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Student Chef to represent England on world stage at IIHM Young Chef Olympiad 2025

Professional Chef Diploma student Kamran Taylor will compete in the international Young Chef Olympiad 2025 in Goa.

A talented student from Capital City College (CCC)’s renowned School of Hospitality and Culinary Arts will represent England in the IIHM Young Chef Olympiad 2025.  The prestigious global competition involves young chefs from around 50 different nations across the globe. Kamran Taylor, who is in his final year of the Level 3 Professional Chef Diploma at CCC’s Westminster centre, will travel to Goa to join the competition opening ceremony which takes place on 2 February.

Photo credit: Jodi Hinds

Kamran competed in a number of competition rounds to reach the international stage. Firstly, he took part in two heats against classmates at CCC before being chosen to progress to the next stage. Following his college heats, Kamran worked with his mentor Chef Christopher Basten to develop various dishes for two further competitive stages. For the first round, Kamran was given a limited selection of ingredients which he used to create a sweet potato and pumpkin gnocchi with an aromatic aubergine puree, sauce vierge and tomato. This was followed by a modern take on choux pastry with almond praline pastry cream, mango and orange. In round two, Kamran presented a menu of baked barramundi, white fish mousse and pearl barley risotto with prawns and a prawn bisque sauce. For dessert, he served a chocolate delice on a walnut biscuit with chantilly cream, mint oil and a passion fruit gel.

As a result of his success in the second round of the competition, Kamran was chosen to represent England on the international stage of the IIHM Young Chef Olympiad 2025. Throughout the competition, Kamran has been supported by his mentor Chef Christopher Basten and the teaching staff at the School of Hospitality and Culinary Arts. One of Kamran’s dishes was also featured on the menu at the college’s restaurant, The Vincent Rooms, allowing him to develop the dish and gain confidence in executing it. In the run-up to the international competition in Goa, Kamran has been busy practising his dishes with timed four-hour sessions during which he prepares and produces his competition menu.

Kamran said: “I think the biggest highlight so far would be the knowledge and techniques I have picked up in preparation for this competition. I’m sure there will be an infinite number of memories and moments to remember when in India.”

Photo credit: Jodi Hinds

Kamran has been drawn in Group A, so will remain in Goa to take part in the group stage of the competition where he is to compete against chefs from India, Kenya, Ireland, Brunei, Botswana, Ethiopia, Oman, Armenia and the USA. The other group stage competitions will take place in Hyderabad, Delhi, Pune and Bangalore and the competition will culminate in a Grand Finale in Kolkata.

Featuring truly diverse flavours, the competition will showcase the incredible talent of young chefs from across the globe. The judging panel will be led by Senior Judge Chef Gary Maclean, a celebrated food ambassador, author, and former MasterChef: The Professionals winner.

Kamran said: “I’m most looking forward to meeting all the other countries’ competitors, mentors and judges. I’m also very much looking forward to exploring the culture and cuisine India has to offer.”

Congratulations to Kamran on being chosen to represent England in the IIHM Young Chef Olympiad 2025. We wish you all the best for the competition!

Our renowned School of Hospitality and Culinary Arts is highly respected within the industry for its excellent teaching and learning opportunities. If you’re a budding chef, take a look at our fantastic range of Hospitality and Culinary Arts courses and apply now!

Capital City College Training Rebrands as Apprenticeships+

Empowering businesses and elevating skills: A new era for workforce development.

Capital City College Training, the training arm of Capital City College (CCC), a leading provider of professional apprenticeship and training solutions in London, has officially rebranded as Apprenticeships+, marking an exciting new chapter in its mission to support businesses and bridge skills gaps across the capital.

The rebrand will be officially launched during a special event on 11 February 2025, coinciding with National Apprenticeships Week. The relaunch reflects a renewed focus on delivering tailored, high-quality training and recruitment solutions for businesses of all sizes, with an emphasis on simplicity, flexibility, and impact.

Jackie Chapman, Group Principal of Apprenticeships, Partnerships and Innovation at CCC, said: “Apprenticeships+ represents a bold step forward in our commitment to empowering London’s businesses with the tools, expertise, and talent they need to thrive in today’s competitive landscape. Our rebrand reflects not only an elevated level of service but also a shared vision for a stronger, more skilled workforce in London.”

Why Apprenticeships+?

The Apprenticeships+ offer is designed to deliver maximum value to employers through:

Access to a £1,000 government grant when recruiting apprentices aged 16–18.

Free recruitment services to streamline the hiring process, for apprentices and using Sector Based Work Academies to help fill entry-level roles.  

Bespoke training programmes, including apprenticeships and short courses, designed in partnership with specialist trainers to meet the unique needs of employers and bridge the London skills gap.

