Education Secretary visits new Telford College sixth form site

The Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson MP, Secretary of State for Education, visited Telford College’s new sixth form centre as part of a wide-ranging education visit.

The Secretary of State visited the Telford 6th building in Station Quarter during a trip which also included Wombridge Primary School, Thomas Telford Free School, Telford Park School, and Harper Adams University at the Quad.

The visit highlighted Telford’s education journey, celebrated the work of local teachers and staff, and discussed how national education policy can better support pupils, teachers and families across Telford.

The visit was organised by the town’s MP Shaun Davies. The Secretary of State said: “It was great to visit Telford and see the hard work happening in schools and colleges across the town.

“Meeting students, teachers and education leaders and hearing about their ambitions for Telford was incredibly valuable.”

“Hearing directly from pupils and staff provides real insight into what works and what doesn’t. For the government, this is key to shaping the change that actually benefits our families, especially in areas such as SEND provision, school funding, and opportunities for young people.”

Telford College principal and chief executive Lawrence Wood said: “Today’s visit was a valuable opportunity to showcase the strength of partnership working among education providers in the borough.

“The government recognises that post?16 education and training is a vital stage in a young person’s journey towards a rewarding career, and it was a privilege to welcome the Secretary of State, future students and colleagues to see for themselves our vision for the new Telford 6th.

“This development will be deeply connected to our communities, and will open up fresh opportunities for the people we serve.”

The visit concluded with a roundtable discussion with Telford & Wrekin Council, local education leaders and partners. Hosted by European Innovation, it focused on opportunities for innovation, skills development and the role of emerging technologies in supporting the region’s future workforce.

Shaun Davies, MP for Telford, said: “It was great to welcome the Education Secretary to Telford and show her the brilliant work happening here.

“This visit was about celebrating that work but also making the case absolutely clear that to back our schools and families we need to go even further.

“I was also able to pass on feedback I’ve heard directly from parents, carers and partners including from recent conversations about SEND support.

“Telford has a real story to tell when it comes to education one built on ambition, hard work and opportunity and it was fantastic to showcase that during such a busy and productive visit.”

Sky’s the limit for former Telford College IT student

Chris Morris says he owes his Telford College careers adviser a huge thanks for setting him on the road to a successful career in sales.

The 37-year-old currently works for Sky Media, creating targeted TV advertising platforms which allow businesses to show different ads to different households watching the same programme.

He enrolled on a two-year IT course at Telford College after graduating from Abraham Darby Academy in Madeley, unsure precisely what he wanted to do when it was completed.

“I picked IT because it felt like it would give me transferable skills, but didn’t apply myself at college as well as I should have done,” he said.

“I always remember a conversation with a Telford College careers adviser who took time to talk about me as a person – what I was good at, strong at, and not so strong at – and we discussed the sort of jobs they felt would suit me.

“We ended up coming to the conclusion that the best use of my skill set would be a job that involved being a ‘people person’. It set me on my way, opening up a whole list of job opportunities I hadn’t even realised existed until that point.”

From there, Chris spent two years with Wellington-based estate agents Coleman Estates, before moving to the Shropshire Star as an advertising sales executive, initially on the business team at Ketley and later at its Ludlow office.

Six years later, Chris moved to Global Radio, followed by a period specialising in outdoor billboard sales, before taking on his current role at Sky around three years ago.

“The college was brilliant, the course and the tutors was great, and I made lots of friends,” he said.

“It’s so great to have been able to return to the campus now in my current capacity, helping the college to explore TV advertising opportunities.

“I’m able to work from home, and get the chance to go out and visit businesses, helping them to plan advertising campaigns which can target the homes which match their needs, and demographics.”

Telford College highly commended at national training awards

Telford College has been highly commended for its ‘innovation in training’ at a national awards ceremony.

A delegation from Telford College attended the prestigious Apprenticeship and Training Awards in Liverpool which received more than 650 nominations from employers, training providers, colleges and universities.

The awards are run jointly by FE Week and the Association of Employment and Learning Providers, and delivered in partnership with City and Guilds.

Telford College was given a Highly Commended award in recognition of the success of its Health Care Support Worker Induction Programme, developed in partnership with NHS and the Shropshire Telford & Wrekin Integrated Care System.

Sarah Davies, executive director of partnerships and employer engagement at Telford College, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have been recognised at these prestigious awards, which celebrates the leading training providers in the UK.

“Our work in partnership with the Integrated Care System has had a significant impact on the workforce and transformed the way training is delivered.

