Allie Le, People and Culture Manager at F&F Stores Ltd, says that the company’s partnership with MK College is helping them build future talent and deliver it social responsibility goals.

Founded in 2015, F&F Stores is a rapidly expanding E-commerce business based in Milton Keynes. Allie explains that the company started working with MK College just over 12 months ago.

“I arranged a meeting with MK College and it was so valuable for us. After that meeting, we organised an in-house Multiply maths training course to support our warehouse team. Multiply is a government-funded programme that helps adults improve their numeracy skills. Many of our team members don’t hold formal qualifications, so this training was particularly useful given their work with stock inventory. The feedback on the tutors was that they were very supportive.”

The company has since gone on to offer industry placements to T Level students. “We’ve had three T Level students join us since September last year, in different departments. After their 45-day placements with us, we received lots of good feedback from our managers.”

Allie highlights several key benefits to the partnership with MK College. “Firstly it’s an opportunity to enhance our visibility in the community and with young talent for the future,” she said. “Secondly, it benefits our existing employees through training and apprenticeships. Finally it’s about social responsibility – we want to support the community, and we’re especially passionate about working with MK College to give students work experience. It’s often difficult for young people to get these kinds of opportunities.”

When asked why they chose to partner with MK College, Allie said: “There are two main reasons – one is location, but the other is the support and responsiveness of the college. They are very proactive in contacting employers to create opportunities for students. I’ve visited the campus many times and it’s very inspiring. We’re pleased to play a small part in supporting students and the college on this journey.”

“We recently got involved by sponsoring MK College’s 2025 Student of the Year Award for English and Maths, which was a brilliant way to show our support for education and young talent. We really enjoyed the recent employer showcase too – it was a great reminder of how businesses like ours can help young people get started in their careers. Doing things like this is part of how we show our commitment to the local community, and it feels genuinely meaningful for everyone involved.”

The business also supports apprenticeships. “We have an apprentice working with us as an accounts assistant, studying and working at the same time. In just over a year, I’ve seen the benefits of this partnership.”

The company is also exploring new ways to support a diverse range of learners. “We’re now running another placement with a student who has additional learning needs as a trial, and in the future, we’d like to expand this.”

Reflecting on their experience with MK College she added: “It’s all gone well – fantastic! The college responds very quickly to any questions we have. If any issues come up, we can sort them out together. They’re always supportive.”

When asked what advice she would give to other employers considering working with MK College, Allie said: “Working with a local college is very beneficial for small and medium-sized businesses. We don’t have a big budget, so the partnership is very helpful for both sides. For us, we’ve chosen this path and we believe it works. Just start with a conversation with the employer engagement team – see what opportunities they can offer.”

To find out more about offering work placements through MK College, contact the Work Experience Team at: workexperienceteam@mkcollege.ac.uk

 Hello! Who are you and what are you studying? 

Hi! I’m Marcia-Belle and I’m studying a Construction T Level in Design, Planning and Surveying. I’m in my second and final year of my studies. 

What motivated you to choose your course? 

I did a Construction GCSE, so I got into it through there; we had workshops, did woodwork, designs, planning and online work. My grandad also works in the construction industry, so throughout my life I would learn bits and pieces from him; my dad came here and studied some of the construction courses as well, so my family and school got me into it. 

How are you finding your studies and do you feel like you’ve made the right decision with your course? 

100% I’ve made the right choice with my course. I love it and I’ve really learned so much, but it’s the people that are the best thing about the course. It’s a very small class – only 11 of us – and we’ve all become very close, and I really do treasure the people in my class. 

Where did you do your work placement and how did you find it? 

I am doing my placement with WJ Construction where I work once a week. I do a lot of shadowing and I’ve done a lot of work with their sustainability team because that’s what I’m really interested in. 

I really enjoy it because it gives a proper real-life experience of working in a company. When I joined, they said they wanted to allow me to try a bit of everything, which I’ve managed to do. I’ve really been accepted into the company culture too. 

Have you encountered any challenge at your workplace and how did you overcome them? 

