During the event, awards were presented to students from CANDI’s Sixth Form College and Centre for Applied Sciences to recognise their hard work and achievements over the past academic year. Around 50 students attended the event along with their friends and families.
After a canapé reception, students and their guests were welcomed to the awards by Dominic Eady, Deputy Head of the Sixth Form College. This was followed by the awards presentation where students took to the stage to receive their individual awards. The winners were selected by the teaching staff for their resilience, commitment and achievement across 45 subject areas. There were 35 awards presented to Sixth Form students and 10 awards for students from the Centre for Applied Sciences.
During the event, talented student Jessie Sawyer entertained guests with an outstanding piano performance. After joining the college as part of the Home Education Hub, Jessie has gone on to complete A Levels in Music, Music Technology and Philosophy.
The event showcased the impressive range of courses on offer across Capital City College Group (CCCG)’s colleges, with awards being presented for a wide variety of subjects covering everything from Public Services to Fine Art,
Congratulations to all award winners on your excellent achievements!
Level 3 Culinary Arts student Geraldine Sierra Torres took part in the competition’s Grand Finals which ran from 21 to 25 April. Geraldine joined 11 other finalists to engage in a series of masterclasses and practical challenges which expanded her knowledge in key areas such as food provenance, regenerative agriculture and the role of hospitality within the community.
During the Grand Finals week, competitors were mentored by the panel of judges, led by two Michelin-star chefs Tommy Banks and his culinary partner Tom Bell alongside Nestlé’s global executive chef Emmanuel Lorieux.
The finalists demonstrated their abilities and showcased their creativity through a series of intense and engaging challenges which included curating sustainably sourced menus and foraging for wild ingredients.
Photo credit: Nestlé Professional Toque d’Or
The event culminated in the Fine Dining Challenge, where finalists were challenged to craft an unforgettable fine dining experience catering to 60 guests. At the end of the competition week, Geraldine was crowned Back of House Winner.
Geraldine said: “This is such a surreal moment for me. Ever since I was a child, I remember cooking with my grandmother in the kitchen at home. She inspired me to pursue my passion for cooking, which has ultimately led me to where I am today. While I’m incredibly proud of my achievement, I think all of the finalists are deserving champions. As a group, we’ve spent so much time together and created some amazing memories. It’s great to have made so many friends. I want to thank everyone involved in making this competition so special; I’ve been able to grow so much both from a personal and professional perspective. I’m going to enjoy this moment first, and then look forward to the prize trip to Switzerland!”
Congratulations to Geraldine on winning the 2024 Nestlé Professional Toque d’Or!
A Level Politics students arrange and host their own informative event in preparation for the General Election 2024.
Students at City and Islington College’s (CANDI) Sixth Form College had the opportunity to find out about local election candidates’ parties and policies at a student-led hustings event within the college.
The hustings, which took place on 25 June, were run and chaired by the students from A Level Politics courses and attracted around 120 of their peers. The A Level Politics students arranged for local candidates from the Labour Party, the Green Party and the Liberal Democrats to visit the college.
During the event, local party candidates were invited to present their policies and key points from their party manifestos before taking questions from the floor. The students also took part in a mock General Election, giving them valuable experience in the voting process.
Daniel Lawrence, Head of Politics at CANDI, said: “It’s all been run by our students, it’s been chaired by our students, students arranged to get the candidates in. We’re just standing back and watching it happen.”
Around half of the students who attended the event were eligible to vote in the upcoming general election, so the hustings and mock General Election enabled them to learn more about their local candidates and gain valuable insight into the voting experience.
For students voting for the first time in the upcoming General Election, we’ve put together a practical guide to voting.
If you’re not yet eligible to vote but are keen to become more politically engaged and change the world around you, take a look at our blog on 10 ways to get involved in politics.
Students, staff and partners join alumni from WestKing’s School of Culinary Arts to say goodbye to Chef Lecturer Volta Bushay.
Westminster Kingsway College’s (WestKing) School of Culinary Arts and Hospitality has said a heartfelt farewell to Chef Lecturer Volta Bushay. After a remarkable 35-year tenure promoting excellence within the School of Culinary Arts and Hospitality, Volta retired at the end of the academic year.
