DCG Impact Review 2024 - Flipbook - Page 25
TWENTY FIVE | STRATEGIC PRIORITY TWO
• Access to Higher Education courses in Health
Professions and Animal Science for those who
lack the traditional quali昀椀cations for degreelevel study
• English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
programmes
• Professional quali昀椀cations providing a platform
for career change
• Free short courses and taster options as a
stepping stone to further learning
• Opportunities to sample new hobbies such as
Spanish or creative writing
Many of these courses are based at DCG’s
Community College at Ilkeston, which prides itself
on offering a friendly, welcoming atmosphere for
people who may feel daunted by the prospect of
returning to education.
2023 saw plaudits for the new Access to Higher
Education programme in Animal Science.
Broom昀椀eld Hall was shortlisted for a special award
by the AIM Quali昀椀cations and Assessment Group.
It reached the 昀椀nal of the Access to Higher
Education Centre of the Year category.
CRAFT STUDENT LAURA
NOW TEACHES AT DCG
FROM ACCESS STUDIES TO
ACADEMIC RESEARCH
ILKESTON COLLEGE: A PLATFORM
FOR CAREER SUCCESS
When crafter Laura Smith
enrolled on a free upcycling
course with DCG, she didn’t
realise she was also on the
threshold of a new career as a
teacher.
Having completed his Access
programme, Jason Mathurin
progressed to achieve 昀椀rst
class honours on the BSc (Hons)
Medical Genetics at the University
of Chester. He is now embarking
on research-based postgraduate
studies with sights set on a
clinical genetics career.
When Halima Khanom became
a mother, she returned to
education because she wanted
‘a career, not just a job’.
Tutors were so impressed
with her abilities that they
encouraged her to apply for
a community learning tutor
post. She now leads sessions on
the Introduction to Upcycling/
Crafting course at Ilkeston
College and has enrolled for
teacher training.
Mother-of-two Laura is cofounder of a crafting business,
L&K Creative, mainly making
items from recycled books.
Such are her skills that she was
named runner-up in the Green
Commitment category of the
Association of Colleges Student
of the Year Awards.
She enrolled on the Level 2
CACHE Counselling and Mental
Health Awareness programmes
at Ilkeston College and went on
to secure a job with P3 Mental
Health Services.
I was so well prepared
for higher education by
my DCG Access course
– I’d recommend it, 100
per cent. Our lecturers
were amazing – so
engaging and always
there to provide help.”
“I can’t recommend
going back into
education and taking
community-based
courses with DCG
highly enough.”
