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Congratulations to our recent higher education graduates who not only excelled in their degree level programmes, but also received the coveted University Centre Research Award (UCRA), which acknowledges outstanding research in a project or dissertation.
The five finalists were all commended in their class and received a UCRA certificate in recognition of their achievements, alongside two worthy recipients of first and second prize.
For her dissertation titled: ‘The impact of COVID-19 and support available throughout the pandemic for children with special educational needs and disabilities’
Vicky started at Level 3 in the College and progressed into the University Centre where she achieved a Foundation Degree followed by BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies. During her time with us, Vicky has flourished into a creative and critical thinker and submitted a truly outstanding dissertation.
For his work on the ‘Events Management’ module, creating an online event in Thailand as the country went into lockdown over the Christmas 2021 period. Alan has demonstrated an outstanding attitude towards his academic studies and achieved exceptional grades. Programme Leader, Andrew Simpson, recommended Alan for the award, stating “On my feedback sheet, I had actually run out of superlatives when annotating the work! I wholeheartedly nominate Alan for what I consider to be a thoroughly worthy piece of work to receive a Research Award!”
Claire Henderson – Foundation Degree Early Years Practice: Claire completed a small-scale research project ‘The ongoing impact of the pandemic on families’ health and wellbeing’. This was a contemporary and creative topic focusing on the key aspect of health and wellbeing within early years and its relevance towards children’s holistic development.
Sam Ross – Foundation Degree Early Years Practice: Sam engaged in extensive research and reading for an assessment on the History of Childhood. She provided a comprehensive and critical view on poverty in the twenty-first century and the aftermath of Covid-19.
Claudia McNally – BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies: Claudia started at Level 3 in the College and progressed into the University Centre where she achieved a foundation degree and then BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies. Claudia submitted a well-researched dissertation entitled ‘Reducing Parental Conflict in the Early Years’ which demonstrates her commitment and motivation as a researcher and Early Years practitioner.
An interview with… former HNC Musical Theatre student, Jacob Yarlett
We were excited to catch up with former musical theatre student, Jacob Yarlett, recently who is currently performing in the critically acclaimed musical, Book of Mormon, at venues across the UK and Europe. We asked Jacob about his time as a City of Liverpool College student and what he makes of landing his ‘dream role’ with the first audition that launched his career.
How did you get into your love of theatre and decide it is the career for you?
“I first became interested in theatre after I saw Wicked in London when I was 11 in 2007 – I liked the idea of being 20 feet in the air, green and belting out songs for my life. It wasn’t until I was about 13/14 years old that I thought I could do it as a career due to the very encouraging performing arts teachers at school and the fact I just loved doing it.”
How did you come to study musical theatre at The City of Liverpool College (COLC)?
“I was in my last year at sixth form in 2014 and didn’t feel quite ready to go off to drama school just yet so I was looking around for a foundation course. I wanted a year in which I could build upon the skills I already had and develop professional technique – the HNC course at COLC ticked all of those boxes for me. I had an evening audition where I had to dance, sing and give a short presentation on a show I loved. The audition was really fun, and I felt so at ease.”
What was your course like at COLC?
“The Musical Theatre course at COLC was great. We had classes across the three disciplines; Acting, Singing and Dance, where we built up our technique and received countless opportunities to perform. We also studied in a research and professional practice class which was great to learn more about the theory side. We covered so much over the year, and it was absolutely crucial for my progression. The facilities were incredible – a fully teched-out theatre, big dance and rehearsals rooms and we used them all constantly. My tutors were amazing. They were so encouraging and really pushed us to achieve what we wanted to as well as always giving up their free time to help us progress even further. I learned so much from them and am extremely grateful.”
How did studying musical theatre at the college help you to progress onto university and into the industry?
“Studying at the college gave me such a strong foundation and most importantly, the confidence that I could go into my drama school auditions knowing I was prepared and had trainable skills that could take me out into the professional industry.”
How did you take the first step into working in the industry?