Flexible delivery options are available in the workplace, online or at our state-of-the-art training centres. This team works around your timetable including on weekends.

The rebrand also introduces a refreshed visual identity, including a new logo, signalling the organisation’s commitment to innovation and progress, and CCC’s brand values: reflective real-life learning; connected communities; and expanded horizons.

Building on a legacy of success

The rebrand highlights Capital City College Group’s legacy as London’s largest further education provider, serving around 38,000 students and apprentices annually across eleven sites. With 97% of students moving on to positive destinations after their studies, the Group’s proven track record underpins the Apprenticeships+ brand with an apprenticeship achievement rate 5% above the National Average last year.

Aligned with its mission, “To create a future which is uniquely yours,” CCC continues to prioritise inclusivity and real-world learning, values central to the success of its students and employer partnerships.

Join us for our launch event

The launch event on 11 February 2025 will offer an exclusive opportunity for businesses to learn more about Apprenticeships+, meet industry experts, and explore how apprenticeships can transform their organisations.

Book your ticket to our launch event.

For more information on Apprenticeships+, visit www.capitalccg.ac.uk/apprenticeships-plus.

Buildings are the backbones to a business: Understanding a workplace from within through a Facilities Management Apprenticeship

We spoke to Apprenticeships+ alumnus Zak about his experience of completing the Level 3 Facilities Management Apprenticeship. 

Ever wondered who keeps everything shipshape in your school, college or office? That’s the work of Facilities Management professionals.

Zak, who works as a Receptionist at charity Change Grow Live (CGL), recently completed the Level 3 Facilities Management Apprenticeship with Apprenticeships+. Change Grow Live is a national health and social care charity that offers support for people who want to change their lives by offering advice, treatment and support.

We spoke to Zak to find out about his apprenticeship experience.

What’s your role at Change Grow Live?

I’ve been working as a Receptionist for Change Grow Live for the last six years with some secondments in between. I first started out doing basic reception duties but as time went on I expanded my skills. As well as working on reception with general duties like getting everyone to sign in and helping with room bookings, I also help people if they have issues logging in and using IT equipment. I also do statutory health and safety checks such as the weekly fire alarms and conduct extinguisher and premises checks.

What led you to start an apprenticeship?

As I developed my skills, I started to help the facilities team. I thought it would be a good idea to do a course and see where it took me. I wanted to understand more about what Facilities Management involves. There’s so much to it, it’s a bit like the backbone of a lot of businesses but you don’t always realise it. To keep a building operating you need electricity, you need to liaise with different contractors and suppliers, you need everything to function correctly, so we work with different departments and have to be able to engage with and build rapport with lots of different people and companies. It’s quite exciting and interesting. 

Why did you choose Apprenticeships+?

When I was liaising with my manager Fran Wellington, Senior PA at Change Grow Live and the Learning and Development team, we thought the Level 3 Facilities Management Apprenticeship at the King’s Cross centre was ideal because it was based close to where I work. I’ve actually studied with Capital City College (CCC) before – I studied Health and Social Care and really enjoyed it.

What did you like most about the course?

The thing I enjoyed the most was understanding the different aspects of being a Facilities Manager as there’s a lot involved in keeping a building going. I got to learn about a lot of things that I didn’t know about before such as the reasons why we have to do the statutory checks on a regular basis.

What were the highlights of the course?

For me, the highlight was gaining knowledge of how many legal requirements are needed in certain aspects of building and facilitating a working environment for colleagues and visitors.

If anything happens within a building, it all falls back to Facilities Management, so you have to understand that people will need to come to you for a whole range of things, and it’s all about being positive and approachable, having a good rapport with people and treating everyone equally. 

Was it easy to connect with your cohort and your tutor?

It was brilliant. Everyone was on the same wavelength and we got along. The course tutor, Rod, explained everything brilliantly and was really easy to communicate with. If I needed help with anything, he was just an email away. He made you feel like he was really there to support you and was easy to build a rapport with. If I was unsure about a certain question in an assignment because of the wording, he would just break it down and explain what it meant.

Everything was done online and the only time we met each other was when some of us were doing our Level 2 Maths, which was required for the course. There were quite a few of us so we met up while we were doing that.

What did you find challenging about the course?

The challenging part was completing my Level 2 Maths. I’ve never really been a maths person, but you need it to complete the course and I failed it the first time, but then the second time, when I passed, it was a weight off my shoulders.

The course included an exam and I’m not really a fan of exams. I had to just try and get everything into my head. Apart from that, I wouldn’t say anything was particularly challenging because I got the support I needed from Rod so it was just a case of me going back and putting everything I needed into the assignments.

How did the college support you during your course?

I had different tutors for maths, the apprenticeship assignments and the End Point Assessment interview. They all assisted me and provided me with the information I needed. It really encouraged me to keep going and complete the course.

