The Student View
Don't just listen to us! - listen to what our students have to say.
Nyree Taylor
When Nyree Taylor was made redundant from her office administration role, she decided to see this as a chance to change direction. After attending an Information Event at the Holme Lacy campus, she opted for the National Diploma in Animal Management Level 3.
Returning for study for some people can seem a daunting prospect but Nyree explains how she relished the chance to learn, “I really love the academic side of the course. After leaving school I think I realised how I didn’t make the most of my chance to study, so now I was really ready to be challenged academically. I would definitely recommend the course, it is challenging in many ways though it is so enjoyable because of my tutors and peers, I will miss them all very much.”
Richard Hodges
Richard started studying at HCT for the National Certificate in Agriculture. He then secured employment at CM Mercer, Dinmore after his first year of study and so chose to progress via an apprenticeship and advanced apprenticeship, totalling three years of study. “It is a very good course” commented Richard. “There is an excellent atmosphere to learn in, I have made great friends. We all get along across the campus so you meet people on all different courses. The tutors are fab as well; I would really recommend studying here”.
Katie Howard
"I prefer hands-on learning and enjoy being outside, I have had a love for horses since I was little. I did have a break from them for about 5 years, but after visiting a friend with horses it all came back and so I started up again. The course has taught me a lot, it covers a wide range of areas, including science, anatomy and physiology, breeding, etc. It is very thorough. I am now hoping to go to Australia through an international exchange programme and spend 5 months working with horses there. I would thoroughly recommend the course”.
Having chosen to progress from the National Award in Horse Management, Katie has just completed her 2 year National Diploma in Horse Management.
Monica Downes
Having finished in July 2010 after studying part time for three years in three different areas of Complementary Therapy, Monica is very excited to have recently started her own business; ‘Hands-On Holistic Therapies’ and comments ‘I love it, it’s so interesting. Each client is a new individual experience and fuels my motivation to develop further. None of this would have been possible without my initial training at HCT.’
Monica describes herself as having always been interested in massage and the courses came at a good point in her life for her to study in this area. After working in the education sector for many years, the courses have given the opportunity for Monica to take a new direction; developing her practical skills, business acumen and personal management skills.
As the courses are recognised qualifications by the Federation of Holistic Therapists, she is able to practice as an FHT professional and be covered by their insurance. She describes the course ‘as giving a lot of opportunity for practice and we had the most fantastic tutor. She’s been very supportive since leaving the course with both career and practical advice; I am also still in touch with many of my fellow students’.
Monica is now hoping to broaden her skills further with more advanced techniques, ‘learning is a continuous process and it doesn’t just stop at a certain age.
Tyler Weir
"The tutors on my course were brilliant; they helped me so much during my 2 years."
Tyler is one of 6 students in the last 7 years to progress on to a professional football contract after completing the BTEC National Diploma in Sport-Performance and Excellence. He describes himself as a practical person who always enjoyed football at school. With the guidance of his tutors, Tyler went on to pass the necessary academic and functional skills of the course, leading him to find his own vocational path in something he really enjoys. In his second year, the experience of training once a week with the Hereford United Youth Academy put him in good stead for future developments.
"The team are great to be around; I get to play football and keep fit everyday. In the future I want to work hard and play in as many games as I can."