“With the sector under immense pressure, we’ve embraced creativity and innovation in our delivery methods, and we’re delighted to see this recognised.”

Shane Mann, chair of the judging panel and chief executive of FE Week’s publisher EducationScape, said Telford College’s work ‘stood out strongly’ during the judging discussions.

“There were some lively debates among the judges, which speaks to the high standard of nominations from a sector that is constantly innovating and raising the bar.

“It was fascinating to see how training providers and employers are embedding AI into their programmes to personalise learning and enhance the curriculum.”

Telford College’s health care support worker induction programme is a pioneering initiative that has redefined health care training in the area since its launch in 2022.

Co-designed and co-delivered with NHS employers, the two-week course blends online learning, in-person workshops, and simulation-based training.

It is a flexible and scalable model that means new recruits can be onboarded swiftly, while maintaining high standards of care and professionalism.

Sarah added: “It also serves as pre-placement training for health apprentices and health T Level students, so they are fully prepared for the workplace and ready to integrate into the workforce as part of the team.

“The programme has significantly enhanced learner engagement and success by creating a training experience that is safe, immersive, emotionally intelligent, and directly aligned with real-world care environments.

“This innovative approach has led to improved retention, reduced early attrition, and increased learner confidence. Feedback consistently shows that learners feel well-equipped and supported, with many progressing into apprenticeships or permanent roles within the NHS and social care settings.”

 

Powerhouse Partnership for Teesside’s Next Football Generation

Middlesbrough College is giving Teesside’s football talent a winning start with an exciting new partnership with Middlesbrough FC, launching dedicated programmes and pathways for both the men’s and women’s U19 teams for the 2026/27 season.

This collaboration combines elite football development with full-time education, offering local young athletes a professional-standard environment to progress both on the pitch and in the classroom.

The new Middlesbrough College MFC Women’s U19 Football Pathway marks a significant step forward for women’s football in the region. Designed to welcome up to 20 elite players, who are set to join the college in Year 12, the programme combines academic or vocational study with high-level football coaching delivered by UEFA A and B Licensed coaches.

Players will train in a professional environment encompassing technical and tactical development, strength and conditioning, performance analysis, physiotherapy support and competitive match play.

Central to shaping both teams is Sammie Leigh, Middlesbrough College’s director of sport and coach of England Women’s blind team. Drawing on nearly two decades of experience in women’s football, Sammie highlights the importance of structured development and elite coaching for young talent. She said: “This programme gives girls on Teesside the chance to reach the next level in their football while building skills, discipline and confidence that will benefit them both in sport and in life.”

Ben Fisher, General Manager of Middlesbrough FC Women, emphasises the wider impact, adding: “Working with Middlesbrough College allows us to offer the coaching, facilities and support structures that help these players progress into careers in football, strengthening the sport across the region.”

The men’s partnership, the Middlesbrough FC/Middlesbrough College U19s, further builds on the College’s strong record of developing sporting talent. This team currently competes in the U19 National Youth Football League Northern Division and is on track for promotion for the 2026/27 season.

Through the partnership, players will wear the Middlesbrough FC badge on their match kits and gain access to state-of-the-art training facilities at Rockliffe Park and insight into the professional game.

The Academy experience is enhanced by a highly experienced coaching team with strong Middlesbrough FC heritage. Leading the team is Craig Hignett, former Premier League player and Boro legend, who scored the first goal at the Riverside Stadium. He is joined by Sammie Leigh, Jack Leicos, pre-academy coach at Middlesbrough FC, and former first-team player, Andy Collett, creating a coaching line-up with extensive local and professional expertise.

Pre-season for the men’s U19 team also begins in July, with recruitment underway in collaboration with local feeder schools.

Craig Liddle, Academy Manager at Middlesbrough FC, commented: “Working with Middlesbrough College allows us to strengthen the club’s connections with local further education institutions and provide strong exit strategies for Academy players moving on from Middlesbrough FC. We are proud to see Middlesbrough College players wear our badge with pride and look forward to welcoming them to our facilities.”

This partnership underscores Middlesbrough College’s commitment to dual-career development across the men’s and women’s teams. The College’s TASS Dual Career Accreditation ensures that players receive the support needed to excel academically while pursuing elite sport. This model reflects a growing emphasis in professional football on structured development and education, preparing athletes for both sporting careers and life beyond the pitch.

By combining academic achievement with high-quality football training, Middlesbrough College and Middlesbrough FC are creating clear, professional pathways for Teesside’s next generation of football talent.

