About the College

Grace has won a place at the prestigious Bristol Vet School after passing her BTEC National Diploma in Animal Management with a distinction at Solihull College. Grace has been enrolled on a specially designed course for people with vocational qualifications rather than A Levels.

As part of her Diploma course the teenager enjoyed several successful work placements where she learned how to handle different species of animal including lizards.

"I think they were impressed by my experience as much as my academic achievements," said Grace. I would love to one day go into general practice or specialise in one area of animal care."

Dannika now works for world famous stylist Nicky Clarke at his salon in Birmingham's Mailbox after the Level 1 hairdressing NVQ course at the College gave her the opportunity to train for a practical, customer focussed career in an ever-expanding industry.

"It was hard work but worth it. The positive energy I got from everyone around me on the course was absolutely amazing.

The incredible support I got from staff at the college, their attitude and the encouragement they gave me helped me to turn my life around."

Ambitious Oliver Pidgeon wants to help people and with a BTEC First Diploma in Health and Social Care, the 18 year-old is well on the way to achieving his goals. After completing his course at Solihull College's Woodlands Campus, Oliver is now employed as a care worker looking after disabled adults. And he has every intention of progressing in his career.

"It has always been my ambition to work in health care and I'd heard from other people who had done the course at Woodlands how good it was.

The course got harder as time went on and is not as straightforward as people may think. But I received a lot of support from tutors and the other students.

It gave me a wider knowledge and appreciation of healthcare and I now know much more about the legal aspects of the industry which helped me get the job I'm in. I will do my NVQ's every year and keep progressing to get better and go further."

Leah has thrown herself into student life - she is currently president of the student council and has been appointed as one of the College's new student ambassadors.

"I‘m so glad I decided to join Solihull College, the tutors are very supportive and the students on my course are very close-knit - our work is better because of it and we all get on so well. I really can't fault the college!"

Paula joined Solihull College after transferring from a different college. She chose Solihull College for this transfer as she felt it offered the best courses and was ideally located.

"I would like to become a professional personal trainer and possibly one day own and manage my own gym. I've already taken my first steps to making this happen - I work part-time in the College gym and as soon as I'm qualified I plan to start taking on my own clients.

I'm glad I made the move to Solihull College - I've made some brilliant friends on the course and the tutors have been constantly helpful. The College caters for all kinds of people and my experience here has been perfect - I couldn't have wished for a better course!"