We are delighted to announce the appointment of Michael Davis as Chair of Capital City College’s Board, effective from October 2024.
Michael is the Chief Executive Officer at the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen). Previously, he held several senior positions at the marketing data and analytics business Kantar, most recently as its Chief Business Performance Officer. Michael was also the Chief Executive of the former UK Commission for Employment and Skills.
The current Chair, Alastair Da Costa, will stand down at the Board’s next meeting in October but will continue as a board member until December. It is 13 years since Alastair was first appointed a governor in 2011 at City and Islington, where he was appointed as Chair in 2014. He then assumed the Chair role of Capital City College Group through the mergers with Westminster Kingsway in 2016 and The College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London in 2017.
Michael said: ‘Alastair leaves an impressive legacy of achievement behind him and a set of very big boots to fill. The Board is enormously grateful to Alastair for his strong leadership and for taking the group, to be one of the largest within the country, delivering technical and vocational education that allows 30,000 students annually to achieve their ambition and meet the needs of 2,000 local employers’.
Alastair said: ‘Having led the group to a £130m revenue institution with 35,000 students and achieved Good status with Ofsted, I feel now is the right time to step aside and let our CEO Angela Joyce and Michael lead the organisation through its next stage of development. I have been lucky to meet many of our fantastic students and witness their amazing achievements, an experience for which I am very grateful.’
We spoke to BTEC students on results day to learn more about how their studies supported them in progressing to university.
Collecting your results after two years of study can be a stressful time. For students who complete one of our many BTEC courses, there’s often an element of continuous assessment which means that you have some idea of what to expect on results day.
We spoke to BTEC students collecting their results to find out more about their college experience and their varied and exciting next steps into Higher Education.
What are you going to do with your qualifications?
I’m going to go to Greenwich to study Criminology and Criminal Psychology and probably apply for the Met to work as a police officer.
How are you feeling about your results?
I’m really happy. Honestly, I did not think I was going to get that high. I’m really happy that that’s the grade I got because it means I’ve got a very clear path to university. I don’t have to worry about going through clearing or anything like that.
How has the college supported you in the last couple of years?
It’s honestly been great. I was taught a lot of things that I know will be very useful at university. Because I was doing BTEC, I learned how to write essays properly and how to cite – and these are all things that are really important in university. And that’s probably the number one thing that I’m really grateful for because I know that once you go to university it’s going to be a shock if you haven’t done it before.
Were there any challenges on the way for you?
The first year was a bit rocky because you’re getting used to people and it was a bit hard to catch on with everything that was happening. Then about halfway through the first year, that’s when you get the hang of it and have a clear path to getting grades.
I’m going to study Mechanical Engineering at the University of Leicester.
How did you feel this morning?
If I’m perfectly honest, I knew what I was going to get in the first place because I did study BTEC and we were given a calculator of what grades we would get. Today, I still felt a bit nervous because I thought there could be a small change, maybe I got a different grade. I thought I might surprise myself.
Fantastic! I’ll be moving on to uni and I’ll be studying international relations at Goldsmiths. From there, I’ll be going into the Royal Air Force as an officer.
How has the college supported you?
I would say that it’s been fantastic, especially my lecturers. It’s been very personal, very good. My subject, especially, has been fantastic. Genuinely speaking, I wouldn’t have got these grades without that so thank you to the whole Protective Services Department on that front.
What will you remember most?
Well, what I’ll remember most is actually my class, my Uniformed Protective Services class. It was literally a team – with the teachers and the students. It’s something I’ll never forget, and that’s what I’ll miss the most.
I’m going to the University of Westminster to study Cyber Security and Forensics.
How has the college supported you?
Your tutors are a very big help because they help with your personal statement. Also the head of department – they can actually help with exams and anything that’s wrong with the grades, so they support you through the whole thing.
I’m going to study Biomedical Science at the University of Westminster. I’m really happy. When I saw the message that I got into uni I was screaming.
How has the college supported you?
With BTEC, everyone kind of thinks that it’s lower than A Level but they [the college] made sure to tell you that you will get into uni. They really make you feel comfortable with BTEC.
They [the teachers] were really helpful, they were really understanding, considerate and tailor your learning to how you learn.
