Colleges Week is a celebration of students, staff and skills from 17-21 October #LoveOurColleges
A student has launched his own news and current affairs podcast after studying a free short course at the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL).
Hamse Abdilahi set up the The Aliberg Podcast Show as part of his own news website The Ailberg Post after taking an Introduction to Producing Radio Broadcasting course in March.
While studying the course, Hamse secured a grant from Collins Educational Trust in Frome, Somerset, to enable him to purchase a RØDECaster Pro to record his podcast.
Hamse, who was lives in Southwark, previously studied for a MSc Public Policy at the University of Bristol and later an MSc Sustainable Urban Development at Oxford.
He said: “I have always had a passion for media, even though I never studied journalism at college. It has been a gradual realisation that I should have a career shift to media. The podcast show is my first step, but I hope to have greater media involvement going forward.”
Hamse, who has written numerous news and feature articles including a piece for the Times Educational Supplement on what he learnt from applying to Oxbridge, recently started a Digital Content and Creation free short course at CONEL to further develop his media skills.
“I really enjoyed the radio and podcasting course for two reasons. It was first a short course, which is what I wanted, and secondly, it was both theoretical and practical,” said Hamse.
“The college has a podcast recording studio and was where I first learned how to create a podcast using a RØDECaster Pro, and now I’ve got out of my own. I like the freedom of having my podcast at home and being able to discuss a chosen topic at any time and get my voice heard.”
CONEL offers a wide range of Free Short Courses in various subjects throughout the year with many students taking these courses going on to full-time study. Find out more and book a place here.
Find out more about Digital Media and Creative Computing courses and apply here.
Colleges Week is a celebration of students, staff and skills from 17-21 October #LoveOurColleges
Short films by media students from Westminster Kingsway College have been named among the best animations in this year’s international Creative Conscience Awards.
Ben Dullea and Raiam Koroma were both recognised in the competition, which encourages students to use their creative talents to make a positive difference in the world.
The competition was open to individual students or teams of up to five enrolled on further and higher education courses in the UK and abroad.
Entrants were asked to come up with a project to tackle an issue of their own or one under a series of themes set by Creative Conscience – health and wellbeing, social issues, climate crisis, the natural world and education and learning.
They had to choose from 16 creative disciplines including film and photography, animation, graphic design, fashion and textiles, illustration and motion graphics.
Ben, 21, was among the winners in the animation section and was highly commended for his film highlighting the need for better mental health and wellbeing in the hospitality industry.
Raiam, 20, drew on personal experience for her film about sickle cell anaemia, a genetic condition that is particularly common among African and Caribbean people.
Several students from Korea visiting WestKing and other colleges within Capital City College Group also took part in the competition and were named among the winners.
Creative Conscience is an Islington-based not-for-profit organisation focused on using creativity and innovation to make positive change across the world.
It aims to empower, mentor and reward creative communities using their talents by running change-making workshops, training programmes, events and its annual awards.
The shortlisted projects were judged based on the entrant’s creative approach and their potential impact, by a panel of industry experts.
Access courses are one-year study programmes for adults who may not have the usual entry requirements to get into university or other higher education course.
Katy Milner, Lecturer in Creative Media and Digital, said: “Big congratulations to our Access Media students Ben Dullea and Raiam Koroma in this year’s Creative conscience awards.
“Ben was a winner in the animation section and was highly commended overall and Raiam also did so well to be shortlisted. Ben’s success is an even more remarkable achievement when you consider all the other winners were second and third-year university students.
“It just shows that Access students can punch well above their weight on an international stage when given the appropriate incentive, support and opportunity.”
Find out more about Access to Higher Education Diplomas and apply here.
Colleges Week is a celebration of students, staff and skills from 17-21 October #LoveOurColleges
City and Islington College (CANDI) works with Career Ready to give students fantastic work placements, mentoring and support for their future careers. A Level student Nayyan Iftikhar shares what she learnt during a four-week paid internship with youth education charity Global Generation and how it opened her eyes to the sector. Nayyan’s placement was supported by Bupa Foundation.