“So after COLC I went to study my degree in Musical Theatre at The London College of Music (LCM) and graduated in 2018 without an agent which was terrifying as I had no security and felt like I would not get any auditions. My friend told me that Book of Mormon was going on tour and was about to start auditioning and that I should just submit myself as I didn’t have an agent. So that’s what I did and luckily, they asked me to come in for an audition. After many, many rounds I finally got the job as the Standby for Elder Cunningham.”
What has it been like to perform in such a famous musical?
“We say it a lot in the show, but it has honestly been INCREDIBLE. The Book of Mormon was honestly my dream show and Elder Cunningham was my ideal role and I feel so lucky to have been able to perform like this so early on in my career. As well as getting to travel across the UK and parts of Europe, the cast and crew are amazing – you honestly couldn’t ask for better people in a job. There’s always fun to be had with them.”
What’s a typical show day like and rehearsal?
“A typical show day as a standby now is – wake up, maybe have a walk to explore around the city that we are in and then head to work in the evening where we do a mandatory company physical and vocal warm-up which is a lot of fun. Then we’ll have our notices which are usually any notes from the show the night before to improve, as well as telling us if any covers or swings are on. If I’m standing in to perform that night, I’ll then get ready for the show. Occasionally during the day we’ll have cover rehearsals where me and the other covers will rehearse the show in advance.”
Any advice/tips for current students?
“My advice would be to take the work seriously but not yourself. At the end of the day, we’re not performing heart surgery and it is so easy to let yourself get wrapped within the industry. Make sure to find the joy outside of it and have fun!”
Any plans for what you would like to do next?
“First of all, I’m focusing on looking for an agent for when the show finishes. Hopefully then I can start auditioning for the next job whatever that will be. I’m very lucky to have ticked off my dream show already so anything else is a bonus. I would love to do Mean Girls if that ever comes over from the US.”
Congratulations to City of Liverpool College engineering student, Harvey Hudson, who was named Young Apprentice of the Year recently at the prestigious CIBSE Young Engineer Awards 2022, held in London this month.
Harvey, who is studying for a Level 3 Diploma in Building Services Engineering, was commended on the night for demonstrating excellence in his studies, alongside the hard work and dedication he shows during his placements with leading energy management consultants, Vital Energi.
Harvey is one of a group of recent recruits to Vital Energi’s ‘Net Zero Apprenticeship Programme’, which was founded in partnership with The City of Liverpool College to address the skills gap in the engineering industry across the UK.
Jenny Jackson, Resource Manager at Vital Energi said: “We are delighted that one of the first students to enrol on our Net Zero Apprenticeships programme has won this award.
“Harvey isn’t just a great apprentice, he’s also a fantastic ambassador for apprenticeships. He’s spoken at events about the benefits of apprenticeships and to audiences ranging from school children to industry experts, and he has also had a real impact on promoting, not only our apprenticeship programme, but also apprenticeships in general. We’re very proud that one of the apprentices enrolled on our course has distinguished himself on a national level.”
Lynn Borthwick, Head of School, said: “Our staff in the School of Engineering, Green Technologies & Logistics are delighted that Harvey has been recognised for his hard work and dedication to studies.
“The whole [apprentices] group have been studying a range of topics and have worked very hard to achieve good results both in internally-assessed units and in these national exams. We work closely with Vital Energi to ensure our learners can apply their theoretical knowledge to the work placements they undertake, and also bring the work-based learning to class and enrich the sessions with their practical experience.”
The Apprentice of the Year Category is in its third year of the CIBSE Awards and was introduced to the programme to recognise the innovative thinking, hard work and skills of graduate engineers, whilst also showcasing those employers who are truly committed to developing and encouraging young talent.
Harvey spoke about his time on the programme, saying: I’ve found my course at The City of Liverpool College to be excellent – the teachers and apprenticeship team are very supportive and are always there to help you to progress further.
“My apprenticeship is really unique because I’ve been able to work within different departments in a company – from design, and commercial, to site placements. This has really helped me to further develop my skills at college because I’ve been given hands on work experience that complements the college course I’m studying. I’m really grateful for the opportunities I’ve been offered.”
SIX REASONS TO CHOOSE COLLEGE
As we continue with our Colleges Week celebrations, we’re focusing on the benefits that come with choosing college as part of your academic journey.
