Matthew, a former student at the David Nieper Academy in Alfreton, achieved a Merit grade and has clinched an apprentice surveyor position with The Greenhatch Group which employs more than 130 staff across the UK and whose head office is in Little Eaton.
Harry Goodwin (18), a former pupil at Ecclesbourne School achieved a Pass grade. He has started work at the company under the traineeship programme and is hoping that this will lead to a higher apprenticeship the following year.
They were offered positions with The Greenhatch Group having impressed senior personnel who have been heavily involved in the co-design and co-delivery of the Construction, Design, Surveying and Planning T-Level at the College.
Matthew said: “I was originally looking for apprenticeships after leaving school but there were limited opportunities and the T-Level sounded the best bet.
“I am more of a practical learner so the focus on industry placements really drew me to this route. I can’t fault the programme. It has given us an insight into a wide range of careers.
“I am really pleased with this grade which will enable me to go to university part time, work for a good company and earn a salary straight out of College which is the best of every world.
“Although we did take exams, it did not feel as stressful as I think A-Levels would have been. We obviously didn’t take GCSEs so that would have been tough but this route with a good emphasis on practical assessments as well as theory assignments and exams has been brilliant.”
Harry continued: “When I started the T-Level I was learning towards architecture but, as we learnt more about different professions, I changed my mind towards surveying.
“Working with Greenhatch was a real inspiration, especially learning how they got into the profession and what the job is like day to day.”
DCG was the first FE College in the East Midlands to offer the first tranche of T-Levels in September 2020 in Design, Surveying and Planning; Education and Childcare and Digital Production – all of which are equivalent to three A-Levels.
The two-year programmes involve 80% of time spent in College and 20% on an industrial placement. They have been developed in collaboration with employers so that they meet the skills requirements of industry and better prepare students for the workplace with progression routes either straight into work, higher/degree apprenticeships or full-time university programmes.
Stuart Chadwick from Greenhatch accompanied the students to College to collect their results and was delighted with their success.
“We work in a highly qualified, well-educated and well paid profession with a lot to offer young people so it is important for us as a company to be involved with DCG to ensure the talent pipeline into the industry.
“Further to our role on the Industry Skills Board, we were keen to engage on the T-Level curriculum to ensure the qualification was relevant and up to date.
“We looked at what the syllabus included and advised changes relating to what the industry needs – making it more relevant and up to date with the changes in equipment and work methods.
“Thanks to the structure of the T-Level with a good mix of theory, practical and work placements, Matthew and Harry will have a head start on many other new entrants to the profession.
“They have already fitted in really well to the company and we look forward to supporting their career development over the coming years.”