This partnership represents a significant investment in the region’s sporting future, giving young men and women the tools, guidance and opportunities to succeed at the highest levels while staying in Teesside.

For more information on Middlesbrough College’s Football Academies and to find out about trials and recruitment, visit: https://www.mbro.ac.uk/services-and-support/sports-academies/

New logistics hub at Telford College strengthens employer links

Telford College has launched its first dedicated Logistics Hub – designed to deepen collaboration with employers and ensure the college’s training offer keeps pace with one of the region’s most important sectors.

The hub, which meets at the college’s Wellington campus, brings together industry leaders, curriculum specialists and employer partners to shape the future of logistics training in the area.

By creating a structured forum for dialogue, the college says it will help to ensure training is aligned with real?time sector developments in the road haulage, warehousing, distribution and supply chain management sectors.

Guest speaker at the first session was Sally Gilson, policy lead for skills and drivers at the Road Haulage Association.

She highlighted the challenges currently facing logistics. Nationally, the loss of 117,000 drivers due to non?renewal of licences and CPC qualifications continues to place pressure on the workforce.

Employers in attendance, which included Kinaxia, Kuehne + Nagel, and Little Pot Transport, also discussed the ageing demographic of drivers, and the difficulty many businesses face in attracting younger entrants.

The positives and negatives of emerging technologies, including AI?enabled driver monitoring systems, were also identified as areas requiring greater awareness and skills development.

Rosie Beswick, from Shropshire Chamber of Commerce, also updated attendees on the latest Local Skills Improvement Plan research.

Aneeta Hazir, manager of partnerships and employer engagement at Telford College, said: “The hub is an opportunity for us to strengthen our engagement with employers, keep in line with industry challenges and for us to mirror this in our teaching.

“At the launch event, employers heard updates on the college’s growing success across its logistics programmes, including the positive impact on learner outcomes and the increasing number of students progressing into industry roles.

“Attendees also discussed ongoing work to enhance employer engagement, ensuring students gain the skills, confidence and experience needed to thrive in a fast?changing sector.”

She added: “The new Logistics Hub will act as a catalyst for tackling these issues locally, ensuring Telford College remains at the forefront of sector?led education and continues to equip learners with the expertise employers urgently need.”

Telford College automotive students are motoring

Former Telford College automotive students are thriving at motor dealership Furrows, building successful careers across a range of departments.

The dealership, which has bases in Telford, Shrewsbury and Oswestry, currently has six former college students on its payroll, working in areas such as the car and commercial workshop, accident repair and parts.

All have become fully fledged technicians in their respective fields, after successfully completing their training.

Gareth Richards, general manager and group parts manager, said: “We’ve worked with Telford College over many years, delivering talks to students and taking a number of them on work placements.

“It’s an arrangement that works for both parties – giving them a chance to find out what we are all about, and allowing us to offer employment to ones we are most impressed with.

“There’s a shortage of skilled staff out there right now and recruitment is difficult, so we see the opportunity to ‘grow our own’ with the help of the college really is an investment for the future.

“We’ve been working more closely with the college over the past four or five years, and it’s been a really good partnership for us.”

Krystian Drag – a self-confessed car enthusiast – started with Furrows in 2023 after completing level 2 and 3 automotive courses at Telford College’s Wellington campus.

The former Hadley Learning Community student said: “I always knew I wanted a job connected with cars because of my dad who is also a mechanic. I knew exactly what I wanted to do in college after finishing school.

“The college taught you the basics and the theory and was a really good introduction. I knew exactly how to use diagnostic equipment when I started here because of the work we did in college.

“But you still continue learning a lot when you get a job, particularly in the first 12 months, and that’s something I really enjoy.”

Declan Dunn, another former HLC student, is also a technician alongside Krystian. He completed his level one, two and three automotive qualifications at Telford College.

“I found the college studies really useful,” Declan said. “Working with individual technicians during our first six months of probation was valuable. Managers are really helpful, willing to step in when you need it. 

“Doing work experience at Furrows during our time at Telford College was also helpful, because it gave us a clearer idea of what to expect.

“Although we are stripping gearboxes, realigning clutches and doing other practical tasks at college which has its own training workshops, there is always going to be a difference between a workplace and college experience.”

He said there were ‘lots of opportunities for promotion’ and career development at Furrows.

Jonathon Laybourne, a former Charlton School student, secured a job in the accident repair department at Furrows in Telford after completing his college studies.

He said: “Painting cars is an incredibly satisfying job, because you can see the impact of your work when it’s done.”

