Vocational qualifications like BTECs are work-related courses, giving you the skills and knowledge needed for a particular career or job role. These courses are more practical than theory-based A-Levels, but that doesn’t mean they’re an easier option.
With BTECs, you’ll gain hands-on experience and you’ll be trained to the high standard that employers expect, and as joint top-performing college for vocational qualifications in Wales, we have a wide selection of courses for you to explore.
10 Benefits of vocational qualifications
Get real-world experience in the area that interests you
Learn by doing – vocational courses take a hands-on approach
Gain practical skills that you’ll need to do a job and be work-ready when you leave college
Find a pathway into employment in your preferred career and focus on your interests
Apply theory to practice in real scenarios and projects
Gain extra skills for employment, like communication and time-management
Be assessed in a variety of ways, such as coursework, practical assignments and tests
Get into uni – Level 3 vocational qualifications also earn UCAS points
Earn a recognised qualification that employers are looking for
Study full time and enhanced part-time courses FREE!
So, if you think a vocational qualification is more suited to your learning style than an academic course, you’ll find the course for you at Coleg Gwent. Hear what some of our learners have to say:
“Within the first few days, I knew I’d made the correct decision. All the tutors were extremely supportive, caring and kind. I’ve had a wide range of opportunities to develop my skills, knowledge, confidence, and academic ability, and I completed 200 hours of work experience. I’d highly recommend studying Health and Social Care at Coleg Gwent.”
Tourism
Rohan Lewis has been interested in travel and tourism since school. He wanted to study the Extended Diploma in Travel and Tourism to help him progress into a future career in the sector:
“We’ve been on multiple trips during the course – Scotland, Spain, London – and covered interesting units such as business, different job roles, and the inner-workings of the travel industry. I used to struggle with my Maths, but thanks to Coleg Gwent, I’ve been able to improve my skills and I’ve decided to go to university to study Management.”
Mechanical Engineering
Callum Abdie was set to go to university after completing his A levels at sixth form, but after work experience at British Airways, he pursued his Level 2 Diploma in Mechanical Engineering instead:
“I really like the practical part of the course, getting hands-on experience – we do a lot of practical at the moment; generally, theory and practical is 70/30 split. The tutors are great too; you have a different relationship with teachers in school, but in college you’re learning at your own pace.”
“I really enjoyed the mix of practical and theory work as it made the course enjoyable. The modules were interesting and we could interact during the lessons to gain a better understanding. Coleg Gwent provided me with a lot of support which has given me confidence and self-belief.”
“I enjoy the practical side of the course as I can run free with my creativity in the kind of job that needs creativity. Coleg Gwent has done an excellent job of providing me with the correct facilities to go up and beyond, with the opportunity to take my skills into the competitive environment.”
Public Services
David Parry studied the Extended Diploma in Public Services after completing sixth form and found the transition from school to college easier than expected:
“The course was very varied and interesting. Some of the modules were understanding the roles, responsibilities and security of the uniformed services, as well as volunteering in our community. We went on lots of visits to various uniformed public services and I’ve pursued as career with the Army Reserves, where I’ve just recently been promoted. This is all thanks to the college!”
Creative Arts
Ayk Perera attended Blaenau Gwent Learning Zone to study the Extended Diploma in Art and Design, after being interested in drawing and creativity from a young age:
“I did rubbish in my GCSEs because I didn’t have any support, but an employability course at Coleg Gwent helped me get to where I am now. I recently got a distinction at level 2 and now I’m looking to go onto a Foundation Degree in Games Design.”
“We had some great lessons like going into the computer lab or playing games to help us learn. It’s a fun learning environment! I struggled with dyslexia in Maths and couldn’t wrap my head around it. But thanks to the support at Coleg Gwent, I got a higher grade than in high school.”
Science
Abigail George studied BTEC Extended Diploma in Applied Science instead of taking the A Level route and hopes to go onto university to study Biomedical Science:
“The BTEC in Applied Science was a great alternative to A Levels. I didn’t want the stress of exams, and this course allowed me to build my grades up with coursework and do assignments at the speed I wanted to. I hope to work in healthcare and college has given me the skills for a career like this.”
Kayleigh Cake studied the Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care and achieved a bronze medal in the Welsh Skills Competition. She’s now planning to study Midwifery at university:
Rohan Lewis has been interested in travel and tourism since school. He wanted to study the Extended Diploma in Travel and Tourism to help him progress into a future career in the sector:
Callum Abdie was set to go to university after completing his A levels at sixth form, but after work experience at British Airways, he pursued his Level 2 Diploma in Mechanical Engineering instead:
Sport is a passion for Hywel Evans, and it’s an industry he’d like to work in and gain a degree in, so he chose the Extended Diploma in Sport Development, Coaching and Fitness:
Morgan Upcott chose to study the Diploma in Professional Cookery and has been hugely successful reaching the finals of the Chef’s Forum Young Pastry Chef of the Year competition:
David Parry studied the Extended Diploma in Public Services after completing sixth form and found the transition from school to college easier than expected:
Ayk Perera attended Blaenau Gwent Learning Zone to study the Extended Diploma in Art and Design, after being interested in drawing and creativity from a young age:
Level 2 Diploma in Information and Technology learner, Hollie Shakesheff, would like to become a Game Developer or Game Artist, and plans to complete her Diploma in Games Design in September:
Abigail George studied BTEC Extended Diploma in Applied Science instead of taking the A Level route and hopes to go onto university to study Biomedical Science: