Studied Electrical Level 3 C&G

Currently working as an electrician
for Butler West Electrical

Age: 21
Course completed: 2011

What do you enjoy most about your job?
It's different every day and I'm always problem solving and coming across new challenges. The people I work with are great.

What responsibilities do you have?
At the moment me and my colleague are running a job in Oxford. Running a couple of jobs actually.

What are the most important pieces of equipment you need to start up?
Wire strippers, screwdrivers and a hammer. Definitely.

How did your course help you progress onto your chosen career?
The theory turned out to be really useful because you can relate to it on-site. It’s a lot different doing it on a bit of board to doing it in a house!

What qualifications do you need most to qualify as an electrician?
You need your Level 3 and they are now asking for the Testing Certificate as well, which I haven’t got yet but want to do. It's a hard course but you need to know your testing stuff.

What about GCSE wise?
English, Maths and Science are important, definitely. If you get all those you can skip a year, cut out Level 1 and go straight to Level 2.

What's the best job you've been to?
I don’t know really, I’ve done so many. We did a few schools in Witham and that was great – it was all metal trayed and armored, stuff I’ve never really done before.

How did you know that electrical was the industry for you?
I didn’t, actually. I did day release at school to come to Harlow College to try out all the trades. Every couple of months we swapped throughout the year so we did everything and I felt electrical was the one for me.

What advice would you give to someone who wanted to be an electrician?
Just make sure it's something you really want to do because there's no point in doing it and then getting to a certain point and thinking, this isn’t for me. So you just need to make sure it is something you want to do and work hard at it.

Is it better to work for a company or work independently?
Independently, I would say. Go to companies first and build up your experience, because there's nothing like getting stuck and not knowing what to do so, I would say build up your experience with companies and then go on to do it by yourself later on.

What skills do you think are important for an electrician to have?
Team player, always, because nine times out of ten you will be working with other people. And confidence as well, because the last thing the client wants is someone who's a bit shy and not really knowing what they're doing.

What qualities do you think you have to have to be a good electrician?
Personality goes a long way, and just being a team player really. Just doing your bit and working hard.

Lastly, where do you see yourself in five years time?
In that time I'd like to have been in a few other companies and maybe considering working for myself.

Studied Health and Social Care Level 3

Studying Midwifery at the University of Hertfordshire

Age: 18
Completed course: June 2013

How did the course help you progress?
Studying Health and Social Care at Harlow College opened my eyes to the wider aspects of health and social care and gave me an insight into what I wanted to do after college. It also gave me extra qualifications to develop my portfolio as a health and social care professional and helped me understand what university expects of me as a student.

Did you feel prepared leaving college?
I don't think anyone feels 100% prepared – it's a big step! I feel that the college gave me encouragement and recognised my potential, and this boosted my self esteem. It gave me the confidence I needed to leave college and go onto university. It was the preparation I needed as I was not a confident student.

What do you enjoy about university/placement?
I love the fact that I'm studying a subject I chose! A subject that I'm interested in. The university continues to support my education by giving me a role with responsibilities. When I'm out on placement I'm in my element. I'm so involved in the care of the women and I've even been able to deliver a baby. Even though I'm on my feet for 12 hour shifts I enjoy every moment. This is the career I belong in.

What research did you do into your course?
Firstly, I just googled midwifery to get a basic idea of what I was getting into. Then I went to some open days and career information events to talk to midwifery students and lecturers. They gave me such great advice on the career. What to expect at university and also support with the interview process.

Any advice on applying for uni?
The college has great services available for helping with the UCAS application. They were there to help at every step of the process and supported me with my personal statement. Be honest in your statement – universities want to know about you as an individual. Even the smallest of skills that you think might not relevant could give you that extra edge. Also, remember to visit the universities because you need to feel comfortable in the environment that you'll be studying in. Every university is different.

Any advice for a future midwife?
Midwifery focuses on enabling women through pregnancy, labour and the postnatal stage. It offers physical, emotional and psychological support to women, their partner and their family. You have to be prepared to focus on studying as it will take up a lot of your time. It's worth it though, because you get to be a part of families at such a special time in their lives.

What skills are needed for a midwife?
Midwives have varied skills. You need to be a kind, caring person. You have to have a passion for caring for people. Great communication skills and good people skills are a must because women need someone to confide in. You also have to be strong minded. Although childbirth has such happy moments it unfortunately also has very sad moments.

What qualities make you a good midwife?
My willingness to learn is a quality that I believe makes me a good midwife. I'm constantly trying to learn new skills through practice and observing. My passion for the job also makes me a good midwife, it's something I enjoy and want to do for the rest of my life.

What do you think you'll be doing in five years' time?
In five years' time I'd like to be a qualified midwife working in a London hospital. I'd also like to become a mentor to students studying midwifery and help them become the midwives that women deserve.