February 2025 - Capital City College

Capital City College celebrates Apprenticeship Week 2025

Posted on February 28, 2025March 5, 2025 by Erin Johnson

Earlier this month, Capital City College (CCC) celebrated Apprenticeship Week with events, awards, open days and even a few musical numbers.

Now in its 18^th year, the annual awareness week focuses on bringing together businesses and apprentices across the UK to highlight the impact apprenticeships make to people, organisations and the community.

Dean Brown, Head of Employer Engagement and Referral Partners at CCC, said: “This week has been a whirlwind of activity, in the best way possible. We’ve engaged with dozens of employers and presented talks and webinars, all showing just how having apprentices to the team can really make a difference.”

The week-long focus on apprenticeships at CCC featured:

Attendance and engagement by the CCC apprenticeship team at more than 30 events hosted by Parliament, the NHS, local councils, universities, including Great Ormond Street Hospital and the councils of Lewisham, Camden, Haringey, Hackney and Harrow
A webinar given to Grow London on the benefits of apprenticeships
The support of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across London and engagement with employers from the engineering, charity and healthcare sectors
A celebration of the rebranding of Capital City College Training, the training arm of Capital City College (CCC), to Apprenticeships+, with a trio of exciting events at the award-winning Vincent Rooms at the college’s Westminster centre, featuring talks by employers, a canapé reception with live music performed by two of the college’s student bands, and a celebratory ceremony honouring students who have been awarded distinction in their apprenticeship programmes.

Celebrating alumni success

One of the highlights of the week was the recognition of alumni successes at an awards ceremony. Former apprentice and alumna Ivy Paris, who today manages an impressive folio of sites as a facilities manager at Savills and was Savills’ Apprentice of the Year 2024, won the Future Leadership Award.

Speaking about her time as an apprentice with CCC, Ivy said: “The apprenticeship was an incredible experience that offered the perfect balance of coursework and hands-on learning. I was fortunate enough to gain valuable responsibilities throughout my apprenticeship, including managing my own sites, being involved in winning pitches for the team and overseeing team compliance. These opportunities allowed me to grow both professionally and personally, preparing me for the next steps in my career.”

Margaret Gotlib, Assistant Principal at CCC, added: “We celebrated the outstanding achievements of over seventy apprentices who achieved distinction in their End-Point Assessment (EPA) exams. Numerous employers and stakeholders joined us for events marking both Apprenticeship Week and the launch of our rebranded Apprenticeships+.

“It was wonderful to see everyone come together to celebrate the achievements of young people who are gaining real-world experience and opportunities that will support them in their future careers. Hearing their inspiring stories and seeing their growth and progress was truly uplifting and motivating for everyone who attended the event.”

Find out more about Apprenticeships+, and how to get involved as an employer.

Performing Arts students make moves at Sadler’s Wells!

Posted on February 28, 2025March 20, 2025 by Maria Anguita

Students from CCC’s Holloway centre take part in a workshop and deliver an original dance performance at a Making Moves event hosted at Sadler’s Wells.

Last week, 11 students from the Level 2 and 3 University Arts London Diploma and Extended Diploma in Performing Arts at Holloway centre took part in a one-day regional sharing event at Sadler’s Wells. The students performed alongside another school, a college, and local youth groups as part of the Making Moves project, now in its second year. In total, 42 schools, colleges, and youth dance groups from across England will participate in workshops, rehearsals, and performances at regional platforms nationwide between February and April.

Holloway Performing Arts Students Make Moves at Sadler’s Wells!

Led by Capital City College dance teacher Despina Mavrou, the students spent five months choreographing Fragments of a Soul. Inspired by the story of Medusa, the piece explores themes of victimisation, misunderstanding, power imbalance, dominance, violence, and isolation. The dancers used a creative toolkit developed by Ben Duke – one of four renowned choreographers collaborating with Making Moves – to bring this exciting project to young performers.