Determined to make the most of the opportunity
I was very nervous before my internship with Global Generation as I had no prior work experience, but I was determined to make the most of the opportunity. I enjoyed working with a range of different teams including the gardening team, accounting and finance, and the youth programme.
Learning about the charity sector
This internship was an eyeopener. Until I worked at a charity, I didn’t realise that you could make such a difference to others through your job. The best part of my internship was connecting with young people and seeing the impact the work I was doing had on them. I want to go into media production in the future and now I know that I could also work on projects that are important to me, like climate change and helping young people, by working alongside organisations in the charity sector.
A great opportunity
Internship opportunities are important because they give young people an opportunity to understand the working world and allow us think about what we might like to do in the future. To anyone thinking about joining the Career Ready programme – do it! It’s a great opportunity to network, meet and get advice from professionals, learn about the workplace and what career pathways are out there.
Each year CANDI offers a wide range of career and enrichment opportunities through organisations like Career Ready and the college’s own network of employers and connections across London.
Hundreds of newly enrolled students found out more about college life and the wealth of other support available to them at Freshers Fairs across Capital City College Group (CCCG).
City and Islington College (CANDI), Westminster Kingsway College (WestKing) and the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL) all hosted welcome events.
CANDI held a combined fair for students enrolled at its Sixth Form College and Centre for Applied Science along with fairs its Centre for Business, Art and Technology and Centre for Lifelong Learning.
A ‘Welcome Fest’ was held at the WestKing’s King’s Cross Centre and another fair took place at the college’s Soho Centre, and Michelin-star chef Michel Roux welcomed Hospitality and Culinary Arts students to the college’s Victoria Centre.
Among the organisations attending the CANDI and WestKing fairs this year were IMECE, Papyrus, Octopus Communities. Islington Youth Council, NHS, All Change, Lift, Step into Dance, Kooth, We Speak, Brook, Go-Forward Youth, Flint & Flame, The Caterer, Koppert Cress, Compass Group, Arts Emergency and the Craft Guild of Chefs.
CONEL’s Tottenham and Enfield Centres hosted fairs, which included stands from Let’s Talk IAPT, National Citizen Service, Tottenham Hotspur Foundation, Metropolitan Police, Proud North London, Pirate.com, Reed Wellbeing, ReachOut, The Rebel School, Pure Gym and Terrence Higgins Trust.
We want to enrich our students’ lives with more than just qualifications. Our aim is to help them develop a broad range of skills and qualities that employers look for, including communication, teamwork and problem-solving, as well as ensuring they have a great time at college.
Throughout the year our colleges run a range of enrichment and extracurricular activities to give students greater insight into their studies and future careers and to support their health and wellbeing, including trips, guest speakers, sports, clubs and societies.
Students can get to know their peers through a range of student-run activities including our Student Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee, Learner Voice, or college clubs and societies – from football and table tennis to debating and a poetry club.
Students can volunteer to become a Student Ambassador, study buddy or a peer mentor. These important roles help our students develop their confidence and interpersonal skills and look really good on a CV, job application or university application.
Our centres have on-site canteens and cafés, serving a daily menu that includes healthy options. Canteen meals are great value for money and are a good opportunity to relax with friends between lessons. All of our centres have libraries and some have on-site gyms, so you can keep your body fit as well as your mind.
More than 100 Hospitality and Culinary Arts students savoured their success as they graduated from Westminster Kingsway College.
Two ceremonies were held at St Stephen’s Church near the college’s Victoria Centre in Vincent Square to honour those completing their courses and training this year.
Level 3 diploma students and apprentices received their scrolls at a ceremony led by Paul Jervis, Head of School for Hospitality and Culinary Arts, on 30 September.
Awards were also presented to the best and most improved students of the year before all the graduates marched outside the college to huge cheers and the school’s graduation tradition of banging pots and pans.
