College Connect Issue 2 Feb 2024

• • • Parents & Carers Newsletter • • • College Connect Issue 2

February 2024

National Apprenticeship Week 2024

National Apprenticeship Week 2024 celebrated the success of Bolton College’s apprentices and their supportive employers. road, inspiring over 3,500 young people.

The College’s annual Apprenticeship MPs also visited some of our successful Roadshow, featuring former BBC ‘The former apprentices. Read more Apprentice’ star Adam Corbally, hit the on page 2.

Construction has kicked-off... ...on our pioneering new build, set to revolutionise learning for our engineering and digital students... see pages 8 & 9 inside!

Part of the University of Bolton Group

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Bolton College is the go-to destination for hundreds of ambitious apprentices.

For National Apprenticeship Week 2024, we shared their success stories along with those of their amazing employers!

Here Zac shares his thoughts on being an IT apprentice. .

Corey Dickinson kickstarted his career as a barbering apprentice and has since established his own barbershop and cosmetics business. He’s also paying it forward by employing a barbering apprentice from Bolton College, Ralph Billington.

We arranged for Chris Green MP to drop by Corey’s business, Tonsor Male Grooming. Corey shared his inspiring journey with Chris, showing how far an Apprenticeship can take you.

Part of the University of Bolton Group

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National Apprenticeship Week 2024 ‘I went to university but it wasn’t the right fit for me. Discovering this Paralegal Apprenticeship changed everything.

My goal is to become a legal executive and I encourage others to embrace Apprenticeships for the career opportunities they offer.’

Emily Eaton, paralegal apprentice working at Bolton at Home.

To learn more about our Apprenticeships,

Bolton Wanderers in the Community employs four apprentices from Bolton College. Programme lead Ste Thomas discusses the qualities he looks for in an apprentice.

click here.

Part of the University of Bolton Group

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Bolton College’s Apprenticeship Roadshow reached nearly 3,500 young people in one week!

We enlisted the expertise of Adam Corbally, a finalist from BBC’s The Apprentice, to lead the Roadshow. His visits to schools across the region spread the word about the amazing Apprenticeship opportunities available at Bolton College.

Part of the University of Bolton Group

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Watch Adam’s audition for The Apprentice – he reached the final three, narrowly missing out on the final.

Click here to watch

Click here to watch the highlights

Part of the University of Bolton Group

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During National Apprenticeship Week, we seized the opportunity to shine a spotlight on outstanding T Level students at Bolton College, joining in on #TLevelsThursday T Levels are two-year study programmes, equivalent to three A Levels, that include a sector-specific Industry Placement, accounting for 20% of the course – that’s practical, hands-on experience of at least 315 hours.

Here are just a few of our remarkable T Level students...

Part of the University of Bolton Group

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Ellie, a former Health T Level student, made a big impression during her Industry Placement at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust; following her successful placement, Ellie secured a Trainee Nursing Associate Apprenticeship at the hospital.

Ellie is a passionate advocate for T Levels and Apprenticeships. She recently spoke about her experience and insights to over 40 employers at an Employer Breakfast Event, hosted in collaboration with Bolton College, Alliance Learning and the University of Bolton.

Part of the University of Bolton Group

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e h t g n i d l i u B ! e r u t u f Work on ou r dynamic and innova tive new building is well under way, which will be home to our micro engineerin g and digital stud ents.

We’ll be wel coming new studen ts through its doors by the end of the year.

Part of the University of Bolton Group

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Part of the University of Bolton Group

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Cindy wins gold at the National Amateur Boxing Championship 2023

Anothe

Cindy at the World Boxing Cup GB Open.

Photo courtesy of Sky Sports.

Part of the University of Bolton Group

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Boxing champ Cindy Ngamba’s star continues to rise, having recently defeated former Olympian and World Gold Medallist Atheyna Bylon to win gold at the World Boxing Cup. Cindy joined Bolton College in 2015 from Smithills School, starting on a sports course before advancing to a higher level qualification in Uniformed Public Services.

Cindy now has her sights firmly set on this year’s Olympics.

Go Cindy!

er of Cindy’s wins.

Part of the University of Bolton Group

Cindy featured in our Course Guide back in 2016.

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As always, our hairdressing, barbering, and beauty students have been immersed in a variety of practical, hands-on experiences.

Here’s a glimpse into what they’ve been up to...

Part of the University of Bolton Group

Lucy Adams, one of our Level 2 hairdressing apprentices, won ‘Highly Commended Trainee Hairdresser of the Year’ at the North West Hair & Beauty Awards!

Click here to watch the video

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A hairdressing masterclass from international award-winning stylist Nikki Clifford, owner of NJUK Hair & Beauty.

Barbering Level 3 students working on clients, observed by Level 1 and 2 students.

Paraffin wax manicures.

Level 2 beauty students delivered a wellbeing event at the University of Bolton.

Part of the University of Bolton Group

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Share this step-by-step guide to support your young person throughout our application and enrolment process.