The day began with a technical rehearsal, where dancers were introduced to the Lilian Baylis Studio and had the opportunity to practise in the performance space. They then took part in a creative workshop exploring different choreographic approaches, followed by a reflection session to discuss challenges, inspirations, and key takeaways from the project. The day concluded with all four groups performing their pieces for each other.

However, for the Holloway dancers there was more in store; after leaving Sadler’s Wells, they returned to campus to perform Fragments of a Soul once more at the N7 Theatre for an audience of prospective students at the Open Evening.

Next, our students eagerly await the results to see if our piece will be one of eight chosen for a national performance this July at the brand-new Sadler’s Wells East theatre.

Watch a clip from their performance here.

Find out more about Performing Arts courses at Capital City College.

Sixth Form and King’s Cross students celebrate university offers

Posted on February 27, 2025March 20, 2025 by Maria Anguita

Nine students doing A Levels at Capital City College (CCC) are celebrating success with offers from Oxford and Cambridge.

These students are just nine of the hundreds of CCC students this year who have received offers from University of London institutions, Russell Group universities, or both.

Studying A Levels at one of CCC’s centres will give students access to the largest range of A Levels in London, with specialist subjects like statistics, criminology, film studies, music technology, textiles and fashion.

At the Sixth Form in Angel (Islington), four students achieved conditional offers from Cambridge in architecture, engineering, as well as psychological and behavioural sciences, and an offer to pursue chemistry at Oxford.

At King’s Cross centre, five students received offers to study design, human, social, and political sciences, and psychological and behavioural sciences at the University of Cambridge.

Philippa Cooke, Head of Hub, Angel, said: “We are immensely proud of our students who have received university offers. Their success is a testament to their hard work, the support of our Careers Team, and staff, and the opportunities we provide to help them achieve their ambitions. This is a fantastic moment for us all.”

Rated ‘good’ by Ofsted, Capital City College offers students aged 16-18 and adult learners a range of courses including A Levels, T Levels, and vocational courses and technical qualifications (BTECS). The centres also have a large foundation learning provision for students with learning difficulties.

The students are treated like adults, and have the benefit of a dedicated Careers Team to help coordinate their engagement with universities, such as arranging Higher Education fairs and talks, as well as support with their applications.

Find out more about A Level courses and apply now!

Creative Skills Academy receives ATA Finalists certificate at parliamentary reception

Posted on February 24, 2025March 20, 2025 by Hannah Fenton

Head of Capital City College’s Creative Skills Academy attends a parliamentary reception for the Apprenticeship and Training Awards 2025 finalists.

Sharon Wallace, Head of Capital City College (CCC)’s Creative Skills Academy, attended a special reception at the Houses of Parliament for finalists of the Apprenticeship and Training Awards (ATA) 2025. The prestigious annual awards celebrate excellence in the UK’s apprenticeship and training sector.

*ATA Apprenticeship and Training Awards Parliamentary Reception 2025 – *Photo Credit:* EducationScape*

In December 2024, the Creative Skills Academy was shortlisted for the prestigious Apprenticeship and Training Awards in the category Best Workplace Readiness Scheme in recognition of the success of its Live Project Network (LPN) programmes. The academy’s LPN programmes deliver industry-standard training through real-world workplace challenges that support students in gaining employment in the creative sector.

The parliamentary reception, which took place on 10 February, was hosted by Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle. Following Sir Linday’s welcome address, guests also heard from Baroness Jacqui Smith, and sponsors Andrew Pakes MP and Damian Hinds MP. This was followed by speeches from the lead judges in each of the ATA categories chaired by Ben Rowland, founder of independent training provider Arch Apprentices and one of the judges for this years’ awards.

During the event, guests had the opportunity to connect with their fellow finalists and learn about the different types of apprenticeships and programmes they offer. The event was a unique gathering of the exceptional talent recognised by the awards and celebrated the passion and achievements across the 20 different categories.

The award winners will be announced on 11 March during the Apprenticeships and Training Conference in Liverpool.

