Last term, Debbie Bogard, one of our History and Politics teachers, encouraged her students to produce a series of lockdown podcasts.
Three discussions, which have since featured in Tes, the leading education magazine, gave students and alumni of the college the opportunity to share their experiences and lessons of the lockdown.
Lost in Lockdown (Part 1 of 3): The Jam
Debbie, who is also a learner enhancement coach at the college, said:
“The overall vision is to encourage students to think beyond the limitations of the curriculum, to find value and meaning in what they’re studying, and to make connections between and across their A-levels and the contemporary world.“
Voices Lost in Lockdown (Part 2 of 3): The Jam
With each episode giving a voice to a different year group, the series was a resounding success with staff and students, and you can listen to all three episodes on YouTube.
Voices Lost in Lockdown (Part 3 of 3): The Jam
Learn more about the student experience at City and Islington College at a remote open day. Register here to receive the link to the open day.
A group of apprentice chefs, who are studying at home with Westminster Kingsway College during the COVID pandemic, had an online coaching session with a difference, when John Williams MBE, Executive Chef at the legendary Ritz hotel in London and a former student of the college himself, spoke to them as part of the college’s National Apprenticeship Week activities.
John started his illustrious career as an apprentice – in a small country house hotel in Northumberland called The Percy Arms Hotel – and he is both a great friend of the college and a firm believer in the power of apprenticeships, having hired and coached apprentices in his kitchens for the last 30 years.
In an hour-long session with the college’s apprentice chefs, John spoke about his journey from one of six children born into a fishing family on Tyneside, to travelling the world and creating dishes for the rich and famous.
John grew up in South Shields in the north east and trained at his local college before moving to London. In a glittering and highly successful career spanning more than four decades, John has cooked for countless famous people and heads of state including The Queen and Mrs Thatcher.
He’s worked at the Royal Garden Hotel in Kensington, The Berkeley, Claridge’s and now The Ritz.
John’s Executive Chef role means he is responsible for all aspects of the Ritz’s dining experience, including the Michelin-starred restaurant, The Palm Court (where the world-famous afternoon teas are served) and the Rivoli Bar, as well as room service for the hotel’s guests and the Ritz’s six private dining rooms.
The Ritz currently employs two apprentices who, like all apprentices, have a paid job and study at a college or other training provider for one fifth of their year (usually one day of study each week). John feels very strongly about the value that apprentices bring to his kitchen.
“I take on an apprentice to train and coach them, so eventually they can become a head chef. Apprentices are probably the most important aspect of my kitchen. The two main people who run my kitchen were both apprentices when they started and now they are two of the best young chefs in Britain.”
John is also clear about the value to the employer too: “An apprentice comes to a kitchen with almost no skills at all, so in a way they are perfect in that they will soak up all the support and training that they get. And that one day a week at college that a culinary apprentice also has as part of their apprenticeship, gives them the underpinning knowledge that they need and which they won’t always get working in a kitchen.
He is passionate about the vital role that apprentices can play across the culinary industry as it looks to recover from the effects of the COVID pandemic. “I’ve had apprentices in my brigades for over 30 years, but now, as we’ll be trying to get back on our feet after the pandemic, I think they will be more important than ever.”
To back up his words, John, is working with the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts (he is their Chairman) to encourage more hospitality businesses to take on apprentices.
John has a plea for the industry, to rethink everything they thought they knew about apprentices. “Especially in this time, with funding for apprenticeships available [though the apprenticeship levy, which all large employers pay into], the profession should be able to do more.
It’s worth the investment of time and effort to bring an apprentice on and trained in your way of thinking. An apprentice needs time to develop their skills, but if their employer commits to it, then everyone gains.”
John’s top tips for apprentices
It takes time. John is a firm believer in the time it takes to truly master the fundamentals of cooking. “It takes around 15 years for someone to master their skills.
Work hard. “That’s what this job is. The harder you work, the easier it is to get promotion and get to where you want to be. By then, working hard is second nature.
Tough it out. “It’s very hard starting out in your first kitchen when you’re so young. I was homesick for a year when I came to London, but I stuck with it and stayed.
Listen. “It’s so important to listen. Sometimes you won’t want to hear it, but listen, decipher what you’ve been told and use it to educate yourself, so you can improve and move forward and educate yourself.”