There are around 2.75 million college students across the UK benefiting from high quality teaching and training, combined with tailored support. Colleges have well-established partnerships with their regional industries and employers, which means students have incredible opportunities to progress to employment. Those who wish to move into self-employment or further study get expert advice to take their next steps.
Here are six reasons why college is a great option, whatever you’re looking for!
1. Lots of choice
Colleges offer a wide range of courses, qualifications and development programmes, ensuring there is a pathway suitable for everyone, no matter their skills or background.
Most colleges offer some or all the following:
2. There is a starting point for everyone – even for those with few qualifications
A high percentage of college graduates go on to land their dream jobs and/or have fulfilling careers – even if they did not leave school with high GCSE grades. While many college courses do have set entry requirements, there is a starting point for all students, even if they’re entering with fewer qualifications than others.
Most colleges offer courses from entry level (where no previous qualifications are required), through to degree level study. An interest in the subject you want to take can be as important as your qualifications.
3. Gain the skills and qualifications you need
With thousands of courses to choose from, colleges are focused on developing the future workforce. They are committed to the success of their students, ensuring they leave with the knowledge, qualifications and essential skills they need for employment and life post-study.
4. Flexibility and earn while you learn potential
College learning flexes to your needs. With many courses on offer, students can choose to learn full time, part time, or through distance learning.
Colleges offer hundreds of options and pathways, from starter courses to vocational training and apprenticeships, through to higher education and degree qualifications. Professional qualifications are on offer too, as well as a range of online courses to help your job and career prospects.
5. Get the work experience employers want
Vocational courses at college give students the opportunity to develop their employability skills through work experience, interacting with employers, and various other ventures. Many colleges, like The City of Liverpool College, have invested in their own restaurants or hair salons which are open to the public so that students can experience a real work environment with tutor supervision.
Like many across the country, the College is renowned for its strong partnerships with industry – from local businesses to leading organisations. Our colleges are recognised as innovators and leaders across the UK.
6. Ample help and support available
Colleges are proud of being diverse, inclusive and safe places to learn, with a large support network available to you onsite.
Read more about what Colleges Week is and the College’s activities across the week, here.
Colleges Week at The City of Liverpool CollegeFollowing on from the success of last year’s ‘Love Our Colleges’ campaign, The City of Liverpool College will be joining institutes across the country next week to celebrate the fifth annual Colleges Week.
The campaign, which is hosted by the Association of Colleges (AoC), sees colleges, students, and businesses from across the country come together to celebrate the brilliant things colleges do, day in and day out to build communities, boost business and support individuals.
The College plays an essential role in the employment and learning infrastructure and culture in Liverpool, serving more than a third of all 16-18-year-olds in Liverpool, and educating almost 12,000 learners each year.
Supporting this year’s campaign theme, Staff – Students – Skills, throughout the week we will be putting the spotlight on the College’s recent success stories across a range of different subject areas, and capturing the factors that make colleges the incredible, transformative places they are.
We’ll also be speaking with current students at the College about their journeys and why they decided to pursue their studies in a college environment as opposed to the various other education options available to them.
Across our social media channels, we’ll be posting behind the scenes footage with staff members, showcasing the individuals who keep the cogs of our college turning, and taking a closer look inside some of our classrooms to see what goes on behind closed doors! Make sure you follow us on @COLCollege to keep up to date with the week’s events!
We will also be using the week to share information on the benefits of college education in the UK, as well as the College’s personal ambitions for the future as we continue to lead the way in being the College for Business across the region.
Elaine Bowker, CEO and Principal, said:
“Our College has played a vital role in the skills and education of thousands of students. It is an honour and a privilege to celebrate further education on a national platform like Colleges week.
“Love Our Colleges Week is a fantastic opportunity for us to celebrate not only our successes, but the important work of colleges across the country. Colleges play a vital role in our communities and in helping so many young people to learn and acquire new skills that will prepare them well for the world of work.”
Colleges week takes place from Monday 17th – Friday 21st October. You can find out more about the campaign, here.
Free creative Saturday Clubs for 13–16-year-oldsThe City of Liverpool College is delighted to announce it has joined the National Saturday Club network for the second year and is launching four creative pathways for 13–16-year-olds.
