One of our Digital and IT students has secured a software engineering apprenticeship after excelling on his T Level work placement.
Vedant Shukla was one of the first students from the college to do the industry-based part of his course at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
Vedant loved his time at DWP Digital’s Leeds base and immediately knew he could make a positive impact.
He said: “My work placement with DWP was the best I could have gotten: everyone I met there was so supportive of me as a college student.
“I also got to work in a real-life Agile environment (which focuses on a flexible workplace and mindset, collaboration and adaptability to change) from the moment I joined.
“It was such a wonderful experience as, within a month, I was able to lead a project from the beginning to the end.
“I worked as a business analyst for a lot of my placement as well. This meant interacting with stakeholders, suggesting ways they could improve the project, creating documents, catching up on emails, hosting meetings and so on.”
Determined to bag an apprenticeship with DWP, Vedant made sure he went the extra mile to impress his employers – and it worked!
He said: “Ever since I joined my placement, they knew I wanted to secure an apprenticeship by the end of it.
“A lot of opportunities will not be handed to you in life, you have to work for it and constantly emphasise the fact that you have a goal, which is what I did.
“I also stayed to do overtime because I loved working with them. I think that’s what showed them that I really wanted to stay and get an apprenticeship.”
It was the practical nature of T Levels – students spend 80% of their time in the classroom and 20% on an industry placement – that attracted Vedant to his course.
Now, two years later with a software engineering apprenticeship underway, he’s convinced he made the right choice.
He said: “I never wanted to join university after college, and I knew that the T Level industry placement would give me that breakthrough to get onto an apprenticeship or work right off the bat.
“I have really enjoyed every part of the course since the beginning and appreciate all the support that college provided when we had to manage coursework and placements at the same time in year two. Overall, my experience has been very interesting, knowledge-filled, professional and exciting.
“I would definitely recommend a T Level course to others, as it is filled with opportunities that are not simply university-based; you can get into work life right away.”
You can hear more about how much Vedant enjoyed his course, and placement, on this DWP Digital video: https://bit.ly/3WkOdPi .
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At Leeds City College, empowering young women to pursue careers in technology is a priority.
Throughout the year, female students have engaged in a range of enriching experiences that showcase the opportunities available in the sector. From industry masterclasses to international learning experiences, students have connected with leading tech organisations, gaining valuable skills and insights.
Leeds City College has collaborated with major industry players to provide students with valuable exposure to the tech sector. Events such as a KPMG masterclass for Digital and IT students, a visit to Sky as part of Women in Tech Week, and an International Women’s Day activity with Ahead Partnership have given students hands-on experience and networking opportunities. Additionally, a female PTEC student had the exciting opportunity to travel to New Zealand as part of their course thanks to the Turing Scheme, gaining international insights into the tech industry. These initiatives have helped female students understand different career paths, develop technical skills, and gain confidence in their abilities within the industry.
One of the standout experiences was a Health Tech Hack, attended by student Flora Boateng. This event, organised by Leeds Digital Health, brought together developers, healthcare professionals, and innovators to create technological solutions aimed at improving healthcare. Participants worked collaboratively on developing apps, devices, or software designed to enhance patient care, reduce costs, and improve access to medical services.
The event involved brainstorming, rapid prototyping, and testing innovative ideas. Students were divided into groups, encouraging teamwork and idea-sharing while solving real-world healthcare challenges. Flora said, “Taking part in the health tech hackathon was an eye-opening experience. It challenged me to think creatively and work collaboratively to solve real-world healthcare problems. I didn’t fully appreciate how technology could transform patient care until I saw the innovative solutions teams developed in such a short time. It’s definitely made me consider a future in health tech.”
Another inspiring student making strides in the tech industry is Saffy Bellock. She has actively participated in multiple Hackathons with AQL, gaining hands-on experience in digital problem-solving and innovation. Additionally, Saffy has attended two Women in Tech networking breakfasts and last year’s Digital Ball, connecting with industry professionals and expanding her network.
As both a T Level and STEM ambassador, Saffy has dedicated her time to volunteering for several events within the college, including the Leeds Apprenticeship Fair and the Digital Careers Fair. Her passion for technology extends to cybersecurity and digital technologies, having attended multiple events centered around these fields.
Currently, Saffy is gaining valuable industry experience through her work placement at DWP Digital. Her involvement in various events and initiatives showcases her commitment to inspiring other young women to pursue careers in technology.
Anita Emeribe has also been a strong advocate for women in technology at Leeds City College. She was selected to represent the Digital and IT department in a meeting with Ofsted, where she joined students from other departments to provide insights into their learning experiences. Her participation in this meeting reflects the college’s dedication to student representation and ensuring that young women in tech have a voice at the highest levels.
These initiatives are part of Leeds City College’s broader commitment to bridging the gender gap in the technology sector. By offering access to masterclasses, industry visits, international learning opportunities, and hands-on innovation challenges, the college is ensuring that female students are equipped with the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to succeed in tech careers.
Through continued collaboration with industry leaders, Leeds City College remains dedicated to fostering an inclusive and dynamic learning environment where women can thrive in technology.
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