How did your workplace support you during the course?

The support network at work was amazing. My workplace and my manager were both so supportive with anything I needed such as time to focus on the assignments. I like to do things myself and stand on my own two feet, but I knew that support was always there.

How did you find the assessment for the course?

Anytime I hear the word ‘exam’, I feel the pressure. Obviously I knew what I was revising for, but there was a lot to cover. Once I’d put it into my head and practised and revised, it wasn’t so bad. It wasn’t a walk in the part but it was definitely a weight off my shoulders when it was finished.

It’s good to have nerves though. It shows how keen you are and how much you’re concentrating. I’m more of a practical person, so I was more relaxed in the interview because I knew what I was doing on a daily basis and I had a good idea of what to expect.

How has the course helped you in your current role?

The apprenticeship course has helped in many ways because I now understand what’s involved in Facilities Management. It’s helped me understand my workplace from within, knowing more about what different roles and departments are and how they connect with the facilities team. I’m always engaging with different departments, from IT to Business Development and Marketing, so it’s just about communicating with them, having positive interactions and building a network that will support you.

What advice would you give to anyone thinking about doing the course?

Go for it! Doing an apprenticeship can get challenging at times but, for me, it was the right pathway to gain knowledge. I was already involved in facilities so it made sense for me to do something related to that. I think that it’s good to get into things gradually because if you overburden yourself, it’s going to be too much pressure. Going into the course, I had a good idea of what to expect but doing the course helped me understand why Facilities Management is important within any organisation or company.

What next for you?

I’m not sure what challenge I want to take on next. Whatever it is, I’ll do it slowly but surely and see what comes up within the organisation. I get brilliant support from my manager and it’s a great organisation I work for. I’ll see what opportunities come my way and if the next big step for my career comes along, then I’ll take it.

Apprenticeships+

Apprenticeships+ supports employers, employees, and jobseekers in pursuing apprenticeships. We provide clear guidance on funding options and processes to make apprenticeships accessible for everyone.

If you’re an employer looking to fill a vacancy or upskill your team and need support with the apprenticeship process, we’d love to hear from you!

If you’re employed and want to do an apprenticeship, view our range of apprenticeship courses.

If you’re unemployed and would like to apply for an apprenticeship, check out our apprenticeship vacancies.

How apprenticeships boost employee confidence and benefit organisations: An employer perspective

We talked to Fran Wellington, Senior PA at Change Grow Live to find out more about the benefits of apprenticeships from a manager’s perspective.

Apprenticeships offer flexible and accessible learning to employees, but what are the benefits to employers? We talked to Senior PA Fran Wellington at the national health and social care charity Change Grow Live (CGL) about her experience of managing someone on an apprenticeship.

Fran Wellington is a Senior PA to one of the Executive Directors at Change Grow Live, a national health and social care charity offering support for people who want to change their lives through the provision of advice, treatment and support. Based at the charity’s Head Office in Kings Cross, Fran manages two PAs and receptionist Zak, who recently completed the Level 3 Facilities Management Apprenticeship with Apprenticeships+.

We spoke to Fran to get her perspective on the course and learn how Zak’s Level 3 Facilities Management Apprenticeship has benefited her organisation.

Have you supported people doing an apprenticeship course before?

I haven’t supported anyone doing an apprenticeship before so this was new for me – the whole process was new. Now that I’ve been through it once if someone in my team wanted to do an apprenticeship, I feel that I would be able to support them better.

Why did your company choose an apprenticeship with Apprenticeships+?

Within Change Grow Live, we have a learning and development team that supports a number of people doing apprenticeships with different training providers. When we were looking into apprenticeships for Zak, we came up with a shortlist of three options that we thought would work well for him. We looked at the course content, pass rates and feedback so that when it came to having a conversation about the different options, we were starting from a place of knowledge. We then met with Zak to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each one.

Even though everything is done online, we wanted to make sure that Zak would be able to access additional in-person help and support at the college if he needed it, so the course at Kings Cross was a good choice as it’s close to our Head Office where we’re both based.

What appealed to you about the course?

We looked carefully at the course content because Zak’s role has grown from being a receptionist to being responsible for a range of things at our Kings Cross office. This includes aspects of health and safety, managing meeting rooms and supporting colleagues with IT within the building. We knew he needed a course that included all of that and could give him the knowledge and skills to grow within our organization as Zak always embraces the opportunity to do something new.

What are the benefits of taking on an apprentice?

The main benefit that I saw was how Zak’s confidence grew as he was doing the course.  When Zak started the course, he wasn’t always the first to speak out in group settings but in his online classes, he was totally immersed – fully engaged with what he was doing and helping others on the course. Now that, to me, was the number one benefit.