Free and open to young people of all abilities, the Saturday Club will run from Saturday 15th October 2022 to May 2023 at The College’s Arts Centre Campus.
The National Saturday Club offers young people a unique opportunity to explore subjects they love for free, to build new skills, discover their talents, meet new people, and to explore future study and career possibilities.
Weekly Saturday classes will be led by tutors at The City of Liverpool College with support from current students and will cover a breadth of exciting and engaging topics including painting, games, fashion, prop making, and animation.
Club members also get to participate in National Saturday Club events including Masterclasses with leading industry professionals, the Summer Show where Saturday Clubs nationwide exhibit their work in a public exhibition, and a Graduation Ceremony for Club members to celebrate their achievements.
Across the 25-week programmes, students can take part in one of four very exciting pathways:
– Art and Design – painting, drawing, print, 2D and 3D
– Media and Games – film, games, animation
– Fashion, Business and Retail – fashion, design, merchandising
– Theatre Arts – Prop making, set design, lighting and sound
Each pathway will include three projects; an introduction into the industry, working on a live brief, and a final project with an exhibition to showcase their work.
Spaces are limited to 25 per pathway and are expected to fill up fast, so be sure to secure your place ASAP!
For more information and to apply, visit: https://saturday-club.org/club/the-city-of-liverpool-college-art-design/
What to do after GCSEs: Your options explainedAfter two years of hard study, GCSE results day is finally here. Today, thousands of students across Merseyside will be facing one of the biggest questions of their life: “what next?”.
Nowadays, there’s no longer the one-size-fits-all solution of moving on to A-levels then university after GCSEs. There are so many options, from further study and qualifications to the world of work and work experience and The City of Liverpool College provides options for all desired and alternative pathways.
Discover what options are available to you post-GCSE below.
If A-Levels don’t sound fitting but you’re still keen to continue with your academic studies, T Levels are a great option for your next step.
A T Level is a two-year qualification designed in partnership with employers to give learners the skills and knowledge employers look for when it comes to hiring. The course combines classroom learning with a 45-day work placement and is equivalent to three A Levels. It’s a brilliant option to combine getting your qualifications with hitting the ground running in the world of work. A whole range of T Levels are available at The City of Liverpool College from September 2022, where you’ll have the chance to learn in brand new, cutting-edge facilities which have been specially designed for T Level students. To find out more, visit www.liv-coll.ac.uk/t-levels.
Students who are ready for a truly hands-on approach to learning might look towards an Apprenticeship. Apprenticeships give you the opportunity to gain real work skills and practical experience while acquiring job-specific qualifications and receiving a wage.
The COLC is proud to be Liverpool’s leading provider of Apprenticeships and works closely with employers to ensure you get the most out of your experience and gain skills that you can apply to working life. To discover what Apprenticeships are on offer, visit www.liv-coll.ac.uk/apprenticeships.
A-levels are subject-based qualifications that can help students get the entry requirements needed to progress onto university, further education, training, or full-time employment. To study A Levels, you generally need at least five GCSEs at grades nine to four/A* to C.
You might want to continue studying subjects they enjoyed at GCSE, such as English, maths or science, or pick three new options which align with your interests, such as media and journalism, or medicine, dentistry and veterinary. Browse the range of A Level options available at The City of Liverpool College at www.liv-coll.ac.uk/a-levels-and-gcses.
It might be that you didn’t get the GCSE results you were hoping for, or what you need to progress to your next step. If that’s the case, don’t worry! You can retake them at The City of Liverpool College.
It can be hard to get back on track, which is why the COLC offers a focused programme of support to help students get to where they need to be and pass the exams for required subjects like maths and English, so that you can move on to your next step.
For information about all our available courses, visit: www.liv-coll.ac.uk/course-finder
Busting the myths around T LevelsFrom September, The City of Liverpool College will be rolling out T Levels across our campuses, spanning industries and careers including digital, construction and education.
T Level are a new, high quality technical qualifications for people aged 16-19, which combine classroom learning with a 45-day work placement. They have been designed to help young people develop the skills and knowledge needed to go on to employment or higher education, such as university.
Still in the early days of the roll out process, we’re debunking some of the misconceptions and myths around T Levels so you can make an informed decision when choosing your next steps.
