Graduation ceremony celebrates the success of Chesterfield College Group students and higher apprentices
Graduating students and higher apprentices celebrated their academic success on Friday after successfully passing their university-level studies with the Chesterfield College Group. A special ceremony at the Casa Hotel in Chesterfield saw over 100 graduates come together to recognise their achievements with family and friends.
Graduates received their university-level qualifications in subjects ranging from business and construction through to computer game design, engineering, education, health and social care and sports.
Matthew White (left), from Chesterfield, graduated with a Foundation Degree in Sports Coaching last week and is now studying to gain his full honours degree at college. He told us:
“I really like the familiarity of studying at college. I know the tutors and get on great with them. We work in small groups and get lots of one-to-one time with our tutors, which is arguably the best thing about studying for a degree at college. The students and the tutors have a great relationship; it’s like being part of one big sports team.”
Juggling work and study paid off for Higher Apprentice, Danielle Jones (right), from Chesterfield, who gained a Level 4 Business Administration and is now using her knowledge to help college students to follow their dreams too. After completing her apprenticeship at Chesterfield College, she is now Work Experience Co-ordinator at the College and in her new role in Student Futures she helps students find work experience opportunities to help them kick start their own goals.
She said: “My training has been invaluable as I learned work specific skills in business and management as well as key skills such as communications. It was challenging at times to study while working but it was well worth the hard work. I’ve now got a job that I love thanks to the skills I’ve learned and I’m progressing my career.”
Julie Richards, Principal and Chief Executive of the Chesterfield College Group congratulated the graduates at the ceremony. She said;
“The Chesterfield College Group exists to maximise the potential of every single individual and to work in the heart of our community, inspiring futures and changing lives. We are incredibly proud of what our graduates have achieved and we hope that it will enable them to grow and prosper as they move forward. I know that their achievements are a starting point for greater things to come.”
Chesterfield College works alongside a range of local university partners to deliver university-level courses, including Sheffield Hallam University, University of Derby and Staffordshire University. This gives people from across North East Derbyshire and the surrounding areas who want to work towards higher education qualifications access to quality and affordable provision on their doorstep.
The Quality Assurance Agency, who safeguard standards and improve the quality of UK higher education, recently awarded Chesterfield College the highest grade possible following an inspection which has allowed them to develop a dedicated University Centre.
