Two of our former journalism students are celebrating becoming trustees of a major charity.
Emma Burke and India Chahal first got involved with The Youth Association through the Peer Research project in 2022-2023.
The initiative saw students at our Quarry Hill campus receive training in interview techniques, research methods, scriptwriting and more – and conduct interviews with other young people for a weekly podcast.
India and Emma both found the experience – the project was a collaboration by The Youth Association and the college’s Student Life enrichment team – really inspiring. It concluded with their group producing a short film, highlighting creative opportunities for young people across Leeds, that was shown at the Royal Armouries Museum.
Keen to continue working with charity after the project ended, the pair (both now 20) applied to become Young Trustees, and each attracted enough votes to land the role.
Emma said: “The Youth Association has provided me and many other young people with the opportunities to create and lead our own projects, which has really helped so many people.”
Looking back to her time on the Peer Research Project, she added: “We all came up with the ideas ourselves and planned everything from scripts to how we would film. The Youth Association provided us with all the tools and connections we needed to make our idea a reality.
“Experiences like this not only help young people with CVs and university applications but they also build up important life skills such as confidence, taking responsibility and social skills. They also involve the local community, which I believe to be very important.”
Based in Wakefield, The Youth Association describes itself as ‘Yorkshire’s youth work charity’ and has been working with young people, on everything from life-changing skills development to fun activities, since 1904.
Since becoming a Young Trustee, India has taken on an active role within the organisation.
Her work has even included representing the charity internationally, during a visit to the Netherlands with Cultuur In De Wijk. She has also joined interview panels for new staff members and contributed to discussions about how the group’s work is delivered and developed.
The college’s Student Voice and Social Action Lead, Lindsey Topham-Whitton, said: “The Peer Research project and podcast club turned into an incredibly powerful opportunity for the learners.
“Emma and India’s continued engagement with The Youth Association has led to vital development, and even the opportunity to become young trustees there. Experiences like this equip learners with incredibly versatile skills that can be transferred to any workplace.”
Lindsey is keen for other learners to get involved with the charity too, and learn more about the important work it is doing – through, for example, initiatives like Lads at the Back. This community research programme is focused on helping tackle the problem of young men being more likely to disengage from education.
It is asking 16-23 year olds in Leeds and Wakefield for their thoughts on why the problem exists, and to take part in sessions to discuss possible solutions.
Visit https://youth-association.org/ for more details.
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Valeriia’s journey is a story of extraordinary resilience, determination, and courage. Fleeing the war in Ukraine, she arrived in the UK with no English, leaving behind her family, friends, and everything familiar. Despite the challenges, she embraced her new life with courage, staying with a host family and determined to rebuild her career.
Soon after arriving, Valeriia secured a part-time role in a primary school, and in November 2023 she began her Level 2 apprenticeship at Leeds City College. “Coming back to the education sector in the UK felt like a big achievement,” she recalls. At that time, she had limited understanding of the UK system and professional English, but she approached every challenge with positivity and perseverance, taking online lessons in her own time to improve her skills.
Valeriia’s dedication and talent quickly became apparent. She progressed into a Level 3 apprenticeship in the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Department, supporting the rollout of a new module within the Navigate system – a platform designed for educational institutions to manage and track non-academic activities for learners with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). Her line manager, Emma Valente, notes that her attention to detail, thirst for knowledge, and willingness to challenge poor practices have already made a tangible impact, including improving legally governed processes involving Local Authorities.
A typical week for Valeriia involves audit checks, creating reports, team discussions, and providing administrative support across multiple campuses, alongside her study commitments. “I’ve learned so much about SEND – how the system is organised, different job roles, EHCP plans and reviews, risk assessments, and the importance of values in practice,” she explains. “At first, I doubted myself a lot, but over time I started trusting my skills and my place in the team.” Her apprenticeship has helped her build confidence, trust her working environment, and develop skills that will support her future career.