Love what you do. You must enjoy – really enjoy – making people happy. Bringing pleasure to people through food that they put in their mouths is what this profession is all about.
Be good, honest and honourable: “Be a good human being, and be honest with yourself and reflect on how things have gone – good or bad”. And be honest with your chef too. As John puts it: “If you tell me fibs, I can’t solve it.”
…and for employers
Hire an apprentice. John passionately believes in the importance of apprentices to the profession. “I’ve had apprentices every year for 30 years and bringing an apprentice in really is the most rewarding thing any chef can do.
Create a good environment. “If you want to make it work, you need to invest time and effort in creating an environment for an apprentice to thrive in, where they are stretched and can develop their skills. You also need to educate your kitchen, for example so they understand that they apprentice won’t be there five days a week.
Nick Gunyon is Curriculum Manager for Hospitality apprenticeships and adults at Westminster Kingsway College. He teaches the culinary apprentices on their college day and invited John as guest speaker to inspire them. “It was great to have John with us today”, Nick said. “The students really got a lot from hearing someone which so much knowledge and experience and we are very grateful to John for taking time out from his busy day to speak to us.”
Find out more about Westminster Kingsway’s culinary and hospitality apprenticeships here
A healthcare apprentice has given a fascinating and moving insight into her experience of training with the NHS during the coronavirus pandemic.
Samantha Lia, 46, is completing a Senior Healthcare Support Worker apprenticeship with Capital City College Training (CCCT) at North Middlesex University Hospital.
She works in the radiography department where she looks after inpatients and those coming in for appointments including taking their blood pressure, temperature and pulse.
Samantha said: “I’ve been helping the doctors when they’re doing procedures, been there for patients when they may be feeling anxious or nervous, talking to them and making them feel at ease. Small things like that make a big difference.
“We see a lot of COVID patients because they might need to have an ultrasound to make sure their organs are aren’t deteriorating. It’s obviously a daunting time for the patient and a shock to them seeing everyone wearing PPE, so I try to make them feel comfortable.”
Samantha admitted COVID has forced her to pick things up more quickly during her apprenticeship and that she occasionally feels anxious about the virus.
She said: “Sometimes inpatients who have COVID don’t show up for their appointment. You wonder why, and when you look on the computer to find out what ward they’re in and see they’re deceased it hits you.”
Samantha has strived to remain positive despite the huge impact of the pandemic on NHS staff and patients and says she has been inspired by those working around her.
“I try to stay optimistic and look on the bright side,” she said. “I like to feel I’ve made a difference to someone’s day, even if it’s just in a small way. It’s a nice feeling.”
She recalled on one occasion how she helped support a man with learning disabilities who was worried about undergoing an ultrasound scan.
“It was only a minor procedure and he had a carer with him, but he was in a strange place, surrounded by strange people and for him it was scary,” she said.
“He wouldn’t let anyone near him and was pushing everyone away, so I just started talking to him. I said, ‘I will show you what we are going to do and that there is nothing to worry about’. After that he calmed down, had his procedure and everything was fine.”
Samantha, from Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire, previously worked for Morrisons for more than 15 years and decided to change career after a relative who is a retired nurse suggested she consider working in healthcare.
Samantha said: “When the apprenticeship role came up I thought I didn’t have a chance because I’m slightly older than most people who apply. I got a call to say I’d got the job the same day I had an interview. I couldn’t believe it, I was overjoyed.”
Samantha started on a Level 2 apprenticeship in May 2018 and has since progressed to Level 3, the equivalent of studying at A Level.
“I don’t even know where to start. I’ve had so much support from my coach at CCCT and learnt so much,” she said. “I can’t think of a better way to learn. I’ve definitely found the right role for me, I just wish that I’d done it sooner.”
CCCT is part of Capital City College Group (CCCG) and is London’s largest provider of further education and apprenticeships, including healthcare and business roles in the NHS.
Although students everywhere may feel that the last twelve months have thrown them out of the frying pan and into the fire, the trainee chefs at Westminster Kingsway College’s School of Hospitality and Culinary Arts in London are being treated to twice-weekly cookery masterclasses streamed live into their kitchens – courtesy of Chef Lecturer Miranda Godfrey.
“Of course, it’s challenging,” the Chef Lecturer of 19 years tells us after an online lesson. “I wanted to ignite a little passion in cooking again, and thought that our students may want to get more hands on.”
