Students from across the college group have embarked on an exciting three-week trip to South Korea taking in colleges, culture and the country’s capital.
A group of students from Capital City College Group (CCCG) departed for South Korea on 23 March for a three-week trip as part of the Turing Scheme. The Turing Scheme, which honours the legacy of the British mathematician and scientist Alan Turing, is the UK’s global programme for studying, working and living abroad. It offers unique opportunities to students from all backgrounds, enabling them to study and work around the world.
The Turing Scheme aims to foster connections between organisations, allowing them to forge partnerships that benefit their students. CCCG’s role in this is no exception, and this is the third time that students from CCCG have visited both KMCU and KBC.
Before embarking on the trip, students completed a 10-week course in Korean at CCCG, giving them the opportunity to arrive with some knowledge of the Korean language. Since arriving, in addition to Korean lessons, the students have been able to take part in a range of activities including Taekwondo, creative pottery and painting, visits to various museums and a traditional tea ceremony. They have also had time to practise and improve their Korean language skills, socialise with new-found friends, and explore the local area.
The trip provides students the opportunity to experience college life in another country as well as enabling them to consider employment opportunities outside of the UK. Each student from CCCG is paired with a local student for the duration of their stay at each college, giving them the chance to learn more about Korean life and culture.
Tas, whose son Adam Davies-Shahjahan is taking part in the trip, said: “Adam has always been fascinated with the Far East and wanted to travel there, so when this fantastic opportunity arose, he couldn’t wait to apply. It really is an extraordinary and brilliant experience for him – and the staff, students and itinerary of experiences have all been exemplary. I would like to thank the Turing Scheme and the wonderful people in South Korea for this chance of a lifetime. “
The Turing Scheme provides the development of a range of skills and enables students to broaden their understanding of other countries and cultures. The CCCG students currently in South Korea have given incredibly positive feedback about the trip, with each person’s unique experience impacting them in a variety of ways.
Molly Langley said: “My experience so far has been thrilling, amazing and inspiring. I’ve felt so welcomed and cared for but also I’ve felt very independent being away from home and discovering a new country/city. It has made me grow to become more confident and more sociable, especially with my Korean buddies despite the language barrier.[…] I have made so many new friends and have gained so many amazing memories with these new friends that’ll last forever.”
Karen Mukoko said: “This trip so far has been nothing short of exceptional. I knew that coming to another country would bring new experiences but I didn’t expect to have so much fun. We’ve had Korean lessons, gone shopping in downtown Daegu, explored popular tourist spots, learnt Taekwondo and hip-hop, participated in a Korean tea ceremony and done karaoke. The landscapes are stunning and the people are very hospitable and kind. Korea is a beautiful country which I’ll be very sad to leave.”
Michael Martinez Llumiquinga said: “This experience has been amazing to me as it has helped me develop in terms of confidence and personal growth like talking to others and has expanded my knowledge further as I have learned a new language and its culture.”
We hope you all enjoy the rest of your visit to South Korea!
Find out more about college life at CCCG including trips, discount schemes, clubs, societies and sports teams.
Year 11 students from a range of schools get a taste of college life during A Level experience event at CANDI’s Sixth Form College in Angel.
City and Islington College’s (CANDI) Sixth Form College opened its doors to students who have applied to study with them in the coming academic year. On 20 March, Year 11 students hoping to begin A Level courses at CANDI in September 2024 had the chance to explore the centre and gain experience of college life.
The event provided the incoming cohort of students with an informative and valuable opportunity, offering them the chance to familiarise themselves with the college setting and get a taste of what A Level studies involve.
Dominic Eady, Deputy Head of the Sixth Form College at CANDI said: “It’s about giving them the experience of what it’s like to think like an A Level student, to create like an A Level student and to engage in discussion and debate, like an A Level student.”
During the event, one of the CANDI student ambassadors reflected on their own experience of attending a similar taster event at CANDI prior to beginning their studies. They said: “I think days like these are really helpful because they help you make friends and see what subjects you’re going to do before you actually pick them. When I was in Year 11, I came to one of these and I made some friends. It made induction day much easier because I had more people to talk to and it was less scary.”
