboratively with stylists, models and art directors to create captivating visuals that showcase fashion designs and tell stories. Fashion photographers have a keen eye for composition, lighting and capturing the perfect moment, bringing fashion to life through their art.

Find out more about our A Levels and Art, Design and Fashion courses and apply here.

Teachers choose One Thing to improve their education skills

Posted on July 11, 2023February 27, 2024 by Paul Cassell

Teachers from across Capital City College Group (CCCG) have been devising new ways of working to improve their skills in the classroom and create better results for their students.

More than 600 staff have collaborated on the One Thing initiative since it was introduced as part of CCCG’s Teaching, Learning and Assessment Development Policy in 2021.

The One Thing encourages teachers to take voluntary ownership of their career development by improving one aspect of their jobs with coaching support from their peers across the Group known as Expert Practitioners (EPs).

CCCG comprises City and Islington College, Westminster Kingsway College and the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London, and apprenticeship and training provider Capital City College Training.

Developing skills in digital, teaching strategies, behaviour management, online assessment and college IT systems are among the areas teachers have put forward as their One Thing.

Tamara Lesniewska, Curriculum Manager for Creative and Digital Media, has been an EP for the One Thing since it started and coached 10 teachers this academic year.

“Meeting with other teachers enabled me to be self-critical and create action plans for any new areas for my own personal development,” she said.

“Examining feedback, teaching and learning strategies, digital skills and lesson planning and delivery helped identify opportunities for me to improve professionally and enable both myself and the teachers I was supporting to achieve better outcomes for our students.”

English teacher Stefanie Agternkamp, who was among three tutors to benefit from Tamara’s coaching to help her speed up students’ development of ideas.

“It’s helped my students to develop more varied ideas faster over the course of the academic year. The students feel more confident in tackling writing tasks and have benefitted from working with different students in sharing and developing ideas,” she said.

*Tamara Lesniewska and Tueybaha Salhuddin* *have both been Expert Practitioners for the One Thing.*

English for Speaker of Other Languages (ESOL) teacher Tueybaha Salhuddin supported five teachers as an EP this year.

She said: “As an EP I’ve grown in confidence, helping colleagues to become braver by exploring new teacher, learning and assessment strategies. I’ve also gained new ideas, enabling me to take risks with my own teaching and learning. It has been highly rewarding to support colleagues achieve their career development goals.”

EPs coach up to 10 teachers across the academic year. They are often teachers themselves and benefit from the coaching of their own EPs in a cross-collaboration across the Group.

A survey found 96.3 per cent of EPs and 91.5 per cent of teachers agreed it had provided them with relevant professional development, while 92.8 per cent and 87.7 per cent respectively agreed it had improved their teaching practice.

Nearly 30 EPs have gone on to study for Level 3 Certificate in Effective Coaching and Mentoring, which they have implemented into their support for teachers.

An Ofsted report published ahead of CCCG being rated ‘Good’ earlier this year, noted that “teachers value the individual support they receive” and speak enthusiastically about the One Thing.

Torcato, Heads of Teaching and Learning, said: “The impact of the One Thing has been hugely positive and successful in terms of supporting the teachers participating and the EPs’ own development, so it really is a win-win on both sides.

“The rewards are very tangible, because the EPs can not only see the progress the teachers they are supporting are making, but also the progress they are making, which results in better pedagogy and efficiency, and ultimately better learner outcomes.

“Our aim is to get to the One Thing to a point where is grows organically and becomes the norm across all our colleges in the Group, and we are using the same model for managers and the rest of the staff at all levels. Then we will be in a fantastic place.”

Find out more about courses and apprenticeships with CCCG and apply here.

CCCG celebrates the vital role of employers in education

Posted on July 7, 2023July 7, 2023 by Paul Cassell

Students from across Capital City College Group (CCCG) shared how work placements have been pivotal to their learning at an event to celebrate the importance of employers in education.

Anthony Lowther, Yakshika Gajendran, Riham Noufal, Samira Mekana and Tyrese Campbell, spoke at the event at Westminster Kingsway College’s King’s Cross Centre on 5 June.

WestKing is part of CCCG along with City and Islington College and the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London, and apprenticeship and training provider Capital City College Training.

The event was a chance for CCCG and students to say thank you to the many employer partners that work with the colleges to provide apprenticeships, internships, work placements, employability workshops, industry visits, mentoring sessions and other activities.

Among those in attendance were representatives from companies and organisations including ISG, The Ritz London, Wates Group, HSBC, Ardmore, Mediorite and Haringey Council.

Engineering student Anthony, 16, told of the “invaluable” work experience he received while on placement with construction firm Galliford Try at a development on Charing Cross Road.