I think my biggest challenge has been opening up to new people. I’m one of the first student placements they’ve taken on, so it’s been a lot of adjustment for myself and the company. Meeting all the new people and trying to impress them because they’ve been doing their job for years and I’m obviously very new. 

But I think that’s also one of the best parts because you’re the new face and you get to have a fresh impression for everyone – and you can ask a lot of questions!

What are your highlights from your time at the College?        

There are many! I’d definitely say one highlight has been my sustainability work with the College – I’m in the Student Sustainability Committee and I took part in the Planet Earth Games and won the student prize at MK College, which was exciting. Student of the Year is another one of my top highlights – the event was the greatest thing ever and I loved how student-run it was with the Catering students working there. 

I also met my best friend in College. I think the College is a great place for making friends because it’s a very non-judgmental place. One thing I love about the college culture is how people express themselves with how they dress. 

I like being more independent with my work and I’d say the highlight of the College has been the independence in how you produce your work – you can take your own lead on it. 

Have you done other courses at the College as well? 

Yes! I participated in the “Embedding Sustainable Procurement” online class, which was part of the Planet Earth Games – I somehow managed to convince my class to come to it with me! It was really nice to share my interests with the class. 

I also did a Retrofit course, which is about how you can better old buildings. 

What are your future career aspirations? What are your plans for achieving them? 

I’ve signed up for the HNC in Construction next year which would be good because it’s one day a week and the rest of the time I would be working. I’m planning on taking the Sustainability online course as well. 

I really would love to create something as well; one of my biggest dreams is to create my own company and I’m hoping to work with a company that would give me the experience for starting my own business.

What advice would you give to someone applying for your course at Milton Keynes College today? 

I really do recommend my course, especially for those who want to go into the construction industry but aren’t sure which section of it. The College is a great opportunity to try a bit of everything. 

I’d say don’t stress it too much. I feel like for a lot of people who join the College, it’s the only thing on their minds. Do think about how much other stuff you can enjoy while you’re here, the people and the experiences. Do the work but also make time for doing what makes you happy. Have fun with it as well!

To learn more about the T Level in Construction (Design, Surveying and Planning) at Milton Keynes College, read more here and to see our full T Level offering read more here.

Faced with an ageing workforce and increasing recruitment challenges, Cerulean is tackling the skills gap head-on. Through a long-term partnership with MK College. The company has embedded apprenticeships and now T Level industry placements into its workforce strategy – and is already seeing the benefits. 

Based in Milton Keynes, Cerulean is a manufacturing company that supplies precision test and measurement equipment for the tobacco industry.  

Claire Millsop, HR Business Partner, explains that the company has worked closely with MK College for several years, particularly in the recruitment and training of apprentices, to help address the engineering skills gap. 

“We started off with apprentices. Over the last eight years, they’ve been key to our business, especially in the last five, where we’ve really focused on it. We became part of the 5% Club because we felt it was important to show our commitment to ‘earn while you learn’ schemes. This was in direct response to the reality we were facing – an ageing workforce in engineering. The average age of our engineers was 50, and it was getting harder to find the right skills externally. So, we realised we needed to invest heavily in apprenticeships. We began in engineering and have since expanded into marketing, finance, and IT.” 

The company recently extended its support to include T Level industry placements, although this wasn’t originally part of the plan.  

“We’re part of the MAKE UK federation and take part in events like Manufacturing Day. We decided to open our doors to students from MK College to show them what we do. One of the attendees, Abdul, approached us afterwards to ask about a T Level placement. To be honest, we had initially rejected the idea of taking T Level students. We thought it was impractical to have someone come in just one day a week. But we liked him, he presented himself well, and we knew what he could do. So we decided to give him an opportunity.” 

The experience turned out to be overwhelmingly positive. “T Levels are a great opportunity to bring in young professionals. If you can, then go on to offer an apprenticeship at a higher level, like Level 4, it’s definitely worth considering. We’re hoping to keep Abdul on. He’s fitted in incredibly well and has been a real pleasure to have on the team. I’ve heard nothing but praise about him. One of the big differences with T Levels is the academic standard. It’s noticeably strong.” 

Beyond recruitment, the partnership also supports the company’s wider community values. 