Study a Vocational course
Our expert-led BTEC courses provide students with the opportunity to develop their skills and knowledge across a broad range of subject areas. Students benefit from support in completing UCAS applications and comprehensive career guidance, all while being part of a community-based college that is committed to setting students up for academic and professional success.
We talked to one of our students with a vast and varied learning background about his experience of completing the fully remote Level 4 Facilities Management Apprenticeship.
With more and more learning taking place online, it’s always interesting to hear about the challenges and benefits faced by online apprenticeship students.
I saw the opportunity at Savills to be part of the apprenticeship. Initially, I ignored it because I thought apprenticeships were for younger people aged 15 to 25 but then I decided to make enquiries and applied for it. Initially, they [my employer] declined as they thought I had a general knowledge of what they were going to be teaching me. From what I’d read about the apprenticeship, the main purpose was to widen your knowledge to be able to progress in any career path. I pointed out that certain positions will require more in-depth knowledge for me to progress and they reconsidered and approved the course.
What motivation did you have for doing an apprenticeship?
I used to have a line manager who managed a lot more portfolios on multiple sites. He moved around a lot and had more flexibility with scheduling his own diary. I liked the flexibility he had, so I spoke with him, and he was quite supportive. Moving up the ladder in the property management field was also part of my motivation.
What were you doing before you started the apprenticeship?
I was working as a site manager for Savills and managing one portfolio of retail property which consisted of 25 units in Hertsmere in Hertfordshire.
I have a vast educational background, with quite a few degrees. My first degree was in Geology and Mining. Property management was something I came into in around 2011 and I joined Savills in around 2015. Initially, I joined as a support to a regional facilities manager looking after one particular site and then I became a site manager in around 2018.
Why did you choose to study with us?
Once I’d chosen the course I wanted to go on, my employer gave me a choice of a few colleges that offered the same apprenticeship. They’d had previous engagements with the college and thought it would be the quickest route for me to get started.
What did you like about the course?
I love challenges and I love having knowledge about a lot of things. I love the confidence that knowledge gives you that you’re doing something appropriately. I like to challenge myself educationally, to get more information about things – and if I can acquire qualifications as a by-product, then why not?
How did you feel that the course supported you?
I couldn’t have asked for more. I had more than enough support from the tutor and the management. Wherever I had challenges, all I needed to do was pick up a phone and give them a call and I got all the support I needed.
Were there many people in your cohort?
I think we started with around ten people, and that dropped down to about seven because some people dropped out as they didn’t require the course any more. The cohort was the best part of the course, because it brings all the people from all the different fields and areas together, and everybody can share their experiences. You get a little insight into how it’s done elsewhere.
How did studying remotely benefit you or challenge you?
For me, it was the only way I could have done it because I was working. Obviously, I had the support from my employer and they gave me the time to work on it and I sometimes worked on it at home. It was the only way I could have got it done. If not, I would have had to stop working or go elsewhere. I think it was the best for me personally.
I’d always thought that I preferred to be in [an in-person] class, to be able to speak with people. But with the technology used and the way the course was done, it didn’t feel like I was outside of the class. It felt like I was in class with the rest of my cohort.
What aspect of the apprenticeship did you enjoy the most?
I enjoyed the classes the most because I was able to ask questions and listen to other people’s questions. I was also able to hear people answer questions, with the answer not necessarily coming from the tutor, but from other colleagues in the group.
To what extent was the course directly relevant to your job?
Well, I think it’s all centred around what I was doing. I got to know the reasons why things had to be done a certain way, and I learned more about the background, legislation and regulations behind things that I was already doing.
Were there any particular challenges that you experienced?
The challenge I experienced was in the aspect of budgeting. Managing properties and budgeting for different things was a big challenge because it was a particular field I was not exposed to prior to the course. With the support from the college and the tutor, I was able to overcome that challenge, and I think it was my strongest point in the assessment.
What role are you doing at the moment?
Before I was even halfway through the course, with the knowledge I had got at that point, I was able to apply for a Regional Facilities Manager role. The knowledge from the course came in very useful during the interview, and I was able to get the new role I applied for – so I’m currently a Regional Facilities Manager.
What advice would you give anyone thinking about an apprenticeship?