Guide to Application & Enrolment

1. APPLY FOR YOUR COURSE You’ve decided what you would like to study so select ‘APPLY’ on the course information on our website. This will prompt you to set up a Learner Hub account. Remember your user name and password – you’ll need this if you need to log back in to see how your application is progressing.

Once you’ve completed all the information press submit; you will then have the opportunity to select your interview date and time.

If you forget to do this and admissions contact you to book your interview log into your Learner Hub account, accessible through the main website, and follow the instructions.

If you have any difficulties, contact our admissions team on 01204 482 155 or email admissions@boltoncc.ac.uk who will be able to book your interview for you.

2. ATTEND YOUR INTERVIEW AT DEANE ROAD CAMPUS

3. CONDITIONAL PLACE OFFER You may be offered a conditional place, dependent on getting the necessary GCSE grades and a good school reference. In the unlikely event you’re not offered a place don’t panic, you can still join us! We’ll put you in touch with our friendly Careers Team who will chat with you about options available to you, including an additional interview.

4. KEEPING IN TOUCH Throughout the year, we’ll keep you informed about any events or updates via text or email.

5. TIME TO ENROL! You’ve got your conditional place, now you’re ready to enrol! We’ll contact you with instructions, usually after Easter.

6. GSCE RESULTS We will receive a copy of your GCSE results from the Government website; provided you meet your course’s entry requirements, we’ll then confirm your place and send you details of your Induction Programme. If you haven’t got the results you were hoping for don’t worry, we’ll still have a course for you!

Part of the University of Bolton Group

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Admissions

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens after my young person has applied for a course?

When your young person submitted their application they will have had an opportunity to select a date and time to attend an interview. If they missed this, we will have texted them asking them to book an interview; they can do this by logging onto their Learner Hub account and selecting and booking their interview, or they can call our admissions team on 01204 482 155 or email admissions@boltoncc.ac.uk who will be able to help.

How frequent are interviews?

Interviews are held as part of the open evening events every month, which will allow you to see around the curriculum area and meet the tutors at the same time.

My young person has a conditional offer, what’s this?

This is a promise to provide a place on their chosen course, provided your young person achieves certain criteria such as particular GCSEs, a good reference or suitable work placement.

The conditional offer is always confirmed in writing.

When can my young person enrol?

Enrolment starts after Easter which means it’s likely your young person will enrol before they get their grades; their offer will remain conditional until proof of their grades is uploaded in the summer.

My young person hasn’t achieved the grades expected, what do we do?

Don’t panic, we have courses at different levels! Tutors will be happy to discuss these options with your young person. We also offer impartial information, advice and guidance about options via our Student Experience Team; call them on 01204 482 182 or email studentservices@boltoncc.ac.uk to book a meeting with a Careers Guidance Specialist.

We need to change our contact details, how do we do this?

Your young person can change their email address and phone number by logging into their Learner Hub account via www.bit.ly/LearnerHub or they can email their name, date of birth and new contact details to admissions@boltoncc.ac.uk Any more questions?

Call our Admissions Team on 01204 482 155 or email admissions@boltoncc.ac.uk Part of the University of Bolton Group

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Our promises

to you

It’s important to us that we deliver high-quality education that meets the needs of your young person, as well as you as a parent/carer, so here are our promises to you: • Regular progress reviews • At least one Parents’ Evening each year • To be contacted by tutors if there are any issues relating to your young person’s progress which are causing concern • The opportunity to provide feedback on the College both informally and by participating in the annual parental survey at Parents’ Evenings • To be asked to encourage appropriate conduct and hard work at all times.

Part of the University of Bolton Group

During their course, your young person can expect: • A high-quality learning programme • Regular meetings to discuss progress • Opportunities to express views about their course and College • Written work and assignments to be returned promptly, with written feedback • Opportunities to take part in enrichment activities • Access to confidential counselling and welfare services • Help with careers information, advice and/or guidance.

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What we ask

of you You play a huge role in the success of your young person at College so we ask that, as a parent/carer, you:

• Lastly, check in with your young person to ensure that they’re happy here and are making the most of college life.

• Attend parents’ evenings so that we can keep you updated on the progress of your young person.

We ask that your young person:

• Keep track of your young person’s progress in College via your Parent Portal account – learn more on the next page.

• If a work or industry placement is part of your young person’s study programme, ask them to think about where they’d like this to be, that way they’re prepared when they join us – read more on page 14.

• Makes the most of the opportunities available here.

• Works hard to achieve their potential.

• Comes prepared for learning.

• Attends classes on time.

• Shows respect to others.

• Encourage your young person to think about plans for the future; what’s next after College - university, employment, a higher Apprenticeship?

Part of the University of Bolton Group

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Key Contacts

Admissions 01204 482 155 admissions@boltoncc.ac.uk Apprenticeships 01204 482 033 apprenticeships@boltoncc.ac.uk Customer Support 01204 482 000 info@boltoncc.ac.uk 01204 482 669 Learner Support studentsupportadmins@boltoncc.ac.uk Student Finance 01204 482 191 studentfinance@boltoncc.ac.uk Student Experience Zone 01204 482 182 studentservices@boltoncc.ac.uk

Keep in touch with us on social media

Part of the University of Bolton Group

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