“For us, as an employer, it’s important to give back to the community. The partnership with MK College gives us the chance to do that – whether it’s through attending careers events or helping students understand the kinds of careers we offer. We really value having that relationship with a local education organisation.” 

When asked what advice she would give to other employers, Claire said: “I think it’s essential to give the college the chance to really understand your business. We always invite people in to look around, meet key stakeholders, and get to grips with the skills we’re looking for. I highly recommend investing that time. It enables a much more successful recruitment and training process in the long term. It has to be a long-term relationship; it can’t be a quick fix. If you take that approach, you’re missing the bigger picture.” 

To find out more about offering work placements through MK College, contact the Work Experience Team at: workexperienceteam@mkcollege.ac.uk  

Hi! What’s your name and what did you study at the College? 

Hi, I’m Ellaina and I studied a Level 2 in Understanding Children and Young People’s Mental Health, a Level 2 in Self-harm and Suicide Awareness & Prevention, a Level 2 in Special Education Needs and Disability, and I’ve just finished a Level 2 in Understanding Autism. I’ve inquired about enrolling onto another course, the Level 2 in Understanding Specific Learning Difficulties. 

I started about a year ago. Once I finished one course, I just went straight onto another one. I found with them being online, I was able to work at my own pace which was a lot easier to do. 

What motivated you to choose these courses? 

With the Mental Health and Suicide Awareness & Prevention courses, they were more for personal reasons relating to my daughter. I wanted to understand a bit better what she was going through and how to help her. I thought that if this can help her, maybe I can help others too. 

We are also in the process of waiting for my son to be assessed, so with studying Special Education Needs and Disability and Understanding Autism the aim was for me to gain understanding about methods I can use to help him. I currently work in a special educational needs school, and the knowledge I’ve gained helps me in my work. 

Did these courses help you find employment? How do they help you in your role? 

I think the Mental Health and Suicide Awareness & Prevention courses helped me gain employment. When I first started working at a special educational needs school, I thought that maybe there’s a course at MK College that I can do. The Special Education Needs and Disability course worked perfectly with my job. After completing the course, I understood a bit better what these children go through, the different support that they need and the methods schools must adopt. 

Down the line I would like to go into that field, or I’d like to be a pastoral support worker within a school. Where I work, there’s a lot of safeguarding and we have children who experience mental health problems. My employer liked that I had that kind of background knowledge. 

I think it’s amazing because I did my teaching assistant course at the beginning of last year, and then I did the Mental Health one and the Suicide Prevention Awareness course a few months after that and by November, I had gone into employment.  

I wonder, if I hadn’t have done these extra courses, would I have been in the employment that I am in now? It showed them that I’m willing to gain more understanding, and the courses that I took have given me good knowledge within my work environment. 

What were some of the highlights from your courses? 

I like the fact that the courses were online, and you go at your own pace. If you miss a deadline, you still have a week to get it completed, so it does give you a bit more of flexibility. 

I really enjoyed learning about different conditions, the processes behind getting a diagnosis, coping strategies and how to approach and help someone in a crisis. You don’t even realise, because in this society the only things you really hear about are anxiety and depression. In the course materials, there are a lot of useful resources and helplines. 

It’s given me qualifications that have helped me go further in my career. 

What advice would you give to someone wanting to apply for these courses? 

It’s good to sit down to brush up on your knowledge and gain outside perspective. I’m the type of person who loves to gain knowledge. Even if it’s a Level 1 and you breeze through that and then think, “hang on a minute, maybe I’ll take another one!” Now going on to my fifth course at MK College. 

It’s accommodating for people who work and have children at home. With the courses being online, you don’t have to sit in a classroom all day and arrange the logistics – some people can’t get there because of transport or they can’t arrange childcare. It’s good that you can still learn while being a full-time parent. 

I like the fact that if you are on universal credit, you can do it for free. It’s so easy because if you’re unemployed and looking for work, it gives you that confidence to go and gain qualifications and knowledge and build up your CV that you can send out and hopefully someone will think, “they suit this role, we’ll bring them in for an interview.” 

