Telford College has welcomed a limited number of students back to its Haybridge campus to help them complete important vocational qualifications.
Small groups from automotive, construction, engineering and aviation courses have joined hair, beauty and catering students for one-to-one support with tutors, and the chance to take practical exams.
Six apprentices have also been on site this week to sit the technical certificate exams required to complete their training.
College principal and chief executive Graham Guest said: “A great deal of work has been going on behind the scenes to ensure that the campus could safely welcome back a limited number of students.
“Feedback from them has been really positive. They have told us how much they have enjoyed the opportunity to complete their work, and see their teachers and peers again.
“A large proportion of the construction groups are now already completed, and others have made great progress – I’d like to say well done to all the teams and the students for their efforts.”
He added: “Priority has been given to students requiring production-based assessments to ensure they can complete qualifications this year, as well as those who would benefit from one-to-one support to make sure they can achieve.”
He added: “We have conducted a comprehensive Covid-19 risk assessment for each of our curriculum areas, and are taking a managed approach to the numbers of staff and students on site at any one time.
“Our priorities are to save lives, to protect student achievement, and to ensure that students have a place with us for the new academic year in September.”
Level two technical engineering student Ben Ward Davies said: “Being in college is much better than simply studying online. I have been able to complete so much more, and it has been great to have real-life interaction.”
Andrew Williams, who is also on the same course, added: “It has been great to be back. My tutors have been working with me remotely, but being on site and having actual access to my tutor to talk face-to-face has made completing my qualification so much easier.”
Susan Alder, Telford College’s director of student services and marketing, said: “It’s clear that the limited number of students we have welcomed back to college over the past couple of weeks are welcoming the chance to be on site.
“They have shown their appreciation for the social distancing and sanitisation measures which have been put in place, and say the college had made them feel safe.”
Telford College has found creative new ways of delivering its curriculum during lockdown, and the application process is now under way for the 2020/21 academic year, starting in September. Full details can be found at www.telfordcollege.ac.uk/apply.
Video interviews are available for potential candidates, and a ‘virtual open event’ is also available to showcase courses and facilities, and ask questions, at www.telfordcollege.ac.uk/virtual-open-event.
