Walsall College has launched its brand new V6 Full-Time Course Guide for the 2017/18 academic year. Current students at the college, which received a record number of applications this year, recently volunteered to strike a pose and become the cover stars of the college’s latest guide. They had the chance to see their efforts in print as the brochure was revealed this week.
The new prospectus lists the full-time courses from GCSEs and Apprenticeships to BTECs being offered across the college’s campuses, in a diverse range of subjects including Business, Creative Arts, Hair and Beauty, Childcare, Health and Social Care, Public Services, Construction, Science, Motor Vehicle, Sport and Travel.
The brochure has been produced and designed in consultation with current and prospective students. A series of focus groups were conducted at regular stages in the process to find out what learners wanted from a prospectus. As a result, the guide is heavily focused on the range of career and progression routes available within each course area as well as the social aspect of college life, including being part of a students’ union, joining sports clubs and volunteering opportunities.
Case studies of former college students who have gone on to achieve success in their careers have also been used to help inspire prospective students. One of the case studies featured is former IT student, Tim Walker, who enrolled on to a BTEC Level 3 course and stayed until he completed his degree in Computing, achieving a first class honours. He is now working as a website and applications developer for a logistics firm and said: “My time at college really helped me to grow in confidence and allowed me to learn in a more practical environment that is similar to the industry, so going in to a job was less daunting. The course set me up with a career in computing much sooner than I ever expected.”
Principal and Chief Executive at Walsall College, Jatinder Sharma OBE, said: “The guide is designed to help prospective students interested in enrolling on a course, find out the skills they will learn and the careers it could lead to, so they can make more informed decisions. Young people and parents can also gain a better understanding about the progression routes available, before choosing which is the right route for them.
“This year we received a high number of applications from school leavers and many of our courses filled up quickly. So we would urge prospective students currently in Year 11 and looking to start vocational courses next September, to submit their applications as soon as possible.”