Learn more about these courses by following the links below: 

Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Children and Young People’s Mental Health – MK College 

Level 2 Certificate in Self-harm and Suicide Awareness and Prevention – MK College 

Level 2 Certificate in Special Education Needs and Disability – MK College 

Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Autism – MK College

Studying an Access to HE Health Professions course, Jay spoke about what his college experience has been like and what he’s learned along the way, with insights and tips for college life and confidence as an adult learner. Read on to find out more. 

Hello! Who are you and what are you studying? 

Hi! I’m Jay and I’m studying Access to HE Health Professions. 

You’re receiving an award for Access to Higher Education tonight – congratulations! Are you happy that you chose this path? 

I am, yes! It was a surprise that I was nominated, let alone winning the award. Out of everyone on the Access course, I didn’t think that I was going to be that was going to be the winner. I’m very excited and very happy to be here. 

What are your highlights from your time at the College? 

There are so many of them. Every day going to college has been fun, it’s something that I look forward to week in and week out, meeting all my colleagues and my work in class as well. It’s a great environment to work in so I’ve really enjoyed that. 

What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced during your time at the College and how did you overcome it? 

The biggest challenge I had was that I’d been out of education for so long, I left school when I was 16 and I’m not 16 anymore! Coming back into education was quite a challenge, I didn’t think I could do it, so I had that self-doubt. But being welcomed in and being able to show what I can do has been something that I wasn’t expecting – it brought me out of my shell I suppose. 

How did you find the social life and study environment at the College? 

It’s a really nice environment to study in. The facilities there are great – whether we are in the classroom or library, it’s brilliant. 

In terms of the social side of things, being an Access student, a lot of the other colleagues on the course are a little bit older, so we do other jobs or working and so on. Social-wise, we try to stay in contact and organise events when we can. 

What achievement are you most proud of during your time at the College? 

The achievement that I’m most proud of is that to date, all my assignments I’ve achieved were distinction, which I wasn’t expecting at all. One would’ve been great but to achieve all of them to date is fantastic and I couldn’t have asked for any more. 

What are your future career aspirations? What are your plans for achieving them? 

I’m going to university in September to study mental health nursing, which was my main driver for going into an Access course. I’ve been accepted at my preferred university already, so I’m all ready to go in September and in three years’ time I should be out there working within the NHS. 

What advice would you give to someone applying for your course at Milton Keynes College today? 

Put aside any apprehension and self-doubt that you might have. I thought I was going to be the oldest person on my course and I’m not. Don’t put barriers in your way; don’t think that you can’t do it because you haven’t been in education for a long time. Just give it a go, really!

If you’re interested in studying Access to Higher Education courses at Milton Keynes College, you can learn more here.

Sometimes, the path back to learning begins with the basics – English, maths and a fresh perspective. We spoke to Stella, a Level 2 Adult English & maths student navigating the challenges and triumphs of re-engaging with education later in life. From overcoming self-doubt to celebrating the wins, Stella offers and perspective to those considering a return to education.

Read on to find out more.

Hello. Who are you and what are you studying?

Hi, I’m Stella and I’m currently studying Level 2 Maths. I did my Level 1 English and maths last year, and I just finished my Level 2 English.

What made you choose your course?

I opted for English and maths because I have a degree in Health and Social Care but I didn’t want to do nursing. I have children and I wanted to do something that can help me with the kids. I looked for a job but I didn’t know what to do, so I decided to top up on my English and maths skills because I hadn’t studied them in about 20 years.

Within me, I didn’t have the confidence because I’d been living in Italy for about 13 years and struggled with English. In Italy, I was doing translation and sort of lost my English because it was all in Italian. When I got back here, doing my degree at university was challenging for me. I thought it would be good for me to come back to refresh my memory with English and maths.

How are you finding your studies?

It’s been amazing. First, I couldn’t even join people in conversations despite having English background, but then I realised that the more you speak it, the more it comes to you naturally. In Italy, you didn’t get a lot of people to speak in English with, so I lost my skills. I had an A Level certificate, but I couldn’t express myself very well and I found that difficult in university.