Sharon Wallace, Head of the Creative Skills Academy, said: “I felt really honoured to be representing the college and that we are finalists for this prestigious award. It really is a recognition of the hard work and dedication of the whole team. Looking forward to the presentation event in March and hope we can bring the trophy back with us!”

The Creative Skills Academy is one of the Mayor of London’s Skills Academies and supports Londoners in a wide range of jobs in the film, TV, animation, visual effects and games sectors through an impressive range of industry-specific courses and training. The academy has a strong commitment to increasing the participation and visibility of underrepresented groups within the creative industries.

Congratulations to the Creative Skills Academy on becoming a finalist for the Apprenticeship and Training Awards 2025!

SEND students support Museum of Homelessness Winter Appeal

Posted on February 24, 2025February 28, 2025 by Hannah Fenton

A group of SEND students from Capital City College (CCC)‘s Tottenham centre have collected an array of warm clothing to support the Museum of Homelessness Winter Appeal.

The Museum of Homelessness was founded in 2015 and is run by people with direct experience of homelessness. The organisation conducts independent research and campaigns for the rights of homeless people in order to influence policymakers. The Museum of Homelessness also takes practical action alongside grassroots partners to support the community and creates artistic events and exhibitions that change perceptions of homelessness.

The five CCC students, all of whom are on the Preparation for Work course, visited the Museum of Homelessness in Finsbury Park in November 2024. During their visit, the students met team members and learned about how the organisation supports homeless people. They observed staff preparing to transform the museum into a community action hub for the winter season. During their visit, the Museum of Homelessness team asked students if they would collect much-needed clothing items such as joggers and thermal socks to support the organisation’s clients during the colder weather.

Back at the college, the students sprang into action and began by raising awareness, creating posters and leaflets which they displayed and distributed around the college. They organised regular collections of thermal socks and joggers throughout January in the foyer and canteen at the college’s Tottenham centre.

The Preparation for Work course provides students with opportunities to be part of their wider community. Participating in the Museum of Homelessness Winter Appeal enabled the students to develop connections and build social awareness while also building employability skills such as working as a team. Their involvement in the initiative supported them in achieving many of their learning goals and EHCP (education, health and care plan) targets and provided opportunities to develop independent living skills such as using public transport, weather-appropriate dressing, communication and social skills.

The students from the Preparation for Work course have previously participated in a number of community projects and events such as creating and selling their own products at the Visionnaires Festive Fairs. They have also supported Macmillan Coffee Morning events which have taken place within the college.

The Winter Appeal collection was an incredible success, with staff and students from the college generously donating a wide variety of useful clothing items. The students collected 32 pairs of socks, 14 pairs of joggers and a number of other items such as jackets, jumpers, t-shirts and gloves.

After collecting and organising the items, the students washed and dried them so that they would be ready for use. On 5 February, they revisited the Museum of Homelessness to hand the donations over and were invited to attend a community event in the spring.

At CCC, we offer a range of Foundation and Supported Learning courses to help prepare students for the workplace, boost their employability and support them in acquiring essential English, Maths and ICT skills.

Visual Arts students showcase their photography skills on Old Street Digital Canvas

Posted on February 21, 2025March 20, 2025 by Hannah Fenton

Capital City College Sixth Form students explore their identity through photography and showcase their work via the Old Street Digital Canvas.

Two Visual Arts students from Capital City College (CCC) took part in a photography project which led to their work being featured on the Old Street Digital Canvas.

Sarah Sayess and Eithan, both of whom are A Level Photography students at CCC’s Sixth Form in Angel took part in the Common Ground 2024 project.

Common Ground is a project run by Autograph, a London-based organisation dedicated to championing the work of artists who use photography and film to highlight questions of race, representation, human rights and social justice. The project is supported by UAL Insights, University of the Arts London’s outreach programme aimed at widening participation across creative education.