Usman Afzal works on commercial vehicles, and also completed his level 2 and 3 automotive courses at Telford College.

The former HLC student said: “You can’t fully prepare for life in the workshop when you are dealing with real customers’ vehicles, but the college does a pretty good job.

“They’ve got vehicles, ramps and other equipment that we find in the workplace, but there’s an extra level of responsibility when you know the vehicle belongs to a real-life customer where their van could be their business, and their livelihood.

“What do I enjoy most about my job? I just enjoy taking things apart, gaining an understanding of how everything fits together, and giving the customer a level of reassurance they the work will be done to a high standard.”

Local MP Visits Buckinghamshire College Group to Celebrate National Apprenticeship Week 2026

Buckinghamshire College Group was delighted to welcome local MP Laura Kyrke-Smith to its Aylesbury Campus today as part of National Apprenticeship Week 2026, recognising the vital role apprenticeships play in developing skills for the local economy. 

During her visit, Laura toured several of the College’s specialist apprenticeship training areas, including Construction, Motor Vehicle, and Hairdressing. She met with apprentices, staff, and employer partners, gaining first-hand insight into the high-quality training, industry-standard facilities, and career pathways available to learners across Buckinghamshire. 

Laura spoke with apprentices about their experiences and future ambitions and engaged in positive discussions with employers about current opportunities and challenges within the local skills landscape. Conversations centred on workforce needs, emerging industry trends, and ways to further strengthen apprenticeship provision to better support businesses and apprentices throughout the region. 

Tracey Matthews, Vice Principal (Commercial & Partnerships) at Buckinghamshire College Group, commented:  

“We were delighted to welcome Laura Kyrke-Smith to the College during National Apprenticeship Week. We are grateful for the time she spent meeting our apprentices, employers and staff, and for her genuine interest in hearing about their experiences. Her visit provided a valuable opportunity not only for our learners and partners to showcase the impact of apprenticeships, but also for us to share key messages about the challenges and opportunities facing the sector. We appreciate Laura taking these insights back to Parliament to help inform future discussions on skills and workforce development”. 

Buckinghamshire College Group is proud to champion apprenticeships and continues to work closely with employers to expand opportunities across a wide range of sectors. The College’s commitment to providing high-quality technical and professional education remains central to supporting the region’s economic growth and developing talent for the future. 

For more information about apprenticeships at Buckinghamshire College Group, visit: www.buckscollegegroup.ac.uk/apprenticeships 

About Buckinghamshire College Group: 

Buckinghamshire College Group (Bucks College Group) is a further education college with campuses in Aylesbury, Wycombe, and Amersham. The College provides vocational, technical, and professional skills education to over 4,500 students annually. The College provides full-time education for students aged 16 to 18, alongside a robust provision for adult learners and apprenticeships. Buckinghamshire College Group was formed from the merger of Aylesbury College and Amersham & Wycombe College in October 2017. The College is currently developing a new modern campus to be in the centre of High Wycombe which would bring together the provision offered at the existing Amersham and Wycombe sites. 

College celebrates top apprentices and employers

Gower College Swansea has held a special awards ceremony at Swansea.com Stadium as part of Apprenticeship Week Wales 2026.

The event, which honoured the outstanding commitment and dedication of the College’s apprentices, staff and employer partners from across Wales and England, was hosted by presenter/broadcaster Ross Harries, who has been the face of Welsh rugby for more than a decade.

Guest speakers for the night were James Owen, Chief Executive of Medr, and Jonathan Morris, Strategic Partnerships and External Affairs Manager at Tai Tarian.

“Apprenticeships are a key priority for many employers in terms of meeting the skills needed to develop and grow their businesses and I am delighted that, especially in recent years, the College has been able to respond to this demand,” says Principal, Paul Kift.

“Today we have over 2,500 apprentices at any one time, but I am also delighted to report that the quality of the provision has also strengthened with our apprentices, staff and programmes being recognised in Wales at the Apprenticeship Awards Cymru and the Inspire Tutor Awards, and also across the UK at the Times Educational Supplement (TES) FE Awards, the Annual Apprenticeship Conference (AAC) Awards, and the Association of Colleges (AOC) Beacon Awards.”

