Local college student Maries Mansaray, a student at Capital City College (CCC), Tottenham Centre, has secured a paid internship with Hitachi Solutions UK, a global leader in technology and consulting services, following a rigorous application and interview process.
Maries Mansaray, a CCC student
Maries is studying Pre Access-Digital Technologies and Computer Science at CCC’s Tottenham Centre, and is one of eight students who will start a paid, two-week placement to explore the technology industry and gain insight into life within a global consultancy.
Thanks to CCC’s dedicated team, this opportunity was presented to Maries through the work experience programme at CCC, which enables college students to build confidence and gain real-world experience while fulfilling industry placement hours as part of their studies.
Maries Mansaray, a student at CCC
Maries commented about the experience: “I feel incredibly grateful for the opportunity to learn more about data analytics and AI. Being in a real work environment and learning directly from experienced professionals is amazing. From the very start, during the assessment, we were warmly welcomed and encouraged—it really made a difference.
“The task we were given felt unfamiliar at first, but it quickly turned into something exciting and challenging. We had the chance to speak with industry leaders who not only answered our questions but also offered real-world advice and insights into the field.
Christina Mackay, Head of ESG and Social Value at Hitachi Solutions, said: “At Hitachi Solutions, we know talent doesn’t follow just one path. That’s why we’re committed to improving access and opportunities for people who haven’t taken a ‘traditional’ route through further education but are keen to explore careers in tech.
“Programmes like Gen H are designed to build confidence, open minds to new possibilities, and help people discover where their strengths can take them. From day one, Maries impressed us with her curiosity and determination, and we’re delighted to have her in this year’s cohort. These initiatives don’t just inspire our interns, they bring fresh thinking, perspectives and energy into our teams, making us stronger as a business.”
David Ward, a lecturer in ICT at Capital City College, commented: “Maries demonstrated incredible determination and perseverance, refusing to take no for an answer. Her proactive approach and convincing plan for catching up left a strong impression. With great potential and a never give-up attitude, she has shown herself to be a learner who will undoubtedly succeed.”
A group of year 12 A Level students from Capital City College (CCC) recently successfully completed a three-part careers pathway programme with Barclays Bank.
Students visiting Barclays for the careers pathways programme
Led by Ben Orcese, an HE and Careers advisor at CCC, the students hosted experts from Barclays in February and March at CCC’s Angel centre, to learn about career pathways and the Barclays programme, as well as CV writing and holding mock job interviews to perfect their skills.
This month, the students visited Barclays Bank HQ in Canary Wharf as the final part of the programme, where they gained valuable career insights in corporate and private banking, and heard from a Barclays graduate student.
Here’s what the students said
Charlotte Bromige: “I have learnt how to format a CV, what to expect in an interview and the different pathways and opportunities available.”
Maya Hemmami: “I have learnt that the world of work is often about making connections and communication rather than only the qualifications involved in completing the job.”
Yoana Georgieva: “I learned what my future career steps could be and the whole programme inspired me to be more interested in the banking industry.”
Mahima Arya: – “It has increased my confidence with using the STAR method for interviews.”
Ben added: “By taking part in the Barclays Careers Pathway programme, our students have been provided with an invaluable real-life experience of the corporate world. Students gained an understanding of the variety of job roles in the finance sector, the value of networking and potential impact of making connections. All of this will positively impact students’ post-18 progression plans moving forward.”
Want to learn more about careers? By attending CCC, you’ll have access to career opportunities and programmes to help you plan your next step.
To mark this year’s London Marathon, we take a look at what it’s like to be a competitive runner with Sports student Hamza Rob.
CCC student athlete Hamza Rob running at the AoC sports championships
The TCS London Marathon 2025 takes place on Sunday 27 April. We spoke to Capital City College (CCC) student and Team CCC athlete Hamza Rob to learn more about how he trains throughout the year and prepares for competitive runs.
I run the 400m and I recently competed in the 5k at the AOC National Championships. I used to do a lot of distance running but I think 5k is the longest I do now.
How long have you been running competitively?
I’ve been running competitively since I was around 8 years old, and I’m now 17.