As an organisation, we benefit from Zak’s skills and knowledge. When he started the course, he had a good surface-level knowledge of areas such as health and safety in that he knew how to do things and had some understanding of why we did them. Now, he’s got a much more comprehensive knowledge which includes understanding the legality around things so he can advise on different aspects. He will question whether we’re doing things correctly and ensure that we’re recording things properly. He’s already implemented some changes such as the way we check our water for legionnaires disease.

Zak now has a more expansive understanding of the wants and needs around the building. Before he started the apprenticeship, I might contact him to let him know I’d noticed something not working around the building. Now, when I do that I often find he’s already dealt with it.

How did you support Zak during his apprenticeship?

It was mostly about giving him time and space and supporting him where I could by giving him the confidence to move through the apprenticeship. 

As part of the course, they have to keep a timetable of what they’re doing. I realised that many of the jobs that Zak was doing within our organisation on a daily basis were relevant to his apprenticeship, so I’d point them out to him and remind him to log them.

Were there any challenges along the way that you would notice that you noticed as an employer?

I think the main challenge was getting Zak to see how valuable he is. I was always very encouraging to Zak in our group chats with the course tutor, Rod, and I knew that Rod would continue to boost his self-confidence in their one-to-one meetings. Zak had a really good relationship with Rod, and that really helped him grow in confidence.

What was the highlight of your experience with Zak as an apprentice? 

It was seeing him pass each part of the course. He just flew through it and loved it. I got to witness him develop as a person and see how much joy he got from the course and from working with the rest of his cohort. A lot of them were in commercial settings, whereas Zak was in a charity, and it didn’t faze him at all. They all had something different to bring to the table.

One of Zak’s strengths is his ability to reflect on what’s been said and adapt quickly. I could see how Zak took everything on board – whether it was praise or constructive criticism. A key highlight for me was being able to be open and honest with both Zak and Rod and to know that Zak would take our comments on board and react to them accordingly. 

I really appreciated Rod’s input, he was so positive and humanised everything in a way that worked really well. We had genuine conversations about how Zak was doing and we weren’t restricted in our meetings to straightforward feedback or simply relaying essential information.

Would you recommend doing an apprenticeship?

I highly recommend doing an apprenticeship. We’re all at different stages in our lives – we’ve got brain power, we’ve got the skills and we’ve got knowledge, but you actually need to have in-depth knowledge and skills to develop in your role and move on to something bigger and better. 

I’ve been supporting Zak so that he can develop and eventually move on from being in my line management and I have confidence that he will keep on growing and moving up within the organisation – even though I’ll be very sad to lose him from my team. Zak has done so well with his apprenticeship. He’s done it in such a timely manner which has been great for us as an organisation and we’re all incredibly proud of him. 

Apprenticeships+

Apprenticeships+ supports employers, employees, and jobseekers in pursuing apprenticeships. We provide clear guidance on funding options and processes to make apprenticeships accessible for everyone.

If you’re an employer looking to fill a vacancy or upskill your team and need support with the apprenticeship process, we’d love to hear from you!

If you’re employed and want to do an apprenticeship, view our range of apprenticeship courses.

If you’re unemployed and would like to apply for an apprenticeship, check out our apprenticeship vacancies.

Students demonstrate creativity and charitable commitment with NSPCC fundraising stall

Students showcase their entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to supporting others with a charity fundraising stall at Capital City College’s Holloway centre.

Capital City College (CCC) students from the college’s Holloway centre hosted a charity stall to raise funds for the NSPCC, the UK’s leading children’s charity.

A group of 35 students from Creative Media Production – Level 1 Diploma and IT Users – Level 1 Diploma courses demonstrated their numeracy, creativity and entrepreneurial spirit by organising a fundraising event in support of the NSPCC. Over the course of three days between 16 and 18 December 2024, the students set up and ran a stall featuring a variety of handmade products including beautifully designed cards and calendars, eco-friendly bags, plants, bookmarks and candles. The items were hand-crafted by the students themselves, reflecting their wide-ranging creative skills and ingenuity.

In addition to handmade products, visitors to the stall could also take part in a raffle with the opportunity to win either a luxurious self-care basket or an indulgent afternoon tea basket. The raffle prizes were won by tutors from the Holloway centre, Merdos Bazargan and Neville Blake.

The fundraising stall raised £306 for the NSPCC and provided an excellent opportunity for students to develop key skills such as teamwork, customer service, and event management. During the event, the students demonstrated dedication, enthusiasm and increased confidence, all of which contributed to the stall’s success.

Leandro Sanchez, who is studying for the Creative Media Production – Level 1 Diploma, said: “Wow, that was fun! I really enjoyed selling to people and seeing them appreciate the products on the stall like the bookmarks. I would like to do this again.”

