Entry 3 Vocational Studies

At Warrington & Vale Royal College every learner is put first and we truly believe that everyone should be given the opportunity to raise expectations within themselves.

Vocational Studies will support and encourage you to gain confidence, communication & social skills and a develop a wide range of key employability skills in a friendly and nurturing environment. It’s about where you want to be in the future and how we can help you get there.

Vocational Studies is for young people aged 16-19 who do not have the grades to get onto a Level 1 course and are unsure about your future career choices.

This course is suited for learners who may need a stepping stone qualification to either gain the required entry standards or to adjust to college life before accessing a full-time vocational course.

If you think you need extra time and support to develop the right skills for college and to find an area that you are interested then this is the course for you!

All our tutors have a wealth of experience and are passionate about their subject and they want to share this with you so that you can reach your full potential. As a unique individual we will work closely with you to identify your long term goals and give you all the help you need to reach them.

This course is the perfect stepping stone for students who come to us without the necessary GCSEs to get onto a level 1 course and who may not have a clear idea on their future career goals.

The major aim of your programme of study is to allow you to develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours you need to be successful on a full-time vocational course. Your individualised curriculum will include a range of engaging modules to build your problem-solving, communication and creative skills, while completing your Open Awards Qualification in Skills for Further Learning and Employment.

This ambitious and exciting programme will include a wide range of experiences and projects in the local community, designed to help you grow in confidence, develop key employability skills and prepare you for your next steps.

You will take part in 6 exciting vocational experience days throughout the year to give you a taste of what you might like to do the following year. You will also work to develop your English and maths skills, to work towards a GCSE, an alternative maths and English qualification, or to help maintain existing skills.

The majority of our students go on to study Level 1 programmes, however, just because this is an Entry level course it doesn’t mean that you have to do Level 1, some students skip this stage and are accepted on to Level 2.

We have students who have progressed all the way from Entry 3 to university and in to employment, apprenticeships and supported internships. One of our students impressed the college so much on his work placement he is now on a plumbing apprenticeship working for the college.

We have guest speakers from industry throughout the year and you will take part in work place visits to a variety of employers and working environments from construction to retail, entertainment to hospitality and catering.

Work experience is a key part of your programme of study and you will be given help and guidance in finding the right placement for you. Engaging with employers will give you a valuable insight into the world of work and develop your employability skills. External work placement and a range of work-related activities will help you gain key skills that employers are looking for and a designated Industry Placement Officer is on hand to help you source placements and guide you.

You will be allocated a Progress Coach in addition we can offer the following if applicable;

• 1:1 in class support
• Lunchtime and breaktime supervision
• Meet & greet on entering and leaving the college
• Mobility support
• Exam access arrangements
• Orientation Modification of learning materials
• Specialist resources

We also have a welfare team that are on hand to offer guidance, support and help when needed. Additionally, eligible students can access a wide range of finance and funding support to help you during their time at college.

Click here for learning support: https://wvr.ac.uk/college-life/learning-support

Click here for finance support: https://wvr.ac.uk/college-life/financial-support

All our tutors have a wealth of experience and are passionate about their subject. They will share their experience and knowledge with you to enable you to reach your full potential. We have fantastic progression routes and many success stories to share with you.

There are no formal entry requirements for this course.

Uniforms and/or safety equipment may be required for some of the pathway courses. For students that are eligible there is financial support available to help you with these costs. Once you have chosen your pathway option you will then be able to explore financial support if additional uniform or equipment is needed.

If there are any costs attached to trips and visits you will be given notice and all costs are kept to a minimum to ensure all students can participate. Help is available if students are in receipt of a bursary.