Start now. Also, if you want to do it properly, it takes quite a lot of personal learning and reading. I didn’t think it was going to be that time-consuming, but it took up quite a lot of my time. I like to do things to the best of my ability so because of that, I did a lot of writing and learning, and that took quite a lot of time. It was all worth it in the end.
Also, something that a lot of people don’t realise is that apprenticeships are open to older people. It’s not just people aged 15 to 25 or under the age of 30 or 40 that are eligible to do an apprenticeship.
What’s next for you?
I currently have a portfolio of about 34 properties, so I want to challenge myself further. I’m looking at maybe doing the NEBOSH qualifications so I can look at some aspects currently not covered under my Facilities Management qualification.
If you’re currently unemployed and are interested in completing an apprenticeship, take a look at our apprenticeship vacancies.
If you’re working in Facilities Management and interested in completing qualifications to support and further your career, then take a look at our Facilities Management courses.
Barts Health NHS Trust and Barts Life Sciences have joined forces with Capital City College (CCC) to establish a pioneering Health and Life Sciences Skills Hub.
The partnership, marked by a signing ceremony at CCCG’s Angel centre, will offer diverse education and qualification pathways to students across London, equipping them with essential skills for the healthcare and life sciences sectors.
The new Health and Life Sciences Hub, currently under construction and set to be completed in January 2025, will offer a wide variety of training designed to equip students with essential skills for careers in the healthcare and life sciences sectors. These programmes will include:
Employment skills courses for current health and care professionals
Employment skills and access courses for those aspiring to enter the healthcare and life sciences fields
Core skills courses, such as IT training
Clinical skills courses
In addition to these educational pathways, Barts Health NHS Trust and Barts Life Sciences will play a key role in the hub’s success by providing careers and employment advice to students, co-designing and advising on curriculum content for health-related T Levels and access courses, and delivering appropriate work experience and internship opportunities for students enrolled in the courses.
Following today’s signing of the memorandum of agreement between Capital City College and the NHS, the delegation toured the centre’s facilities, including its existing teaching facilities in animal care, performing arts, engineering, and science. The visitors also viewed the construction progress of the new wing.
This partnership marks a major step toward preparing a skilled workforce for the healthcare and life sciences sectors, addressing the growing demands across London. By offering cutting-edge education and practical training, the Health and Life Sciences Hub will ensure students are well-equipped to enter the industry.
Shane DeGaris, Group Chief Executive at Barts Health NHS Trust said “We recognise the urgent need to address both the growing demand for skilled professionals in the healthcare and life sciences sectors and the disparities in access to training and opportunities. Our partnership with Capital City College is a pivotal step in our commitment to bridging these gaps, especially within our communities. By nurturing local talent and providing tailored education and career support, we are excited to empower the next generation of healthcare leaders and tackle the pressing challenges facing our services.”
Jasbir Sondhi, Group Principal at Capital City College, said: ‘We are deeply committed to providing our students with the best possible opportunities for their future. This strategic partnership with Barts Health NHS Trust and Barts Life Sciences embodies that commitment, as it opens the door to an array of incredible opportunities that will enhance the educational journey of our students.’
Students from our Sixth Form College share their experiences of college life and talk about their next steps.
A Level Results Day 2024 at our Sixth Form College was an emotional time for all concerned – but what the day marked for many was the end of their time at the college and the beginning of the next phase in their lives.
We spoke to a number of students to get their take on college life and hear about their exciting plans following their A Level studies.
I’m hoping to continue Graphic Design, maybe at the University of Leeds – but I haven’t decided yet.
What has your experience of college been like?
I never really liked school, but with college, I never woke up and didn’t want to go. I just really enjoyed it, everyone’s really nice. The teachers are nice, you can ask them for anything and they’ll attend to you immediately.
What will you remember most about your time here?
Making friends. It was really nice going out and eating together, having fun and making memories.
I’m going on to study Media and Communications at West London University. I’ve always wanted to do anything to do with media, news reporting specifically.
What has your experience of college been like?
I came by myself and I didn’t know anybody, so it was really nice to come out of my comfort zone, make some new friends and get to know people. It thought it was great and I would happily do it again – it was lovely. I kind of miss it now that it’s done but I’m happy to move on to the future.