I’m finding the courses very helpful to me. I’ve seen massive improvement especially at work in my role as a Support Worker. You have incident reports, you need to write reports about what the day activities have been, and at a point you get stuck when you can’t make the writing flow. Recently, I’ve seen a change. I’m writing more, sometimes they ask me, “Why are you writing an essay?” It’s coming naturally now; the course has helped me a lot. I’m enjoying it.

Did you encounter any challenges during your studies? How did you overcome them?

Initially I found some things difficult to understand, especially the assessments. I think sometimes assessments are not the best way to assess people. I knew I could do better, but you know when you’re sat in front of a computer – sometimes things can happen and maybe you skipped something.

I also experienced some challenges initially with PowerPoint presentations. I hadn’t done these types of presentations before university. If I knew I would be well-supported with them here, I would’ve come here first, and this would’ve helped me at university. I’ve gained a lot of new skills here.

What are some highlights from your time at the College?

It’s the communication skills I’ve gained because you get to meet people: you get to talk to people and people come to you sometimes, maybe because of the way you contribute in class. You get to make new friends and people are encouraging.

Sometimes people say, “You come from the university, why are you here then?” Having a degree doesn’t mean you can’t come back and do some refreshment courses. You need your English and maths to open job opportunities for you.

My English teacher has been very helpful. The way she teaches, she adapts to people’s unique ways of learning. She takes the fear off you – she helps and guides you, it’s very encouraging.

What are your future career aspirations? What are your plans for achieving them?

I intend to go into teaching, and I feel like I’m getting ready for it. From here I’ll start applying for teaching assistant roles.

What advice would you give to someone applying for your course at MK College today?

I would encourage them to. Especially if you want to progress in life, you need English and maths – it’s very vital, very important, whichever path you take. When you come here, it opens doors for new opportunities.

If you have children, it can be helpful to do it for them. I can help my children with homework, and I know how to use dictionaries to find things for them. They look up to you when you’re able to express yourself; they have this respect for you, and it motivates them as well. When I was in university, I used to go to the library to learn. Once my child’s class came to the library and she saw me – the teacher said, “Look at your mum.” I could see the brightness in her eyes; she was happy to see me in such a place and see me learning.

I think the best way the get most of the College experience is to come on campus and work with people face-to-face. It’s not just about getting the grades; you get the communication and social aspect. In the maths class, I share a table with my friend, and it is quicker for us to do our work together than me sitting alone and racking my brain for answers.

To learn more about Adult English & maths at Milton Keynes College, read more at English for Adults – MK College and Maths for Adults – MK College.

Gemma Ford, Learning and Development Manager at BSH, says that offering T Level industry placements to engineering students through MK College is a key way to help young people prepare for the world of work.

The company, which has its UK headquarters in Milton Keynes, is responsible for sales and marketing across the UK and the Republic of Ireland for home appliance brands such as Bosch, Siemens and Neff.

Gemma explains that the company has worked with MK College for many years through its apprenticeship programme but was introduced to T Levels more recently.

“For students going into the workplace for the first time, it can be quite daunting,” she said. “Offering a T Level industry placement helps make it feel less scary. It’s a huge leap to go from school into the workplace, but by doing a T Level – having that day a week in the workplace – students are set up really positively for the future. They get a real sense of what their chosen career will be like.”

On why they chose to partner with MK College, Gemma said: “Our head office is in Milton Keynes so it makes perfect sense to work with the college. We’ve built a great relationship – they’re always our first point of call. The college is local, so students can access face-to-face training, which provides a better learning environment for them.”  

Talking about the college’s experience of supporting employers, she added: “I find everyone at the college easy to work with. We have regular catch-ups every six to eight weeks, and the support has been excellent. Our managers receive regular updates, and I’m also kept informed about how the students are progressing. If I ever have a question, I can just send an email and I always get a quick response. They’re really helpful.”

When asked what advice she would give to other employers considering offering T Level placements, Gemma said: “I’d say we went into it with the mindset of ‘let’s give it a go’ and see how it works. A good starting point is simply getting a student in – let them shadow your team, just get them through the door. Sometimes all a student needs at the beginning is to know where the café is! The basics really matter at first – and from there, it’s easy to build up their confidence and experience.”

To find out more about offering work placements through MK College, contact the Employer Team at: employerteam@mkcollege.ac.uk

T Level placements are opening doors – for students and departments – at this leading STEM university.

