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.

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.

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.

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.