Higher Apprentices celebrated achieving university level qualifications when they attended Chesterfield College group graduation ceremony at Casa Hotel in Chesterfield last week. Family and friends joined the graduates at the celebration along with representatives from awarding body universities including Staffordshire University, Sheffield Hallam University and University of Derby.
We spoke to Engineering apprentice, Abigail Finney and Management and Leadership apprentice Christian Walton who told us more about their learning journey.
Higher apprentice, Christian Walton, from Chesterfield said:
“It was definitely a steep learning curve at first, especially learning how to write more academically but the support and the tutors at college have been fantastic. I was actually promoted to Customer Service Manager a year ago thanks to the skills I’ve learned during my apprenticeship and I am exploring my options to progress on to a Level 6 qualification.”
Abigail has secured a permanent position at Tarmac as a Maintenance Fitter and often goes in to local schools to speak to children about the myths surrounding engineering. She said: “My one piece of advice to young people considering their options at school is not to follow the crowd and believe in yourself because you can achieve anything if you put your mind to it.”
Julie Richards, Principal and Chief Executive of the Chesterfield College Group said:
“I want to congratulate all of our graduates on their fantastic achievements. Today I have heard many of them talk about how these qualifications are already making a difference to their employment prospects and how studying with us has opened new doors to help achieve ambitions and goals. It is wonderful to be able to be a part of their journey alongside employers and families whose support should not be underestimated. I am proud that the college group can offer people the choice to study to this level here in Chesterfield or through higher level apprenticeships across the country.”