What do you like most about running?
I love the independence of it. When I compete it’s down to me. How I run or what I achieve is down to how I trained or how I performed.
What do you find most challenging about your sport?
I think it’s quite hard because it’s quite an individual sport, so it’s hard to wake up and train every day.
What does your training programme look like?
I have a yearly training programme, and it’s broken down into different parts of the year to focus on different things. From September to November, we’ll be working on base building, which is aerobic work, so maybe doing a few 5ks and slower runs. Once we get into the indoor season in January, I start to focus more on speed work and power in the gym. Then I’ll take a little break and I’ll be going into the outdoor season which is more focussed on race models. So I’ll do a lot of 400m repeats, 60m sprints straight off the blocks and lots of power exercises in the gym.
Would you like to try a marathon?
I wouldn’t mind. With longer distance it’s a lot about repetition and continuous running. I used to run mini marathons in the London stadium and that was quite a fun experience. We started outside the stadium and ran around the stadium and went inside the stadium for the last 400 metres.
What do you do to prepare for a 5k race?
I usually do lots of longer work, some fartlek training [a type of training that involves mixing up different running speeds] and then I still do a lot of speed work because 5k is quite quick – so I’ll do 200m and 300m repeats. Then, coming into the season I do a lot of 5k testing to see how I’m doing. At my club we have a VO2 max machine [a machine which measures aerobic capacity and shows how much oxygen your body can use during exercise] so we check that as well. With a week to go before a 5k race we cut down on all training for recovery and then two days before we do a little slow run.
I work on my diet a lot with some carb loading in the last two days before the event. About six weeks before a longer run, I’d cut out any sugar and unhealthy stuff.
What advice would you have for anyone doing the London Marathon this weekend?
I’d say to enjoy it and have fun.
This year marks the 45th London Marathon, and the event is sure to be as popular as ever. With more than 56,000 people expected to take part, this year’s event aims to break the world record for the highest number of people finishing a marathon.
British athletes such as Alex Yee and Eilish McColgan will make their much-anticipated marathon debuts, while eight-time wheelchair race winner David Weir will be completing the course for the 26th time.
The London Marathon celebrates sportsmanship, supports charities and brings together communities across the capital and beyond. The cheers and encouragement from the crowd help the participants to stay motivated as they completed the lengthy route. If you’re planning to watch the London Marathon this year, make sure you check out the essential spectator information to help your day go as smoothly as possible.
At CCC, we offer a number of Sport and Fitness Courses. We also support students interested in sports through our wide-ranging Sports Academies which offer professional individual coaching, access to exercise and nutrition programmes and opportunities to compete in events.
“I love the independence of it [running]. When I compete it’s down to me. How I run or what I achieve is down to how I trained or how I performed.”
This week, Capital City College (CCC) colleagues came together at our Tottenham centre for a series of talks and workshops dedicated to EDI.
Celebrating differences and breaking stereotypes
April’s professional development day (PD Day) marked a celebration under the theme ‘Celebrating Differences and Breaking Stereotypes’. Curated by CCC’s EDI Manager, Bimmy Rai, the event promised an inspiring line-up of sessions focused on equity, diversity, and inclusion.
The day featured dynamic discussions and creative explorations, inviting participants to engage deeply with the diverse lived experiences within our international community.
Notable guest speakers included Jassa Ahluwalia, an actor and advocate for dual heritage identity, who led a session on #BothNotHalf, exploring identity beyond boxes, and celebrating the nuance and complexity of being “both.”
Actor Jassa Ahluwalia and Bimmy Rai
Guests were also treated to a session by Kareem Parkins-Brown, a poet and educator, who led a poetry masterclass on the power of slang. And for some language fun, attendees also enjoyed a special book signing and a “Spice Up Your Lingo” Punjabi taster session.
One highlight of the day was the HAKA Workshop, celebrating Māori heritage, which proved to be a powerful and engaging experience. Participants were encouraged to wear something that reflected their culture or heritage, making the event a vibrant celebration of our collective identity at CCC.