On 26 June, students, staff members, alumni and representatives from the culinary profession gathered at WestKing’s onsite restaurant, The Brasserie, to celebrate Volta’s career and outstanding achievements.
During the event, guests celebrated with an excellent selection of food and drinks provided by WestKing’s hospitality lecturers as well as a retirement cake created by the Patisserie department. Paul Jervis and Miranda Quatrill expressed their thanks to Volta for her hard work and dedication and presented her with an engraved Flint & Flame knife, a bouquet of flowers and a framed photograph of the WestKing’s School of Culinary Arts and Hospitality team.
During her time at WestKing’s School of Culinary Arts and Hospitality, Volta played a pivotal role in the success of many students. As a result, a number of WestKing alumni attended the event to celebrate Volta and her remarkable career in culinary education.
Bobby Saunders, from the Law Society Chancery Lane, said “A remarkable Chef and teacher – a wonderful person. Chef Bushay has been that guiding light throughout my career and has always given me valuable advice that has steered me to become the best that I can be, I’m forever in debt to her.”
Kirsty Allen, Events Manager at The Good Food Guide, said: “I came because Chef Bushay was a memorable part of my time at Westminster, after 35 years of teaching it was great to be part of the celebration and join her retirement party. She was always able to make you feel like you mattered and had the ability to boost confidence like no one else. I’m now Head of Events for The Good Food Guide and I’m sure her unwavering belief in us has helped me get to where I am today.”
About Volta
Volta Bushay was drawn to culinary arts as she learnt to cook and feed her family from an early age. After being advised by a careers teacher to find work in a factory, she decided to enrol on a City and Guilds Hospitality course. Once she had completed her studies, she spent several years working in various hospitality roles. Her work led her to work as a Catering Trainer working with young offenders.
In 1989, Volta joined WestKing’s School of Culinary Arts and Hospitality as a Catering Technician and began supporting teachers and lecturers in delivering a range of classes. She progressed within the school and enjoyed many highlights during her 35 years with the college and will miss engaging with students and witnessing their progress.
There have been many highlights for Volta during her time at WestKing. She said: “I’ve enjoyed working with like-minded professionals and young people. I’ve had the opportunity to further progress my career and have met members of parliament and various celebrities over the years. I’ve loved watching students such as Jamie Oliver excel in the hospitality industry and put Westminster Kingsway College on the map.”
When asked how she plans to enjoy her retirement, Volta said: “I’m planning a world cruise, some home improvements and looking forward to spending quality time with my grandchild. It will be great to have free time to pursue my hobbies and enjoy a well-earned rest.”
As an integral part of the teaching team, Volta will be greatly missed by both staff and students.
We wish Volta the very best as she begins her well-deserved retirement!
The Summer Careers Fair featured representatives from 50 universities and over 20 employers. During the event, students from across Capital City College Group (CCCG) were able to talk to delegates from a wide range of universities and employers, gaining valuable advice and guidance about individual establishments, future progression as well as work and study opportunities.
The event provided a great opportunity for students to conduct important research before the summer holidays, empowering them with information that will support them as they navigate UCAS applications, apprenticeship applications or further employment.
In an event survey of 155 students, attendees reported that they found the Careers Fair very useful – with the event scoring an average of 4.3 out of 5. The event was also successful in providing students with relevant and attainable pathways for future education and careers, and 96% of students at the Careers Fair said that the event made them feel positive about their future options.
At CCCG, our highly experienced and qualified careers team supports students by providing comprehensive and up-to-date career advice and guidance.
Over two sessions on 13 and 14 June, a group of 21 students from Fine Art A Level and Art and Design – Level 1 Diploma courses visited nearby landmark Guildford Place Fountain in Bloomsbury with facilitators from Proud Places.
The Guildford Place Fountain was built by architect Henry Darbishire in 1870. It was commissioned by the daughters of Mrs Francis Whiting in memory of their mother. The fountain features a sculptured marble figure of the ‘Woman of Samaria’ pouring water from a jug and combines themes of spiritual fulfilment, overcoming differences and maintaining meaningful connections with others.
