April 2022

T Levels are transforming technical education as a high quality alternative to A Levels, combining 80% classroom learning with 20% work placement.

Sarah Atthey joined the College in July last year as an Associate Lecturer in Electrical, having previously worked in industry for 16 years.

James Turley, Trainer in Construction/Plumbing & Heating has been teaching at the College for 6 years having joined the industry as a 17 year-old apprentice.

Rob has been with GC for 10 years. Prior to that, he spent 7 years at Ford and 17 years at Volkswagen. "I wanted to pass on my experience and knowledge, to make a difference – teaching allowed me to do that.”

Glen Taylor, GC’s Lecturer in Construction started his personal apprenticeship journey straight out of school and worked as a bricklayer for over 20 years, specialising in site and general brickwork and eventually setting up his own company.

Inigo Turner, a second year Motor Vehicle Service and Maintenance Technician apprentice at GC has always wanted to become a car mechanic. We caught up with him to find out how his apprenticeship at GC has supported his ambition.

"What I love about my apprenticeship is the fact that it’s a gateway into the trade. It’s a perfect opportunity to learn and get a hands-on experience. My dad was an engineering apprentice at Delphi, so I’ve learnt from him that an apprenticeship can set you up for life."

"My advice to anyone deciding what to do after school, weigh your options and don’t rush into getting a degree. I definitely recommend doing an apprenticeship in Plumbing and Domestic Heating, it’s a 4 year commitment, but you learn a lot at the College and also get invaluable trade experience at the employers.”

As our GC Zero project is nearing completion, a second rig is in place at Gloucester campus to progress the drilling after completing all 40 boreholes at our Cheltenham Campus.

“Initially, I studied Engineering at College. I then went into labouring with a gang at Mike Etheridge. I found the job interesting, and they were happy to support me onto an apprenticeship. As a Bricklayer apprentice, I work on projects with companies such as Bovis Homes and Linden Homes. I spend a lot of time onsite helping to build new homes all over Gloucestershire.

We're gearing up for the September 2022 starts of our construction and building services apprenticeship programmes at GC. This month, we're catching up with some of our construction and building services apprentices, to see what inspired them to learn a trade and what they enjoy best about being an apprentice.

"My advice to anyone considering an apprenticeship in electrical, only start an apprenticeship if you are seriously thinking about doing it as a career long term. But if you are, I definitely recommend it."

Check out the latest Covid policy update for Gloucestershire College students.