HAKA Workshop, celebrating Māori heritage at PD Day
Recognizing the varied needs for professional development, the event included a range of skill-building sessions. Whether it was “Working Smarter with Microsoft Word, Excel & Outlook” (intermediate level), advancing teaching and learning practices, exploring personal finance, or taking a moment in the Wellbeing Room or Quiet Zone, there was something for everyone.
Bimmy Rai, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Manager at CCC, spoke with some of the attendees afterwards. She said: “It’s great to hear from colleagues that they were ‘spoilt for choice with the diversity of topics and activities’ taking place at PD Day and expressed their delight and thanks for the showcasing of such a wide variety of workshops and the carefully curated, thought-provoking and inspiring EDI-exclusive events, which helped to increase their knowledge, understanding and awareness.”
Looking for a career that has a positive impact on the planet? Take a look at our top 10 Green Careers.
This week, we celebrate Earth Day, and the theme for 2025 is ‘Our Power, Our Planet’. As our professional lives expand to encompass an increased awareness of our planet’s needs and challenges, the scope for Green Careers continues to grow. At Capital City College (CCC), our Green Skills Academy offers a range of Green courses providing opportunities for positive impact.
If you’re interested in working to create a greener future and help communities and organisations to reach sustainability goals, then why not consider one of our top 10 recommended Green Careers?
Photo credit: Unsplash Miriam Espacio
Recycling Officer
We all know we should recycle, but how can we make sure we’re doing as much as we can? Recycling officers help to plan, develop and run recycling schemes policies within the community, including dealing with budgets, contacts and funding applications. They are often employed by local authorities to support policies centred around waste reduction and waste management. Recycling officers engage with media outlets and deliver educational programmes to promote activities which help people to recycle more.
To do this role, you’ll need strong leadership skills and the ability to engage and work with others. You’ll need some knowledge of manufacturing processes as well as business management skills.
Sustainability needs to be more than just a buzzword – here’s a role that puts sustainable practices front and centre!
An increasing number of organisations are taking on sustainability officers (also known as corporate responsibility administrators) whose role involves embedding sustainability into everyday actions and processes. Sustainability officers support teams across an organisation in developing and implementing environmental policies and best practices. They help to track progress towards specific targets while engaging internal departments and partners to maximise involvement in green initiatives and sustainability plans.
In this role, you’ll need to have strong leadership skills as well as the ability to use your initiative and generate new ideas. You’ll be working to engage a broad variety of people across an organisation, so strong written and verbal skills and a collaborative mindset are essential.
Interested in plants and animals? Why not consider becoming an ecologist? The role of an ecologist centres around studying the relations between plants, animals and the environment in order to protect and restore natural habitats. Ecologists conduct surveys on plants, animals and environmental conditions so that they can gather and analyse essential data. They research how human activities such as building and farming impact land and waterways. Ecologists are often called upon by landowners and developers to share their insight and expertise and monitor species in specific areas while also advising on conservation management plans.
Moving on from the role of ecologist, we step into the role of the Environmental scientist. This profession focuses on studying the natural world to find out the best ways to protect it. Environmental scientists look at how plants, animals and other organisms are affected by the environment around them while also studying external factors such as pollutants. They use their data and observations to develop their understanding of the complex interactions within various ecosystems, and this enables them to develop and deliver specialist advice and provide information for those developing policies. To become an environmental scientist, you’ll need good attention to detail and strong analytical skills as well as the ability to solve problems.
If you thrive in the great outdoors and have strong people skills, this may be the job for you. Countryside rangers are in charge of looking after public green spaces, including woodlands and animal habitats. It’s quite a hands-on role that involves monitoring sites and reporting findings relating to wildlife and habitats, as well as working to protect the plant and animal life within certain areas. Countryside rangers work with the public, running guided walks and delivering talks to increase engagement in conservation projects and improve education within the community.
To do this role, you’ll need a good understanding of biology and geography as well as the ability to use your own initiative. As this role involves dealing with members of the public, strong communication skills are also important.
Have you ever wondered why the weather does what it does? Climatologists (also known as climate scientists) study how climates have developed or changed over time to create a picture of how things might affect the planet in the future. They gather data from the land, sea and air to create models which simulate the effect of climate change. Their work can involve looking for ways to tackle climate change as well as advising those involved in making policies. Climatologists need a good understanding of maths and geography, as well as science skills.