Originally, the fountain provided drinking water to local people but, after falling into disrepair, it was switched off. The historic fountain is currently being restored by the Heritage of London Trust and will soon return to its former use as a public drinking fountain.
Located just a short walk away from WestKing’s King’s Cross Centre, the visit to the Grade II listed fountain provided students with an excellent opportunity to engage with local history. During their visit, they learned about the fountain’s rich history and observed current restoration work. They met with the stonemasons involved to learn about their tools, materials and techniques. Students then completed a scavenger hunt and uncovered more interesting details about the fountain and the surrounding area.
Immediately after their visit, the students returned to the college for an arts-based workshop where they made coil pots inspired by what they had seen. They explored ideas and imagery to represent fulfilment as they designed their pots, creating a range of unique vessels.
The visits and workshops provided students with greater insight into the practical applications of their subjects and allowed them to explore another potential career path. The students gained a great deal from the event and gave a range of positive feedback:
“Exciting. Inspirational. It gave me an idea to learn new stuff.”
“Connected with something that I didn’t have the interest in looking for – but now that I had people to share that with, I can really say I’m excited to learn more.”
“You’re always around history so it’s important to understand it.”
Oran Tarjan, Employability and Progression Lead at WestKing said: “This was one of the most inspiring workshops that I had the pleasure of organising for our students. The students really gained so many new skills and knowledge throughout the whole experience – not just about local history but also about potential career paths they can go down with their artistic skills.”
Abbie Rise, Proud Places Coordinator, said: “It was a pleasure to work with the students and teachers at Westminster Kingsway College. They seemed really engaged during the stonemasonry demonstration and Q&A and made some stunning coil pots during the creative workshop.”
Students and staff from across Team CCCG’s Sports Academies gather to recognise teamwork, progress and sporting success.
Students from across Capital City College Group’s (CCCG) Sports Academies celebrated the individual and team sporting achievements of the past academic year at the Team CCCG Sports Awards.
The event, which took place at The College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London’s (CONEL) Enfield Centre on 14 June, was organised by staff members from the sports department to recognise the hard work and dedication of both students and staff across a wide range of sports.
Around 100 Sports Academy students from the college group attended the event, during which awards were presented to the college group’s various Sports Academies which currently include:
The awards included Player of the Season for outstanding team members in Netball, Basketball and Football. Individual awards were also presented for Badminton, Table Tennis and MMA, demonstrating the wide range of sports on offer across the college group. League winners and Regional Champions also took to the stage to claim their respective trophies.
The event also gave students the opportunity to recognise the commitment and hard work of Team CCCG’s Sports Academy coaches and the Sports Academy partners with separate awards.
Robert Murphy, Sports Development Manager, said: “It was fantastic to see so many of our students at our first ever CCCG Sports Awards presentation evening. The students have all done really well this year and it was important to celebrate their achievements. We are immensely proud of our students, and we look forward to building on our successes next year.”
Anybody aged 16-19 and enrolled on one of our courses can join the Team CCCG Sports Academies which are partnered with local professional organisations to give you the best training, advice, and opportunities. Joining one of Team CCCG’s Sports Academies allows students to combine their courses with excellent sports training.
Congratulations to all Team CCCG Sports Academy students for another great year!
Guest speakers from an iconic media and entertainment company visit students at WestKing to share career insights and opportunities for training and employment.
Annie Oxlade, Early Careers Advisor, EMEA and Lottie Veale, Talent Acquisition Apprentice introduced Warner Bros Discovery and detailed the company’s guiding principles. They gave an overview of Warner Bros Discovery’s wide-reaching brands, projects and titles while showcasing the various UK employment locations on offer. Annie and Lottie then delivered an engaging presentation that detailed the company’s apprenticeship opportunities, placements and internships as well as early career roles.
The session guided students through the application process for Warner Bros Discovery’s apprenticeships or internships. They also offered valuable recruiter tips on creating CVs, cover letters, reels and portfolios. Students were able to learn about the different stages of the interview and assessment process and receive guidance on making a positive first impression, preparing for written assessments and approaching interviews.
