A Week of Real-World Learning: BTEC Students Dive into Work Experience

25 July 2024

Recently, over 50 students studying BTEC courses in Health and Social Care, IT, Business, and Sport took part in a work experience week that took them beyond the classroom. Students visited various organisations, attended inspiring talks, and even participated in hands-on placements at local businesses. The week was packed with enriching experiences designed to provide practical insights and career inspiration and inspire students for their next steps after College.

20 BTEC IT students visited SAE Institute in Liverpool during their work experience week. This visit provided them with a first-hand look at roles within creative IT industries, including 3D modelling and games design/programming.

Students were able to take a full guided tour of the facilities at SAE including their recording studios, green screen suite, animation and game development labs. Students got some practical experience too, taking part in guided sessions in 3D modelling and in designing their own first person game level environment.

Health and Social Care students had the opportunity to experience "A Day in the Life of a Student Nurse" at the University of Chester's Birkenhead-based teaching centre, Marriss House. They explored a fully equipped simulated hospital ward, took vital measurements of life-like dummy patients, and, under the guidance of a nurse, learned to inject a replica arm and safely dispose of the needle.

Students then visited a fully equipped simulated living environment and completed a risk assessment of the living conditions. A highlight of the day was seeing the use of virtual reality in nurse training, with students able to experience virtual various crisis situations including a road traffic accident. After lunch, students completed academic research before preparing and delivering group presentations on the different body systems in humans.

Health and Social Care students also attended talks held in college from NHS Wirral. Alison, a Freedom to Speak Up Guardian discussed the importance of being able to raise concerns in a large organisation such as the NHS and students learnt all about the different support packages in places for NHS workers. Students were able to ask questions about current issues in the NHS such as the case of Lucy Letby and the failings at Stafford Hospital. Students discussed how Freedom to Speak Up plays a role in preventing major cases like these from happening again in the future.

Students also attended ‘NHS 350 Careers’ with two representatives from the Wirral Community Health team . This was an interactive workshop learning all about NHS careers in the community. Both staff and students attending took part in a group activity, using their teamwork, communication skills and problem solving to consider which professionals would be needed to respond to the needs of those using services with the NHS.

The representatives from the NHS supported the students to explore routes into the NHS and a current BSFC student was able to share their positive experiences of the Nursing Cadet Programme. An engaging and informative session for all.

We welcomed Dan, a personal trainer, to give an inspiring talk to our BTEC Sport students. He shared his journey into the profession, emphasising the importance of persistence and passion in achieving his career goals.

Dan highlighted the importance of networking, demonstrating how building connections can open doors and support professional growth in Sport. His enthusiasm in relation to sport was encouraging and he outlined the value of hard work and determination.

He also provided practical advice on nutrition, specifically tailored for PE students, offering tips on how to optimise their diets for better performance and overall health.

Our Sport Staff also met with Matt Houghton, who is the Business Development Manager and Community Development Officer at Tranmere Football Club.

Matt discussed the possibility of placements for our students and visits from guest speakers such as physiotherapists. These opportunities promise to enrich our BTEC Sport curriculum by offering insights into various career paths and daily professional life within the sports industry.