Valeriia’s perseverance has been recognised both professionally and personally. Her team describe her as hardworking, generous, and kind, with a commitment that extends beyond work – she even spends weekends weaving nets to support her country.
Reflecting on her journey, Valeriia says, “The apprenticeship has shown me that I can be accepted and valued, that I am part of a team, and that it is worth moving forward and exploring opportunities.”
Looking ahead, Valeriia plans to continue her career within education, exploring ways to combine her interests in education, art, and psychology. She is also a strong advocate for apprenticeships: “It can be a pivotal point for starting your career. The support from the team and assessor makes it possible to grow, even if you feel hesitant or face challenges. An apprenticeship allows you to learn, contribute, and explore yourself with the right guidance.”
Valeriia’s journey exemplifies courage, resilience, and the transformative power of apprenticeships. Her achievements highlight not only her personal determination but also the importance of inclusive support and opportunity, making her an inspiring example for anyone navigating a new country, career, or challenge.
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Saffy Blellock is taking her next step towards an IT career after excelling in her Cyber Security and Networking T Level.
Saffy recently completed her course with us, which included a rewarding industry placement at DWP (Department for Work and Pensions) Digital, in Leeds. She also enjoyed being one of our T Level and STEM Ambassadors, taking the lead in talking about the benefits of T Levels and technology-based careers to younger students and schoolchildren.
Now in the first year of her Degree Apprenticeship in Technology Services with Accenture and BPP University, she is convinced she was right to take ‘the T Level route’ after school.
She said: “I have always loved problem-solving and knew that I wanted to do something in cyber security or along those lines, and had heard about Leeds City College before, so I looked at the college’s IT courses as a ‘stepping stone’ to doing a degree apprenticeship later on.
“The course was great and the placement with DWP Digital was really nice, everyone was very welcoming. I got to work on a few different projects there, things involving data analysis and data trends, and once we even created an online knowledge article to tell people how to install different Adobe applications.”
Saffy is hoping to pick up a similar ambassadorial role during her time at Accenture’s Leeds base, where she now works four days a week, using the remaining weekday to study remotely with her university.
She said: “I’m aiming to become a Cyber First ambassador as part of my degree apprenticeship, which will involve promoting cyber security in schools. I’m really looking forward to starting that.”
As for her ultimate career destination, she is keeping that open for now – but knows it will be in the technology sector.
She said: “My degree is very broad to begin with and then lets you specialise in the final year, which is great, as it gives me a chance to learn a wide range of skills.
“Everyone at Accenture has been really welcoming and they arranged a meeting with people from all the different areas of the business, and the projects they’re working on, so I could find out what they were involved in.
“Whatever I end up doing I definitely want to stick to IT, perhaps going down the cyber security route but I like all sides of IT really – I enjoy problem solving!”
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Meet Roza Błaszkowska, a passionate and driven health and safety professional currently studying for the IEMA Environmental Certificate and completing the final module of the NEBOSH Diploma at Leeds City College.
Why did I choose a career in health and safety?
My journey started when I attended a health and safety representative meeting. I felt inspired to make real changes and became a union health and safety representative. Within two weeks, I was working alongside the health and safety team, helping develop Standard Operating Procedures and Risk Assessments. That experience ignited my passion, and I knew I wanted to grow in this field to protect people and support the business.
Why did I take the NEBOSH Diploma, and how has it helped me?
I started my journey with the NEBOSH General Certificate, progressing to Fire Safety and Construction qualifications before enrolling on to the diploma. This training equipped me with the in-depth knowledge and confidence to step into a Senior Health and Safety Manager role during my manager’s long-term absence. I now help oversee a site of more than 1,000 employees. I apply what I’ve learned daily, whether defending claims, evaluating health impacts, or enhancing safety strategies.
What was my experience like studying at Leeds City College?
I’ve studied at Leeds City College for nearly three years, and the support I received throughout was outstanding. The tutors were knowledgeable, approachable, and brought real industry experience to the classroom. Not only did I gain valuable health and safety knowledge, but I also improved my English and communication skills.