Farming is a tough gig, but agronomists use their skills to provide valuable expertise and support to those growing our much-needed crops. Also known as crop scientists or agricultural consultants, Agronomists advise farmers on how to improve the production and quality of crops. They do this by studying soil health and fertilisers, along with other factors which influence crop growth. Agronomists also create organic, chemical and biological treatment plans and carry out field trials to improve the production and quality of crops in a way that is both sustainable and efficient.
To become an Agronomist, you’ll need strong science skills as well as the ability to think analytically and solve problems.
Move over, Mario, the next generation of plumbers are also heat pump technicians. These specialist technicians are responsible for installing and maintaining zero-carbon systems, which provide central heating and hot water systems to buildings. This role involves finding and fixing faults and repairing low-carbon systems while following health and safety requirements. Heat pump technicians are also called upon to decommission outgoing systems for heating and hot water before installing new ones. They support customers in switching to more energy-efficient systems by walking them through how they operate.
You’ll need a variety of technical and interpersonal skills to do this role. As well as knowledge of maths and construction, you’ll need to be comfortable using a range of tools to maintain and repair machines. Some people find their way into this role after training to be a gas service technician, heating engineer or plumber. You can read our blog to find out more about how to become a plumber in the UK.
To embrace renewable energies such as wind, solar and hydroelectric power, we need a strong workforce of engineers to design, develop and maintain renewable energy systems. A renewable energy engineer explores how we harness renewable energy sources, as well as conducts studies and trials relating to specific sites. The role can include designing power plants and equipment, and increasing the efficiency of existing tools.
Renewable energy engineers may also be called upon to advise companies on the best way to transition away from fossil fuels. To do this role, you’ll need knowledge of engineering, science, technology and maths, as well as analytical and reasoning skills.
You probably know what an architect does, designing buildings and the surrounding spaces, but have you ever considered the potential of this role as a Green career? Being a green architect involves designing buildings that are highly energy-efficient and follow the most up-to-date sustainability principles to minimise the impact on the environment. By thinking carefully about materials and design principles, a green architect can use their knowledge of building and construction to deliver innovative designs that have the lowest possible environmental footprint.
As well as technical design skills and strong knowledge of construction theories and practices, this role requires a creative and innovative approach, along with detail-driven reasoning skills.
There’s a whole new world of fulfilling jobs to explore within the realm of Green Careers. Take a look at our Green Skills Academy courses, which include a range of free short courses to help you get started.
Performing arts students from Capital City College (CCC)’s Holloway centre travelled to Budapest, Hungary, to work with another performing arts school.
Smiling for the camera at Nemes Nagy Ágnes Művészeti Szakgimnázium
Led by Blanka Molnar, a Lecturer in Performing Arts at CCC, this was the first exchange where 16 Level 3 and Level 4 students from Holloway centre travelled to Budapest, to Nemes Nagy Ágnes Művészeti Szakgimnázium, to work with 16 local students. Blanka shared some thoughts on how the exchange went.
“The exchange started with a teachers visit, where six of the Hungarian teachers came in October 2023 to our centre to observe and facilitate a few workshops and understand how our courses are running. Then last April, some of us went to Hungary to visit their school and do the same, so we would know what to expect. I am Hungarian and an alumni of the school, so it was great to connect with my teachers.
“We arrived in Budapest on Sunday 2 March and were welcomed at the school by the students with some cakes for an informal meeting. On Monday, we started working, deciding on a topic we would be interested in (the online meetings were focused on coming up with a topic), and after having an intellectual debate, we started to improvise based off our agreed topic: Pollution of the Mind.
“Throughout the week, the students had workshops together: Hungarian folk dance, ballroom dance and salsa, creative music lessons. The students were split into small groups, and Hungarian students took our students sightseeing around Budapest. On 8th March, we had a show based off the work we did throughout the whole week, and all 32 students performed together for a small audience at the school. We travelled back on Sunday, 9th March.
