Level 3 students at Northampton College are ready to make their mark in the workplace, putting into practice everything they have studied on their course to make a difference to their new employers.

Just days after receiving BTEC and T Level results, students are already finding their feet in new jobs – with many securing employment on the back of successful work placements carried out as part of their course.

Here are some of their stories...

• Ammon's Story Level 3 Games Design

  

  Ammon first joined Northampton College in September 2018 as a Foundation student and has worked his way up through the levels to earn a distinction in Level 3 games design.

  Ammon produced what his teachers have described as “one of the most technically capable games we have ever seen within the department” and will be returning to the college this September to study HNC games design.

  “I have really enjoyed meeting new people and establishing new friendships while the support from the teachers has made me feel a lot more comfortable.

  "My game is all about a robot protecting an island. I enjoy creating platform games and it’s definitely something I’d like to do more of in the future.”

• Daisy's Story T Level Education and Childcare

  

  For Daisy, the Childcare and Education T Level gave her the tools she needed to be able to hit the ground running in her first job.

  Now working at Caring Kindergarten in Duston, the 18-year-old was able to call on the experience she gained during placements at Hopping Hill Primary School and Lyncrest Day Nursery to take her new role in her stride.

  “My time at Northampton College was very positive and I thoroughly enjoyed the T level course. It was perfect for me as it allowed me to have hands-on working experience in a placement twice a week whilst still coming into college to learn new knowledge and skills that I could then apply practically.

  “This course helped prepare me for a real job in early years and allowed me to achieve my goals of working with children aged 0-5. I am currently working in a private nursery and, although tiring at times, it is such a rewarding job and I wouldn’t want to do anything else. I am so grateful for all the help from the college which allowed me to achieve an overall distinction.”

• Jackson's Story Level 3 Media

  

  Jackson has become the first person in his family to secure a place at university having achieved a distinction on the creative media course, overcoming initial difficulties to show great determination to improve.

  He will now progress to Birmingham City University to study media production and said his time at college had given him the confidence to progress onto higher education.

  "I really enjoyed my time at Northampton College and would recommend it to anyone looking to explore film-making. It has given me the creative freedom to explore different styles and I have really appreciated the chance to learn about the planning, editing and evaluation stages of video production.

  “I’m really proud of my Final Major Project which was a music video for a local band called Cloudburst. The course has given a broad understanding of the industry and I’m looking forward to developing my skills further at university.”

• Lily's Story T Level T Level Adult Nursing

  

  A career in nursing awaits for Lily, having passed an Adult Nursing T Level with a merit and earning a place on the Queen Alexandra Royal Army Nursing Corps.

  Lily was among the first cohort of T Level students at Northampton College and said the course was the “perfect preparation” for her career.

  “Everything that we learnt in year one we were able to put into practice in year two. It was all relevant and meant we were able to crack on with the job as we were confident and well-prepared.

  “I spent my placement at Brackley Community Hospital, working alongside the healthcare assistants, and it was a brilliant experience. I’m now really looking forward to the mandatory 13-week phase of my basic army training, where I’ll be joining a regiment in Winchester, before moving on to the second phase which will be studying a degree in my chosen job role of adult nursing at Birmingham City University.”

• Blue's Story Level 3 Business

  

  For ambitious young architect Blue, Northampton College provided firm foundations on which he could build his future career.

  A triple distinction star in his BTEC Business course has enabled him to accept a place at the prestigious Bartlett School of Architecture and the Built Environment at University College London.

  Blue is a former Student President and governor of the Northampton College Student Union who worked alongside the Student Services team to launch the college’s Student Parliament. He now hopes to combine his love of classic architecture styles with a passion for emerging technologies and robotics to bring about change in the industry.

  “I have had so many opportunities at Northampton College and I am extremely grateful for the support and guidance I have received from the teaching staff who have allowed me to follow my dream. I’m looking forward to now going to the next level and further developing my interest in environmental minimalism, with buildings that are clean, organised but have green space that can psychologically be of benefit for the inhabitants.

  “My time at Northampton College served as a real inspiration and it’s been good to see real-life progress on campus in areas such as photo-voltaic roof panels, EV charging points and energy saving at a time when I have been studying them for my course. Everything we learnt is relevant and has prepared me for the next stage of my journey.”