Victoria Kilanko, Work Placement Coordinator, said: “The students’ efforts and the generosity of the staff and students who supported the stall have made a meaningful contribution to the NSPCC’s important work in supporting children and young people. Well done to all involved!”

Congratulations to all the students and staff involved for your fantastic fundraising and contribution to the NSPCC!

At CCC, we encourage students to make the most of the work experience and volunteering opportunities that we offer. With a wide range of Career programmes available across all of our centres, we support students in developing their wider skills and exploring future career paths. To find out more, take a look at our excellent range of expert-led courses and apply today!

Balancing budgets to team management: How apprenticeships provide in-depth knowledge for the workplace

Sian Jobson, who has completed two apprenticeships with Apprenticeships+, tells us about the challenges and highlights of completing the Level 3 and Level 4 Facilities Management apprenticeships.

Sian Jobson is an Estate Services Manager with CBRE, a global leader in commercial real estate services and investment. She has completed both the Facilities Management – Level 3 Apprenticeship and the Facilities Manager – Level 4 Apprenticeship with Apprenticeships+ (previously known as Capital City College Training). We spoke to her about her experience of completing two apprenticeships while working in a full-time role.

What work experience did you have before taking on the apprenticeships with Apprenticeships+?

At school, I did my GCSEs and then I completed training to become a Childcare Practitioner – but that wasn’t for me. After sixth form, I went straight into work. I worked at a supermarket on the checkouts and then got promoted to Administration Manager. I went on to work for Jaguar Building Services, where I was the administrator for multiple sites. From there, I moved over to the client side and joined CBRE as a Facilities Coordinator around six years ago. I did the Level 3 Apprenticeship and was promoted to Estate Services Manager about a year ago while I was completing my Level 4 Apprenticeship.

How long did the courses take you?

The Level 3 Apprenticeship took me two years. It took longer because I had a baby and also because I had to resit my Maths and English. I managed to complete the Level 4 Apprenticeship in about a year and a half – it was a different experience for me and I found it a lot easier.

Why did you choose to do an apprenticeship?

When I joined CBRE, I was very new to the industry and wanted to gain as much knowledge as I possibly could. So I signed up to do the Facilities Management – Level 3 Apprenticeship, and then it made sense to do the Facilities Manager – Level 4 Apprenticeship to add more of an insight. The Level 4 Apprenticeship went into more depth and was really helpful in enabling me to understand certain aspects of my current role.

I chose an apprenticeship rather than a college course because, for me, it’s better to learn something while doing the job it applies to. I have to be doing it to understand it, and going to college every day is not something I’d enjoy.

What did you like most about your apprenticeship courses?

The courses were really good. For the Level 3 course we did project work and an exam whereas for the Level 4 course, I had projects and a presentation followed by a professional discussion. I preferred the Level 4 apprenticeship because it didn’t involve any  exams and I don’t feel that I perform well in exams. I don’t mind writing assignments, in fact, I’d say I quite enjoyed researching the different areas and learning about all the different theories – it’s good knowledge to have.

The support from the tutor in my Level 4 course was really good. I could ask him any questions I had and when I showed him my work, he would give helpful feedback. He’d point out where I’d explained something clearly and answered the questions well and also suggested ways to make it better, so I enjoyed having the support.

What did you find challenging about the course?

There’s a lot of work to do and it involves a lot of writing. You’ve got 10 assignments, 10 projects, an 8000 word report followed by a presentation and then there’s an end point discussion. My employer was really good. I got one day a week at home to do my work, and that’s one of the reasons why I was able to complete the course early.

How did you manage the workload?

It is a lot to do on top of a full time job. Being a parent, doing it outside of work just didn’t work for me, so we managed it by having me study at home one day a week. My manager and I had an agreement that, once I was at home, I was studying. With an apprenticeship, you’re supposed to get eight hours of study time from your employer, but it doesn’t always work out like that, especially if you’re busy. 

When I was studying, I would put my out-of-office on and turn off my work-related apps like Teams so that I was just concentrating on what I had to do. I made sure that I planned what I wanted to achieve before the end of each study day. I also managed my calendar better and made sure that I put enough time in my diary to complete each piece of work before it was due – just in case I had to make any changes. 

What was the highlight of your course?

The highlight was finding out at the end that I’d got a Distinction. I’d got a Pass for the Level 3 Apprenticeship, so that was what I was expecting – but the hard work obviously paid off. I was really happy about that and I got to feel proud of what I’d achieved.

How has your course been relevant to your current role?

Learning about budgets has definitely helped me. Before I did the course, I had no understanding of how a budget should work and had never written one before. Doing the budget assignment was really useful as I found out about things like cost variances and reconciliations and I learned how to make a budget work.

