2023

Open evenings are the perfect opportunity to get a feel for college. You’ll be able to ask important questions, take a tour of campus, meet your lecturers, and see how college life suits you.

Getting the most out of an open evening is the best way to make an informed decision on where you’d like to study. Not sure where to start or what questions to ask? We’ve compiled a list of top tips for attending an open evening:

Creative industries are one of the fastest-growing sectors in the UK. With technology constantly evolving alongside the creative jobs that companies are looking for, the skills required for these positions are highly sought-after.

Staff, students and apprentices are celebrating after receiving our fourth ‘Good’ report from Ofsted.

Inspectors, who visited our Cheltenham, Gloucester and Forest of Dean Campuses during November 2022, looked at eight key areas, including the quality of education, apprenticeships, behaviour and attitudes, leadership and management, and adult learning programmes, under a new enhanced inspection framework that launched in September.

Our Chancel Close facilities cater for Level 2 and Level 3 in carpentry and plumbing, and final end point assessments for brick and property maintenance.

The short answer: yes!

Apprenticeships have come a long way in recent years and are no longer just associated with trades like plumbing or carpentry. They’re available in a huge range of sectors, including accountancy, computing, IT and engineering, to name a few!

Congratulations to Izabela who graduated from GC in November 2022 with a Level 4 Professional Diploma in Accounting. In celebration of National Apprenticeship Week 2023, we asked Izabela about her journey as an AAT apprentice with Advanced Innergy Solutions, and this is what she told us.

Alan Mulrooney, our Senior Business and Apprenticeships Sales Executive shares his thoughts on some of the challenges in the Hospitality sector and ways to address staff turnover and increase productivity and engagement.

In the lead up to National Apprenticeship week we met up with Mark Misztal, a Cyber Security Graduate apprentice at CDS Defence and Security to get his insights into the industry and learn how the apprenticeship programme has been supporting his professional ambitions.

The apprenticeship levy was initiated by the UK government for all employers paying a wage bill of more than £3 million per year. The levy tax of 0.5% of your payroll is automatically collected by HMRC at the end of each month through your PAYE system.

The great news is that you can reinvest this levy back into your workforce in the form of apprenticeship training.

If you’re in year 11 and thinking about your study options post-GCSE, then we’ve rounded up our top reasons to consider studying at college over sixth form.

We're driving forward the UK's pledge to transition to electric vehicles by 2030, with our new electric and hybrid electric vehicle (EV/HEV) training centre officially open for business.

With just one week to go until our Apprenticeship Open Evening 2023, we’ve rounded up the list of amazing local employers who will be joining us.

We met up with Emily Oakley, a Teaching Assistant Apprentice at Forest View Primary School to learn more about why she wanted to become an apprentice, what she gets up to, and the opportunities available to her after completion.

Online learning refers to any form of education or training that takes place over the internet and is designed for mainly adult learners. It is a flexible and convenient way for adults to acquire new skills, advance their careers or pursue personal interests. It is a great way to get a feel for a new industry you're interested in and gain a respected qualification upon completion.

Apprenticeships is a tried and true method of developing skilled tradesmen and attracting younger workforce to the sector. While giving apprentices access to valuable expertise and skills from older experienced workers, they also allow fresh new ideas and perspective to enter the business, thus driving innovation that benefits your organisation and strengthens the industry as a whole.

With exams around the corner, understanding that support is available during this time can make a difference to your results and overall well-being. Good well-being encompasses various aspects of your life, including physical health, mental health, and social relationships. Remember that there is the support you can seek out at school or college - even if it's just someone to talk to.

We've compiled seven handy tips to help you relieve exam stress and focus on your well-being.

Just before Easter, the draft document with new apprenticeship funding rules for 23/24 was released by the Department for Education making it easier for providers and employers to access the apprenticeship system.

If you are considering a career in customer service, we have courses for you to choose from including;

• Barbering Courses
• Beauty Therapy Courses
• Catering and Hospitality Courses
• Hairdressing Courses
• Make-up Artistry Courses

Look beyond dated stereotypes and find your fit today.

During our Apprenticeship Open Evening, we hosted an apprentice Q&A panel where our leaners answered questions all about apprenticeships. From Level 2 to Level 6, our panel of learners representing a range of industry sectors gave an in-depth look into the apprenticeship process, their daily tasks and their futures career aspirations. Here's what they had to say:

Your learning doesn’t need to stop. Acquiring new knowledge, skills, and competencies is a great way to enhance your personal and professional lives, so finding the right adult course can support lifelong learning and development. We've listed our range of adult courses below, there may even be something for you.