This week we hosted an A Level experience taster day for year 11 students who have applied to our Sixth Form for next year! 🤩✨ Studying A Levels at one of our colleges with us gives you options and flexibility; a Sixth Form College in Islington, or an A Level centre within 5 minutes of King’s Cross with the perfect hybrid of support and freedom – you are treated as an adult, so you’re ready for university, but given the support you need to succeed in your A Levels. 🙌 Many of our students go on to study at Russell Group universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, UCL and King’s College London. 🎉 Click the link in our bio to learn more. #college#london#alevels#cityandislingtoncollege#lifeatcccg
CANDI’s Sixth Form College offers the widest range of A Level courses in London. Furnished with exceptional state-of-the-art facilities to support student independence and learning, it provides a comfortable student-centred setting, with well-stocked study spaces and a choice of communal areas.
The Sixth Form College provides a nurturing community for people aged 16-18 as well as supporting academic growth – with 91% of students gaining a place at their first choice of university.
If you’re interested in pursuing the next step along your academic pathway through a varied range of A Levels at CANDI’s Sixth Form College, apply today!
The National Saturday Club is an initiative which gives young people the chance to explore a range of subjects and develop their skills for free at their local university, college or cultural institution. National Saturday clubs encourage members to experiment with their talents and discover new ones, meet new people and learn about career and study opportunities.
Saturday Clubs cover one of eight subjects:
Art&Design
Craft&Making
Fashion&Business
Film&Screen
Performance&Theatre
Society&Change
Science&Engineering
Writing&Talking
From April, tutors at CONEL’s Enfield Centre will lead weekly Film&Screen Saturday Club sessions, taking students through the film production process with a range of exciting hands-on activities. CONEL’s experienced and knowledgeable tutors will use their expertise to guide Club members through every aspect of the filmmaking process, supporting them as they embark on projects that develop and showcase their skills and creativity.
Saturday Club members also have the option to take part in National Saturday Club events such as Masterclasses with industry professionals, the Summer Show – a nationwide exhibition of Club member work, and a Graduation Ceremony celebrating member achievements.
The Springboard FutureChef Awards is a national competition to find the best young chef in the country. This year’s competition started with 13,000 entries from 515 schools, with students from Years 9 to 11 (S3 to S5 in Scotland and Years 10 to 12 in Northern Ireland) donning their aprons to compete against their peers. Budding chefs competed in School Heats, Local Finals and Regional Finals and were whittled down to 12 talented finalists. Each finalist was assigned a mentor from within the industry for support and advice before taking their places in the National Final.
During the National Finals, the young chefs had just 2 hours and 45 minutes to prepare and present a main course and dessert in the professional kitchens in WestKing’s Victoria Centre. The panel of judges was led by Michelin-starred chef Adam Handling and included an array of top chefs such as Chantelle Nicholson, Graeme Cheevers and Kerth Gumbs.
After a tough competition, the overall winner was announced. Reese Ventura, a 15-year-old student from St Philomena’s Catholic School for Girls in London, took home the title of 2024 Springboard FutureChef Champion.
Reese’s winning main course was a mushroom-stuffed chicken ballotine with caramelised cauliflower, fondant potato, purple sprouting broccoli, butternut squash and tarragon jus. For her dessert, she presented a deconstructed tiramisu incorporating cannoli, chocolate whipped ganache and coffee jelly. Reese will go on to receive further support, development and apprenticeship opportunities as well as the opportunity to publish her recipes.
Following her win, Reese said: “I can’t believe I made it here. Even yesterday, people were asking me ‘Do you want to be a chef?’ and I didn’t know. But since winning, it’s a sign to go into hospitality, and it will help me in the future.”
Adam Handling, Head Judge and Michelin-starred chef said: “Reese’s attention to detail on every part of her components, in terms of seasoning and execution, was quite wonderful. Everything she did met the brief and beyond.”
