In a call to young people across Solihull and Birmingham who have discounted vocational qualifications for their progression into university or a job, the Principal of Solihull College is urging school leavers to seriously consider embarking on a work-based college qualification.
This request is being made as the College say they are being inundated with calls from existing and prospective A-level students across the region wishing to study Early Years and Childhood Studies at university level, but are under the impression that work-based courses will not help them in their chosen career.
John Callaghan, Principal at Solihull College comments: “While A-levels provide a strong route for studying academia at higher education and beyond, we have found students aiming to work in more vocational careers such as teaching, social work and child-minding, benefit from studying more work-based qualifications. We urge school leavers who wish to work with children, to look at the courses Solihull College has to offer and the strong skill set they will acquire while studying with us”?.
With work experience remaining fundamental for learners who wish to go into teaching, and other vocational based professions respectively, Solihull College offers work-based placements within the curriculum.
Helen Perkins Head of School for Early Years Studies at the College comments: “The career options from studying Early Years at Solihull College are endless – students can, and have, progressed into university courses for primary teaching, social work, criminology, and as well as achieving their Early Years Educator status students can also become health visitor assistants, family support workers or a children’s nanny. I cannot stress enough the importance of getting that work experience while learning at college”.
Due to a nationwide downturn this year in GCSE English and maths results, Solihull College has introduced a new ‘Pathway’ qualification aimed at learners who did not receive the GCSE results they hoped for. In addition there is a new one year BTEC Level 3 award for learners who need an additional A-level to progress to higher education.
To find out more about studying Early Years and Childhood Studies at Solihull College, from ‘??Pathway’ to an Oxford Brookes University degree the College will be holding an Early Years Open Evening for school leavers on Wednesday 10 September between 4pm – 6pm at the Blossomfield Campus.
To find out more about this event and studying Early Years and Childhood at the College please visit www.solihull.ac.uk/Early years or call 0121 678 7000
