Case Studies
Mikolaj Klaskala
Postgraduate Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership Level 7
Originally from Poland, Mikolaj has had great success throughout his higher education at HCT. He has completed the Level 3 Diploma in Management, Level 5 Diploma in Management and is currently studying for the Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma Strategic Management and Leadership qualification.
He also works full time for the company ‘Amey’ where he was recruited as a print operative in 2005. He soon became a supervisor and on commencement of his Level 3 course with HCT he was promoted to manager. Last September he gained a place on the company’s internal programme ‘Talent Tracker’. The programme is nationwide covering 13,000 employees and potential candidates are selected with a rigorous assessment system. Mikolaj is the first employee from Hereford to be accepted on to the highest level of fast track training. This allows him access to Advanced Business Training not only with HCT but also within the company itself.
The course has helped him to build a professional profile of management and business theories which he has applied to everyday operations and this has been a great success. His ambition after the Level 7 course is to complete further study for a full Masters qualification.
Cath Knowles
Office Manager at Herefordshire Mind
Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resource Management
Studying Human Resources with HCT totally changed my path in life. After spending many years working in management, the HR course enabled me to realise that my real passion was working with people. The course really got me back in to learning and encouraged me to continue my studies through further CIPD qualifications. The tutor was incredibly supportive and I would absolutely recommend HCT.
Colin Bramble
Diploma in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Centre (DTLLS)
Colin is originally from an agricultural background and it was during the seventies that he made the decision to move into horticulture when he started his own business in landscape gardening and maintenance in Wales. He grew accustomed to working in a physically demanding job and the seasonal restrictions he would work to.
It wasn’t until 2008 that Colin decided to step back from such physical work. After recovering from a heart condition he decided to explore different options, which led him to teaching horticulture at the Holme Lacy Campus. “I love the contact with the students and I’ve always enjoyed passing on my skills to others.”
After he has completed his course Colin will be an NQT (Newly Qualifi ed Teacher) “The idea is just to carry on teaching. It is more than teaching students to gain a qualifi cation; it is about them developing life skills. If I can continually learn how to improve my teaching then I can help them to apply what they learn as well as developing their knowledge. I hope that with this knowledge and skills they’ll be better equipped to go in to employment.”
Debbie Mumford
Foundation Degree in Information Communication Technology
Debbie is in her second year of study for the Foundation Degree in Information Communication Technology. Originally from Cape Town in South Africa, Debbie’s previous ICT skills were self-taught and developed whilst she was a Network Administrator 10 years ago.
Since that time, Debbie met her husband who is from Hereford and moved over here to live. After her third child started at primary school Debbie decided she would like to go back in to working in the ICT industry.
Due to Debbie’s break from her career it was unlikely that she would be able to re-enter the industry at the same level as when she left without further training. Although she had quite extensive previous experience, much of the technology would have moved forward significantly and she felt she needed to improve her confidence as well. Debbie selected this course to enable her to enter back in to the industry at a level more appropriate to her capabilities.
She is keen to complete the optional 3rd year of the degree with Gloucester University and embark on a fresh career upon its completion.
Tim Puddephatt
BA (Hons) Artist Blacksmithing
“When I started this degree, it was the only BA level Artist Blacksmithing course in the world. I found that although you’re given a huge amount of freedom in both the studio and the forge, there’s also more tutor coverage. In fact, it’s unusual if you don’t have a tutorial every week. It’s a design-led degree and I’m coming out very confident in my design ability, so the next step is how to get work experience; whether with blacksmiths or in galleries and installations. This will allow me to build on my practical and production skills.“
Sam Mawson
Foundation Degree in Learning Support
Sam, who’s 26, is currently studying for a Foundation Degree in Learning Support to make his dream of becoming a primary school teacher a reality. Like many people entering into higher education Sam was unsure about the impact the course would have on his time, finances and future. “I started the course because I wanted to fi nd a more rewarding job. I’ve had all sorts of jobs, from catering to performing arts. Teaching was always the sort of thing I had wanted to do though never thought I could. It wasn’t until I rang up and spoke to my future tutor that I realised it was possible”.
Sam secured funding from the government for his course, which he studies part time. This enables him to work the rest of the week as a Teaching Assistant supporting a variety of primary pupils, some with Special Educational Needs. Sam talked about how he researched his HE options thoroughly before enrolling on the course, “A lot of people follow more complicated routes in to higher education. For me, this was clearly the most practical option available.”