Alistair Biggins, 19, who won the Professional Chef Diploma Student of the Year, said: “I’ve enjoyed every minute of my time at WestKing. It’s been so much fun and I hope to come back one day. I owe it all to my class. We were a very tight unit and worked so well with each other. Three of us in the group got awards, which was nice to see. It’s great to be part of the school’s history.”
“My lecturers were really good. By the end of your course, they’re more like a friend. They were always looking out for our best interests and give us advice. They teach you things you won’t learn anywhere else because they have so much experience.”
Freya Smith, 19, who won Pastry Chef Diploma Student of the Year, and is now working at Miel Bakery in Camden, described her teachers as “amazing and inspiring.”
She said: “I‘ve really enjoyed my years at WestKing. I’ve always loved cooking and coming up with new flavours using different ingredients. Here, you start by learning all the basics, which allows you to be more creative in understanding the possibilities of what you can do. I’ve come a long way from where I started.”
Shanai Haynes, 19, who won Best Restaurant Service Diploma Student of the Year and is now working at Core in Notting Hill, said: “We had such a bond with our teachers. If we were stuck or struggling with an assignment, they were really helpful and supportive. They really prepared us well and gave us lots of experience for where we’re going. If it wasn’t for them, I might not have made it through the course.”
A Special Achievement Award was presented to the student who achieved above and beyond expectations during their studies, which was won by Jeremiah Youseman, 19, who studied for a Professional Chef diploma.
The ceremony also saw Stephen Carter, Michael Dutnall, David Smith, George Blogg, Julie Crocker and Guy Hilton receive Honorary Fellowships of Westminster Kingsway College.
Higher education students received their scrolls from Petrena O’Halloran, Head of Higher Education, as they were announced by Higher Education Lecturer David Bell, at a ceremony on 4 October.
David then presented awards to those students who had excelled in their studies this year.
Devin Grero graduated, Level 6, with a certificate of achievement for Outstanding Innovation in Culinary Health & Nutrition, from Westminster Kingsway College in October 2022.
Ricardo Ferreira, 43, graduated with a BA (Hons) Business and Enterprise Management and won the Institute of Hospitality Award, and is now a Chef Lecturer at WestKing.
He said: “It has been a long, challenging journey to reach this stage. There have been ups and downs, but the challenges have all been worth it. Being on the other side as a lecturer has further aided my self-development. I am thoroughly enjoying my role in helping learners achieve their potential.”
Giving the valedictorian speech, Business and Enterprise Management graduate Michelle Mori, 26, said: “Today is a day to be thankful and be inspired. It’s a day that demonstrates how much we can achieve if we don’t give up. We have received great education thanks to all our teachers who gave us the support, resources and the wake-up calls we needed to accomplish this major milestone.”
Guest speaker Professor David Foskett MBE, Chair of the International Hospitality Council and member of the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts and Craft Guild of Chefs, congratulated the graduates on their achievements.
Prof Foskett said: “Westminster Kingsway College is indeed a very special place and your qualification you have achieved here will change your life for the better and help you to develop your career.
“Higher education at Westminster is just as relevant today as it was in my day 50 years ago. A good, sound curriculum providing practical and cognitive skills and knowledge, giving its graduates dignity and status in the 21st century to compete for top positions in the hospitality industry.”
Commending all the graduates, Assistant Principal Terry Tinton said: “I would like to offer my warmest congratulations to all our students and apprentices on their graduation. They, and their teachers, have shown huge commitment and resilience during the most challenging period in education and for the hospitality sector. They will always be part of the WestKing family.”
Find out more about our Hospitality and Culinary Arts courses and apprenticeships here .
By Jackie Chapman, Managing Director, Capital City College Training
For years we have heard the same line: ‘the apprenticeship levy doesn’t work’ – whether that’s because of the disengagement of Small and Medium Enterprises (SME apprenticeship starts are half what they were before the levy was introduced), the drop in apprenticeship uptake by 16-18-year-olds, or the amount of unused levy returned to the Treasury (according to the Financial Times, employers have handed back more than £3bn in unspent levy cash over the last three years).