The presentation offered students the opportunity to learn more about a large media and entertainment organisation while considering future training and employment pathways. At the end of the session, they were also able to put their questions to Annie and Lottie to find out more about working at Warner Bros Discovery and the industry itself.
Oran Tarjan, Employability and Progression Lead at WestKing said: “This employer encounter was an amazing opportunity for students to find out what it’s like to work for a large entertainment organisation and to have meaningful engagement. I would very much like to thank Annie Oxlade and Lottie Veale for taking the time to visit Westminster Kingsway College and speak with our learners. It was a really fantastic afternoon.”
Not sure how or where to vote? Here’s our essential guide to voting in the UK General Election 2024.
Voting in your first General Election is an exciting experience. But how do you know where to go or what to do? We’ve put together the most important information so you can prepare to cast your vote in the UK General Election 2024.
When is the UK General Election 2024?
The UK General Election 2024 will take place on 4 July.
Who can vote?
To vote in the UK General Election, you must be aged 18 or over, a British citizen (or a citizen of a qualifying Commonwealth country or the Republic of Ireland) and registered to vote. The deadline for registering to vote in the UK General Election 2024 was 18 June.
Once you’ve registered to vote, you’ll receive a polling card. This will tell you where your polling station is. A polling station is the place where people go to vote, and it might be located within a school, community centre or another venue. There will be signs outside so that you can easily find where you need to go.
If you haven’t got a polling card, don’t worry. You don’t need a polling card to vote and you can find your polling station here.
Polling stations open at 7am and close at 10pm so you’ll have plenty of time to cast your vote. Every polling station should have wheelchair access and will have members of staff present to help you if needed.
What do I need to bring?
To vote in the UK General Election 2024, you must show a photo ID.
For young people voting for the first time, the most commonly used forms of voter ID are:
A UK passport
A UK or Northern Ireland photocard driving licence (full or provisional)
When you arrive at the polling station you can show your polling card if you have it or tell the person at the desk (the poll clerk) your name. The poll clerk will find your name on a list and check your ID.
If you wear a face covering for any reason, you’ll be asked to remove it briefly so that the clerk can verify your identity using your ID. Female voters can ask for this to be done by a female member of staff in a private area. Face coverings only need to be removed to check voter ID and can be worn for the rest of the voting process.
How do I cast my vote?
Once the poll clerk has checked your ID, they’ll give you a ballot paper. This is a piece of paper with a list of all of the candidates who are standing for election in your area along with the name of the political party they represent. Some candidates won’t be standing with a political party and will be listed as independent.
There will be a box next to each candidate’s name. To cast your vote, put an X in the box to show who you are voting for. Take your time and don’t worry if your X is messy or goes slightly outside the lines. Your vote will be counted as long as it’s clear who you’re voting for.
If you make a mistake, you can ask the staff at the polling station for a replacement ballot paper.
Once you’ve completed your ballot paper, you put it in the ballot box – and that’s all there is to it!
Who can I vote for?
You can find out about the different candidates in your area here. Once you’ve put in your postcode and selected your address, you’ll get a list of candidates standing in your area. On each candidate’s page, you can learn more about them and their party as well as relevant links.
If a candidate is a current MP, you can find out more about how they’ve voted in parliament, and what they’re interested in and see recent speeches or quotes from their appearances in parliament on the TheyWorkForYou website. Because parliament is dissolved before a General Election, MPs are often listed as former MPs rather than current MPs on the site just before an election.
Who should I vote for?
This is completely up to you and it’s a very personal and private choice. The best thing you can do to help you choose is to find out about the people standing in your area and the parties they represent.
You can find out which party’s policies appeal to you most on the Vote for Policies website. Vote for Policies is a completely independent not-for-profit organisation and allows you to compare what the main parties say about different issues. You start by choosing the issues that matter to you and then compare key party policies on each issue. The site’s survey tool allows you to create a shortlist for each issue before choosing whose policies you like best. It’s a great way to get an impartial view of different parties and think about what matters most to you.
Can I tell people who I’ve voted for?