Cranfield University is a postgraduate-only university in Bedfordshire, specialising in science, engineering, and management. In recent years, the University has opened its doors to T Level students from MK College.

Maria Levet, Talent & Development Co-ordinator and T Level Lead at Cranfield University, explained: “We’ve been employing apprentices for many years across a range of programmes, including engineering, IT, and science. In 2024, we piloted our first industry placement with a T Level student from the Science Laboratory programme. The placement was a great success, and we’ve since hosted four students from the Engineering and Manufacturing T Level programme.

“People across the University are starting to understand what T Level placements are and are curious about how they support our work. We’re currently working on an administration and business placement for Autumn 2025 and hopefully another science one too.”

Having joined the University in 2022, Maria has been working closely with MK College and specifically on T Level placements since 2024. “The placement team has been excellent. They’re always responsive and supportive whenever I’ve had questions. It’s also been a pleasure to welcome members of their team to campus for progress meetings and to show them the facilities the students will be using.”

The partnership builds on a pre-existing relationship between the two institutions. “We chose MK College because there was already an established relationship through apprenticeships. Their provision really aligns with our requirements in STEM subjects, they provide excellent support to employers, and their students are based locally, which makes it easier for them to get to our campus. It just felt like a natural step to keep working with the same provider.”

Maria is clear about the mutual benefits of hosting T Level students. “It’s great that the University is supporting these placements. How else would young adults understand that universities are workplaces and find out what we do at Cranfield? This gives them a chance to see behind the scenes of a university as a workplace.”

“The T level students have also been a great resource to the departments. The line managers know they need to offer something structured and meaningful. It has to work for both sides – for the student and for the team. So far, it’s been great. The students have come in, picked things up quickly, and asked all the right questions.”

Her advice to other employers? “Definitely do it! If you’re already thinking about it, then it’s likely to work. Once you’ve got the right guidance in place and done all your checks, such as insurance, risk assessments, safeguarding, it’s actually really easy and straightforward.

“The College helps a lot with setting everything up and there is helpful guidance available from the government to help you through it. Just allow yourself the time to prepare properly. Treat the first one as a pilot placement, then reflect and implement improvements each time.  The college, student and line manager will always hold an end-of-placement review to look at what worked, what we could improve, and to learn from it.”

To find out more about offering work placements through MK College, contact the Employer Team at: employerteam@mkcollege.ac.uk

“We’ve always had a regular apprenticeship programme in place, but the launch of T Levels in construction at high school senior level offered us a great opportunity to welcome young adults into the workplace even earlier,” said Sooren. “We’ve had a student with us for 10 months now, and we’re getting really good feedback from the college. It’s something we’d like to expand.”

In addition to hosting a student placement, the company has supported the college in other ways. “We have a precast plant in Luton where we can offer live demonstrations of full-scale concrete works in a controlled, lower-risk environment. The college has taken us up on this with future planned visits, and we’ve also hosted them at our head office for a comprehensive tour.”

The relationship is already off to a strong start. “So far, our engagement has been very positive,” said Sooren. “The college’s remit – to better prepare young people for industry and help them understand what’s out there – really aligns with our values. Their curriculum is holistic, and we were impressed by their facilities, labs, and access to resources. They’ve created a space that really appeals to young minds, keeping things engaging and relevant.”

For Ground Construction Ltd, investing in the next generation is part of the company’s DNA.

“The construction industry has always had a skills shortage. T Levels are a brilliant way to get young people interested early. Work placements teach so many life skills – it’s important that students know what to expect and are better prepared when they enter the workplace.

“Growth and development are core values for us, and we’re proud of our social responsibility. Supporting and encouraging students to join the industry helps promote who we are, futureproofs our workforce, and is part of our succession planning.”

On the support from the college, Sooren said: “We’re pleased with how structured the process is. Monitoring of progress is strong, and communication has been great. The placement advisers carried out a full HSE assessment, and we’ve had regular check-ins to evaluate how things are going.”