This is ineffective for the economy and unhelpful for the workforce. Apprenticeships should be a central part of the employment landscape for people of all ages. They are a genuine alternative to T Levels or university for many young people who are eager to start their careers sooner or learn on the job; and they are invaluable for adults already in the workforce, who want to develop new skills and qualifications without having to give up work to study.
But apprenticeship starts are now far lower than before the levy was introduced back in 2017. What can be done to reverse this? How can apprenticeships become popular again?
Recently, we attended the Labour and Conservative party conferences, where we hosted breakfast events with the London advocacy group BusinessLDN – discussions with our guests addressed apprenticeships and other pressing skills challenges.
As we see it, the apprenticeships challenge is threefold: firstly, how apprenticeships are promoted – especially to young people; secondly, how they are funded; and thirdly, how flexible they are – for employers, educators and apprentices.
Promotion
If young people don’t know about apprenticeships, we can’t expect them to be interested in them. Many schools have failed to effectively point their 14–17-year-olds towards apprenticeships, as academic routes remain a central focus for schools.
The ‘Baker Clause’ should help this. Originally an amendment to the Technical and Further Education Act 2017 which was widely ignored by schools, the Baker Clause was made law in the Skills and Post-16 Education Act 2022. It requires schools to allow colleges and training providers access to every student in years 8 to 13 to discuss non-academic routes. It also states that schools need to impartially promote the full range of technical education qualifications and apprenticeships to their pupils.
The Baker Clause is an important part of a school or college’s careers education, information, advice and guidance (CEIAG) programme and, provided it is followed and enforced, it should widen pupils’ access to information about apprenticeships and other non-academic routes.
The introduction of T Levels may cause more confusion, so the message needs to be clear that apprenticeships are 80% in the workplace, whilst T Levels are 80% learning.
Funding and flexibility
The apprenticeship levy is the main mechanism for funding apprenticeships. Some £3.3 billion of unspent levy money has been returned to the Treasury over the last 3 years, so it’s fair to say that the level of funding is more than adequate.
Flexibility – what the levy money can be spent on and who can spend it – is where many of the problems, and opportunities, are. Businesses and apprenticeship providers have been calling on the Government to offer greater flexibility around the levy for years, but how would this look? And how would it work?
How do we improve the levy and encourage more apprenticeship starts?
It’s encouraging to see the Government responding to the sector’s conversations about the levy. In February of this year, Alex Burghart MP (then Skills Minister) introduced flexi-job apprenticeships and announced that businesses could transfer their surplus levy to other businesses to pay for their apprenticeship training.
Flexi-job apprenticeships aim to help sectors with short-term contracts to take on apprentices. Within this model, apprentices will be supported by their training provider to obtain multiple short-term contracts across different employers to complete their apprenticeship requirements.
We have already seen the benefits of this for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) at CCCG’s training arm, Capital City College Training (CCCT). For instance, in the creative industry, CCCT have been working in partnership with the NextGen Skills Academy to enable SMEs who only focus on one key skill to cluster together to take on an apprentice. Each apprentice is subsequently able to learn each skill through a different business to complete their apprenticeship.
These initiatives are a positive step forward for helping to increase the number of apprenticeships, but there is a more fundamental issue for many employers which needs addressing – the cost of wages.
Employers tell us that they are deterred from taking on apprentices because they must pay their wages while the apprentice is still relatively inexperienced, especially when taking on 16–18-year-olds. In addition, many employers want to pay their apprentices more than the National Minimum Wage, because it’s the right thing to do and it would encourage more people to become apprentices.
So, we think that employers should also be able to use their levy funds to pay between half and two-thirds of their apprentices’ wage costs for the first year of their time with the company. Covering most of the salary for this period will help some employers pay their apprentices more and would be a powerful incentive to smaller businesses, as an extra pair of hands at a subsidised cost would never go amiss!
A levy reform along these lines could be structured like the Government’s Kickstart Scheme, released in September 2020. Kickstart provided funding to employers to create jobs for 16- to 24-year-olds on Universal Credit, covering 100% of the National Minimum Wage – based on the workers’ age – for 25 hours per week.
