A-level students are not the only ones celebrating their success at the moment, as many students on vocational courses are also receiving their results and certificates. BTEC Level 3 Students at Walsall College have achieved outstanding results with high levels receiving distinctions and merits. Walsall College’s courses have been designed with significant input from employers to ensure students graduate with the skills and knowledge to give them a head start in the workplace or prepare them for university. They are a vocational alternative to the academic route offered by A-levels, giving students hands on skills and knowledge in their chosen industry.
Amongst the students celebrating was Fashion student Lucy Jones, 18, who received a triple distinction* on her course and has already secured a job as a designer with Brady Bags. She commented: “I’m really happy with my grade and it just tops off what has been an amazing year for me.
“I’ve had some great opportunities to gain work experience and working on live briefs set by employers during my two years here. The course also taught me to express my creativity and individuality, and it’s this that got me noticed by Brady Bags during a live project they set our class.
“Already working in my dream job as a designer, at my age, is amazing and very surreal. I have already made so much progress in my role and one of my designs is currently being pitched in Asia!”
Other students who have completed their Level 3 courses this year have also already made a great start on their careers, securing full-time positions as well as apprenticeships with high profile companies including Deloitte, Jaguar Land Rover and Rolls Royce, or are progressing to university.
BTEC Level 3 Health and Social Care student, Courteney Steen, 18, received a triple distinction* and gained the grades she needed to secure a place at the University of Wolverhampton to study a degree in Social Care and Health Studies. She said: “I have enjoyed everything about coming to Walsall College. It was a lot of hard work but the tutors have been very supportive. The course has really improved my confidence; as after a work experience placement at a local nursing home, I was offered a part-time job as a care assistant.”
For Level 3 Construction and the Built Environment student, James Bate, 18, a triple merit grade also put him on course for university. However, with the rising cost of university fees, James has decided to stay at Walsall College and continue on to the HNC Level 4 Construction course. “I’ve had such a great experience here that I didn’t want to leave and it also worked out as a much more cost-effective way of getting a degree to achieve my dream of working as a construction manager or architect.”
Recognised as outstanding by Ofsted, Walsall College offers a range of full and part time courses and its state-of-the-art facilities give students an exceptional learning environment to start their journey to success.