When asked what advice they’d give to other employers, Sooren said: “Make sure you have a proper structure and development pathway in place. Maintain ongoing dialogue with the college. T Level programmes depend on employers offering placements. If we want to secure the future of our industry, we need to invest in young people at an even earlier age and this is one of the best ways to nurture that talent. It’s a question that answers itself and enhances our succession plan for the industry.”

To find out more about offering work placements through MK College, contact the Employer Team at: employerteam@mkcollege.ac.uk

Curious about what it’s like to do a placement while studying at Milton Keynes College? We spoke to Boma, a current student at the College studying a T Level in Digital Production, Design & Development. Read more to discover what the life of a T Level student looks like and what he learned along the way, with insights and tips for college life.

Hello! Who are you and what are you studying?

Hi there! I’m Boma and I’m a student at Milton Keynes College Bletchley campus, studying a T Level in Digital Production, Design & Development. I’m in the second year of my course.

What made you choose your course?

I’ve always wanted to be a web developer. I’m now applying to go into AI and software, and I saw this course as a good start. My dad used to be a big tech guy, so he wanted me to be able to do the tech stuff, since tech is all about the future now. He encouraged me to do it and gave me lessons, which gave me the courage to be able to choose the course I’m in now.

How are you finding your studies?

Very good and nurturing. The teachers always ask questions about how the students are doing with the course and give advice. They are also very friendly and caring; they take their time to make sure you understand the task before you carry on. It’s very intuitive on my side. I feel like I’ve made the right decision with the course.

What work placement did you do and how did you find it?

I did my work placement with the Bedford Modern School. I enjoyed it, I was an IT Support Technician Assistant at the school. I’m now done with my placement and looking forward to getting a job with the certificate that I get from this course.

Can you describe what a typical workday at your placement looks like?

My job was managing accounts and helping people with IT equipment on how to use them properly. Considering that it’s a school, there are a lot of IT problems, like network connections, laptops breaking down or various equipment shortages.

Did you encounter any obstacles? How did you overcome them?

Most of it was smooth sailing but if not for the staff who taught me what to do, it would be very difficult. My most difficult situation was trying to access the accounts and make changes to them because when people get logged out of their accounts, they need someone from the administration to open them up – when most of your staff members are busy, this becomes hard to do yourself.

What are some highlights from your time at the College?

I went to a table tennis tournament in Norwich once. I was able to make friends with a sports coach, talk about various sports and have other friendly conversations.

I’ve also met a couple other people from my country as well as made friends with people outside my country. It breaks a very strong cultural barrier around here, so being able to meet new people and build good relationships – that’s very nice here.

How do you find social life at the College?

I’ve found a couple new friends while studying here. Considering that I came in and I wasn’t a very talkative person, I’ve now found people I’m able to relate to and have some good conversations with.

Do you participate in any extracurricular activities at the college, and what hobbies do you enjoy outside of college?

I’m mostly active with just the course alone, but I’ve participated some events to improve my communication skills and increase my experience and confidence with the course. Outside of College, I like to play basketball and I go out for jogging and walks. I also ride my bike with some friends from the College.

What are your future career aspirations? What are your plans for achieving them?

I would like to become a web designer or developer, with a bit of focus on front-end or back-end of websites. If not, with the experience that I’ve gained from the work placement with the Bedford Modern School, I would like to go into IT support.

I’m planning on studying the Level 4 course for HNC degree in AI and Software, which I’m starting in September. I’d also like to take an apprenticeship after that or get a good job.

What advice would you give to someone applying for your course at MK College today?

There are two categories here. For someone who is used to web development and design, it would be good to start this course when you’re done with your secondary school or sixth form.

For someone who is new to digital society, it would be very advisable to take on multiple projects and always ask questions, because nobody can do it on their own. Coding is very broad, and you can get lost in any coding language that you choose – always seek help from your teachers or use online resources for guidance.

Try to be happy while learning because it’s very difficult to learn when you’re in a down or bad mood – you tend to focus on what’s wrong with what you’re doing. Be sure to always encourage yourself and be happy with what you’ve chosen to do. And if you find that you aren’t really doing well with the course, then be sure to let your teachers know so that they can give you the best advice on what to do next.

To learn more about T levels at Milton Keynes College, read more here.