Students get a step up on the ladder of success.

With Year 11 pupils around the country considering their options for the future, we asked a few current and past students at Chelmsford College why they would recommend the college to young people as a way of learning what they need for the jobs they want.

Molly Chilvers, 17, has wanted to work in podiatry since the operation she had on her toes when she was ten.

She will be starting university next year to follow her dream. Unsure of her next steps in Year 11, her school careers advisor suggested she visit an information evening at Chelmsford College.

The BTEC health and social care course proved to be the ideal course.

Now in her second year, she says that her understanding of health and social care practice was deepened through the work placements she was given at Broomfield Hospital, initially on Braxted Ward.

She said “This is a ward for the elderly and I cannot put into words how grateful I am for this experience and the people I came across.”

At the moment, Molly is on a work placement at the Chelmsford Foot Clinic where she is getting to grips with day to day podiatry work in practice.

“Work placements have given me real life experience with all kinds of people with different conditions and this has helped enormously with my college coursework,” said Molly, who achieved a very high distinction grade last year and has already been accepted by two universities to study podiatry next year.

Sam Cheverall from Maldon wants a career in IT and now works at the college having successfully completed his BTEC Level 3 extended diploma last year.

While on a six-week work experience placement at the college, an apprenticeship role became available and Sam snapped it up.

“It’s brilliant,” he said. “I am now working towards a further qualification in IT and getting real-life work experience in a very busy department of the college – I’m glad to be back.”

Business student Elise Blyth-Cook is now in her second year studying with the Peter Jones Academy.

“I did my first year of A-level study at sixth form only to discover that it wasn’t for me, but I felt that there was a stigma attached in going to college so I carried on.

“I ended up with nothing.

“My dreams of going to university flew out of the window.”

Popping into the college on the day before the start of the new year was the best decision she made, she says. Receiving advice on the options available to her, she embarked on a Level 3 extended diploma as a business student, studying on the enterprise and entrepreneurship course.

Now with three university offers from Cardiff, Bournemouth and Sussex, she is elated.

“I feel from the first time like I have a real shot of being successful and am able to build my own future – all thanks to Chelmsford College.”

• Chelmsford College is holding an information evening on Monday January 18 from 6pm to 8.30pm. Visit www.chelmsford.ac.uk or contact 01245 293031

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