The Common Ground project introduces 25 London-based students from Further Education and Sixth Form Colleges to the medium of photography through an artist-led programme. During the 2024 project, the students explored themes of identity through photography over nine sessions taking place at Autograph’s Rivington Place site and UAL’s London College of Communication (LCC).

The programme was created and facilitated by Adrian Wood, International Photographer and Senior Lecturer in Photography at LCC, and D Wiafe, Course Leader in Commercial Photography and Senior Lecturer in Photography at LCC.

During the project, students were challenged to explore how individuals use style, objects and their bodies to reflect their identity and the wider community. The project enabled students to develop photography, moving images and post-production skills while also building their confidence in experimenting and making work independently. As they moved through the project, they were able to create new work for their creative portfolios and connect with industry experts and mentors.

The project culminated in a celebratory event and a public presentation in October 2024. The students’ work was also displayed from 21 October until 3 November via the Old Street Digital Canvas, a digital platform for creativity which supports the local artistic community.

Participating in the project gave students a rare opportunity to showcase their work and helped them gain confidence in their abilities, supporting their ambitions in both exploring identity and applying for university.

Sarah Sayess, who is studying A Level Photography at CCC’s Sixth Form in Angel said: “[It was] a once in a lifetime experience that has supported me to gain resilience and determination to achieve my goals.”

If you’re considering a career in the creative arts, why not take a look at our A Level courses or our Art, Design and Fashion courses and apply today!

Supercharge your business: The top 5 benefits of taking on an apprentice

Posted on February 13, 2025February 21, 2025 by Hannah Fenton

Considering taking on an apprentice but not quite sure? We reveal some of the best benefits of welcoming an apprentice into your workplace.

Whether you’re in pharmacy or facilities, the greatest challenges across any sector remain the same. How can you boost productivity, increase innovation and secure a skilled workforce for the future? At Capital City College (CCC), we believe that apprenticeships represent a strong strategic investment in the future of both your company and the industry in which you operate.

The UK business landscape remains as competitive and dynamic as ever, with recruitment routes broadening beyond the traditional. At Apprenticeships+, our courses continue to grow in range and popularity, offering a unique combination of on-the-job training and theoretical learning that is tailored to the needs of a specific industry. Apprenticeships offer a number of benefits to employers that will strengthen your position in both the short and long term.

Address talent shortages

There is an undeniable skills gap affecting many sectors in the UK. Many employers struggle to find candidates with appropriate experience and training. Apprenticeships offer a direct solution as they allow you to effectively create your own talent. By identifying those with potential and helping them to build their skills, you’ll be able to support team members in developing the precise skills needed within your organisation or business.

While once associated mainly with skilled trades, apprentices have come a long way in recent years and now cover everything from Accounting to VFX. If you’re unsure what apprenticeships are on offer for your industry, take a look at our range of apprenticeship sectors.

Boost productivity

An apprentice can contribute to your team from the moment they start their course – driving increased performance at an exceptional value. Apprentices get involved with real projects in order to improve their practical skills and gain experience from more senior team members – but at the same time, they bring with them up-to-date knowledge of theory and best practice from their course sessions. Apprentices train for a specific role meaning that they are highly motivated to succeed, and the enthusiasm and fresh perspectives they bring can also have a positive effect on their mentors and colleagues.

Apprentices learn on the job and many report that the hands-on style of learning enables them to retain new information more effectively which can also contribute to increased productivity. Government research has found that an impressive 78% of businesses noted increased productivity as a result of hiring apprentices and 74% of employers said apprenticeships improve the quality of their products or services.

Build loyalty and foster a culture of learning

Investing in apprenticeships shows that you are committed to the development and career progression of your workforce. This can go a long way in terms of supporting morale and building loyalty, which in turn reduces employee turnover and with it the costs of recruiting and training new staff members.