T levels are for anyone who wants to get the skills they need to get a job in a variety of interesting and exciting industries.
T Levels still involve a large portion of academic study similarly to A Levels, however with T Levels, you’ll also gain real life experience of the industry you’re preparing for! Each module has been designed to reflect what is happening in your chosen industry right now and predicts trends for the future – equipping you with everything you need to enter the working world after your studies.
While T Levels are replacing certain BTEC courses in some colleges and schools, there are significant differences between T levels and BTECs. The purpose is very similar, in that T Levels are designed to help you gain the skills needed for your chosen career, but they also have a much greater focus on work experience – like in an apprenticeship.
Effectively, T-Levels are the bridge between the two.
T Levels also differ from BTECs as they have been designed and developed with the help of industry professionals and crafted to the specific requirements of the industry. This means you will gain detailed and relevant information and insight that, once again, primes you for your first working day after graduation.
False. T Levels prepare you to progress into a skilled job, but they also provide you with the qualifications needed if you wish to pursue further education such as a degree or a Higher Apprenticeship.
One T Level is equivalent to three A-Levels, and granted you get the points needed for your chosen university, there is nothing stopping you from progressing into further education.
Quite the opposite, in fact! T Levels are designed to meet the current and future needs of the job market, so having a T Level can actually make you more employable. As part of your T Level, you’ll spend 45 days (a total of nine weeks) with a business, gaining valuable industry experience alongside seasoned professionals, building your industry connections and networking with potential employers, further increasing your chances of employability post-study.
The placement allows you to put into practice the things you have learnt in the classroom and gives you the opportunity to further develop your skills and knowledge, take part in meaningful projects and business activities, and try out your potential career path. Having this hands-on experience will be highly attractive to many employers as the future world of work needs people with industry experience and knowledge.
T Levels provide a pathway into many more careers than you’d expect – and not just in trades. For example, from September, the College will offer T Levels in Science, Adult Nursing , Digital Production Design and Development, Education and Childcare and Digital Support Services – alongside its trade offerings such as Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction.
Not to mention the long list of additional T Levels due to be released as the roll out phase continues, including Accounting, Management and Administration, Animal Care and Management, Lega Services and many more!
To browse our T Levels and start an application, click here.
The Next Generation event with Downtown in BusinessThe City of Liverpool College played host to The Next Generation event on Tuesday June 28th, held in collaboration with Downtown in Business Liverpool.
Hosted at our very own The Academy Restaurant, employers from across the North West joined us for an evening of insightful discussion regarding how industry can get involved with the College’s progressive apprenticeship programme to work towards closing the region’s skills gaps and creating a greener future.
Speaking at the event was Tom Higgins, Director at Laing O’Rourke, Rachael Patterson, Policy and Marketing Manager at Knowledge Quarter Liverpool, and the College’s Peter Sandman, who recently joined us as Commercial Director.
Throughout the evening, guest speakers shared their insight into the benefit of employing young apprentices and offered advice on how employers can effectively collaborate with educators to bridge the growing skills gaps and eradicate the negative perception of apprenticeships, particularly within the construction industry.
Beginning the evening’s conversation was Peter Sandman. Appointed to the College in June, Peter’s role focuses on enhancing business relationships, gaining insight into the needs of industry which can then be applied to curriculum, and creating a direct connection between learners and the business community.
Peter said: “As a college, we’re eager to build on our relationships with employers across the Liverpool City Region and improve our training and qualifications offer so that we can work towards filling the skills gaps and meeting the needs of the city region.
“It’s also great to have the opportunity to showcase The Academy Restaurant, which is just one of the many commercial offerings the College has to present. I’m looking forward to working closely with businesses across the region and showing what the College has to offer.”
Construction company Laing O’Rourke are passionate advocates of apprenticeships. The firm currently employ 26 apprentices and have a further 30 joining in September.
Talking about the negative opinions that surround apprenticeships and the industry, Tom Higgins said: “Construction still has a bad reputation among young people and even parents. It’s seen as dirty, tough and rough. It used to be, but it’s the 21st century.
