Seevic

Local MP Rebecca Harris visited Seevic College to launch its involvement in the national campaign ‘Colleges Week’. She met with Seevic’s students from its Benfleet campus and New Campus Basildon, who have been able to present their work and talk about their reasons for choosing Seevic College to further their learning.

The day celebrated the national ‘Colleges Week’ theme, ‘Your Future, Your Choice’, highlighting the reasons why so many students choose to go to college to further their education, through apprenticeships, vocational or academic courses such as A Levels or degrees.

Rebecca Harris commented: "You might say it’s been an education coming to Seevic College. I didn’t quite realise the range of high-quality courses and teaching that is on offer".

The Conservative MP’s visit has enabled Seevic to celebrate the breadth of courses that it offers, and showcase its range of student talent. Rebecca was given the opportunity to meet some of Seevic’s apprentices and their employers, Project Skills Solutions and Party Man World. Both companies are based locally and have been able to utilise Seevic College apprentices to support and develop their businesses during the recession.

Rebecca said: "I am particularly interested in apprenticeships and business enterprises. Apprenticeships are a win-win situation for both the young person and the business involved. I urge young people and employers to look into this, especially in current times. It’s aiding businesses to grow using local apprentices."

The Sports department showcased some of Seevic’s ‘Sporting Heroes’, who excel at sport and who also go back into the local community to teach sport at grass roots.

Craig Willis, 23, from Hadleigh, is studying for a BSc Coaching Science with Physical Education and met with Rebecca to discuss the benefits of studying his degree locally. He said: "Studying my degree at Seevic has allowed me to continue my part-time coaching at local primary and secondary schools. Some children I have coached for many years and I have been able to continue supporting their development whilst studying. As well as working part-time I have been able to live at home and support myself without running up too much debt".

Rebecca commented that: "Studying Higher Education courses at Seevic College is brilliant for Castle Point residents, who can come here to get a high-quality degree. In doing this they are able to study alongside family or work commitments. It’s a very flexible option and any opportunity that is open to you which allows you to increase your skill level should be taken."

Rebecca’s visit also included meeting with some of Seevic’s Early Years students, who are studying vocational and degree courses.

Josh Young, 18, from Rayleigh, and Kelly Hanrahan, 18, from Hadleigh, are both studying a BTEC in Children’s Care, Learning and Development. They said: "The course gives you a good knowledge of child development in a range of areas, through a variety of learning activities. We get real hands-on experience of working with children".

Some students came across from New Campus Basildon to talk about their experiences of studying vocational courses. This was also a great opportunity to discuss New Campus Basildon’s expansion to another site, Church Walk, where Seevic will be offering courses from February 2011.

New Campus Basildon student, Vivien Lynch, 20, from Laindon, is studying a BTEC national certificate in Health and Social Care. She said: "New Campus Basildon has a personal and comfortable environment, which makes it easy to learn and the support from staff is friendly and helpful." Vivien plans to go on to University next year to study a degree in Social Care.

Sarah Wright, Principal and Chief Executive of Seevic College, said: "There is a wide range of provision at all levels at Seevic College, and the vision for the college in the future is that we become known regionally for the excellent quality of our provision and our responsiveness to meeting the needs of individuals and businesses in our local communities."

Seevic College will be taking part in a range of activities to celebrate its various successes and its involvement within the local community, including an Open Evening on Tuesday, a Sports fundraising day on Wednesday and an Employment event on Thursday.