Springboard FutureChef is a school-based programme supporting the development of key skills and inspiring young people to pursue a career in hospitality. By connecting with teachers, students and industry professionals, the programme aims to support students as they gain culinary skills and knowledge.
The Springboard FutureChef competition has inspired and supported rising stars in the world of Culinary Arts. Former WestKing Apprentice and winner of Masterchef: The Professionals 2023 Tom Hamblet was crowned FutureChef Champion in 2015.
CCCG’s School of Hospitality and Culinary Arts is a centre for excellence with strong links to the hospitality industry. If you’re a budding chef considering your next step, take a look at our wide range of Hospitality and Culinary Arts Courses and Apprenticeship and explore our Hospitality Hub, part of the Mayor of London’s Skills Academies.
CCCG’s School of Hospitality and Culinary Arts celebrates another win as a third-year Professional Chef teamed up with a French counterpart to win the historic Anglo-French culinary competition.
A student from Westminster Kingsway College (WestKing) has won the Entente Cordiale Culinary Competition 2024 alongside a French teammate from Lycée Jeanne et Paul Augier in Nice. Sude Hancher, who is currently studying to be a Professional Chef at WestKing’s School of Hospitality and Culinary Arts, was partnered up with French student Alexia Provenza ahead of the Anglo-French competition and the pairing went on to impress the judges with their teamwork and culinary creations.
The Entente Cordiale Culinary Competition celebrates the unique relationship between France and the UK. The competition first began in recognition of 100 years of the historic Entente Cordiale agreements and is now in its 20th year. Founded by Michel Bourdin, the former Chef des Cuisines at The Connaught Hotel, the competition challenges pairs of students from France and the UK to produce classical Escoffier dishes. Auguste Escoffier was a French chef and culinary writer known for transforming, modernising and popularising French cooking methods.
This year’s competition began on 18 March, when the students met their assigned partners for the first time and started collaborating. Entrants to the competition also attended the Disciples of Escoffier 70th anniversary dinner on 18 March and a special reception at the French Ambassador’s Residence on 19 March, with both events providing opportunities to network with industry figures and learn more about the hospitality industry.
The culinary competition took place at The University of West London on 20 March and consisted of four Anglo-French student pairings. During the 3-hour challenge, the entrants were set the task of preparing a lemon sole paupiette with marinière sauce, artichoke, potatoes and glazed carrots followed by their interpretation of a fermented dough-based dessert. Sude and Alexia worked together to prepare four servings of each dish and their teamwork skills and collaborative approach were praised by the judges.
The finished dishes were judged by a panel made up of notable names from the world of fine dining and hospitality including:
Michel Escoffier, Great Grandson of August Escoffier and President of the Auguste Escoffier Foundation
Steve Munkley, Vice President of the Craft Guild of Chefs
Franciane Tartari, Executive Pastry Chef at 1 Hotel Mayfair
Gilles Quillot, Executive Chef at The French Embassy
Mark Flanagan, The Royal Chef
Daniel Ayton, President of Disciples of Escoffier UK
James Golding, Fellow of the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts
Sude and Alexia were announced as the winning pair by the judges at a presentation ceremony in the university restaurant. Participants received medals and prizes including Matfer Bourgeat cooking pans, engraved knives, a selection of items from Disciples of Escoffier and a Craft Guild of Chefs cookery book.
After winning the competition, WestKing student Sude Hancher said: “It has been a pleasure to be here and have such an amazing experience. We kept to the classic Escoffier style for our lemon sole dish, and I really enjoyed producing it.”
Sude’s partner in the competition Alexia Provenza said: “Meeting Sude and working with her in the kitchen has been a real pleasure for me.”
Tom Eagerton, Chef Lecturer at WestKing said: “Sude handled the pressure well and turned out a well-executed dish showing good techniques. Working in a new kitchen with someone that you have never worked with before is challenging. The college is proud of the achievement and we look forward to Sude graduating and excelling in the world of hospitality.”
Congratulations to Sude Hancher and Alexia Provenza for winning the Entente Cordiale Culinary Competition 2024!