What will you remember most about your time at college?
One of my teachers was amazing – Freya. She reminded me of a teacher I had in secondary school. I failed 99% of my mocks for Sociology – and that’s the one I got a B in. That was her, she just kept pushing me, encouraging me, telling me that I could do it, and I did. That’s the one that I focussed on the most and I’m happy that I got that grade. And just the people I’ve met, I made some great friends.
I’m going to take a gap here, work on myself and get some money. I’m so glad I got the grades because I can use that as a safety net to apply to Russell Group unis next year.
Who supported you?
My parents, my family, my Econ teacher Imran, my friends, just everyone, really and most importantly, myself. I think my hard work really paid off.
I didn’t get into my firm, which was PPE [Philosophy, Politics and Economics] at LSE, but rejection is redirection, and I’m overall really happy with my grades. I’m looking forward to taking a gap year.
I was so worried that my hard work wouldn’t pay off, but it always pays off, and that’s all that matters. I’m just immensely grateful for my support system and all the hardships that made me grow into who I am today – I’m so happy.
Who’s supported you?
My family and my friends and also my teachers. I’m definitely just so lucky I have so many wonderful people in my life. I know it didn’t work out the way I wanted it to, but I’m happy with the way it came out and I’m sure something will work out in the end.
I think my exams went well. I was really worried about the setup because it’s something new, it’s not the same as GCSEs. You hear about the transitions but you don’t know about the actual pressure until you go inside and sit the exam, but I feel like I controlled the nerves and in the actual exam I applied what I learnt, so I’m happy.
How has the college supported you in getting those grades?
It’s half-half, isn’t it? They do as much as they can but at the end of the day, it’s down to you. It’s about the effort that you put in, and the revision that you do. The resources that you invest in, finding what works for you. The teachers do their part, what they can do. The other half is down to you.
What’s next for you?
I’m taking a gap year but plan to study dance in 2025 at university.
What will you remember most about your time at college?
I was quite shocked when I saw my Media result because it’s a very tough subject – but overall I’m really happy.
What’s next for you?
I’m hoping to get an apprenticeship with the BBC. Now I’ve got my results, hopefully, it should slide through.
How has the college supported you in the last couple of years?
Especially my language and media teachers – I can’t thank them enough, they were so supportive. Whenever I needed them they were first on board to help me – endless lunchtimes, after hours we were spending together. They were really good teachers.
Were there any particular challenges over the last couple of years?
Well, it was me and my two little sisters all taking exams. One was taking their GCSEs, and one was taking their SATS, so it was hectic in the household trying to revise – but you’ve just got to push through it.
What will you remember most?
My friends. I’ve made lifelong friends now and that’s what motivated me to come to school, knowing that my friends were there.
I’m very happy. It was definitely hard. I had to cut down to two instead of three. But it was, it was the right choice for me, and I’m going to do the next one (Geography) next year and I’m aiming for A* again.
What’s in store for you next year?
I’m doing a gap year and I’m going to work. I really love learning, so I’m hoping to do lots of little courses in things that I really like, photography and classics, things like that.
What do you want to do next?
I’m not entirely sure what I want to do next. […] For me, I feel that if I don’t know what course I want to do, and I don’t know where I want my life to go, it can be really expensive to go to uni, so I’d rather do an apprenticeship. They’ve got lots more coming out because you’re getting work and education.
How has the college supported you?
Mike, my Geography teacher, was incredible. He helped me through it all, and he was so understanding and a great teacher. School’s hard for everyone, and it’s nice to know that someone is rooting for you even when you’re not doing your best.
I’m going to university, to study Architecture at London South Bank.
How has the college supported you?
All of my teachers were very supportive – and so was the careers team. I was very involved with them and I had a lot of internship opportunities. I had the opportunity to go to a different country as well. It was supported by the college and I went to Korea on the Turing Scheme.
I’m going to take a gap year and then go to Oxford Brookes for Graphic Design.
How has the college supported you?
My teachers were very supportive. I was very lucky to have them. I came to this college because when I went to the open days, I just fell in love with the teaching and the support that it looked like they were going to give, and I was completely right so it was amazing. I did struggle with tests, so I got the college to help me set up extra time, and that helped so much.