Westminster Kingsway College has adapted to online learning for its highly-regarded Hospitality and Culinary courses, with students and staff meeting online to continue with their courses as planned. One silver lining that Miranda has already picked out is the opportunity for students to continue to interact and share notes:
“Some classes are combined, so I have given the more experienced students the responsibility of leading group discussions and setting projects. Some students can’t always obtain all the ingredients, that they need, but at least online they can watch and absorb and see their classmates … and talk to each other without face masks!”
The effect of lockdown on student wellbeing and mental health has been a frequently reported area of discussion since last summer, often linked to a lack of regular communication. To address this, Thursday 14 January saw the pilot of another weekly class aimed at providing healthy meals for the whole family. The idea, says Miranda, is to “involve the whole year group in a social meetup cook-along” to start and finish within an hour.
“Many students are suffering from mental health issues. The meetup hopefully gives them something to look forward to and create a positive, fun environment in which we can chat together, learn something and have a rewarding outcome.”
Reaching audiences beyond the college, a revelation of the move online has been the ability to stream classes on social media. For the first time, Ms Godfrey has been also sharing her class cook-alongs on Instagram to an international audience.
“I had alumni from the UK and overseas watching and messaging me the loveliest comments of how much they miss the college and my teaching. I have now contacted many alumni and asked for them to join the class as guests and demonstrators.”
In her class on 8 January, Miranda hosted the food historian, author and broadcaster Dr Annie Gray. Miranda and Annie are friends and have collaborated on television programmes and the book How to Cook the Victorian Way with Mrs Crocombe, available online.
Though firmly aware of the challenges of adapting the classroom for an online audience, Miranda’s unwavering optimism is encouraging. Looking towards the future, she has enrolled on a Culinary Health and Nutrition Degree at the college, taught by Dr Rachel Edwards. And at the beginning of February, she appeared on Heart FM to talk about the role of cooking and learning in staying busy through the lockdown. It is reassuring to see examples of remote learning creating new opportunities for staff and students alike to learn. As those involved get used to their new surroundings, it’s hard not to think the same thing: 2021 will be better.
You can catch Chef Miranda cooking sessions on her Instagram account
Four human resources professionals have told how studying a Chartered Institute for Personnel Development (CIPD) course led to promotions or advanced their career.
Tashan Maxwell, Liz Collins, Anita Odulaja, and Adele Novo all studied for Level 3 and Level 5 CIPD accredited courses at Westminster Kingsway College, which will be running new courses this April.
The number of people working in HR in the UK grew 17 per cent between 2009 and 2019. The People Profession Survey revealed 80 per cent felt they were in a meaningful career and more than two thirds said their career had exceeded or met their expectations.
WestKing is one of the highest performing CIPD study centres in the UK with a 95 per cent pass rate and the number of students enrolling has nearly doubled over the past four years.
A well-rounded course
Tashan, 28, from Waltham Forest, was working in finance before landing a role in HR with the food poverty charity FareShare and applying to study on a Level 5 CIPD diploma.
She said: “It was a well-rounded course that gave me the tools to know the detail of human resources management. I really enjoyed the interactive sessions, where we were able to bounce ideas and our experiences off each other.
“The lecturers have been nothing but supportive, giving up extra time to ensure the class understood the content and boosting us with confidence in areas we were feeling unsure.
“I’ve now been put forward for my second promotion in under two years.”
Structured and insightful
Liz Collins, 34, from Bexley, has climbed the HR ladder since undertaking Level 3 and Level 5 CIPD courses at WestKing and currently works for KH Engineering Services.
She said: “The course was well structured and very insightful and has furnished me with more knowledge and understanding for my continuous professional development. My tutor’s enthusiasm and learning methods kept me engaged throughout the course and motivated me to want to be the best student.”
Knowledge to do your job
Adele, 52, also from Bexley, turned to a career in HR in December 2019 after being made redundant from Barclays Bank where she had worked for 29 years.
“My boss encouraged me to apply for a CIPD course and continue my professional development,” said Adele, who was promoted to the role of HR Advisor with building contractor Prater after completing a Level 3 qualification and is now studying at Level 5.
“I love that at my age I have changed career and started to learn again. I left school in 1985 and it has been hard getting back used to writing assessments, but the rewards are amazing and it gives you so much knowledge to do your job. Both my tutors have been really inspiring and helped at every step of the way, I cannot fault them.”