“We have architects, engineers, quantity surveyors and so many other roles – all that can be achieved through apprenticeships. As an industry, we need to work towards destroying the perception of construction and showing the different opportunities the sector has to offer.”
Knowledge Quarter’s Rachael Patterson shared Tom’s view, echoing that work needs to be done to change the public’s misconceptions of the construction industry and make its various roles more known among young people.
Rachael touched on how it is important to be providing young people in schools with a relatable narrative, one they can look at that doesn’t seem too distant from where they currently are. She said: “We need to look at how we can inspire the next generation to join the sector. You’ve got a generation coming through that are led by visual content, social media, and influencers. When they see the construction industry – all they see is the TV shows featuring old men knocking down houses.
“We need to be putting young professionals in the industry in front of the next generation and making it relatable. Showing them that this could be them in three – four years’ time. Not 10 years from now. Not 20 or 30 years, but in the next five.”
The event was bought to a close with a fantastic two-course meal prepared by the College’s talented Academy Restaurant team, who were on hand to provide high-quality service throughout the night.
To find out more about The City of Liverpool College’s apprenticeship offering, please visit here.
Pride Month Recap: Providing a safe space for everyone at The City of Liverpool College
All month we’ve been celebrating Pride Month, from our Safe Space Day barbering event to our Student Union Pride Day celebrations at the Arts Centre. It’s been a wonderful month celebrating diversity and inclusion, with our brilliant students leading the way.
First up was our Safe Space Day Event, organised by Chace-Jordan, one of our level 3 barbering students, and Paula Mcgraa, our level 2 and 3 barbering tutor, to promote gender inclusion in a barbering environment. Chace was inspired to put the event together because of his experiences in barber shops since transitioning:
“Since transitioning, it has been a common theme I see come up time and time again. Folks are saying how hard it is to get a haircut – how difficult it is to walk in a salon and just how many times folks have been turned away based on how they are presenting themselves.
“It can be soul destroying to be refused service, especially as lots of people deal with mental health difficulties – it can take a lot of courage to build yourself up to go into these places to then be told they won’t cut your hair. I figured there must be a better way, which is why I decided to organise this event.”
On the College’s role in the event, Paula said:
“We wanted to promote gender inclusion by offering a range of services, such as facials, hot towel face shaves, beard trims, head and face massage with high frequency or vibro machine, wig trims, specialist hair conditioning treatment, eyebrow trims and gender-neutral haircuts.
“As a college, we are incredibly proud to be working with our diverse group of students to create a safe space for everyone to be included.”
Next up was our Pride Day Celebration event, organised by our amazing Student Union. To kick off the morning, Christian Owens, from Gender Space, delivered a fascinating talk. Using his own personal, lived experiences as a gay trans male, Christian dedicates his life to helping audiences empathise and gain a greater understanding of the journey of transitioning, and the importance of diversity and inclusion in all environments.
Afterwards, we held a celebration morning at our Arts Centre building where there was cake, goodies, pronoun badges, tombola, and temporary tattoos for all to enjoy and get involved in. We were also joined by Axess Sexual Health Clinic, the free contraception and sexual health service for Liverpool, Knowsley, Cheshire, Cheshire East, Warrington and Halton who were with us all morning, promoting their free, confidential clinic at the Royal Liverpool Hospital.
The turnout for the event was fantastic and the overall support received has been humbling. The day was filled with a great combination of education, thought-provoking conversation, fun and enjoyment all round.
Of course, Pride isn’t just a month-long event for us. We work hard all year round to ensure that the College is an environment where all can thrive and feel safe. We encourage our students to be their authentic selves, and with all that we do we have inclusivity and diversity at the core.
To that end, we want to give a big thank you to our Creative Media Production student, Jacob Reilly, who played a significant role in setting up True Colours, an LGBTQ+ group dedicated to providing a safe space for students who fall under the LGBTQ+ bracket, to go and make friends and be themselves. True Colours launched in June last year and provided students with a regular social group to attend and a space to feel comfortable being themselves.
You can read more about the True Colours social group here.
What a month of celebration it has been. Here’s to another year of learning, spearheading initiatives, progress and furthering our commitments to ensuring the College is an environment where all its people can thrive.