Also, the theories we studied around setting goals, SMART objectives and managing people have also been helpful – especially when you’re trying to support other people. Some of it applies to my current role, some of it is just good to know in case I need it and some might come in useful if I go higher up.

How did you find learning remotely?

It was good, we got a lot of information and I preferred it to sitting in a classroom. When I completed the Level 3 course, I joined the course online and we’d go through the assignments question by question and the tutors would tell you what you needed to include. They’d also present the different theories with PowerPoint presentations and after each session you’d get the PowerPoint and the assignment, so you had a good idea of what you needed to research.

We did the same with Level 4, but I was ahead so I was able to do the assignments by myself. If I needed my tutor’s help, he was available straight away and we had catch ups every so often, which my manager would also join. I preferred to just get on with it and ask questions if I had them.

What’s your advice for anyone thinking about an apprenticeship?

It’s not as hard as you might think, you just need to get your head down and do it. If you get stuck, you can always ask your tutor. They’re there to help if you have questions about the assignments and are really helpful. The apprenticeship is a good qualification to have, as long as you get the support from your workplace – being able to put aside a day for studying definitely helps. It’s also important to stick to the timelines and make sure you’re getting there, because it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the workload and that’s never fun.

What’s next for you?

I’m not sure. I think the next step at my current workplace would be to become a Senior Facilities Manager, but that might not be possible for a while. For now, I’m going to sit back and enjoy being comfortable. Level 5 might be on the cards, but I’ll have to think about it and see if I’ve got the patience for it.

Apprenticeships+

Apprenticeships+ supports employers, employees, and jobseekers in pursuing apprenticeships. We provide clear guidance on funding options and processes to make apprenticeships accessible for everyone.

If you’re an employer looking to fill a vacancy or upskill your team and need support with the apprenticeship process, we’d love to hear from you!

If you’re employed and want to do an apprenticeship, view our range of apprenticeship courses.

If you’re unemployed and would like to apply for an apprenticeship, check out our apprenticeship vacancies.

Capital City College’s Creative and Digital Skills Academies celebrate new Industry Skills Board

The Industry Skills Board comprising leading industry experts has been created to support Capital City College’s Creative and Digital Skills Academies as they create further opportunities for Londoners.

Capital City College’s (CCC) Creative Skills Academy and Digital Skills Academy are delighted to announce the creation of their Industry Skills Board which aims to offer greater insight into industry needs, training and opportunities.

The newly-formed Industry Skills Board includes a stellar array of industry leaders from across the Creative and Digital Sector.

Graham Teece

Graham is the Chair of the Industry Skills Board and a Managing Partner at DXC Technology. With over 30 years of experience in transformation and banking operations, he brings extensive business and IT change skills to the board.

Abdul Hai OBE

Abdul is Director of Community Relations and Public Affairs at LabTech London and has a wealth of experience across the voluntary and community sector, local government, and the corporate world.

Hamish Mackay

Hamish Mackay Senior Programme Manager for LIFT, a four-borough partnership that supports those from underrepresented backgrounds into careers in Tech, Digital, Creative and Life Sciences. Hamish’s experience spans employment and skills initiatives across local government, and higher and secondary education.

Caroline Wilson

Caroline is the Director of Inclusive Economy at Islington Council, where she leads its pioneering and radical economic development programme. She has also led programmes centering on major regeneration, conflict transformation and business improvement.

Kiron Chavda

Kiron Chavda is the Founder and CEO of B2e Media, a digital media company specialising in the disruption and transformation of procurement, supply chain and technology. Kiron’s expertise includes content and creative strategy, social media marketing, and sales and finance operations.

Kathryn Lancaster

Kathryn is a Senior Manager of production platforms, graphics and data solutions at SKY TV, where she develops and leads high-performing engineering teams that create cutting-edge broadcast solutions. Kathryn is an accomplished technical leader who is passionate about cultivating talent, championing diversity and inclusivity and empowering individuals within the broadcast industry.

Debbie Akehurst

Debbie Akehurst is the Chief Executive of Central District Alliance and Hatton Garden Business Improvement Districts (BIDs). She specialises in building partnerships and delivering strategies that benefit businesses and communities and has extensive experience in property, regeneration, and economic development.

Adrian Wootton OBE

Adrian is the Chief Executive of the British Film Commission and Film London. He has a wealth of leadership experience in the creative industries across both film and theatre. Adrian is also a recognised authority on various film, TV and literature subjects and regularly lectures, writes, broadcasts and curates programmes on these topics.

Michael Houlihan

Michael is Chief Executive of Generation UK & Ireland, a charity which runs skills training programmes to help people facing barriers to employment, targeting in-demand roles across the technology, green skills, and health and care sectors.