Practical with real-life discussions
Anita, 22, from Barking, took a Level 3 CIPD course while on an HR administration apprenticeship with construction firm Bouygues UK, and is now studying for a Level 5.
She said: “The real-life examples discussed with my classmates gave an insight into how HR professionals in different industries operate and deal with HR matters,” she said.
“The practical elements of the course were useful. Having the opportunity to practise performance management reviews put me in a more comfortable position to conduct one and make informed conclusions. And, as my lessons progressed, I was gradually given more responsibilities as well as a promotion at work.”
WestKing offers the CIPD’s new People Practice Level 3 Certificate and a People Management Level 5 Diploma, which cover all aspects of HR practice including business culture and change, analytics, professional behaviours, employment relationships, people management, workplace training, employment law, diversity and inclusion, leadership, and wellbeing at work.
The CIPD has reduced the number of its courses from 17 to five and WestKing has been approved to become one of the first centres in the UK offer these qualifications.
These CIPD qualifications can also be studied on an apprenticeship with Capital City College Training (CCCT), which along with Westminster Kingsway College, is part of Capital City College Group – one of London’s leading further education groups.
Tony Kerley, the college’s CIPD Programme Leader, said: “HR is a great profession where you can make a real impact and benefit from great earnings potential and clear career progression. You could become a specialist in diversity and inclusion or be an expert in nurturing talent to help employees to flourish and an organisation to thrive.
“WestKing offers the most supportive, hands on tutorship to help students qualify in HR. All our tutors are first class HR practitioners first and tutors second, meaning they have the credibility, experience and knowledge to deliver stimulating, memorable and valuable courses that are second to none.”
An aspiring rail engineer has told how his apprenticeship has helped him manage his dyspraxia.
Chris Redshaw is undertaking an apprenticeship with engineering giant Bombardier at the London Rail Academy based at the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL).
The 19-year-old, from Sittingbourne, Kent, was diagnosed with dyspraxia, a neurological condition that affects physical co-ordination and social skills, when he was at secondary school.
“My training has actually helped me to overcome and manage it,” said Chris, when asked about how dyspraxia had impacted on his apprenticeship.
“When I first started my apprenticeship, I would take longer than others to do things and perform certain tasks. I had trouble keeping up and would often fall behind. At CONEL and at Bombardier I have always felt supported and my timekeeping and organisation has improved significantly.”
Chris’s enthusiasm for trains and railways goes back to when he was a young boy, and in his early teens he began volunteering on the East Kent Railway Trust heritage railway.
He said: “I have always I wanted to pursue a career in rail. Railways are very complex and it has always fascinated me at how it all works together. My voluntary work on the East Kent Railway also inspired me. I got to see first-hand what it takes to keep trains running.”
Chris completed a Rail Engineering Level 2 Apprenticeship with Bombardier and now works for the company as Maintenance Assistant while undertaking a Level 3 apprenticeship.
He was named the National Training Academy for Rail’s Apprentice of the Year in 2018 and has been an ambassador for Young Rail Professionals for the past three and a half years.
Chris said: “I have learnt so much at Bombardier – how trains, depots and railways operate, how to perform safety work, plan maintenance, carry out inspections, find faults and exchange components.
“CONEL has all the tools, equipment and materials you need. They have parts and components from real trains like bogies and engines to take apart and reassemble, and the tutors are always there if any help is needed.”
The COVID-19 pandemic has not derailed Chris’s appetite for learning and a career in rail engineering.
He said: “Learning in lockdown has been challenging. I would much rather be in college, but learning through classes on Microsoft Teams has been good and not too different.”
Chris is a huge advocate for apprenticeships as a way into work and the benefit of being employed by a company and earning money while gaining skills.
“Rail is a great industry to work in. Trains will always need to be maintained and kept running so the industry will always need new talent,” he said.
“Even if you have no previous engineering experience, you can learn the required skills on an apprenticeship. Unlike university you are being paid to learn, not paying to learn.
“I applied for my apprenticeship as soon as I left school and it was the best decision I ever made.” Click here for more information on Rail Engineering apprenticeships.
Click here for more information on Rail Engineering apprenticeships.
A short film written and directed by a former Westminster Kingsway College film studies student has been named among the best in a national competition.
Paranoia is a dark thriller created by Joshua Galea, 20 and was among 10 films that were highly commended in the Eduqas Moving Image Awards 2020.