“Overall, it was an extremely valuable experience for our students, they have made friendships, learnt a bit of the language (that was part of the show), were immersed in a different culture, and their professional attitude has developed significantly.”
CCC students out and about in Budapest
CCC performing arts studios sharing the stage with students at Nemes Nagy Ágnes Művészeti Szakgimnázium
CCC students taking in the sights in Budapest
CCC students in the studio at Nemes Nagy Ágnes Művészeti Szakgimnázium
CCC performing arts students stretching at Nemes Nagy Ágnes Művészeti Szakgimnázium
Nemes Nagy Ágnes Művészeti Szakgimnázium
Gracie, a CCC student, said: “It was a great experience, I feel so lucky that I got to be a part of it! It was such a fun trip but also so educational, seeing how much the Hungary students appreciate what they have and how dedicated they are to what they do, it made us realise how much we take for granted living in London. We got plenty of time for sightseeing, and it was so beautiful in the city, especially at night.
“We tried so many different cultural dishes like Langos and chimney cake (which was my personal favourite!) It was so nice how the students were so interested in our cultures too, they loved how we were all so diverse and all had our own cultural stories to tell them.
“The actual drama school itself was so homely and welcoming, I felt like I actually attended the school. We did lots of improvising, which I thought was really fun, and everybody was so creative. My favourite part was definitely the dance lessons, not just because I’m a dancer myself, but it was so fun learning their folk/gypsy dance, it was captivating seeing everybody so happy and laughing together! I’d love to have dance lessons like these here in London. I feel we bonded with the students so well, considering we only worked with them for a few days. Overall, the trip was amazing. I’d 100% do it again!”
Are you interested in performing arts? Learn more about how you could be on stage with our range of performing arts courses.
Almost 50 learners from Capital City College (CCC) were involved in a project combining business pitches and video creation for the Islington Family Event.
CCC learners at Islington Family Event
Held at the Business Design Centre earlier this month, the event was a real-life project that provided students with a unique, hands-on learning experience.
Rather than a hypothetical classroom exercise, this event gave business students the opportunity to pitch directly to companies, aiming to secure pledges that could lead to valuable work experience and potential future job opportunities. The students worked on a live brief in events management, requiring them to apply the skills and knowledge they’ve acquired in a real-world context.
Thirty-seven Business L3 Students and twelve Business L1 Students were involved in this project, which involved CCC learners from other disciplines. Media students produced and edited a professional video for the event, while performing arts students provided music.
A thought-provoking video made in collaboration with CCC learners.
This immersive experience was not only about completing a task but about preparing students for real challenges they may face in their careers, making the event a true reflection of the working world.
Toby Clark, Deputy Principal of CCC, who was present at the event, expressed immense pride in the students’ accomplishments.
These thoughts were shared by Lee Kennedy, a lecturer in business at CCC, who said:
“A huge thank you to our amazing business students for their exceptional efforts in organising the Islington Family Opening event at the BDC. Not only did they successfully negotiate the venue, but they also pitched to cover the catering costs for the evening! Your professionalism and initiative were truly inspiring.
“I’d also like to thank Anne F. for the time and effort she spent prepping her students before the pitch – your dedication made all the difference. A special mention to Prabhakar Tailor, who spent four months guiding his L3 students through how businesses and events work, as well as the stresses that come with organising behind the scenes. Without his support, this event wouldn’t have been possible.”
Over 40 students from Capital City College (CCC) are having the experience of a lifetime in South Korea by taking part in the Turing Scheme.
CCC students visiting cultural sights in South Korea
Forty-one students from CCC have taken part this year in the popular Turing Scheme, the UK’s global programme for studying, working, and living abroad. In honour of British mathematician and scientist Alan Turing, the scheme offers students the chance to explore different languages and cultures, build new skills, boost their employment prospects and experience international travel. Open to students aged over 18 who are enrolled on a Further Education course at the college, the Turing Scheme gives learners the chance to learn basic Korean and experience local culture while building their self-confidence.