He said: “The responsibilities entrusted to me during my work experience provided me with more independence. From managing tasks to problem solving and being hands on, all these experiences helped me grasp the fundamentals of the industry, providing me with a solid foundation of what to expect in the future.”

Yakshika, 19, undertook a placement working with children at King’s College Hospital as part of her Health and Social Care diploma, which she said had helped her professionally and personally.

She said: “The hands-on experience I gained through interacting with children, supporting patients and assisting with administrative tasks has equipped me with practical skills essential in the healthcare field. The experience has also boosted my confidence, which will be invaluable as I pursue my studies and a career in nursing.”

Applied Science students Samira and Riham, both 18, shared their experience while on work placements with Walkers Pharmacy and Elgon Chemists respectively, which included dispensing medication and interacting with patients.

Samira said: “What made this experience exceptional was the constant guidance and mentorship provided by my employer.

“They took the time to listen to my aspirations, understand my interests and provide valuable advice along the way. They patiently answered my questions and provided valuable insights and encouraged me to explore the field of pharmacy further.”

Riham said: “This experience has solidified my passion for healthcare and inspire me to pursue a university course in biomedical science. I am excited to continue my educational journey and contribute to advancements in the field of medicine.”

Tyrese, 23, undertook work experience with film production company and digital agency Mediorite while completing his Creative Media Production diploma. The placement gave him an insider’s perspective on the industry including pre-production, location scouting and working on set.

He said: “My work experience taught me the value of networking and building relationships in the industry. I had the chance to interact with professionals from directors and cinematographers to editors and visual effects artists. These connections have opened doors for future collaborations and mentorship opportunities, paving the way for my growth as a filmmaker.”

The event also included a talk on T Levels by Karen Kelly, Strategic Associate at the Strategic Development Network, a further education, skills and apprenticeships consultancy.

Christina Byrne, Regional Social Value Manager, and Anita Ribeiro, Social Value Manager, from construction firm Wates Group, spoke about the importance of employers working with education to provide opportunities for students and produce better skilled employees.

Addressing the employers present, Jasbir Sondhi, Vice Principal at WestKing, said: “Our aim at CCCG is to transform lives, but we cannot do that alone. We want to bridge the gap between education and employment, by working closely with employers like you, to provide our students with a level playing field.

“One of the highlights of the academic year is hearing about the wonderful opportunities our learners have had, and that’s because of all of you who make it possible. I think I speak on behalf of all our colleges when I say thank you so much for everything you’ve done for our learners this academic year. You really do make a difference. Together, we can empower the next generation and shape a better tomorrow.”

Find out more about course and apprenticeships with CCCG and apply here.

Students share top tips for starting college

Posted on July 6, 2023July 11, 2023 by Paul Cassell

Starting college in September? Here’s our students’ advice on what to do in your first few weeks.

Starting college life can be both an exciting and daunting experience.

At Capital City College Group (CCCG) we want to make you feel welcome. Our staff and students are always on hand to help you get familiar with your new surroundings and begin your studies.

It’s natural to feel some trepidation and uncertainty, which is why asked our students to share their top tips to help you settle in as you take the first steps on your college journey.

Blossom Maala, Music Performance and Production student

“Don’t be afraid to talk to people in your class. You’re not the only one who doesn’t know anyone. So, put yourself out there because you will make really good friends. I know I have.”

Sahr Bongay, Electrical Installations student

“Start as you mean to go on. Limit your distractions, stay focused and prioritise your work. If in doubt about anything, ask questions because your teachers will help you.”

Walah Ben Fawaz, Applied Science student

“Become a student rep, so you can speak on behalf of your peers and attend meetings to change things at college. It gives you confidence and is good for your CV and UCAS personal statement.”

Jack Georgiou, Professional Chef student

“Be open-minded and willing to learn new skills, take on board advice and as many opportunities as much as you can. Most of all have fun and enjoy yourself, the three years will fly by.”

Skylar Gordon, Health and Social Care student

“Build strong relationships with your teachers. They are there to help you. When you have that connection, you can rely on them to give you guidance and support with your assignments.”

Delilah Mansoor, Art and Design student

“Go to the freshers fair. You can find out more about the college, join clubs and societies and hear about other services to help you. It’s a great way to meet people and make friends too.”

Alex Krusini, Creative Media Production student

“Check your timetable and get familiar with the college and the rooms so you know where your lessons are. That way you’ll always be on time and not confused about where to go.”

Joyce Annan, Supporting Teaching and Learning student

“Make use of the college library. There are books all about what you are learning that will help you with your assignments. You can also access online resources from the comfort of your home.”