Our 2026 apprentices of the year are:

Accountancy Apprentice of the Year – Alex Hoskin, Castleview Accountancy
Activity Leadership & Sports Development Apprentice of the Year – Sinead Hogan, Ysgol Ty Gwyn
Built Environment Apprentice of the Year – Leon Lezzi, Swansea Council
Business Administration Apprentice of the Year – Mikayla Novak, EYST
Business and Quality Improvement Apprentice of the Year – Ross Cotter, Energybuild Ltd
Childcare/Educational Support Apprentice of the Year – Katy Campbell, Rocking Horse Day Nursery
Civil Engineering Apprentice of the Year – Lewis Colborne, RMG Groundworks
Community Development Apprentice of the Year – Richard Thomas, United Welsh
Construction Apprentice of the Year – Sonny Desmond, J Lynch Building
Contact Centre Apprentice of the Year – Matthew Roberts, TUI
Customer Service Apprentice of the Year – Caitlin Lockett, Robert Price Builders Merchants
Digital Learning Design Apprentice of the Year – Tetiana Bohach, JoJo Maman Bébé
Electronics Apprentice of the Year – Freddy Thompson, NHS
Engineering and Motor Vehicle Apprentice of the Year – Liam Atkins, CJ Motors
Facilities and Resource Management Apprentice of the Year – Zoe Payne, Swansea Council
Floorcovering Apprentice of the Year – Keenan James, Lee James Flooring
Health Care Apprentice of the Year – Elizabeth Illing, Swansea Bay University Health Board
Housing Apprentice of the Year – Ross Williams, Merthyr Valley Homes
Information, Advice and Guidance Apprentice of the Year – Daniel Payne-Wilks, TCH Group
IT and Digital Apprentice of the Year – Elisha Cook, DVLA
Laboratory and Science Apprentice of the Year – Isobel Taylor, Hydratech
Legal Services Apprentice of the Year – Ruby Shadrach, JCP Solicitors
Management and Development Apprentice of the Year – Hana Kubiszova, Adept Consulting
Social Care Apprentice of the Year – Zoe Thicker, Pembrokeshire Council
Youth Work Apprentice of the Year – Cerian Asplet-Phoenix, Flintshire County Council

Pencampwr Cymraeg Gwobr Prentis – Katy Campbell, Rocking Horse Day Nursery
Pencampwr Cymraeg Gwobr Prentisiaeth Cyflogwr – Adra
Pencampwr Cymraeg Gwobr Prentisiaeth Tiwtor/Aseswr – Lowri Williams

Electrical, Electronic Product Service and Installation Apprentice of the Year (England) – Bradley Ager, Fisher and Paykel
Facilities Management Apprentice of the Year (England) – Fathema Sarkar, Marlin

Apprenticeship Tutor/Assessor of the Year – Anne Fellowes
Apprenticeship Tutor/Assessor of the Year (England) – Michael Rowe

Apprentice Employer of the Year (England) – St Monica Trust

Apprentice Employer of the Year (1-49 employees) – Meithrinfa Ffalabalam Cyfyngedig
Apprentice Employer of the Year (50-249 employees) – Energybuild Ltd
Apprentice Employer of the Year (250+ employees) – Ecolab
Apprentice Employer Champion of the Year – Rachel Healion, Swansea Council

Foundation Apprentice of the Year – Ross Cotter, Energybuild Ltd
Higher Apprentice of the Year – Hana Kubiszova, Adept Consulting
Apprentice of the Year (England) – Hamza Imansouren, Fisher & Paykel
Apprentice of the Year – Liam Atkins, CJ Motors

Many thanks to the Gorseinon Campus Jazz Band, led by Simon Prothero, for providing the arrival entertainment, and our Theatre and Live Events Production team, led by Adrian Hocking, for their fantastic work on the set, lighting and sound.

The event was part of a wide range of activities the College organised to celebrate Apprenticeship Week Wales 2026.

On 4 February, the College held a special open evening especially for people who are interested in apprenticeships. The event was a great success, with over 500 attending to chat with lecturers and employers.

Gower College Swansea appoints Paul Kift as new Principal

Gower College Swansea is delighted to announce the appointment of Paul Kift as its new Principal.

A former student of the College’s Gorseinon Campus, Paul has a long and successful history with Gower College Swansea, having first joined as a Director, then becoming Vice Principal and now taking up the position of Principal.

Before joining the College, Paul held senior management roles in the private and public sector, having worked in roles for Capital Law and Cardiff and Vale College.

During his time at Gower College Swansea, Paul has played a pivotal role in leading the College to award-winning status, with significant national recognition for excellence and innovation in further education and skills.

Under his leadership, the College has achieved multiple prestigious awards including two UK Association of Colleges Beacon Awards for Internationalisation (2022/23), recognising the College’s broad range of initiatives to develop learners, employers, staff and communities on an international scale, and for Widening Participation (2023/24) which focussed on the College’s Apprenticeships for All initiative, which has enhanced the social mobility of individuals with additional learning needs and disabilities.

