Level 1 Vocational Studies

At Warrington and 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 to 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 are working at a higher level to entry 3 but do not yet have the necessary entry requirments to access level 1 in area, you may be returning to Foundation for a second year to further develop desirable key skills or you may not wish to pursue higher level vocational courses and want to leave after one year to go into employment.

This course is suited for learners who may need a stepping stone qualification to either gain the required entry standards, to adjust to college life before accessing a full-time vocational course or before starting employment. Many young people have struggled to engage at school will find the transition from school to college difficult, we will work with you to help you adjust and meet college expectations so that you are given the best possible chance to progress. 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.

The course duration is 1 year.

Your individualised curriculum puts you at the centre and an exciting and engaging timetable has been put together for you over 3 days. You will complete an Open Awards qualification employability and professional development that includes a range of interesting and relevant employability topics designed to help you problem solve, communicate and lead, be creative and innovative, use your initiative and ensure that your mental and physical well-being and health play a key role. Taking part in enriching activities in college and in the community will be a focus to enable you to be a part of your local community and see yourself and your classmates making a difference.

Throughout the year you will take part in a range of vocational experience days to give you a taste of what you might want to do the following year. These may include: construction & motor vehicle, health and social care, hair dressing, graphics, media & ICT, art & performing arts, sport & public services and hospitality & catering.

Maths and English will form a part of your programme of study. At the start of the year you will have an assessment in English and Maths and this will be used to determine whether you will sit GCSE, an alternative Maths and English qualification, work towards accreditation or maintain existing skills.

You will be assessed through practical and written assessments, witness and observation reports as well as portfolio work. You may be required to sit an examination in Maths and English.

The majority of our students will go on to study on Level 1 or level 2 programmes, or into employment. We have learners who have progressed all the way from Entry 3 to university and to employment, apprenticeships and supported internships. Two of our students impressed the college so much on their work placements they are now fully-fledged members of the maintenance team!

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 either individual or part of a group project, live briefs 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 every step of the way.

You will be allocated a progress coach who will provide you with support to help you succeed on your study programme and progress on to your chosen career or progression path. We have a team of staff dedicated to providing learning support if required, as well as a Welfare Team that is 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 them 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

There are many providers who offer 'similar' courses, but what they can't offer is the wide range of opportunities that will be available to you:

• Individualised curriculum
• Community projects and employer led live briefs
• Internal and external work placements
• Enrichment activities, trips and visits
• Links with local employers
• Independent living skills
• Vocational experience days
• Excellent progression routes
• A team of dedicated staff with over 80 years of combined experience

You will need a minimum of four GCSEs at grade 2 or above. If you have not already achieved a grade 4 in your GCSE English and/or maths, you will be required to work towards either a functional skills qualification or a GCSE in English and/or maths as part of your study programme.

If there are any costs attached to trips and visits or any PPE required for experience days 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.