Apprentices will be learning on the job and may naturally assess your existing systems and processes from a new perspective. Their questions and ideas have a value of their own and can help spark a wider interest in learning and development, especially given that apprentices rely on more experienced colleagues to share knowledge and act as mentors. By creating opportunities for support and interaction between team members, apprenticeships can help to build a more collaborative professional community that naturally drives improvement and innovation within your organisation.

By offering apprenticeships you are not simply filling a current vacancy, but building the next generation of dedicated employees who are invested in the company’s success.

Diversify your team

At Apprenticeships+, we’re always working to improve the accessibility of apprenticeships for underrepresented groups and further diversify the workforce. We know that businesses with greater diversity are more likely to outperform their less diverse peers. We also know that apprenticeships can attract a broader range of applicants than traditional recruitment methods.

An apprentice may well be a school leaver, but they might also be a university graduate looking to enter the workforce, an experienced professional embarking on a career change, or simply an employee looking to improve their skills and training. Some apprentices come with an enthusiasm for innovation and new technology while others have existing transferable skills and experience to bring to the table.

Save on training costs

Apprenticeships offer a cost-effective way to support the development of your workforce, and the costs for training an apprentice may already be covered thanks to the Apprenticeship Levy. All businesses with an annual pay bill in excess of £3 million contribute to the government’s Apprenticeship Levy and all employers, regardless of their pay bill, are entitled to draw from this centralised source of funds.

Employers are also entitled to a further £1000 to support apprentices who are aged 16 to 18 aged 19 to 25 years old and have an Education, Health and Care plan. As an employer, you’ll be responsible for paying your apprentice’s wages, taking into account the minimum wage requirement for their age.

If you have staff that are interested in doing an apprenticeship, or if you are considering recruiting apprentices, Apprenticeships+ can help you navigate the process, starting with how to unlock funding to pay for it. All our apprenticeships include sustainability modules, so you can work towards net zero whilst your staff learn new skills.

Apprenticeships offer a wealth of immediate and long-lasting benefits to UK employers, from boosting productivity to future-proofing the workforce for both your company and your industry. Faced with a constantly evolving business landscape, apprenticeships provide a powerful tool for building a skilled, loyal, and diverse workforce. With guidance from Apprenticeships+, any UK business has the power to embrace apprenticeships and help shape the future of their industry.

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!

Apprenticeships+ hosts exciting employer events to celebrate rebrand

Posted on February 12, 2025February 21, 2025 by Hannah Fenton

Engaging with employers through industry-relevant presentations, discussion and networking.

Capital City College (CCC) hosted a trio of events on 11 February at the award-winning Vincent Rooms in the college’s Westminster centre to mark the launch of Apprenticeships+, formerly known as Capital City College Training. The events coincide with National Apprenticeships Week and drew focus towards the college’s renewed efforts in delivering tailored, high-quality training and recruitment solutions to meet the needs of London employers of all sizes across multiple sectors.

Check out the full photo album from the Apprenticeships+ launch event.

To celebrate the launch of Apprenticeships+, the college began by hosting a breakfast event featuring a presentation from Ajay Purbhoosing from Workwhile, a not-for-profit initiative working with employers to create accessible and equitable work opportunities. Ajay delivered a stimulating and informative talk on the Apprenticeship Levy, which is paid by the top 2% of employers and enables employers of all sizes to take on apprentices.

This was followed by the presentation of five apprenticeship awards recognising improvement, achievement and leadership within Apprenticeships+ courses. Awards included the Apprentice of the Year, Most Supportive Employer/Line Manager and Most Improved Apprentice and were presented to students and employers across a range of subject areas and professional sectors including, Healthcare, Construction, Engineering and Facilities Management.

Josephine Cox, who recently completed the Pharmacy Services Assistant Level 2 Apprenticeship, received the Apprentice of the Year Award. She said: “I was quite surprised but honoured when I found out that I had won apprentice of the year! I approached the apprenticeship as I do everything else, with my utmost efforts and aiming for the best results. This recognition motivates me to continue tackling challenges that come my way and proves that hard work does pay off.”

