College News

Rob’s engineered for success

Solihull College student lands dream job with the UK’s leading engineering company, NG Bailey.

16 year old Rob Gardiner has fought off thousands of applicants to secure a four year apprenticeship with the renowned company which provides building, ICT, mechanical and electrical services to businesses across the nation.

The former CTC Kingshurst Academy pupil recently completed his Level One NVQ in Engineering which he had been studying at the College since the age of 14.

He studied for his NVQ one day a week through the School’s Link Project which gives pupils in year 10 and 11 the opportunity to study a vocational subject at college alongside the core subjects they study at school.

After being successfully shortlisted, Rob was interviewed by NG Bailey’s most senior directors. He’s delighted with his new role: “I didn’t expect to find such a good job so soon after leaving school. It will give me the chance to travel across the country doing a line of work that I enjoy while learning more about the industry,” Rob said. “I’d like to thank everyone at my school and at Solihull College who have supported and encouraged me throughout.”

The College’s 14-16 Project Co-ordinator, Tracey Daly, and Dawn Phipps, Access Centre Manager at CTC Kingshurst Academy, have worked closely with Rob during the programme: “We’re really proud of Rob, he’s such an inspiration and really determined to succeed in whatever he sets out to do. The great thing about the School Links programme is that it gives pupils the chance to study an area that they are interested in and to develop both professionally and personally.”

Solihull College offers apprenticeships across Birmingham, Warwickshire and the West Midlands