Yes, you can – but remember that political discussion is not allowed inside or immediately outside the polling station because of the risk of influencing others. If you want to chat about who you’ve voted for and why, wait until you’re further away from the polling station.
Who are the people outside the polling station?
You might be approached by someone conducting an exit poll. These people usually work for private companies providing information for news outlets and broadcasters. They ask voters who they voted for in order to predict election results, but you don’t have to answer their questions if you don’t want to.
You might also be approached by a teller. A teller is a volunteer who works for candidates or parties gathering information on who has voted. They’ll ask for the number on your polling card and use the information to check who has voted and to help remind people who haven’t voted to do so. Again, it’s completely up to you whether you talk to them and give them any information.
Can I take a selfie in the polling station?
You might be excited to be voting for the first time and want to record the event with a quick selfie but hold off until you’re outside the polling station.
In order to protect people’s privacy, the inside of most polling stations are photo-free zones. But you can hop outside and grab a selfie with the polling station sign to mark the special day!
What can I do if I can’t get to the polling station?
Sometimes things happen at the last minute that upset even the best-laid plans. If you can’t get to the polling station on 4 July due to a medical emergency or illness, work commitments, or an issue with your photo ID, you can request an emergency proxy vote. You can apply for an emergency proxy vote up to 6 days before election day.
Ask an appropriate person to confirm your reason for requesting the emergency proxy vote (e.g. a health professional if you’re ill or a colleague/manager if you have to work)
Return your form to the elections team at your local council before the deadline (5pm on polling day)
Ask someone you trust who is also a registered voter to go and mark a ballot paper at your polling station on your behalf
If the UK General Election 2024 on 4 July is your first time going to the polls, enjoy it and congratulate yourself for showing up! By casting your vote, you’re helping to choose who gets to make important decisions about the key issues affecting people across the UK.
Carve out your perfect career and explore carpentry. Discover what it takes to learn, work and thrive in this exciting, hands-on career.
The UK has a rich history of carpentry, with skilled craftspeople shaping wood into functional and beautiful objects for centuries. The role of a carpenter can cover anything from designing and constructing furniture to building frames for larger structures such as roads and bridges. If you’re drawn to working with your hands and using your skills to build something tangible, then a career in carpentry could be the perfect fit.
This comprehensive guide shares the key information you’ll need to become a qualified carpenter in the UK, including information on relevant carpentry courses.
What does it take to become a carpenter?
To become a carpenter, you’ll need a few key things in your skills toolbox:
Manual dexterity and stamina: Carpentry is a hands-on profession that requires good hand-eye coordination, precision, and physical stamina to work long hours
Problem-solving skills: You’ll encounter challenges as you work, so you’ll need to be able to think critically, analyse situations and find creative solutions so that projects meet client specifications and deadlines
Attention to detail: A keen eye for detail is crucial for ensuring accuracy in measurements, cutting, and overall project quality. Even minor inconsistencies can affect your final product both in terms of functionality and aesthetics
Mathematical ability: You’ll need good maths skills to calculate measurements, angles, and quantities. You’ll also be required to interpret plans and blueprints and translate them into their real-world form
Teamwork and communication: Some carpentry work can be done solo, but many projects require collaboration. Effective communication with colleagues, clients, and architects is essential to successful project completion
Safety awareness: Working in a construction environment requires a strong commitment to safety practices. You’ll need to be familiar with health and safety regulations and know how to operate various tools safely
What does a Carpenter do?
So, what is a carpenter and what do they actually do? Well, the day-to-day tasks of a carpenter can be incredibly varied depending on the type of work you undertake. Depending on the site and the project, a carpenter might be responsible for:
Going through technical plans and instructions with site managers and clients
Cutting and shaping materials for doors, frames, floorboards and other internal elements
Constructing and fitting structures such as floor joists, roof timbers, partition walls, staircases and door frames
Fitting the interiors of public buildings, offices, shops, bars and restaurants
Building supports to hold the concrete in place as it dries (shuttering)
Putting up frames for larger external structures such as buildings, bridges and roads
Constructing stage sets for TV, film and theatre productions
Restoring historical buildings
Assembling free-standing or fitted furniture
Installing kitchens, cupboards and shelving
What GCSEs do you need for carpentry?