The second event of the day was a lunch event featuring presentations by three of the college’s key initiatives: Employability, Visionnaires, and Multiply. Employability works with a range of employers and referral partners to support unemployed Londoners into work through training and support leading to a guaranteed job interview. Visionnaires specialises in supporting start-ups and entrepreneurs in turning their visions into reality through its groundbreaking practical programme. Multiply offers free short courses that empower adult learners to develop stronger numeracy skills which can support them in daily life and aid professional growth. Each presentation highlighted the unique capabilities of the diverse initiatives and featured personal accounts from learners who have successfully completed programmes, courses or training.

The final launch event of the day opened with a canapé reception featuring live music performed by two of the college’s student bands. Guests then took their seats for presentations, learner awards and an engaging and insightful talk delivered by Stuart Pick, Senior Partnerships Manager at the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Stuart drew attention to the positive impact of apprenticeships on the business landscape while also detailing the ways in which they continue to benefit employers.

Jackie Chapman, Group Principal of Apprenticeships, Partnerships and Innovation at CCC, said: “We were delighted to welcome such a vast array of employers and students to celebrate the launch of Apprenticeships+. The day’s events facilitated so many fruitful interactions and it was fantastic to celebrate the achievements of our apprentices while also showcasing our dedication to empowering London’s businesses.”

Find out more about Apprenticeships+!

London chef wins a historic gold at international youth culinary Olympiad

Posted on February 12, 2025March 20, 2025 by Hannah Fenton

For the first time, a UK participant has won the Young Chef Olympiad (YCO), the world’s largest culinary competition for young chefs.

Kamran Taylor, an 18-year-old student chef from London, representing England, has secured gold. Launched in 2015, this is the first time in the competition’s history that a participant from the UK has claimed the top prize. This year’s final took place in Goa, India.

Kamran, a third-year student at Capital City College’s culinary and hospitality school, triumphed over competitors from more than 50 countries with his fish dish of baked barramundi with mousse. The YCO, an annual event organised by the International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM), attracts the most promising culinary talents from across the globe, making this a truly historic win for London and the UK, and reinforcing London’s reputation as a global food capital.

Angela Joyce, CEO at Capital City College, said: “This is an extraordinary achievement, not just for our student but for the UK’s culinary scene as a whole. Winning against the world’s best young chefs is a testament to the exceptional training, talent, and passion that we cultivate at Capital City College, Westminster.’

The competition, which featured intense rounds of cooking challenges, tested competitors on technique, creativity, taste, and presentation, under the scrutiny of a panel of international judges. With this victory, the UK joins the ranks of elite culinary nations and reinforces London’s reputation as a global food capital.

Kamran was able to participate in the competition thanks to a financial contribution from The Savoy Education Trust.

Introducing the champion

Meet Kamran Taylor, the 18-year-old from Alexandra Palace who’s just put the UK on the global culinary map. Unlike many in his field, Kamran didn’t grow up surrounded by a love of cooking—he only discovered it during lockdown, when he started baking banana bread and making spaghetti bolognese. That casual pastime soon turned into a passion, and with the full support of his family, he decided to follow it seriously. A quick internet search led him to Capital City College, where he’s now in his third year of a Professional Chef Diploma.

Kamran spends his weekends teaching at the college’s Young Baker Academy and has already built up impressive work experience with stints at Fallow restaurant and, starting imminently, Conran London St James’s Street. He’s inspired by chef Adam Byatt and believes that a strong foundation in classical techniques will help him carve out his own unique style in the future. Living in London—a city brimming with diverse cuisines and world-class restaurants—has played a huge role in shaping his culinary journey, giving him endless opportunities to try new flavours and techniques.