Paul has also facilitated improvements in the quality of the College’s provision, delivered an increase in learner numbers, enhanced partnerships with industry and developed wider opportunities for learners beyond their studies.

Speaking about his appointment, Paul said:

“I’m delighted and deeply honoured to be appointed as Principal of Gower College Swansea. Having started my own journey here as a student at Gorseinon, this College is incredibly special to me. I’m genuinely proud of what we have achieved together to date and I’m excited to have the opportunity to innovate, collaborate and deliver outstanding outcomes for our learners, staff and partners.”

Kelly Fountain, CEO of Gower College Swansea, added:

“Paul’s appointment marks an exciting new chapter for Gower College Swansea. His deep understanding of our College community and proven leadership experience make him the ideal person to lead us forward. I look forward to working closely with Paul as we continue to deliver inspirational learning experiences and strengthen our position as a leading further education provider in Wales.”

Ian Price OBE, Chair of Governors, said:

“Throughout the recruitment process, Paul impressed us with his outstanding leadership, strategic insight and genuine commitment to our students, staff and community.

“We warmly congratulate Paul on his appointment as Principal and look forward to working with him as we continue to deliver an outstanding educational experience for our students and a supportive environment for our staff.”

Caitlin Fulfils Engineering Dream Thanks to Apprenticeship

Caitlin Thompson always aspired to pursue a career in Engineering and found the ideal route through an Apprenticeship with BT and Stoke on Trent College. She began her studies at the College in 2019, choosing the Apprenticeship pathway over university in order to gain hands-on experience alongside industry-recognised qualifications.

Since completing her Level 3 Maintenance Operational Electrical Technician Apprenticeship—which covered both mechanical and electrical disciplines—Caitlin has progressed steadily in her career. She now works as a Power Trainer at BT, overseeing the training of employees and Apprentices across the organisation.

“I always said I wanted an Apprenticeship, and found the course at BT to be the best way for me to achieve my Level 3 qualification,” Caitlin said. “I wanted to be an Engineer from an early age and wasn’t too concerned about which area of Engineering I went into.”

After qualifying, Caitlin joined BT’s Engineering Team and later transitioned into her current role, where she supports Level 4 Lead Engineering Apprentices both on-site and during their classroom-based sessions at the College.

“I started delivering training to other BT employees and Apprentices, and I’ve since moved into the Training Team. I organise all the sessions and really enjoy working with the new starters,” she explained.

As the only female on her course at the time, Caitlin has seen encouraging changes in the industry, with more women now pursuing Apprenticeships and careers in Engineering.

“It’s really important that we get more women into Engineering. I’ve found it to be a great environment to work in. I think some women don’t realise they can do this kind of job until they explore it as a career option,” she said.

The second cohort of Level 4 Lead Engineering Apprentices at BT have recently begun their first year and are already benefiting from new equipment, including a generator provided by BT, which enhances practical learning and links it to classroom theory.

“We’ve just had a generator brought in from BT, which will help the new Apprentices. It allows us to demonstrate how things work and connect theory to practical assessments,” Caitlin added.

She also praised the facilities at the College’s Technology Hub, which she believes offer a valuable learning experience.

“The Apprentices are going to get so much out of all the equipment available here, along with the range of Lecturers who will be teaching them throughout the course,” she said.

For aspiring female Engineers, Caitlin offered this advice: “Just go for it! I’d recommend applying—even if it is slightly outside your comfort zone, you’ll likely find a niche that suits you. Just remember, everyone in that class is in the same boat, and you will learn so much.”

Hassan Rizvi, Principal and CEO of Stoke on Trent College, expressed pride in Caitlin’s journey: “Caitlin is a prime example of how a learner can benefit from an Apprenticeship and pursue their chosen career path. As the largest provider of Apprenticeships in Stoke-on-Trent, we’re proud to collaborate with companies like BT and provide learners with outstanding opportunities to achieve their ambitions.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

  • Stoke on Trent College serves up to 7000 students a year including young people, adults and apprentices. Working with a wide range of employers in key growth areas of the economy such as Digital, Construction, Engineering, STEM and Health and Social Care and more.
  • The College also work with young adults who may have a special educational or additional need.
  • A wide range of flexible and distance learning is provided by the College to individuals and businesses.

For all media enquiries, please contact marketing@stokecoll.ac.uk