The Industry Skills Board will support the Digital and Creative Skills Academies with their diverse industry experience and expert insights. The board will address key challenges, identify emerging trends and support CCC’s Skills Academies in developing further opportunities for students, educators and industry employers.

Capital City College’s Mayor of London’s Skills Academies supports Londoners in completing relevant training and finding meaningful employment across key sectors. CCC’s Creative and Digital Skills Academies support their industries by addressing skills gaps and seeking out opportunities for development and growth ranging from work placements to apprenticeships. Since the Skills Academies were launched in 2022, they have engaged almost 450 new employers, provided training for over 7500 Londoners, and supported around 1000 Londoners into good work.

If you’re interested in joining one of our Skills Academies, why not take a look at the industry-led courses on offer at our Creative Skills Academy and Digital Skills Academy!

Capital City College appoints five board members

Following a competitive interview process which was held in November and December 2024, the Capital City College Board is delighted to announce the appointment of five new board members who started in post on the 1st January 2025. They are as follows:

Stephen Day

Stephen is currently the Chief Procurement Officer for Kantar, an international market research agency based in London which has around 30,000 employees in over 90 countries, advising some of the largest global companies on advertising, brand strategy and customer experience. Stephen has worked for a number of other leading companies including Hewlett-Packard, Pearson PLC and Vodafone. Stephen is also a governor at St John Baptist Catholic Secondary School member.

Lars Andersen

Lars founded My Nametags in 2004, which sells name labels for children to over 150 countries around the world. The company won the Queen’s Award for International Trade in 2018. Before becoming an entrepreneur, he was a senior executive for a number of companies within the Corporate finance sector, including Australia Mutual Provident and Cavendish Corporate Finance. Amongst a number of non-executive roles, he is a master and board member at the Worshipful Company of World Traders and is a non-executive director at the Guild of Freemen.

Caroline Baxter

Caroline is currently the Chief Operating Officer for Barb Audiences, which is the UK TV’s industry agency for analysing what people watch. She is responsible for the day-to-day delivery of key operations to ensure that the organisation’s strategic objectives are met. Before this, she held a number of senior positions at Kantar including Global Operations and Transformation Director, as well as the Head of Data Collection.

Tina Beedon

Tina is the Human Resources Director at the Houses of Parliament, where she is responsible for leading the Recruitment, Learning, Careers, Change and people strategy for over three thousand employees. Before this, she held a number of senior HR positions within City and Guilds including HR Director of Recruitment, Talent and Development and Group Head of HR Professional Services. Tina also brings are wealth of senior corporate HR experience having held positions with the BBC and BT Global Services.

Katherine Chapman

Katherine is an experienced senior leader who is passionate about tackling poverty. In her current role as the Director of the Living Wage Foundation (LWF) she has been successful in accrediting over 15,000 employers who have committed to paying the living wage. Before leading the LWF, Katherine was the Assistant Director for the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) a non-departmental public body which provided strategic leadership on skills and employment issues.

Find out more about our governors as well as meetings, board minutes, plans and reviews on our governance page.

Ignite your interest with our top 10 Digital Sector careers

Are you considering a course or a career in the expansive Digital Sector but don’t know where to start? Take a look at our overview of exciting digital careers.

The world of digital careers is rapidly evolving and the sector is brimming with rewarding and exciting career opportunities. At Capital City College (CCC), we offer an excellent range of Digital Media and Creative Computing courses as well as Computing and IT courses. Our ground-breaking Digital Skills Academy also provides learners with opportunities to enhance their essential digital skills and gain valuable industry insights.

If you’re looking to embark on a career that makes the most of your digital skills, take a look at our top 10 list of digital career options.

Photo credit: Christina @ wocintechchat.com (Unsplash)

AI Engineer

Artificial intelligence (AI) is being used more and more across all sectors and is a rapidly growing part of the global economy. AI Engineers are responsible for developing the programs and algorithms that mimic human functions, creating AI apps and systems that can help increase efficiency, reduce costs and enhance problem-solving and decision-making.

Artificial intelligence (AI) courses:

Content Creator

A Content Creator develops and manages digital content to engage audiences. Their duties include writing articles, producing videos, designing graphics, and managing content using a Content Management System (CMS). Content Creators also often promote content on social media, collaborate with marketing teams, and stay updated on industry trends. To become a content creator, you’ll need strong writing skills, SEO knowledge, creativity, technical proficiency, and the ability to communicate clearly. 