Most carpenters enter the trade by taking a college course or embarking upon an apprenticeship.
College course requirements
The GCSE requirements for different college courses depend on the course level.
Level 2 courses generally require 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D)
Level 3 courses generally require 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent
T Level courses generally require 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths
Some courses, like our Carpentry and Joinery Level 1 Diploma don’t require any previous qualifications. You’ll simply have an initial assessment and an interview to check whether the course is suitable for you.
If you’re looking for a more general introduction to construction, courses like our Construction Skills Level 1 Certificate cover a range of skills such as painting, tiling, carpentry, brickwork and electrical. These Level 1 courses can be a great stepping stone into the world of carpentry or construction.
Level 1 English and Maths (equivalent to GCSE grade 3-1 (D-G). Don’t be put off if you don’t have these yet as you can complete them while doing your apprenticeship
To attempt the tests for Level 2 English and Maths (equivalent to GCSE grades 9-4 (A*-C) before taking the end-point assessment
To complete an interview and assessment in English and Maths to check that the apprenticeship is suitable for you
Employers may have their own entry requirements, which you’ll need to meet in order to work with them.
Do I need qualifications to be a carpenter?
Most employers look for a combination of experience and training, so it might be tricky to enter the industry with no qualifications at all. Doing a training course can help you learn more about the industry before you dive into the world of work, and carpentry apprenticeship can help you acquire both knowledge and experience while earning a salary.
Once you’ve completed training and have gained qualifications, you’ll need one more thing. To train and work on a construction site, you’ll usually need a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card. CSCS is an organisation that provides skills certification for the UK construction industry. CSCS cards prove that people working on a construction site have the correct training and qualifications to do the required job, which helps maintain safety and improve standards.
Having a CSCS card isn’t a legal requirement, but most principal contractors and major house builders will stipulate that workers must hold a valid CSCS card and you may not be allowed on site without one.
How much are carpentry courses?
For school leavers aged 16-18, most courses offered by Capital City College Group (CCCG) are free. What’s more, as part of our commitment to widening participation for adult learners, students aged 19 and over can also benefit from a wide range of free short courses up to Level 2 (subject to UK residency requirements).
If you look at other training providers then fees can vary. Some offer basic introductory courses for around £500, with more intensive Level 1 courses rising to between £1000 and £1500. Level 2 courses can cost anything from £1000 to £4000 depending on the provider.
How much does a carpenter earn?
Newly qualified carpenters can expect to start on a junior carpenter salary of around £17,000 to £20,000. Carpenters with experience can earn between £20,000 and £30,000. Senior carpenters or master carpenters can command higher salaries which can range from £30,000 to £45,000.
Many of these courses are available as part of CCCG’s Enfield Construction Skills Academy, which gives students access to training and paid work experience, skills development and mentoring. The Enfield Construction Skills Academy also provides pre-construction and CSCS training as well as carpentry apprenticeships to support students as they progress into relevant careers in construction. You can find out more about our colleges and courses by attending an Open Day.
Career progression
Once you’ve qualified as a carpenter and gained experience in your field, you can become a site supervisor, or team leader or progress to a project manager role.
The construction industry continues to grow and thrive in the UK, and there is also the option to move into different areas such as providing estimates for construction, contract management or working in heritage restoration.
Many carpenters use their skills and experience to start their own businesses and enjoy the freedom of being their own boss, working alone or taking on other employees and apprentices. For experienced carpentry professionals looking to pass on their expertise, there is also the option of teaching at a further education college or training apprentices.
Next steps
A career in carpentry offers a rewarding blend of physical activity, creative problem-solving, and technical skills. You’ll have the opportunity to work on diverse projects, whether you’re crafting bespoke furniture or constructing the framework for an entire building.
The UK construction industry continues to thrive, presenting a need for skilled professionals. If you have an interest in combining physical skill with technical knowledge, then why not take a look at our Construction and Plumbing courses and apply today!
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