What do I enjoy most about working in health and safety?
I enjoy the responsibility and the trust people place in me. I have the autonomy to make important decisions, and I find it incredibly rewarding to help ensure that everyone goes home safely at the end of the day. I also take pride in listening to employee voices and constantly pushing myself to learn and improve.
What achievement am I most proud of?
I’m proud of many milestones, but my biggest achievement has been stepping into a senior role before even finishing the NEBOSH Diploma. That moment proved how far I’ve come and confirmed that all the hard work and dedication have truly paid off.
Find out more about our NEBOSH course on our website:
https://leedscitycollege.ac.uk/courses/nebosh-diploma-for-occupational-health-and-safety-management-professionals/
When it came to deciding on his next educational step, for Pancham Mutneja the answer was clear – T Levels offered the ‘best of both worlds’.
His Digital Support Services course, like all T Levels, has provided a mixture of quality work experience, through an industry placement, and classroom learning.
And for Pancham, who is relishing his time with cyber security specialists Sep2 in Leeds, things are working out just as he’d hoped they would.
He said: “My T Level has helped me develop both my hard and soft skills. I’ve learned how to configure routers and firewalls, create a network, carry out risk assessments and produce a disaster recovery plan.
“The course has also helped me go out and explore more of the industry to see how it actually functions and how people interact with each other, which has helped me develop my communication skills and become more outgoing.
“It has opened up opportunities outside the classroom too; in summertime there were lots of events going on which we had the opportunity to go to and talk to people, to see if we might get a placement.
“Which is what I did, and landed myself a placement with Sep2 which I’m really proud of.”
Pancham is excited about the range of technology he will be sampling during his time with Sep2. His tasks will include spending some time in the business’s Security Operations Centre (SOC) lab – a simulated environment for cybersecurity training.
He said: “I’ll have the opportunity to gain experience with a lot of different software that they use, including the one used by Check Point, the company that provides secure firewalls.
“I’ll have the opportunity to configure and learn how to manage those firewalls and manage the infrastructure as a whole.
“They’re also giving me a chance to learn cybersecurity skills in their SOC lab, which is quite great as I’m really interested in this field.”
When it comes to recommending the T Level route to others, Pancham has no doubts about doing so.
He said: “I think it’s better than doing A levels because a T Level qualification provides you with the equivalent of three A levels anyway, so you still have the opportunity to go on to university if you want to. But it also provides you with a work placement in the industry you want to go into, which is so useful.
“A placement gives you hands-on experience so you get to learn how they actually work within the industry, rather than just having theory-based knowledge.
“And through the placement you may also have an option to get an apprenticeship with the company, or they might just straight-up hire you.”
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T Levels offer a great route into work or further studies, but are still not widely understood – by students, parents or carers.
T Level ambassadors like Bunmi Idowu are playing a key role in changing that. Here, Bunmi explains what her position involves, and what attracted her to take it on.
Hi! My name is Bunmi, I’m 17 and I’m studying the NCFE T Level in Digital Support Services course. My favorite hobbies are gaming and playing badminton.
My inspiration was to help the new generation of students find what their passion is. There’s nothing better than finishing an event knowing that I’ve helped at least one student discover what they would like to do in the future.
Being a T Level ambassador involves many roles such as hosting events, public speaking, and inspiring the youth. What I specifically enjoy is just being there to support events; sometimes they don’t necessarily need physical assistance from us but, just by having our attendance, it gives them all the support they need.
I was proud to participate in a digital and IT Women in Tech event, Ada Lovelace Day, in October when I was able to inspire Year 8 and 9 girls to explore STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) subjects.
This role gives me the opportunity to speak on behalf of other T Level students, whether it’s to voice improvements or relay positive feedback.
Sometimes students can feel like they’re the only ones experiencing tough challenges during their course, when many others may be feeling the same. By sharing experiences, it helps them to realise they’re not alone and to support each other.
