From getting to grips with student life in lockdown to catching up with that all-important work experience, it’s been a challenging year for college students building the skills of their future trade.
But testing times have proven no hindrance to these Stockton Riverside College Childcare students who have all received job offers from a local nursery group.
Snapped up by Smiles Nursery, Melissa, Eve, Jessica, Megan, and Rio, will now start work as nursery assistants.
“I never expected what started as my first placement to go on to become a permanent position,” said Melissa, who impressed the nursery bosses so much during her work experience, they went on to employ her and four of her classmates!
The 18-year-old from Billingham proved a natural fit with both children and staff at the nursery. She explained: “They always told me that they would like to keep me on, so I was really pleased to have that made official.”
Work placements are a key element of the childcare courses at Stockton Riverside College, helping students to develop real hands-on practical skills.
Smiles Nursery is one of more than 100 amazing childcare and education employers that the college works with whose staff are really supportive of the student learning experience and offer valuable industry experience.
The nursery’s company manager, Maxine Leech, said: “Students gain exceptional experience and knowledge through placements, and we have made a commitment not only to take students on placement working alongside our fantastic team, but to also help them get job ready.”
She explained: “The standard of student that comes from Stockton Riverside College has been nothing but exceptional, so much so we have employed five students as permanent members of staff across our nurseries!”
One of the five to start work is Megan, 18, of Billingham. She said: “It is such a good opportunity. I have always wanted to work with children but didn’t know which age group.”
Through the college course she has experienced working in different childcare settings. Now moving on to a part time foundation degree in early years at the college, she said: “For me this is ideal as it means I can continue my studies and I have a job as well.”
For Jessica, 20, the move into employment marks the culmination of four years hard work after starting on a level 1 course.
“I was so excited to find out I had got the job,” she said. “This is what I have been working towards.”
Eve, 17, commented: “The best part has got to be working with the children, seeing them learn and learning with them.”
Stockton Riverside College’s early years course leader, Jackie Robbins, said: “This is the ideal outcome for our students, particularly after what has been such a challenging year.
“It is fantastic as a college to work with a local company like Smiles to offer our students valuable work placements and for them then to recognise the value and quality of their training to such an extent to go on to offer them jobs as well.”
Nursery company manager Maxine added: “With more than 20 years of experience, I know how vital it is to have the right staff within a nursery setting and that’s why our partnership approach with the college plays such an important part in helping the early years sector, not just for our own recruitment needs, but also to help shape the future of nursery practitioners for the wider sector.”