Now for a fourth year, this popular trip adds to the success of previous Turing Scheme trips to Korea and highlights the strong ongoing partnerships between CCC and a number of Korean colleges. Learners are attending classes in Keimyung College University (KMCU) in Daegu, South Korea, the fourth largest city in the country, at Kyungbuk College (KBC) in Yeongju,and Korea Polytechnics (KOPO), in Jeonju.
During the programme, students participate in a range of cultural and study activities which seek to develop their hard and soft skills. Learners at host colleges are working on a hard skills assignment which looks at areas of best practice in Korea, and attended lectures on different topics, ranging from customer service skills to AI.
Learners are also undertaking a Green Skills programme which improves their understanding of environmental challenges and climate action, comparing issues and responses in the UK and South Korea. As part of the programme, learners at KMCU planted trees, students at KBC picked litter and learners at KOPO visited the Rural Development Administration part of the Ministry for Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs to learn how they are using science and technology to combat climate change.
As part of their cultural programme, so far learners at KOPO have played drone football and visited Jeonju Hanok village. Learners at KMCU had a day trip to Busan, Korea’s second largest city, where they experienced a traditional Korean Tea ceremony, while students at KBC visited Buseoksa Temple and Yeongju town council office.
CCC learners taking part in a football game with Korea Polytechnics
CCC students out and about in South Korea
CCC learners experiencing a tea ceremony in Busan
CCC learners at a tea ceremony in Busan
CCC learners enjoying a tea ceremony in Busan
CCC students taking part in the Turing Scheme in South Korea
CCC students trying the local cuisine in South Korea
CCC students saying hi from the Turing Scheme with Keimyung College University
Smiles and building bridges with the Turing Scheme in South Korea
CCC students with the Turing Scheme at Korea Polytechnics
Here’s what some of our students said
Phillippa: “I am having an amazing experience, that has really boosted my mind, and life experiences. Every time I think about what I would be doing now, I am happy that I applied to be here. It has given me the confidence to be aware that I can be in wholly different world and culture and be accepted as a human being. I am happy that I started studying again, and became a part of the Capital city College family. It given opportunities that I could never imagine.”
Simon: “This experience so far has showed me a world where even the rush feels respectful. Coming from London’s messy charm, Korea’s quiet order and everyday courtesy hit me in the best way—it made me slow down, observe more, and appreciate the small rituals that hold a culture together.”
Joseph: “I have found this experience so far to be insightful and culturally enriching. The buddies here at KMCU have been really nice and helpful, showing us around in their own time and really taking an interest in getting to know us. Taekwando was very fun and pottery was quite relaxing.”
Elizabeth: “This is a very lovely and well-planned programme, the professors are very kind and patient. So far this program has brought me out of my comfort zone and has reinforced my love for learning new things. I can’t wait to see what this programme entails.”
Kenzie: “During my first four days in Daegu, I instantly felt welcomed by the exceptional buddies at KMCU. They are certainly a true testament of the university’s culture and polite practices. Separately, I already feel like I’ve acquired cultural and enrichment that will last me a lifetime. I am eternally grateful for this opportunity and cannot wait to soon visit other parts of Asia.”
Jasbir Sondhi, Group Principal for Young People, English, Mathematics and SEND at CCC, said: “I have had the privilege to travel to South Korea with a group of learners, and I’m in awe of what this experience has meant for them. Our students have had the opportunity to travel, explore a new culture, and grow in ways that just aren’t possible in the classroom.
“For some, it was their first time on a plane. For others, their first time outside of London. But what united them all was their openness, curiosity, and willingness to embrace every moment. This trip has been a powerful reminder of what a privilege it is to work in this sector—to support learners as they grow, to open doors to new opportunities, and to be part of a journey that truly changes lives.”
The Turing Scheme is just one of the many benefits of studying with us. Find out more about college life at CCC including trips, discount schemes, clubs, societies and sports teams.
Capital City College (CCC) culinary student Serin Hassan has made the final twelve in this year’s Toque d’Or competition, which challenged 24 back-of-house and 24 front-of-house competitors in sustainability-inspired challenges.
Capital City College culinary student Serin Hassan
Assessed by a team of expert judges, including chef Tom Booton, the finalists from different colleges will advance to the grand finals this May, where their skills will be put to the test across four days of challenges.