I have gained confidence, resilience and tolerance. These skills will help me in my future career, especially in cybersecurity, to maintain a positive attitude and always be eager to learn more and to voice my opinions on certain topics.
Yes, 100%! I think any T Level student should consider this as it sets you up for skills you will require in your future careers and also gives you the confidence to articulate your thoughts and make a change.
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Our Level 3 students have been sharing their dreams for the future after celebrating their final results.
T Level and BTEC students, along with A levels students at Leeds Sixth Form College (LSFC), received their final grades on Thursday 15 August.
For many, the day marked a chance to relax and reflect after years of hard work, and – at Park Lane campus – to talk about their next steps with TV, radio and newspaper teams.
Digital and IT T Level student Loukas Arthington was one of a number who will be carrying on their training through a degree apprenticeship.
Loukas said he was ‘really happy’ to have gained a distinction in his T Level. Looking forward to taking up his apprenticeship with Leeds Beckett University, he explained the appeal: “I’ll be getting paid while doing it so not having to get in debt, while also being paid, is going to be good!”
Our new Students Union President, Shaik Mohammed Qasim, meanwhile was pleased to receive a merit in his Level 3 BTEC in Aviation.
Shaik is still considering a future that sees him land his dream job, as a pilot. For the next few years, though, he is going to focus on working and developing his SU role and interest in politics.
He said: “I’m extremely happy with my result, I’ve really been putting the work in so I got the reward.
“Now I’m working as the SU President here and that’s what I intend to do next year, run for a second year in the elections and hopefully win.”
Health, plus Education and Early Years T Level students, meanwhile, came into Quarry Hill campus to celebrate their results.
Leah Griffiths’ distinction in her Health T Level – which includes a placement in a hospital or healthcare setting – means she has secured a place at the University of Leeds, where she will study adult nursing.
Reflecting on her course and time with Leeds City College, she said: “It’s been absolutely amazing, it’s such a good opportunity to learn what you actually want to do.”
That was a view echoed by Patryk Aniolkowski, who achieved a distinction in his T Level Education and Childcare course. Patryk said: “I most enjoyed going to Spain for a two week placement where we had the opportunity to teach in a Spanish school.”
A level students at LSFC also had a great day, with Toby Oughton claiming ‘bragging rights for life’ after becoming one of our very first students to secure a place at Oxford University.
The 18 year old celebrated his achievement – secured with As in Philosophy and Psychology and a B in Fine Art – with a shout of joy and a lap of the Park Lane campus.
He said: “I’m so unbelievably happy, I’ve been so stressed for the last few months.
“It’s not been easy and there’s been a lot of work, but it paid off. I‘m going to Oxford and I’m one of the first from here to do so – so I get bragging rights for life!
“I will be getting some friends together and having a drink to celebrate.”
He is now looking forward to starting at Oxford, where he will study philosophy and theology, this autumn.
Others celebrating included Dawud Fiaz, whose results – two As and an A* – mean he will be heading to Kings College London later this year to study social sciences.
Fellow A level student Jason Cheung, meanwhile, achieved As in History, Geography and Maths and will now study geology at the University of Leeds. He said: “It has been a great two years and I’ve met some inspiring teachers, especially my geography teacher who inspired me to go down this career path.
“Great people, great place!”
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‘An absolute pleasure’.
That is how Yorkshire-based legal practice XYZ Law has described hosting its very first T Level student, after linking up with Leeds City College.
Yaaseen Patel spent nine weeks with the company as part of his Digital Support Services T Level, and excelled in the IT and administration role.
This was exactly the kind of practical experience that Yaaseen was hoping for when he chose to go down the T Level path – which has industry placements at its heart.
He said: “I have always been interested in IT and had digital skills, so I knew I wanted to have a career in the field.
“I decided to follow the T Level route when I was in sixth form and was bored with just desk-based classroom work all the time. T levels offered hands-on learning experience, which appealed to me.
“My role in XYZ Law was to research and compare remote working surveillance and chatbots for the company, then present it to the team. I also learned a lot about how their admin and IT side works.