Our new Level 3 Machining Technician Apprenticeship Standard was designed to contribute to Gloucestershire’s engineering talent pool by equipping the sector’s current and future workforce with skills, knowledge and behaviours in line with the latest industry requirements. It was tailored to meet the needs of Gloucestershire-based engineering and manufacturing companies of all sizes.

From the longer breaks and lack of uniform to building confidence and becoming more independent, some of our students have rounded up their favourite things about college!

Are you looking for a way to boost your chances of landing a job or advancing your career? Our courses can help demonstrate your commitment to professional development and set you apart from other candidates in the job market. These types of courses can also be an enjoyable and rewarding experience. You'll have the opportunity to meet new people, learn from experienced tutors, and gain knowledge that can benefit you both professionally and personally. Check out these 5 course options that can help you get into employment and open new doors to career opportunities.

With many students cutting back on spending on food shopping and non-essential spending, we’ve rounded up some of the best ways that you can look to save some money whilst studying at GC.

You may be thinking, why Gloucestershire College? Here are just some of the reasons why you should study English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) with us.

T Levels are a two-year technical qualification, designed to give you a head start towards the career you want. Created with local employers and businesses, they include an extended industry placement to help you learn what a career is really like in your chosen field.

You might have noticed some staff and students have placed their pronouns in the signature of their emails. Are you now wondering what this means, why they’re doing this and why this is important?

According to recent population projections by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), Gloucestershire is predicted to witness a 7.1% increase in its population by the year 2041, slightly surpassing the national average. While this growth may appear promising for businesses and local development, the report highlights a significant rise in the population aged 65 and above. By 2041, it is projected that the proportion of individuals in Gloucestershire who fall into this age group will sharply rise from 20.8% to 28.9%.

For businesses, building a solid talent pipeline is the top of recruitment and managers' priorities to invest in the present and future of an organization.

We want all our students, staff, and visitors to feel our campuses are a safe, inclusive space for all regardless of personal backgrounds and attributes. We celebrate Pride to bring our students together in spirit, accepting each other no matter who they are. Discover what we've been doing across our campuses to make college an inclusive place to study.

The £5.2m project aims to tackle the growing demand for skilled construction workers in the county, with an emphasis on sustainable and low-carbon technologies.

In anticipation of the upcoming International Women in Engineering Day on 23 June, a day dedicated to honouring the remarkable accomplishments of women engineers worldwide and highlighting the incredible career prospects for girls in this dynamic industry, we spoke with Kanyinsola Olayomi. Kanyin has recently joined GC as a Graduate Lecturer in Engineering and offers valuable insights into the field.

Make-up artists are a huge part of the entertainment industry. Our range of makeup courses will hone your skills to achieve success in the world of makeup artistry.

Moving from school to college can be an exciting and new experience. Many students find that college is a step towards independence and towards learning that makes a difference towards your career goals. There are many differences compared to school that you'll experience once you come to college, so getting prepared will ensure you're on the right track come September.

Delivered in partnership with the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol), the DATS PID apprenticeship equips learners with much needed and in demand digital and technical skills. This programme offers Software Engineer and Network Engineer specialisations in the second year of study.

We recently caught up with our university-level alumni during their graduation ceremony last November. What better way to discover what it’s really like to study at Gloucestershire College by hearing what our students have to say?

It's a common mistake to think that college is only for 16-year-olds but that is simply not the truth. Learning never stops and we continue to develop professionally and personally throughout our lives so why should learning stop? Whatever the motivation, returning to college could be the right choice for you.

We talk about “Learning that works” a lot, but what does it really mean? Read on to find out!

Gloucestershire College (GC) is proud to launch a comprehensive, two-year Fine Art HNC course designed to develop artistic growth in a number of key specialties and practices. This university level arts course will provide you with fundamental knowledge and practical skills required to help you blossom in the dynamic world of fine art.

Starting college can be a great opportunity to make a fresh start and become more independent. For many students, the change can be exciting as they discover what life at college is really like.

If you're curious about what to expect in September, read on to discover some of the main differences that make college a rewarding and fulfilling phase of your education!

One of our teams representing Gloucestershire College and the University of the West of England successfully pitched their design at the prestigious, annual Engineers Without Borders' Engineering for People Design Challenge Grand Finals.

North Tower Consulting (NTC), a fast-growing specialist management consultancy located in Cheltenham, has been passionate about providing apprenticeship opportunities across many areas of the business and has been benefiting from the enhanced skills, diversity, and innovative perspectives that apprentices bring. Read what our learners have to say about their apprenticeships at North Tower Consulting.

Enrolment continues for November start of DevOps Engineer Level 4 apprenticeship. If your business is looking to recruit a DevOps apprentice or has a member of staff with potential to grow, get in touch with us today.