Now in its 37th year, Nestlé Professional’s Toque d’Or competition assessed back of house competitors with creating plant-based dishes for a main, and a sweet brownie dessert.
Competing chefs receiving instruction at Nestlé Professional’s Toque d’Or competition
Serin tells us more about her experience
“It was really exciting. I’d never done a competition before, so this was brand new to me. The first day we were at the Nestlé headquarters, where we were interviewed by the judges on what inspired us, and questions about sustainability.
“The next day we had an early start, and once we were briefed, we had to make four of one dishes for savoury and another for sweet. The savoury dish had to be completely veggie, so that was a fun challenge.
“It was exciting because it felt real; we were cooking outside of the working kitchens at college. Here I had my own cooking station, which was great. We had two hours to cook and do a normal lunch service, so my lessons at CCC really helped prepare me for this.
“My savoury dish was a burnt leek and onion purée with a mussel butter sauce, with tomatoes, broad beans and chives, along with caramelised salsify with seared salmon and crispy mussels.
“It was also quite challenging because at the time I didn’t know what to expect, and didn’t know what I was walking into. On top of that, we were paired up with other competitors from the Front of House (FOH) competition, and they were the ones who were presenting our dishes, pairing them with wines, so it was quite nerve-wracking at times to be paired up with a stranger and trust them with your dish.
“For dessert, we had to create a new brownie dessert, using Nestlé Branded Dessert Ingredients. My dessert was a caramel swirl brownie with a Munchie, nut and white chocolate brittle with Chantilly cream.
“For me the best part of this was the competition aspect. Being in the kitchen, you can really push yourself and see what you could create in the time. I really enjoyed meeting new people, networking and making connections, working with chefs. And I got to meet chef Tom Booton, Head Chef at the Dorchester Hotel, and it was amazing. He was really easy to talk to, open to our ideas, it was really inspiring.”
Next month, Serin will join eleven other aspiring chefs for four more days of culinary challenges. Good luck Serin!
If you want to follow in Serin’s footsteps and train to become a chef, have a look at some of our hospitality and culinary courses.
Student athletes from Capital City College (CCC) competed in the Association of Colleges (AoC) National Championships in Nottingham.
Capital City College students playing basketball at the AoC national championships
Students from CCC demonstrated their sporting skills at The Association of Colleges (AoC) National Championships 2025. Taking place from the 4 to 6 April in Nottingham, this was a fun weekend of competitive sports that offered students the chance to face off against their fellow colleges.
The AoC National Championships are the largest annual Further Education student sporting event in Europe, with around 1500 colleges taking part each year.
This year, Team CCCG Sport consisted of around 40 learners who competed in different sports, including table tennis, basketball, badminton, netball, and cross country.
Robert Murphy, Sports Development Manager, gave us a play by play of how CCC’s student athletes did.
Table tennis (Silver medal)
CCC table tennis athlete Marcel Ndongala at the AoC National Championships 2025
“Marcel Ndongala was fantastic in the championships winning all seven group games before convincingly winning his semi-final to progress to the final. Marcel came up against a very strong player from Grantham college and narrowly missed out on the gold medal. We are hugely proud of Marcel’s achievements and as well as winning the silver medal for his individual performance, he was instrumental in the London region also securing a silver medal.”
Basketball (Bronze medal)
CCC’s basketball team at the AoC National Championships 2025
“Our basketball team came out strong. We were asked to compete in the opening showcase game of the championships in front of a huge crowd. Despite a very close game we emerged victorious in our opener and went on to win all of our group games.
“This paired us against Dudley college In the semi-final. A strong Dudley narrowly beat us in the semi-final, meaning we would play in the 3rd place playoff. Despite the disappointment of missing out on the final, our guys performed well and convincingly won the 3rd place playoff securing a bronze medal.”
Badminton
“Our two badminton players, Andy xu and Leo Nguyen, were part of the London representative team. They came up against some very tough opposition and competition took over three long days. Our guys played an instrumental part in achieving an 8th place finish for London at the national championships.”
