Computing & IT Success Stories
REAL result, REAL success stories
Anthony Starr
BTEC First Diploma in Information Technology
Anthony has always liked IT and computers – in fact becoming a game developer would be his ideal career!
“I didn’t like school very much and didn’t have a very good experience so I was a bit nervous about coming to college as I wasn’t sure if I was going to settle in. The course was perfect for me though as installing software and building hardware is exactly what I love doing. I used to work on computers from home so a lot of what I knew was self-taught but the course allowed me to back up my knowledge with the basics. It was very practical and hands-on but there was an element of theory too, so there was a good mix. Sometimes I prefer practical learning and sometimes I like being taught in the classroom.”
After a difficult start Anthony found himself beginning to enjoy the course and college life.
“I have been diagnosed with Asperger’s and ADHD – so I was assigned an additional support assistant to help me in the classroom which was amazing. I sometimes found it difficult to keep motivated and on track but they never lost patience and the extra help I got was outstanding. They would break down the lecturer’s instructions for me so that I could understand them and helped me to organise myself in lessons. This is exactly what I needed and the additional support I received definitely helped me to adjust to being at college.”
Anthony is now progressing onto the Level 3 programme. “That is something I never thought would be possible so it goes to show how much my confidence has improved.”
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Tony Griffiths
Unable to complete his schooling, Tony left without any qualifications. ‘I really didn’t enjoy school and left before I could take any exams. I’ve always been interested in IT, and wanted to learn more so decided to come to College on the Level 1 course. I really like the way the tutors treat you here – you don’t feel embarrassed to ask if you don’t understand something and they give you the freedom and trust you to manage your own workload.’
Tony liked learning about the Powerpoint and Excel packages, but particularly enjoyed the unit that involved the manipulation of images. ‘I found the assignments interesting, and I was over the moon when I found out I’d passed the course with a Distinction.’
In the short term, Tony is returning to the College to study the Level 2 BTEC First Diploma for IT Practitioners (Systems Support). ‘Eventually I’d love to have my own business repairing computers, possibly overseas – I like the idea of living and working abroad.
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Lai Raji
Lai used to have a negative perception of education and learning but to his credit he decided he wanted to study on the BTEC First Diploma for IT Practitioners programme at the College. Lai’s attitude transformed during the course and he soon developed an inquisitive approach in lessons, asking lots of questions and was determined not to be discouraged. Lai completed the BTEC with a well deserved merit grade.
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Steven Holt
Steven originally wanted to enrol onto the BTEC National in IT but had lost so much time in hospital the previous year that he decided to spend a year on the NVQ2 IT Qualification for IT Users.
With additional support, Steven completed the course and even won an award for designing and delivering the College's ‘Most Innovative IT Project’.
Now on
the BTEC National course, Steven plans to work in hardware maintenance after his studies.
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Janice Tillett
Janice has an ambition to help educate others so that people with a combined loss of sight and hearing do not live in isolation. Over the past two years Janice has been working towards all eight modules of the European Computer Driving Licence to improve her knowledge of Microsoft packages. Despite the birth of her first child during the second year of the course, Janice’s drive and focus to do well remained, and she worked hard to fit her busy family life around her studies. Janice went onto successfully pass the course and is looking forward to continuing her work at the national charity Deafblind UK.