Students celebrate Colleges Week
8th November 2010 9:06am - Return to press releases
Students at East Riding College are this week joining in the celebration of the economic and social contribution that colleges make to the nation.
Now in its third year, Colleges Week runs from November 8 to 14 and raises awareness of the work undertaken by colleges to ensure that students and businesses gain the learning and skills which will be vital in bringing about the recovery from the recent economic recession.
The theme this year is "Your Future, Your Choice", aimed at helping students make informed decisions about their progression and promoting College as a high quality, affordable route to achieve further and higher education qualifications.
Talented sprinter Ben Marshall, 16, from Flamborough, competes in the under-20s age group nationally at the 100m and has a personal best of 10.53s. He is in the first year of a two-year Level Three BTEC Extended Diploma in Sport.
He said he chose college because the course sounded really interesting, there were lots of extra activities and it would not interfere with his training.
"I would advise young people who are leaving school or who are unemployed and are interested in sport to do the extended diploma in sport because it gives you the knowledge and the theory within the sporting industry and can take you even further in sport after you've finished the course," said Ben."
Jasmin Hoggarth, 17, from Driffield, is studying on the Level One Beauty Therapy course. She said: "I like it at College because everyone gets on together, the tutors are really good and you're treated more like an adult. I'm really enjoying the subject and I hope one day to own my own salon."
Principal Derek Branton said: "Colleges Week is an excellent opportunity to showcase the important work that we do for the communities we serve throughout the East Yorkshire, and further afield.
"East Riding College students progress directly into skilled employment, progress to higher level courses at the College or to university and then to great careers; they work in the best restaurants in the area; they teach our children; they start up the businesses we all use."
He added: "In these difficult economic times, making the right choices about your future in education is more important than ever, and Colleges Week aims to highlight this.
"At East Riding College, we are doing our best to ensure our students complete their courses armed with the best qualifications and the confidence and drive to succeed in their chosen field."
East Riding College runs a wide range of full-time and part-time courses from entry level to level three (equivalent to A-levels), and at higher education level, such as degrees and teacher training.
It has campuses in Gallows Lane, Beverley, and St Mary's Walk, Bridlington, with a smaller site in Hull. The College welcomes more than 1,500 full-time and 5,000 part-time students every year. In April this year it was listed in the Sunday Times as been one of the best 75 places to work in the public sector
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Notes to editors
Photographs of and quotes from a number of students from throughout the East Riding are available. For more information, call Matthew Croshaw, marketing and communications manager, on 01482 306612 or email [email protected]
Some key facts about colleges:
- Every year colleges educate and train around 3.4 million people
- Annually 831,000 16-19 year olds are educated in colleges, compared to 423,000 in schools and academies
- Two-thirds of large employers choose colleges to train their staff
For more information and facts on Colleges in England, visit the Association of Colleges website at www.aoc.co.uk
