Many further education colleges offer higher education qualifications in partnership with universities. This offers an alternative, but no less valid, experience to the more traditional university route and can often be a preferable choice for many students who feel daunted by the prospect of studying within a university environment. 

So, to show students the range of higher level courses available at further education colleges, Castle College, Nottingham has put together a taster day, where students can sample five different vocational areas and can learn about the different careers that these courses can lead to. 

On a warm Friday in June, over 80 learners in years 9 and 10 at Ashfield School and Meden School, came along with their teachers to experience studying and training for a higher education qualification in a vocational area within a further education environment. The day included taster sessions in health sciences, criminal justice, children and young people’s services, engineering and digital technologies, as well as presentations about the different routes into higher education. 

Given the opportunity to experience five different vocational subjects during the day, learners were able to discover their own strengths and preferences. Finding out those vocational areas that they wouldn’t enjoy, or weren’t so good at, as well as those they enjoyed and would like to pursue, was a valuable learning experience in itself. The dexterity tests necessary for entry to higher education in dental technology, which students completed in the health science taster session, proved particularly challenging for some young learners. 

As well as getting a taste of life and learning at college, it is hoped that the taster sessions will contribute to the learners’ understanding of different careers and the progression pathways into those careers.

If you are interested in arranging a Castle College higher education taster day for your students, please contact Dean Penford on 0115 848 4818, email dean.penford@ntu.ac.uk.