For many students, completing A Levels at our Sixth Form College wasn’t just about getting the best grades available to them. Their time at college gave them a sense of community, providing a comprehensive and supportive learning environment in which they could work towards personal goals.
A student from The College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL) recently contributed to an impressive victory for Enfield Borough Football Club’s U18 team in the FA Youth Cup.
The College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL) student Stead Green helped the Enfield Borough U18 squad achieve victory in a match at the Maccabi sports facility in Barnet on 5 September. The match was part of the preliminary round of the FA Youth Cup, a prestigious football competition renowned for unearthing the football stars of the future.
Stead, who is currently studying Sport – Level 3 Extended Diploma and is also a member of our Football Academy, contributed to the team’s excellent 6-2 win against Tilbury. Also on the Enfield Borough U18 squad is Ronald Williams, a CONEL Business student.
The team’s impressive victory takes them through to the next round of the FA Youth Cup, where they will go on to meet more of the country’s best young footballers.
The college has a longstanding partnership with Enfield Borough FC. The football club is instrumental in supporting the college group’s variedSports Academies. The Sports Academies are open to anyone aged 16-19 who is enrolled on a course within the college group.
Our Football Academy allows students to benefit from state-of-the-art facilities including a 3G sports pitch, gym and sports hall. Upon joining the academy, students are free to access a range of expert training, support, guidance, and coaching as well as exciting work experience opportunities.
Our excellent industry-specific apprenticeships enable professionals to apply new skills as they study, allowing employers to recognise and reward individuals as they develop.
Apprenticeships are a great way to build on existing skills and provide opportunities for growth. We spoke to recent apprenticeship graduate, Hannington Nsubuga, about his experience of completing the Facilities Management – Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship with Capital City College Training (CCCT). Shortly after completing his apprenticeship, Hannington was promoted by his employer – a direct result of his newly acquired skills and expertise.
What were you doing before you began your apprenticeship?
I was working for the Royal Free Hospital as a Facilities Assistant in the Dialysis Unit. I have been working in facilities for 9 years.
In my role, we manage facilities at the Royal Free Hospital that involve managing, cleaning and maintaining the hospital, providing meals to the patients along other in-house services. In addition to making sure that the environment is clean, we also ensure that health and safety regulations are followed.
Why did you choose to do the Facilities Management apprenticeship?
My manager recommended that I do the course as she thought it was fitting for me to take on the apprenticeship to build and improve my skills. I was able to enrol on the apprenticeship through my employer.
The apprenticeship took place over two years and sessions took place online. During this time, my employer gave me a day off in the week as study leave to do my reading and research including the assignments.
What other training had you done prior to the apprenticeship?
I did Step Up to Lead, a management training course that was provided by my employer.
What did you like about the course?
My tutor Rod was very helpful. When I was doing assignments I could always consult him and he could advise me where to do research.
I really liked that some of my colleagues were also in my class. Two colleagues from the Royal Free Hospital were in my group and that really helped me to progress. We used to have a group discussion every Thursday. We could go online and discuss when we were doing our assignments and research.
How did the course help you build on your skills in your current role?
There are so many practical things I learnt from the course which I really use in my role such as health and safety. We also learnt about different styles of management and leadership which is crucial in the role I’ve recently taken on.
During the course, we learnt about business continuity planning and social corporate responsibility – things I didn’t know about before. We also learnt about energy saving and different types of sourcing for Facilities Management. There are so many things that are practical in my day-to-day role which I learnt from the course.
What was your favourite part of the course?
I really liked the business continuity planning part because we sometimes have emergencies at the hospital where I work. For instance, while I was on my course there was a flood within the hospital and I saw first-hand how business continuity planning could be implemented. We had to move patients from one place to another as the area was being renovated. I took part in the process and could see how this [business continuity planning] was very important. It was great to see something I’d just learnt being implemented in my day-to-day work
How did you interact with other students in your cohort?
I mainly interacted with my colleagues from the Royal Free who were on the course but I also interacted with other students in discussions when we had to prepare for the end of the course and our exams.
Phillip Moore used to take us through discussion groups and help us prepare for our exams. In our group sessions with him, I got to know many other students from other companies and listened to their ideas and questions, which was really helpful. Rod would also join discussions and listen in so that he could tell us how to improve on our responses and ideas.