If you’re a budding chef or culinary creator, why not turn your passion into your profession? We have an impressive range of Hospitality and Culinary Arts Courses for learners of all levels.
In addition to celebrating CCCG’s football teams, the event also highlighted the importance of awareness and inclusion. To mark the start of the event, Student Engagement Officer Natascia Bernardi gave an engaging and informative presentation regarding LGBTQ+ footballers.
After a series of exciting matches which saw players showcase fast footwork, outstanding performance and some glorious goals, the teams from CONEL and WestKing faced each other in a tense final. There were excellent goals from both teams but with a lead of 2-1 at the final whistle, WestKing prevailed and were crowned CCCG football champions.
Last week we hosted a cross-college football tournament to see which one of our colleges has the best football team! ⚽️ 🎉 We had some outstanding performances and goals but only one college was able to take the prize home. 🏆 This event was hosted and made possible by our fantastic Sports Academies. 🙌 Anybody aged 16-19 and enrolled on one of our courses can join one of our Sports Academies, which are partnered with local professional organisations to give you the best training, advice, and opportunities and allow you to combine your academic course with the sports training of your choice. 🤩 Click the link in our bio to learn more about our Sports Academies. #football#college#london#tournament#lifeatcccg
CONEL’s Sports Development Manager, Robert Murphy, said: “It was a great day which saw students from all of our sites take part in an inter-college tournament.”
Congratulations to the WestKing football team on winning the CCCG Football Tournament!
If you’re a CCCG student and a football lover, why not join CCCG’s Football Academy? Partnered with Enfield Borough Football Club, the Football Academy allows you to train in our state-of-the-art facilities including a 3G sports pitch, gym and sports hall. The academy also provides members with valuable training, support, guidance, coaching and professional work experience opportunities.
Learn how to become a certified personal trainer. We explore training, qualifications, and top tips to kickstart a rewarding fitness career.
The Roman poet Virgil wisely said, ‘The greatest wealth is health.’ His sage advice rings true now more than ever as we strive to balance work, rest, and play. It’s no surprise, then, that the fitness industry in the UK is booming – meaning that demand for personal trainers continues to grow.
If you are interested in learning more about health and fitness courses and helping others achieve their goals, then a career in the fitness industry could be worth exploring. We’ll dive into the exciting world of personal training in the UK, outlining the roles, responsibilities, qualifications, and rewards of this dynamic profession.
Personal training and fitness careers
Personal training is one key area of the fitness industry – offering a fulfilling and client-focused career path – but it’s not the only option. Other roles include:
Gym Instructors: Deliver group fitness classes like aerobics, Zumba, or spinning, motivating the class and ensuring their safety
Sports Coaches: Train players or athletes in specific sports, focusing on technique, strategy, and ways to improve performance
Nutritionists: Help people understand the relationship between food and health, creating personalised dietary plans to boost well-being
Yoga Instructors: Guide students through yoga poses and breathing techniques, promoting relaxation, flexibility, and mindfulness
Rehabilitation Specialists: Work with individuals recovering from injuries or with chronic health conditions, designing safe and effective exercise programs
What does a Personal Trainer do? The roles, responsibilities, and skills
Being a personal trainer is about more than knowing how to use every machine in the gym. Personal Trainers have a varied set of duties and responsibilities:
Motivating others: A good Personal Trainer can help their clients to expand on their limits, celebrate their achievements, and build confidence as they improve their fitness levels
Designing personalised plans: Once you’ve taken into account each client’s fitness levels, goals and limitations, you’ll create personalised workout plans
Teaching technique: Personal Trainers pay close attention to how their clients move, ensuring that they’re doing exercises safely and effectively, preventing injuries and maximising results
Providing nutritional support: If your client is open to it, you’ll provide basic guidance on healthy eating habits to support fitness goals
Educating clients: A personal trainer has a wealth of knowledge about anatomy, physiology, and exercise science. By sharing this with clients, you can empower them to make informed choices about their health
Being a Personal Trainer is often not a 9 to 5 job, with sessions taking place in the early morning, evenings and weekends. This offers great flexibility for those with daytime commitments as well as great variety, with no two clients being the same.