Content Creation courses:

Cyber Security Engineer

Cyber Security Engineers work to protect an organisation by employing a range of technologies and processes to prevent, detect and manage cyber threats. They monitor systems, conduct assessments and develop and implement cyber securities policies and procedures. To succeed in this role, you’ll need technical skills such as knowledge of various technologies, including anti virus software as well as strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Cyber Security courses:

Photo credit: Fotis Fotopoulos (Unsplash)

Data Analyst

Data Analysts are responsible for gathering, cleaning, and analysing large datasets to identify trends or patterns and provide insights relating to specific problems or questions. Their findings are often used to inform organisational decisions and improve efficiency and performance. To become a Data Analyst, you’ll need strong analytical and problem-solving skills, confidence in using data analysis tools such as SQL, Python and Excel, and the ability to communicate complex data clearly and concisely.

Data Analytics courses:

Digital Marketing Executive

As a Digital Marketing Executive, you’ll contribute to and develop marketing campaigns to promote a product, service or idea. Digital Marketers use online channels to promote brands and products using a range of tools such as social media, SEO (search engine optimisation), pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, email marketing and content creation.

Marketing courses:

Photo credit: Jason Goodman (Unsplash)

IT Support Technician

The primary role of an IT Support Technician is to use their understanding and knowledge of operating systems, hardware and networking to provide IT support to those requiring technical assistance. In addition to strong knowledge of computer hardware, software, and operating systems, you’ll need excellent analytical abilities to resolve issues efficiently and good communication skills to assist users and explain issues clearly.

Computing and IT courses:

Project Manager

Project Managers plan and coordinate projects, from inception to delivery. They’re the ones in charge of managing resources, budget and people to achieve the desired project outcome. As a project manager, you’ll need to be able to plan effectively, set realistic deadlines and delegate tasks effectively. Leadership skills such as team selection and motivation along with clear communication are particularly important in this varied role.

Project Management courses:

Photo credit: UX Indonesia (Unsplash)

Social Media Manager

The role of a Social Media Manager is to coordinate communications strategies and online content for businesses and organisations. In addition to creating engaging content, they also build, maintain and develop online communities, and monitor relevant social media conversations. This role requires strong writing skills, a clear understanding of social media platforms and their algorithms as well as the ability to analyse data and track performance.

Social Media courses:

Software Engineer

Software Engineers design and code software for businesses and consumers. They build computer programs and apps, often taking them from the initial spark of an idea through the entire development process. In addition to writing code, Software Engineers are also involved in conducting maintenance, testing systems and fixing problems. You can learn about this role in more detail by reading our blog on how to become a software engineer.

Software Engineering courses:

Photo credit: Mikhail Fesenko (Unsplash)

UX Designer

The job of a User Experience (UX) Designer is to optimise the experience for people using websites, apps and other digital products, and make the interaction as efficient and user-friendly as possible. In this creative role, you’ll be involved in the design of digital products and services for specific target groups and end users. To be a successful UX designer, you’ll need to be able to develop a good understanding of your users, demonstrate attention to detail and have persistence in problem-solving.

User Experience (UX) courses:

At CCC, we work hard to engage employers with our Creative and Digital Skills Academies, meaning that we can offer students a range of opportunities, insights and pathways to progress through various employer partnerships in the digital sector.

If any of these Digital Sector careers appeal to you, take a look at our Digital Skills Academy or explore our Digital Media and Creative Computing courses to find the best pathway for you.

If you’re an employer in the Digital Sector, get in touch to find out how we can support you.

Health and Social Care students attend careers event at Olympia

Students from Health and Social Care and Applied Psychology courses visit London Olympia for an informative and engaging careers exhibition.

Capital City College (CCC) students from Health and Social Care courses attended the What University Live? and What Career Live? exhibition event at London Olympia on 11 November. The careers and education event is aimed at 15-19 year olds and welcomes the UK’s top employers and universities to share information about their organisations with young people looking to take their next steps.

The visit to the careers and education event was organised by Health and Social Care teachers Lorraine Neil and Wendy Yarde. While at the event, the group of first-year Health and Social Care and Applied Psychology students were able to broaden their knowledge of universities and explore a range of career opportunities.

During the event, the students were able to talk to representatives from a range of universities to find out more about the courses on offer. The event also enabled them to engage with representatives from professional organisations and companies to discuss internship, apprenticeships and work opportunities. The students came away from the event with a wide range of resources relating to various degrees and apprenticeship courses

At CCC, our expert-led range of Health and Social Care courses provide excellent training for those wishing to work in the fulfilling sectors of Health and Social Care, Counselling, Nursing and Midwifery. All of our courses include work experience placements to provide students with greater insight into their chosen field as well as opportunities to gain hands-on experience in realistic working environments within the college.

Felicity Watt, Curriculum Manager for Health Sciences said: “Students had a fun and informative morning in which they were able to talk to universities, apprenticeship providers and employers. Students reported feeling more informed on future study and employability.”

If you’re interested in embarking on a career in Health and Social Care, Counselling, Nursing or Midwifery, take a look at our Health and Social Care courses and apply today!

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