By supporting employers with their wage costs in the short term, Kickstart enabled many small businesses to engage with young people and provide adequate support whilst they were developing their basic skills.
If the levy allowed for the funding of such a scheme, a valuable proportion of the apprentice’s salary would be paid until the they become skilled enough to not need continuous supervision – the reason why employers prefer to employ individuals who have sufficient skills to undertake the job. This flexibility will encourage employers to take on apprentices and will guarantee the apprentice a job at the end.
We’d also like to see levy flexibility go further, by allowing the transfer of the apprenticeship levy to the organisation that provides the apprenticeship training (typically a further education college or a private provider), so they can continue to support an apprentice when they change jobs – currently as soon as an apprentice ends their studies or changes employer, the provider can no longer support them. This initiative will also help boost apprenticeship completion rates, as apprentices are currently leaving at the point of triggering the End Point Assessment. Such a change would not cost anyone money, will allow colleges and training providers to use their unspent Levy funds, and will decrease the administration required for providers to sign up additional employers to support the final stages of an individual’s apprenticeship.
Apprenticeships can and should be a bigger part of the employment landscape. We think that increasing the flexibility of the levy will allow more employers take on more apprentices and will encourage more people to consider an apprenticeship. We’ll be advocating for these changes to the levy over the coming months.
What is the apprenticeship levy? And what are the problems with it?
The apprenticeship levy was introduced in 2017 to create long term sustainable funding for apprenticeships. The levy is a 0.5% tax paid by larger employers (those with an annual pay bill of more than £3 million), which is stored in a fund and must be used to pay for the cost of apprenticeship training.
The idea was that the levy would encourage businesses to offer more apprenticeships, but unfortunately, the number of people starting an apprenticeship has fallen by around 50% since the levy was introduced. It also had some unintended consequences. For example, the House of Lords’ Youth Unemployment Reportfound that some employers use the levy to reshape existing roles into apprenticeships, benefitting those who already work for their company and are usually older and more experienced.
Other criticisms are that because the levy is only paid by large companies, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) don’t pay it but have to use the online system to engage with providers and pay 5% to the cost of the apprenticeship. In addition, the apprenticeship system is considered too complicated and hard to navigate for employers and education providers alike. Perhaps because of these flaws, the number of SME apprenticeships has fallen since the levy started.
At City and Islington College (CANDI) we believe the cost of living should not come at the cost of your education and job prospects.
That’s why we run FREE Short Courses throughout the year to enable you to develop new and existing skills for your future regardless of your age or income.
Cost is one of the main barriers to learning and times are extremely tough at the moment, but there has never been a better time to learn or try something new.
Thousands of people have signed up for our FREE Short Courses since we started running them in 2018 and many have progressed on to full-time study with us.
And what’s more, all our full-time courses up to Level 2 and some at Level 3 are also completely FREE.
Tim Mansfield, 41, took a FREE short course in plumbing followed by a Plumbing Level 2 Diploma at CANDI’s sister college, the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL).
He said: “CONEL’s free short courses were exactly what I needed. They gave me the opportunity to try different trades without having to overcommit until I knew what I wanted to pursue more seriously. If they hadn’t been free, I’m not sure I would have taken the chance.
“The teachers are well-qualified and approachable, and always on hand with advice and support. I’ve made some great friends at CONEL and learnt some great skills that I fully intend to build upon in my future career. I’m excited about starting a new chapter.”
Our FREE Short Courses are run at our centres and online, in a wide range of subjects:
A former City and Islington College (CANDI) student has scooped an award for a podcast with an ex-teacher about her book of poems that later won a national prize.
Gabrielle Okonkwo, 18, won a Jack Petchey Achievement Award for her interview with Hannah Lowe in December 2021 about The Kids, a collection of sonnets on teaching, learning, growing up and parenthood.
Hannah, who taught English at CANDI from 2002-12, went on to win the Costa Poetry Award in January this year and the Costa Book of the Year the following month.