As we approach the 5th anniversary of the opening of our Forest of Dean campus, we’ve been reflecting on some of the key moments in its journey since we opened the doors in 2018.

It’s never too late to learn. Returning to college can give you the opportunity to open new doors and pave the way for personal and professional growth, it can even help you work towards a higher salary. Whether you are looking for a career change or to develop in your current role, adult college courses can give you the skills you need to fulfil your aspirations. Returning to college has become increasingly popular among adults looking to expand their skillset, below are just some of the reasons why.

We’re thrilled to announce that our very first cohorts of T Level students have achieved a 100% pass rate, compared to the national average of 90.5%!

As you embark on the apprenticeship journey, it's crucial for businesses to simplify and optimise the process to ensure a seamless transition so both employer and apprentice benefit. We've outlined our employer's apprenticeship journey from the first steps, end-point assessment, and completion at GC.

Discover the benefits of DevOps Engineer apprenticeships for both individuals seeking a rewarding career and businesses aiming to remain competitive in today's digital age.

Maybe you’re wondering how to start it, what kind of examples to include, and what kind of content universities like to see? We’ve put together some of our top tips for making the most of your personal statement.

With courses now covering Computing, Technical Construction, and Healthcare, there are even more opportunities to specialise in your education and upskill for the career you want. But what is an HTQ?

Nahid joined the college in 2022 as an Associate Lecturer in Construction, having studied construction and engineering for over 10 years. We recently caught up with Nahid to learn more about her experience in the industry and how she is inspiring learners for the future.

From the obvious to the not-so-obvious, we’ve put together a list of the top things that it's wise to avoid!

If hiring or upskilling talent is crucial for your business, then one effective way to do so is through apprenticeships. In this article, we'll explore what accounting apprenticeships can bring to your business and the training options available to make an informed decision.

In a resounding testament to the transformative power of apprenticeships, Amy Brown, our apprentice has not only broken barriers but also proven that dedication, passion, and skill know no gender boundaries.

We're excited to announce that award-winning Beard Construction, has been chosen as the building contractor for our anticipated £5m sustainable construction centre at Cheltenham Campus, and recently welcomed the Rt Hon Alex Chalk KC, MP for Cheltenham, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice to the site of the build.

Whether you're a team leader or aspiring to become an operations manager, a leadership and management course can equip you with the skills needed to excel in your role. These skills are not only valuable for those in top executive roles but can also be beneficial for individuals at all levels.

In a celebration of academic achievement, we recently held our Higher Awards Ceremony at the historic Gloucester Cathedral. Over 400 students, family members, lecturers and VIP guests gathered to celebrate the accomplishments of those who had successfully completed their higher education journeys at Gloucestershire College.

Many paths can lead to a fulfilling career in finance and accounting. The most common is a traditional university degree in finance or opting for an accounting apprenticeship. Accounting is a flexible skill that can be applied to businesses across all industry sectors and is equally useful for individuals who want to be self-employed or run their own accountancy business.

Is AI replacing DevOps? Is DevOps becoming obsolete? Will DevOps be automated in the future? What, if anything, is replacing DevOps? In this article, we'll find out more about these questions and grasp the impact of AI on DevOps.

Anisa joined Gloucestershire College in 2023 as an Assessor Trainer in IT and Cyber Security. She has an extensive background in a range of teaching and IT roles where she has honed her skills in the fields of computer science and cyber security. We spoke with Anisa about her experience in the industry and her passion for teaching.

Griffiths Marshall, a reputable accountancy firm in Gloucestershire, specialises in comprehensive accounting services and uses apprenticeships as the way of nurturing the next generation of proficient finance professionals. We sat down with Nuala Beardsal, Group Practice Manager, to explore the company's motivation for investing in apprenticeships as part of their strategy for business growth.

Our next intake of AAT apprenticeships starts in January 2024.

Discover our new level 3 multi-channel marketer apprenticeship standard, a structured training programme that offers employers a prime opportunity to develop a well-rounded professional capable of delivering impactful results for their business.

The first quarter of 2024 will see the start of our brand new Recruitment Resourcer Level 2 and Recruitment Consultant Level 3 apprenticeships.

Both programmes have been designed to support this fast-paced sector with the training of highly skilled professionals who are well-versed in all the aspects of the recruitment process. From specialist to transferable skills, these apprenticeships will appeal to new apprentices looking to start a career in a people-oriented industry or for existing employees looking to advance their skills and progress their careers.

We’ve rounded up some of the top reasons to consider college over the traditional route of sixth form, with the help of a current student who made the most of his time at GC!