Competing at the Young Chef Olympiad wasn’t just about cooking—it was a test of adaptability. Kamran trained two to three times a week, including Saturdays, with mentor Chef Chris Basten, Commercial Development Chef at Capital City College. The challenges during the competition were real; from working with unfamiliar equipment to battling the intense Indian heat, which made handling ingredients like chocolate particularly tricky. During one round, his blender broke down completely, forcing him to rearrange his schedule on the fly while a working one was found. But he took it all in his stride, proving his ability to stay calm under pressure—an essential skill in any professional kitchen.

So what’s next for this rising star? First up are his final-year exams in late spring, but beyond that, he’s hoping to land a place on the prestigious Glenfiddich internship programme, which offers hands-on experience across fine dining and hospitality. And after that? He’s keen to keep learning, gaining as much experience as possible before one day opening his own restaurant. Given that Capital City College has produced several Masterchef winners, who knows? We might just see Kamran on our screens before long.

When asked what advice he would give to any young person considering a career in professional cheffing, Kamran has a simple but powerful message: ‘Just do it’, emphasising the importance of perseverance and taking every opportunity to learn from those around you.

If you’re interested in a career in the culinary arts, find out more about our Hospitality and Culinary Arts courses and apply now!

World of Work Panel Discussion gives students a look inside professional life

Posted on February 11, 2025February 12, 2025 by Hannah Fenton

Students at CCC’s Kings Cross centre learn about the world of work through an inspiring and informative panel discussion covering multiple industries.

Capital City College (CCC) students from a range of courses attended a World of Work Panel Discussion at the college’s King’s Cross centre on 30 January. The event attracted 80 students from a range of subject areas including A Levels, Business and Professional Services, Engineering and Health and Social Care.

The panel discussion aimed to provide students with valuable insights into the world of work and to help them get a clearer picture of what to expect as they embark upon working life. The panel included professionals from a broad range of industries and welcomed both entrepreneurs and industry leaders:

John Lyons, Director of Human Hatstand
Merisa Johnson, Clinical Deputy Manager and District Nurse at East London NHS Foundation Trust
Kishor Kukadia, Software Engineer at Bank of America
Ursula Henry, Head of Executive Business Management at Federated Hermes
Geraldine Anyanwu, Client Development Director at Global Media
Lucina Woollams, Sustainability and Social Value Coordinator at MCS Building Services
Temi Afolabi, Strategy and Operations Director at The Nichols Group
Mrs Tracey Gotts, Pharmacy Technician and Support Staff Lead at NHS England
Miss Rebecca Davies, Social Value Manager at Willmott Dixon Interiors

After welcoming the panellists, Zara Khan, Student Enrichment Officer, guided the discussion with a series of thought-provoking questions, allowing each expert to share their personal career journeys, unique real-world experiences and professional advice.

The panel members’ varied backgrounds worked in tandem with their dual perspectives as both employees and employers, resulting in a discussion that offered students a uniquely comprehensive perspective on standing out in the job market.

A number of panellists emphasised the non-linear nature of modern career paths, highlighting the fact that many professionals move across industries. They also emphasised the importance of transferable skills and reminded students that relevant work experience can be gathered from a wide range of environments and experiences.

The event encouraged students to think about the technical and interpersonal skills required to pursue their desired career path as well as impressing on them the importance of being able to present themselves with confidence. The practical knowledge imparted during the discussion will help to increase their confidence in making informed decisions as they navigate the early stages of their careers.

In addition to sharing practical career advice and real-life examples, the panellists were generous with their time and encouraged students to approach them with their questions and comments after the discussion had ended. Many of the students took the opportunity to connect with the panel members and stayed behind to talk with them at the end of the event.

The event was organised by Events and Activities Co‑ordinators Aleena Sharif and Elisha Lashley along with Zara Khan, Student Enrichment Officer, who hosted the panel discussion. The team was supported by Student Governor Ali Akhtar, who is studying A Levels in Maths, Physics and Fine Art, and captured content on the day.

At CCC, our Careers Team provides expert guidance, valuable support and unique industry opportunities to all students. If you’re ready to take the next step in your academic or professional journey, take a look at our wide range of courses and apply now!