Joshua, who studied A Level Film Studies, Media Studies and Philosophy at the college from 2017-20, was thrilled the film had been chosen after being submitted by his tutor.
He said: “I was surprised that the film did so well in the competition. I’m sure there were many other great entries, and I’m very thankful to my tutor for putting me forward.
“The concept of the film was based on my own experiences with anxiety and paranoia, though heavily emphasised for film of course, that feeling of something or someone watching over you, a looming threat.
“It was mostly filmed around Caledonian Road in the Holloway area of north London and took a little under a week to get the footage and the editing took two days to complete.”
The film is set in London at night where a young woman uncovers a sinister letter in a pile of papers in which the writer tells her she will not be safe after a set date.
It contains no dialogue but features a dark soundtrack and background noise and low lighting to create a tense and unsettling atmosphere, which combined with its editing, offers up several scares as it builds to its climax.
Parental Advisory: Contains mild threat and violence.
Joshua, who now lives in Portsmouth, Hampshire, also appeared in the film with his sister and got his brother to help film scenes where he was in shot.
He cites Maya Deren’s avant-garde film Meshes of the Afternoon (1943) and Brian Percival’s Bafta award-winning short About a Girl (2001) as among his inspirations for the film.
Joshua said: “Despite already knowing a lot in terms of video editing, my film class at WestKing taught me about a plethora of great films, shot types and terminology required to become a great filmmaker.
“I’m currently working as a freelance video editor though I’d love to move on to bigger things in the future. Editing videos for a company, adverts or a TV show are all something I’d consider.” The Eduqas Moving Image Awards were designed in partnership with the British Film Institute to recognise the UK’s most talented young filmmakers and screenwriters.
Joe Barry, Lecturer in A Level Film Studies and English at WestKing, entered Joshua’s film into the competition, which was produced as part of his A Level coursework.
He said: “Joshua is an exceptionally creative and talented filmmaker. When I first saw Paranoia, I was so impressed with how professional and well-crafted it was, I entered it into the competition.
“The film shows great use of film language and techniques. To be cited as highly commended from hundreds of entries is a real achievement. I’m very proud of him and the film’s success.”
A book club at Westminster Kingsway College for students whose first language is not English has continued to thrive online during lockdown.
Around 50 students from six classes taking English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses attend weekly book clubs that initially began fortnightly with two classes.
The club, which has been held on Microsoft Teams during the pandemic, mainly reads and discusses short stories adapted to the English level of the students in the class.
Tales with a twist are among the most popular with students, including works by Guy de Maupassant, Saki, Roald Dahl, Edgar Allan Poe, Frank O’Connor and Sara Paretsky.
Students read, learn about the vocabulary and take part in quizzes to reinforce their language skills. They also look at other texts including songs, riddles, tongue-twisters and newspaper articles.
ESOL student Amalia Castano, 47, from Camden, who was born in Colombia and came to the UK from Spain, said: “I really enjoy the book club. It’s really helped me to improve my English and develop my reading skills and vocabulary so I can understand more.
“The teachers on my course, in my opinion, are really good and the best I have had in my life. I feel very comfortable and want more classes like this.
“When I first came to the UK I could not express myself very well, but I can now. I’m really proud. For me the college is marvellous, it’s been amazing. I’m really happy.”
College librarian Josh Ramsden set up the club for ESOL Entry Level students at the college’s Soho Centre in 2009, which was later extended to include Level 1 students.
The club moved online at the start of the first lockdown in March 2020 and was extended to ESOL students at the college’s King’s Cross Centre at the start of this term.
Josh said: “Reading English is one of the best ways for ESOL students to enlarge their English vocabulary and their understanding of English grammar as well as to gain confidence in creatively using the language. The weekly book club plays a big role in that, and students who regularly attend the book club have noticed the beneficial effect on their English.”
Josh, who has a Master’s Degree in English Literature, also runs a classics book club for all students at WestKing with English at Level 1 or above. These students have read and discussed novels including Lord of the Flies, Fahrenheit 451 and 1984. Click here for more information on ESOL courses.
Students – including one who witnessed two of her friends being stabbed – say they feel better prepared to help knife crime victims after taking part in lifesaving workshops.
Around 25 students from Westminster Kingsway College have participated in practical sessions run by StreetDoctors over the past two years as part of the college’s Safer Learner Month.
