Derby College T
Level students Matthew Kirk (18) and Harry Goodwin (18) came to collect their
results today with a representative of the company where they now work.
Matthew, a
former student at the David Nieper Academy in Alfreton, achieved a Merit grade and
has clinched an apprentice surveyor position with The Greenhatch Group which
employs more than 130 staff across the UK and whose head office is in Little
Eaton.
Harry Goodwin
(18), a former pupil at Ecclesbourne School achieved a Pass grade. He has started work at the company under the
traineeship programme and is hoping that this will lead to a higher
apprenticeship the following year.
They were
offered positions with The Greenhatch Group having impressed senior personnel
who have been heavily involved in the co-design and co-delivery of the Construction,
Design, Surveying and Planning T-Level at the College.
Matthew said: “I
was originally looking for apprenticeships after leaving school but there were
limited opportunities and the T-Level sounded the best bet.
“I am more of a
practical learner so the focus on industry placements really drew me to this
route. I can’t fault the programme. It has given us an insight into a wide range
of careers.
“I am really
pleased with this grade which will enable me to go to university part time,
work for a good company and earn a salary straight out of College which is the
best of every world.
“Although we
did take exams, it did not feel as stressful as I think A-Levels would have
been. We obviously didn’t take GCSEs so
that would have been tough but this route with a good emphasis on practical
assessments as well as theory assignments and exams has been brilliant.”
Harry
continued: “When I started the T-Level I was learning towards architecture but,
as we learnt more about different professions, I changed my mind towards
surveying.
“Working with Greenhatch
was a real inspiration, especially learning how they got into the profession
and what the job is like day to day.”
DCG was the
first FE College in the East Midlands to offer the first tranche of T-Levels in
September 2020 in Design, Surveying and Planning; Education and Childcare and
Digital Production – all of which are equivalent to three A-Levels.
The two-year
programmes involve 80% of time spent in College and 20% on an industrial
placement.
They have been
developed in collaboration with employers so that they meet the skills
requirements of industry and better prepare students for the workplace with
progression routes either straight into work, higher/degree apprenticeships or
full-time university programmes.
Stuart Chadwick
from Greenhatch accompanied the students to College to collect their results
and was delighted with their success.
“We work in a
highly qualified, well-educated and well paid profession with a lot to offer
young people so it is important for us as a company to be involved with DCG to
ensure the talent pipeline into the industry.
“Further to our
role on the Industry Skills Board, we were keen to engage on the T-Level
curriculum to ensure the qualification was relevant and up to date.
“We looked at
what the syllabus included and advised changes relating to what the industry
needs – making it more relevant and up to date with the changes in equipment
and work methods.
“Thanks to the
structure of the T-Level with a good mix of theory, practical and work
placements, Matthew and Harry will have a head start on many other new entrants
to the profession.
“They have
already fitted in really well to the company and we look forward to supporting
their career development over the coming years.”