Netball
CCC’s netball athletes at the AoC National Championships 2025
“Competing again in the nationals for a third year in a row, the opposition and competition was tough. Our young women performed really well under tough circumstances and contributed towards a 10th place finish for London in the competition.”
Cross country
CCC’s cross country team at the AoC National Championships 2025
“A tough field with some strong athletes. Well done to our athletes Hamza rob, William Lami Lora, and Luke Dixon, who all recorded personal bests. A big shoutout to our female competitor, Eszter Kis, who was the only competing female athlete from London. All of our students who took part contributed to points for the London region.
We are immensely proud of all of our student athletes and proud to say that the bulk of London students competing in the championships came from Capital City College.”
Congratulations to all of our athletes and coaches for your success at the AOC National Championships!
CCC proudly supports students developing their sports skills with a range of Sports Academies. Our Sports Academies are open to anybody aged 16-19 who is enrolled on one of our courses and provide plenty of opportunities across a broad variety of sports including athletics, basketball, esports, netball and football. The Sports Academies work in collaboration with local professional organisations to give students the best training, advice, and opportunities.
If you would like to join a Sports Academy as part of your studies, please add your chosen academy to your basket when applying for a course.
A group of 21 first-year students from the Creative Media Production – Level 3 Extended Diploma course took part in the event, which took place at LMA London on 21 March. The celebration was hosted by BBC Radio 1Xtra presenter Swarzy and brought together key figures from the long-running soap.
During the event, the students took an exclusive look behind the scenes of one of the UK’s most iconic television dramas. The event featured industry professionals, including EastEnders actors Jamie Borthwick (Jay Brown) and Zaraah Abrahams (Chelsea Fox) as well as influential creatives such as scriptwriter and producer Bryan Kirkwood, creative director Amrit Singh, and director Niall Phillips.
CCC students attend meet the cast panel BBC Academy EastEnders event
CCC students attending the BBC Academy EastEnders event
Students had the opportunity to gain first-hand knowledge of the challenges and rewards involved in breaking into and working within the television industry. They heard from BBC production apprentice Lucy Foley, who talked about her journey into TV production through an apprenticeship.
The event also gave the students the opportunity to showcase their creativity and produce their own “duff duff” moment, which is the iconic moment at the end of EastEnders before the final credits begin. The dramatic “duff duff” scene created by CCC’s Creative Media Production – Level 3 Extended Diploma students Evangeline Abendano Celi, Catherine Aditchere and Iara Casama was picked as one of the top three out of 300 entries from students across London.
The trip was part of the college’s commitment to providing real-world industry exposure for its media students, helping them build connections and gain a deeper understanding of TV production.
Student Evangeline Abendano Celi said: “It was amazing to meet professionals who work on such a big show and hear about their career journeys. It has given me a real insight into what it takes to work in the industry.”
During the festival, the students, who are all studying at CCC’s Tottenham centre, took part in a variety of immersive and interactive experiences which were designed to inspire and educate the next generation of filmmakers and media professionals. They participated in workshops and demonstrations led by over 50 companies and training providers including industry giants such as Disney, Lucasfilm, Marvel, and Industrial Light & Magic (ILM).
One particular highlight was the opportunity to view authentic memorabilia from the Star Wars franchise, including masks, props and armour. Students were also able to explore live sets and witness the intricate process of film production first-hand. The festival’s vibrant atmosphere was enhanced by appearances from iconic film characters, such as Deadpool, which provided unique photo opportunities and a touch of Hollywood magic.
CCC students meeting a wookie from Star Wars at Pinewood Studios
The Ghostbusters ghost mobile from Pinewood Studios
Some imperial foot soldiers from Star Wars at Pinewood Studios
Attending the Pinewood Futures Festival enabled the students to broaden their understanding of the diverse career paths on offer within the Film and TV industry, inspiring them as they continue their studies.
Behind the scenes with CCC students at Pinewood Studios
Reymond Tubay Ligorguro, who is studying Creative Media Production – Level 3 Extended Diploma, said: “This was a surreal experience, getting to speak to industry professionals about how they broke into the industry was inspirational. I definitely have high hopes for the future when I finish my studies at CCC.”