StreetDoctors is a national charity based in Hackney that teaches lifesaving, emergency and first aid skills to young people at risk of youth violence to keep themselves and others safe.
A Level student Salma Dekhissi, 17, from Southwark, who wants to become a criminal lawyer, recalled how her schoolfriend was killed and another was injured in knife attacks.
She said: “A couple of times in the past I witnessed a friend being stabbed. They were situations that I had no control over. The pressure was overwhelming and made me feel extremely guilty and distraught as there was no way I could help.
“The StreetDoctors workshop was extremely helpful. In a society where knife crime is extremely common, I believe it should be something that all young people should take part in. I can now confidently say I would be completely prepared to handle a situation like this in the future.”
StreetDoctors works with schools, colleges, community groups and criminal justice organisations to provide training through a team of healthcare volunteers made up of university medical students. Sessions look at what to do when someone is bleeding or unconscious including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training.
Nafiye Dervish, 18, from Enfield, who is studying Health and Social Care and also attended the StreetDoctors session, said: “Attending this workshop has helped me prepare for my future career as I have the intention of becoming a nurse.
“I learnt the basics of first aid with the emphasis on helping victims of knife crime. I now know how to support someone if they are heavily bleeding from an injury until medical help arrives. I have also learnt the importance of reacting quickly and communicating with the patient in order to reassure them and if they need anything.
“I definitely feel more prepared and aware of what I need to do in order to help save someone’s life.”
Since 2013 StreetDoctors has run 932 sessions in 17 cities across the country to teach more than 18,000 young people emergency and first aid skills.
Esther Dahan, Enrichment Officer at WestKing, said: “We are keen to provide our learners with not just lifesaving skills, but also promote awareness around the limitations of the human body and the implications of violence.
“Student reactions to the programme have been wonderful. They always leave with expanded minds, having explored some of the implications of knife crime, and feeling more confident in their ability to save a life should they ever find themselves in such a situation.”
Click here to find out more about student life at WestKing.
Aspiring rail engineers will be able to train even better for their future careers following the arrival of a Docklands Light Railway (DLR) carriage at the London Rail Academy, based at the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London.
The huge 15m long carriage will help provide practical training for students and apprentices at the academy located at the college’s Enfield Centre.
Engineering UK estimates there is an annual shortfall of between 37,000 to 59,000 in core engineering roles despite an annual demand of 124,000 jobs, and says it is essential that more young people study STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) subjects.
The carriage made an 11-mile journey on the back of a flatbed articulated lorry from the Transport for London (TfL) Ilford Depot to the Enfield Centre in Hertford Road on 19 December. The lorry slowly manoeuvred the carriage into the college’s rear car park where it was then lifted by a crane and lowered onto a concrete base next to the London Rail Academy workshop.
The carriage is a wooden replica of an actual DLR carriage, which was made by Spanish transport engineering manufacturer Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF) for the launch of a new fleet of 43 trains that are due to come into service in 2023. A temporary shelter has been built to house the carriage until a more permanent engineering shed is constructed on the site.
Barry Connelly, Strategic Adviser for Engineering Development at CONEL, said: “The carriage was specifically built to promote the new DLR rolling stock to the rail industry in September 2020. Over the past few months I worked with TfL to reach an agreement to adopt the carriage and install it at the London Rail Academy to improve the learning experience for our students.
“The carriage will enable our current and future Level 2 to Level 4 students and apprentices to receive rail engineering training that is as close as it gets when it comes to gaining the technical skills and knowledge to realise their potential.
“The carriage further complements our existing range of high value equipment at the academy, which has been recognised as the leading rail industry sector college in London and surrounding counties.”
CONEL is part of Capital City College Group (CCCG), which also comprises City and Islington College, Westminster College and apprenticeship and training provider Capital City College Training (CCCT). The college offers engineering diploma courses and apprenticeships through CCCT and transport engineering companies including TfL, Siemens, Bombardier, Hitachi, Eurostar, Alstom, Thales, London Underground and DLR.
Marcia Summers, Assistant Principal for Technical Industries, said: “This carriage is a fantastic addition to our engineering provision at CONEL, and a sign of our real commitment to becoming the number one hub for providing training for rail engineering careers in London.
“This acquisition will support students and apprentices at the London Rail Academy to gain the knowledge and expertise they need, and in turn help plug the current STEM learning skills gap in the engineering industry.”