Gabrielle and former CANDI student Adam Njai, 20, who is now studying for a BA (Hons) History at the University of Bristol, spoke to her for the college’s podcast The Jam.
The Jam was initially launched as a way for students to share their experiences during the COVID pandemic and comprised three episodes called Voices Lost in Lockdown and was featured in an article in TES magazine.
Gabrielle said: “I wasn’t expecting the award and was humbled and grateful to receive it. I enjoyed making the podcasts, but I didn’t do it alone. I headed up a team of 5-10 students who came when time allowed and made sacrifices, like with any commitment, and this is the reward for everyone’s hard work. It was definitely a joint effort.
Gabrielle achieved an A* in English Language and Literature and As in History and Politics in her A Levels this year and is now studying for a BA (Hons) in English and History at the University of Warwick.
She added: “My mind was blown when I had the opportunity to speak with Hannah Lowe. I would recommend to everyone to give her book a read. It’s a real honest and sometimes funny account of her experience and is so beautifully written.”
The Jack Petchey Achievement Awards recognise around 12,000 outstanding young people aged 11-25 at schools, colleges and youth organisations across London and Essex each year.
Gabrielle received £300 in prize money for the college, which was used to fund the appointment of a student intern over the summer to develop ideas for The Jam and other student activities.
A Level History and Politics teacher Debbie Bogard, who started The Jam and put forward Gabrielle for the award, said: “Gabrielle was a wonderful student who put in so much effort into both researching and co-hosting the episode of The Jam with Hannah Lowe. I am absolutely thrilled that she received this award, which she thoroughly deserved, along with her fantastic A Level grades in the summer.
“We decided to spend the money to grow The Jam and were delighted to appoint former CANDI student Rae Ferner-Rose, who is currently studying for a BA (Hons) Liberal Arts at the University of Bristol. Rae has done an amazing job over the past three months helping build a community of ex-students and creating creative opportunities for students to be involved developing ideas for the Jam.”
The latest episode of The Jam was a book club hosted by Rae Ferner-Rose on The Secret History by Donna Tartt featuring Debbie Bogard, current students Renae Carter Campbell, 17, Alana Stephenson, 18 and former student Kiera Wasage, 18. Listen to the podcast here.
Hannah Lowe left CANDI to complete a PhD in Creative Writing at Newcastle University and now lectures in the subject at Brunel University. Her other works include Chan (2016), Long Time, No See (2015) and Chick (2013).
Eva Fernandez suffered the loss of her mother to pneumonia and underwent breast cancer surgery while studying a Hairdressing diploma at City and Islington College (CANDI). Here she shares her remarkable story and how the college supported her during this time.
“My mother’s death was completely unexpected.”
Eva Fernandez recalled hearing the news that her mother was seriously ill while studying a hairdressing diploma at City and Islington College (CANDI) as if it was yesterday.
“I rushed home, picked up my passport and got the first flight to Spain. I was with her for about two weeks before she died from pneumonia last November,” she said.
At that time Eva, 47, who is from Granada, was facing her own health issues having been diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2019.
“It was an incredibly stressful time for me. Fortunately, they caught the cancer early and I had a mastectomy. But the breast symmetry surgery I also needed kept being delayed because of the pressures placed on the health service by COVID-19 and not having enough staff.”
The surgery was delayed seven times until she finally underwent an operation in May this year.
“That was hard. You feel that your life is at a standstill. I couldn’t book a holiday in case the hospital got in contact and said they were going to do the operation while I was away.”
Eva, from Islington, admitted her mental health suffered but believed the support of her tutors at CANDI played a major part in her overcoming the challenges she faced during her studies.
“When I think about that time, I don’t know how I got through it and completed the course. I guess you have two options in that situation, give up or try to move on, and I didn’t want to sit at home crying,” she said.
“I talked to my tutors when I was in Spain with my mother, and they stressed that I shouldn’t worry. They told me I would catch up, offered me extra classes if I needed them and showed me video classes I could use. They encouraged me all the time and were incredibly kind. It was the same after my operation. I never felt any pressure to come back until I was ready.”
