3 minute read
Excellence and Inspiration 22
Thinking about your future? Worrying what you should do? We will support you.
Work Experience
For a number of vocational degrees, it is essential that students have some relevant experience. For many courses, work experience could make the difference between getting an interview and instant rejection. The college has a designated work experience coordinator to source and place you on relevant work experience. We also share virtual placements with you to ensure everyone has access to an experience of the workplace.
Volunteering
This is a great way to improve your skills, help others and try something new. Whatever you do it will look great on your CV and university application. Volunteers are people with motivation, dedication and the ability to work hard. Being a volunteer is fun! It will give you a sense of personal achievement, development and satisfaction. You will also gain ‘soft skills’ which employers value such as teamwork, communication, initiative, problem-solving and time management.
Apprenticeships and Sponsored Degrees
There has been a steady growing interest in alternative pathways to full-time degree courses and more students are applying for apprenticeships or sponsored degrees. These opportunities can offer you progression opportunities to degree level and beyond. Many students are now recognising the importance of work-related learning in today’s competitive economy. The college has a Careers Advisor and specialist staff who specifically work with employers and training providers to find apprenticeship opportunities for you and they will support you through the recruitment and selection processes. Despite this pathway being very competitive with applicants often going through rigorous recruitment and selection processes, the number of students now entering professions via this route is increasing year on year.
Some recent examples of Level 4/sponsored degree apprenticeships include:
• Accountancy at JBRS Accountancy and BDO Manchester
• Digital Marketing at the BBC • Engineering at BAE Systems,
Jaguar Land Rover and AMEY • Paralegal at Wakemans Solicitors • Policing with Merseyside Police
71 Winstanley College students secured an apprenticeship or employment in 2021
Amy Finch
Art and design entrepreneur
Amy Finch, a former Hawkley Hall pupil, attended Winstanley from 2018-2020 studying Art and Design, English Language and Spanish. She then completed our Art Foundation course, before embarking upon her small business venture in 2021.
During her time at Winstanley, Amy attended a residential trip to Berlin with the Art department, where she got to visit the C/O exhibition, Hamburger Bahnhof, Berlinische and East Side Gallery.
After leaving Winstanley, Amy set up her own creative business: Rise n Design. Using resin, Amy upcycles old items to produce gorgeous products such as trays and coasters, as well as making large scale wall art.
What started out as an experimental venture has turned into a huge success for Amy, who has already been named Theo Paphitis’ Small Business Sunday award winner! Amy would like to continue working with resin and expanding her business, she also hopes to one day teach masterclasses. This is something she has already received lots of enquiries about – so watch this space.
When asked what advice she would give to students considering applying to Winstanley College, Amy said:
Winstanley Alumni
Did you know we have alumni all over the world including Australia, USA and even Brazil? Many of our former students return to college to share their experience and advise current students on possible career routes.
We are so proud of all Amy has achieved and cannot wait to see how much her business venture grows.
