What our students say
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Kaye gains the confidence to launch Spala – Beauty Therapy “At school I lacked self confidence and was very shy. I wanted to get into the Beauty Therapy industry and chose Chesterfield College as it has great facilities. I progressed from Level 1 right through to Level 3 in Beauty Therapy and whilst teaching me all of the skills I need such as Swedish massage, the tutors’ encouragement gave me a great deal of confidence. Being in contact with clients everyday at the college’s salon gave me the experience of how to approach |  | |
customers and this stood me in good stead for when I gained my qualifications and launched my own salon, Spala. I can’t say enough for the tutors at college, they provide so much help and support, I think of them more as friends than teachers!” | ||
 | Victoria values her Art Foundation skills – Art and Design Victoria values her time studying on a Art Foundation course at Chesterfield College as when she progressed onto a Masters in Fine Art at the Wimbledon College of Art she felt thoroughly prepared for further studies in the subject. Whilst studying for her Masters she also works as an assistant for paint and performance artist, Franko B and an installation artist called David Rickard. Victoria explains, “I’m really happy I chose the Art Foundation course at College as it broadened my | |
| horizons and made me realise there is more to art than just painting. Tutors encourage you to try new things and experiment with techniques allowing you to choose exactly which path of further study and career to pursue. All of the skills I acquired and subsequent portfolio of diverse work I collated really stood me in good stead for university interviews. I can safely say that without the Art Foundation course I wouldn’t have progressed as I have done. | ||
Award winning Arnold on the road to success – Public Services Former Public Services student Arnold Mangazva was presented with the Road Safety Initiative Award at the College’s annual Aspire Awards for raising awareness about road safety in Derbyshire. He dreams of improving life in his native Zimbabwe, which he left for the UK back in 2005. Now at Reading University studying for a degree in Politics and International Relations, Arnold earned three distinctions during his time on a National Diploma in Public Services at the College and became heavily |  | |
| involved in road safety campaigns as part of his course. Acting as a casualty during the annual road traffic collision dramatisation that takes place at the College, Arnold believes he helped to educate many people about the result of dangerous driving. He explains, “Recreating the harrowing scenes to be found following a crash really got through to people and hopefully they have helped to save lives on local roads.” Upon completing his studies, Arnold hopes to return to Zimbabwe and try to make a difference to the country blighted by hyperinflation and human rights abuse. | ||
 | Qualify Peter, thanks says Paul – NVQ2 in Stonemasonry Building predominantly with natural stone on a day-to-day basis at Bakewell-based building firm, Webster & Sons, Pete had been trained by his boss, Paul, over the eight years he’s spent with the company but as yet had no formal qualification. When the opportunity to gain an NVQ2 level qualification in Stonemasonry whilst at work came about through Learning Unlimited, the employer engagement arm of Chesterfield College, both Pete and his boss Paul saw a logical fit. Pete explains, “Both | |
Paul and I felt the NVQ2 in Stonemasonry was a perfect fit as it meant I could gain a formal qualification without time off due to a college assessor marking my skills in the workplace. As I work with natural dressed stone most days it means that the fantastic work we do as a company is now formally recognised with a qualification which is great.” For more details on NVQ 2 & 3 qualifications in Stonemasonry contact Assessor, Eddie Read on 07826866806 or email reade@chesterfield.ac.uk Pete (right) accepting his qualification from assessor Eddie Read | ||
Christopher’s cooking on heat – Catering and Hospitality Christopher studied Professional Cookery at both Level 2 and Level 3 and now holds the position of Second Chef at the well respected Nettle Inn based in Ashover, Derbyshire. One element of his College education that Christopher holds dear is the time that he spent abroad as part of his course. “The College arranged for various work placements abroad so I visited areas in France such as Paris and Troyes as well as an amazing three-weeks in Eloise at the foot of the Rhone Alps region. Working in |  | |
| a restaurant there provided me with invaluable experience, not only of working in a professional kitchen but also of another culture and how it approaches food. Working in a professional kitchen in a foreign country gave me a fantastic sense of independence, building up my confidence a great deal. “In a modern kitchen you have to be able to cope with certain amounts of pressure and the College definitely prepares you well for this world of work. I would recommend the course to anyone looking to get ahead in the catering and hospitality industry.” | ||
| Matthew and Joe relish earning whilst learning – Mechanical Engineering Mechanical Engineering apprentices Matthew and Joe have both progressed from Level 2 and 3 and now hope to progress even further to Level 4. Matthew is currently an Apprentice at Dale Ltd Engineering and comes into College one day a week. He explains, “I love the fact that I’m earning and learning at the same time. The variety of facilities at the College allows me to get a firm grounding in a wide range of skills which I can then take into the workplace.” | |
| Joe is an Apprentice at BG Engineering, after completing his Level 3 Mechanical Engineering qualification, Joe is aiming to carry on to study at Level 4. He says, “Progressing on to Level 4 will include more theoretical work and allow me to study more of the managerial side of the industry which is what I’m interested in pursuing. It’s great that the tutors don’t just assess me whilst I’m at the College but also come out to my workplace so I can work towards my qualification whilst being productive for my employer.” |