Eva came to the UK from Spain, where she had worked as a history teacher, in 2015. She initially intended to stay for three months to improve her English but stayed after meeting her boyfriend.
“It was crucial to me that the teachers thought I should do the Level 3 Diploma because I am good enough. I didn’t want to be put forward for it because they felt sympathy for me because of what I have been through. And they assured me I am good enough.”
Eva initially turned to hairdressing as a hobby when she began cutting friends’ hair during the pandemic and hopes one day to style the hair of the rich and famous.
“I was good at it. I found that it gives you freedom. You can create lots of different things with hair. It is very artistic, and I have an artistic mind. The college helps you gain as much knowledge as possible and it teaches you to be a professional,” she said.
“Once I complete my Level 3 my immediate ambition is to get a position in a salon. But longer term, I would love to style the hair of actors for movies or TV programmes. If not that, then for models on the catwalks at fashion shows. I live in London, so why not? I am very ambitious.”
The hairdressing, barbering and beauty industry grew by 54 per cent in the five years up to 2020. Find out more about our Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy courses and apply here.
When Tyler Minter became a dad in March last year he was keen to find a career that offered job security for the future. He explains how a Rail Engineering apprenticeship with Alstom and the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL) has put him on the right line for a successful career.
Tyler Minter has endured many sleepless nights during his Rail Engineering apprenticeship.
But it’s not understanding the technical training or the thought of assignment deadlines that are keeping him awake, it’s being the proud dad of an 18-month-old baby girl.
Tyler, 24, worked briefly as a machinist for an engineering company after college before enrolling on a BEng (Hons) Aeronautics and Astronautics at university but he left after a year.
For a while he stepped in to help with the family business selling vehicles for a couple of years, during which time his fiancée Nicole became pregnant. But a week before their daughter Elsie-Rose was born in March 2021 a change in his family’s circumstances meant Tyler was forced to find a new job.
Keen to find a career that would provide a stable future for his family, Tyler began to look at apprenticeships.
“I wanted something with career progression, something that was especially important knowing I was going to become a dad,” said Tyler, who lives with his family in Stondon Massey near Brentwood, Essex.
“I found Alstom and started the long process to get in. I had lots of interviews and tests and was delighted when I was successful and got taken on to do a rail engineering apprenticeship.”
Elsie-Rose was born in March 2021 and three months later Tyler started his Rail Engineering Level 3 Apprenticeship with Alstom and the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL).
Alstom is a global rail engineering company that constructs and undertakes maintenance of trains, signalling and other rail infrastructure, and employs 75,000 people.
Tyler’s apprenticeship initially involved nine months of training at CONEL with a salary of £20,000 a year before spending four days a week at a rail depot and one day at college.
Tyler has just started his second year and is now a huge advocate of apprenticeships and the benefits they offer to those looking for a career.
“I love the fact that I’m learning while also getting hands on experience,” he said.
“I’m gaining knowledge that is vital to the job and also putting it to use in a practical sense. I’m also not getting into debt like a lot of people who go to university do, and I’m earning a good salary.”
Undoubtedly, juggling the demands of having a young child and studying has its challenges at times and Tyler has been grateful for the support and encouragement he has received from his tutors.
“When Elsie-Rose needed to go to hospital in April, I called the college and work and explained the situation and they were fantastic. They extended the deadline for my work allowing me more time to complete it.”
Tyler’s apprenticeship offered a guaranteed job on successful completion of his training, which has given him an added incentive to do well.
“As a dad having job security and a future career is a huge draw and is one of the reasons I picked an apprenticeship. We’re also eligible for a pension and private healthcare, things that really matter when you’ve got a family.”
Tyler’s achievements earned him an Excellence Award from Capital City College Group (CCCG), which includes CONEL, along with City and Islington College, Westminster Kingsway College and Capital City College Training.
The UK rail industry is facing a massive skills shortage. In 2020, City & Guilds and the National Skills Academy for Rail (NSAR), revealed 120,000 new workers were needed by the end of the decade.
Find out more about our Rail Engineering apprenticeships here.
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