What did you find challenging about the apprenticeship?
It was demanding to be working full time and doing research and assignments at the same time. Towards the end, it was challenging to submit the assignments on time and I did get behind with a couple of them. I asked my manager to give me more time off and I managed to do more research and submit all the assignments. It was challenging but I had support from both my tutor and my line manager.
What advice would you give to anyone thinking about doing an apprenticeship?
It’s really important to choose a course that is fitting for your role. I’d recommend anyone who has the chance to do an apprenticeship to do a course related to their job. I’d recommend them to use CCCT as I found my tutor Rod to be particularly helpful.
How have things changed as a result of the apprenticeship?
After completing my apprenticeship, my manager was keen to find me a role that would enable me to apply the skills I’d acquired. In July 2024, I was promoted to Facilities Assistant Supervisor.
The apprenticeship has absolutely contributed to my promotion. That’s why, as soon as I got the promotion, I made sure I informed my tutor about it and he was very happy for me.
What’s next for you?
I am now in a new role and I’ve got a chance to progress. Before I was promoted, I was working in the Dialysis Unit where there was no room for promotion. I’ve now moved to the main hospital where there are opportunities for promotion and my manager has assured me that the sky’s the limit now that I’ve got the skills.
We offer a broad range of apprenticeship training covering multiple professional fields. Please speak to your employer about training with us.
If you are unemployed and wish to do an apprenticeship, take a look at our apprenticeship vacancies.
Fashion teachers from WestKing to lead courses at community fashion hub Poplar Works as part of the Making for Change programme which supports students entering the UK fashion industry.
The Making for Change programme aims to provide students with hands-on fashion manufacturing skills, industry-recognised qualifications and support in finding jobs within the UK fashion manufacturing industry, which is currently experiencing a critical skills shortage.
Making for Change was established with the Ministry of Justice in 2014 and includes a training and production programme at HMP Downview. This programme supports women in the criminal justice system in developing skills and experiences relevant to the fashion industry. The HMP Downview project participants are also given opportunities to work at Poplar Works during or after their custodial sentence.
Poplar Works is a community fashion hub in East London’s Fashion District which provides a space for fashion students, entrepreneurs and local community members to learn, share and create. The hub is home to a specially designed fashion manufacturing and training unit that provides training, accreditation, and job opportunities for the local community. Poplar Works is also home to a thriving garment production team so there is scope for students to find employment once they have completed their training.
As part of the Making for Change programme, students enrolling on Level 1 and Level 2 Fashion and Textiles courses at Poplar Works will also enrol as students at WestKing, where they will benefit from the college’s expert teaching, pastoral support as well as mental health and well-being services. Students will also be offered valuable learning support and career advice.
London College of Fashion manages the Making for Change space at Poplar Works including the production team. They offer students support during their studies through masterclasses and networking events and help them get involved in creative projects that can lead to further education or opportunities for work.
For more information on WestKing’s Making for Change courses at Poplar Works, prospective students can go along to the Information Day at Poplar Works on Tuesday 24th September from 11am to 2pm.
Capital City College Group was thrilled to welcome renowned celebrity chef Marcus Wareing to our Victoria centre yesterday, where he delivered an inspiring talk to our new cohort of hospitality and catering students as part of their induction.
During his visit, chef Wareing was interviewed by Claire Bosi, Editor of Chef Magazine, who asked him about his career, his work, and life in the culinary world.
Reflecting on his own journey, chef Wareing emphasized the importance of a solid culinary education, stating: ‘Catering school was one of the best decisions of my life. Learning techniques will be a key part of your life, so don’t rush it.’ He encouraged students to take their time mastering the fundamentals, highlighting how these skills would form the bedrock of their future success.
In addition to technical skills, chef Wareing urged the students to strive for excellence in all they do, and spoke about the importance of diverse work experiences, saying: “When it comes to work placements, don’t be afraid to try out new things in different environments. Choose good places and good people.”
The talk concluded with a heartfelt wish for the students’ success as they embark on their careers in the catering and hospitality industry. “This is an exciting time for you,” he said, “and I wish you every success as you take your first steps into this incredible profession.”