“I really enjoyed it and learned a lot about how a law firm operates.”
For the business, meanwhile – which operates throughout the UK and has its head office in Dewsbury – the placement represented a very positive introduction to the world of T Level placements.
HR manager Mollie Wright said:”It was an absolute pleasure to have Yaaseen join our team.
“He was amazing at communicating throughout and completed every task to a high standard, while also showing an interest in different aspects of the firm. As well as doing great at his work, Yaaseen also settled really well into the team.
“This placement was an opportunity for us to support a young person in achieving their qualification, while having an extra person to assist the business. It was our first T Level placement and we are looking forward to taking on someone else in the future.”
Yaaseen, who has now completed his T Level, added: “I would recommend the course to students who are interested in doing an apprenticeship or full time employment after college.
“The work placement is very beneficial for your CV and gives you a higher chance of becoming employable.”
He is now preparing to study IT at university.
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“Studying fashion taught me to be free and push boundaries.” That’s how Rafael Azevedo, a second year Fashion & Textiles Level 3 student, sums up his experience at Leeds City College.
But graduating was just one of this year’s highlights for the 18 year old, as he was also recently crowned ‘Graduate Fashion Designer of the Year 2024’ at the prestigious Fashion Week Awards UK – an accolade he never dreamt of achieving when he first started out.
We chatted to Rafael about his transformational journey from fashion novice to fashion expert.
I have always been surrounded by the creative industry but, to be honest, fashion was actually a last-minute decision. At first I was set on doing architecture but ended up deciding that I wanted something more ‘hands on’.
I was actually making my own prom outfit at the time and remember asking myself ‘‘how hard can fashion be?’.
That was that!
I came across the Fashion Week Awards through Cheshire Fashion Week (CFW). In June 2023 I was applying for internships and managed to secure a work placement at CFW as a backstage coordinator.
This enabled me to meet a lot of designers and industry professionals, one of whom was Creative Director Claire Namukolo Raven. It turned out that Fashion Week Awards UK is organised and sponsored by CFW (along with Fashion Week Arts and Porsche Cheshire).
When I saw that they were looking for designer applications for their SS24 show, I was intrigued and contacted Claire who asked if I would be interested in submitting an application for the awards. I instantly said yes.
I had no clue I was going to win the Graduate Fashion Designer of the Year award on the day itself. It was a lovely surprise!
There were about 10 designers in each award category and we had to exhibit a portfolio of work that depicted our level of skill and creativity. The final result was a beautiful collection of clothing evoking the past and the present; contemporary cuts paired with time-old textiles and techniques such as stitching, weaving and crochet.
I am so pleased I am the graduate fashion designer of the year for 2024 – especially as I’m only 18 years of age and have just finished college. I still can’t believe I was up against people who exhibited at other fashion weeks and have studied university degrees in fashion.
Providing that all goes well on results day (Thursday 15 August 2024), I plan to study for a degree at the University of the Arts London (UAL).
Winning the award has made me so excited for the future, both at UAL and beyond, and to see what I will be able to make of myself within the next four years.
I used to be quite shy, but studying a fashion design course helped me to develop a voice and has taught me how to speak out.
I’ve always had a distinct creative style and, since coming to college, I’ve been able to be more free and to push boundaries. The result is that I now create work that I really enjoy without worrying about the opinions of others.
I’ve met so many people since starting my journey in fashion design that it’s hard to pick just one, but two designers who I’ve been lucky to work for – and be influenced by – are Eden Keshia and Elisa Trombatore.
I’m grateful for their constant support and kindness, as well as the skills I learnt during my time with them. Both designers have shown that the industry isn’t as scary as people make it out to be.
Pick something you really like and master it – try to be as good as you can.
The fashion industry can be tough and you need to be prepared to be sewing away until midnight – especially as a young creative (there’s a tendency for people to see you as ‘inexperienced’).
But accept those rejections and use them as motivation to succeed.
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