How much do Personal Trainers get paid in the UK?
A Personal Trainer’s Salary depends largely on experience and where you choose to work. Many personal trainers work on a freelance basis charging hourly rates and are self-employed. Hourly rates start at £20 per hour for less experienced Personal Trainers, rising to £40 per hour when you gain more experience. In some locations, trainers charge between £50 to £100 an hour.
Some gyms or fitness centres employ personal trainers, and starting salaries can be anywhere from £15,000 to £24,000 depending on location, rising to £35,000 with experience. A small number of elite personal trainers with specialist skills and well-developed reputations work with very high-profile clients, often earning up to £100,000.
What qualifications do you need to be a Personal Trainer?
If you’re keen to become a personal trainer but also want a university degree, then opt for a course such as sports science. Many courses have built-in CIMSPA professional standards for being a personal trainer and gym instructor, which means you can join the organisation and hit the ground running once you’ve graduated.
Apprenticeships
For students who are keen to learn on the job, then a personal training apprenticeship could be the right pathway for you. You’ll usually be based at a gym and will work directly with clients while studying to get recognised personal trainer qualifications. Your real-world experience will come from shadowing other Personal Trainers and working under their supervision while you work towards your qualifications.
College courses
College courses offer flexibility and the chance to enhance your skill set by studying part-time in addition to your existing working hours. To work as a Personal Trainer, you’ll need a Level 2 Gym Instructing Course and a Level 3 Personal Training Course. These can be taken online or in person, and some providers offer these as one course. Remember, you’ll need to find courses that are approved by CIMSPA to work as a Personal Trainer once you’ve finished your studies.
How long does it take to become a Personal Trainer?
The investment of time needed to become a Personal Trainer depends entirely on which route you take and whether you choose full-time or part-time study. For example, CCCG offers a Level 2 Gym Instructing Certificate that can be completed in 18 weeks, which you can follow up with the 18-week Level 3 Personal Training Practitioner Diploma course, meaning you could get the personal trainer qualifications you need in under a year.
How hard is it to become a Personal Trainer?
Being a Personal Trainer is a great career, full of rewarding moments and meaningful interactions with others. Some of the essential skills for a successful personal trainer are:
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills: Building trust and rapport, providing clear instructions, and being an active listener are key skills in this role
Strong knowledge of exercise science and anatomy: Understanding the mechanics of the human body and the impact of exercise is essential
Motivational and encouraging personality: Being able to inspire clients and support them as they work towards their goals is key
Business acumen: Having marketing skills, a strong sense of organisation and the ability to manage finances will help you build your reputation and your client base
You can choose to work as a Personal Trainer within a gym, freelance for a gym, or work independently as a self-employed professional. If you decide to work for a gym, you’ll benefit from a fixed salary and a ready client base. This offers stability but means that your earnings are limited to your agreed salary. However, you will be able to gain experience from working with other fitness professionals and become part of a team.
If you freelance for a gym, you’ll have greater freedom and earning capacity but you will need to invest time and resources into promoting and running your own business. As a self-employed Personal Trainer, you’ll have to manage everything yourself, from marketing to invoicing, and you’ll find that you have less financial security. However, working for yourself gives you complete freedom to create your own brand and unlimited earning potential.
Specialist sports and fitness careers
Once you’ve qualified as a Personal Trainer and have acquired some experience, you may find that you gravitate towards a specialism. There is a wide range of training opportunities for advanced personal trainers such as:
The fitness industry is constantly evolving and Personal Trainers can stay abreast of new developments by attending workshops, conferences, and online courses to stay updated on industry trends and best practices.
Becoming a Personal Trainer offers a great career for enthusiastic individuals with a passion for fitness. It offers challenges, rewards, and immense job satisfaction. So, now that you have the key information on how to become a personal trainer, why not apply now for our Level 2 Gym Instructing Course or Level 3 Personal Training Course?
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