‘Get to Know NCN’ works because it offers an informal introduction to college life, while also providing attendees with a sense of tangible achievement at the end of the day in the form of a recognised vocational qualification from NCFE. This makes it especially suited to young people who may feel disillusioned with the traditional academic educational process or the formal atmosphere of the school environment.
“I knew that I would probably not get the grades to go straight onto a Level 2 course in Animal Care, but I was determined still to do it, so when the letter came inviting me to the Get to Know NCN course, I was really excited. Everyone was paired up with a buddy, an existing student from NCN, who looked after us through the day and then promised to meet up with us again when we started college in September. This put everyone at ease and made us feel confident that we would have someone to support us in the first few days.
“I already knew that I had been accepted on a Level 1 Animal Care course, which would serve as a foundation for my chosen career path, but after my experience doing GCSEs, I needed to convince myself that I could really move forward in education. The Get to Know… course, supported by the NCFE certificate, really helped to rebuild my confidence and showed me that I could work well within the college environment.
“In particular, I enjoyed the employability and personal skills sections, which showed us that simple things you learn in everyday life can really help with your education and career. It made me feel more confident about coming here in September and I’ve stayed friends with many of the people who completed the course with me.
“I also thought it was great that we got a certificate at the end of the day, gaining a recognised NCFE qualification. This really makes you feel that it was a worthwhile experience and gives you something to build on when you start your college course.”
After becoming a full-time student at NCN last September, Suzannah has become a popular student at the college and has even volunteered to become a buddy on this year’s course, sharing her experiences and skills with other young people. As David Grailey, the Chief Executive of NCFE points out, vocational courses have a hugely positive role to play in giving students a sense of purpose and faith in their own abilities:
“What we are seeing with young people like Suzannah is that, if you are given the right support, you can move forward to further education and a successful career. It’s great that NCN has been able to use the NCFE Award in Exploring Enterprise Skills to develop the Get to Know NCN course. This covers so many key elements in just one day, teaching young people to use the skills that they already have and giving them a taste of what they can go on to achieve. It also shows that vocational qualifications can be enjoyable and fulfilling, even for those who may not be suited to academia.”
After starting out on the Level 1 course in Animal Care and regaining confidence in her own ability to learn, Suzannah has now decided to return to academic studies in September and she’s hoping to do her A-Levels in the future. Although her career ambitions have changed, she believes that the Get to Know NCN course and the resulting NCFE Level 1 Award in Exploring Enterprise Skills were a huge help, giving her the confidence she needed to move on and remain in full-time education.
NCFE is a national awarding organisation which works with 1,200 colleges, schools and training providers and employers to offer 520 qualifications on the QCF and NQF in a range of subject areas.
Vocational qualifications are available at a number of different levels in areas including Arts, Business, Education, Health, IT, Leisure Travel and Tourism and Retail.
For more information regarding NCFE courses, visit www.ncfe.org.uk or call 0191 239 8000
