At Colchester Institute we are proud of our student’s achievements.
Jared’s love of furniture making started with studying Resistant Materials back in school. After leaving, he started on a Level 2 Bench Joinery apprenticeship at the College and also joined a Wood Turning club, eager to expand his knowledge and hands-on skills.
“During my time at Colchester Institute, I enjoyed learning a wide variety of furniture production techniques such as cutting dovetails, creating curves through bent lamination, and learning to create patterns using veneers. I am delighted to be employed as a full-time Cabinet Maker at a company in Ipswich called Titchmarsh and Goodwin. Since working there, I have made a range of furniture such as chairs, tables, bookcases and dressers. If it wasn’t for Colchester Institute and my brilliant tutor, I am not sure I would be where I am now.”
Alumna Lucy Wilkinson studied at Colchester Institute for one year before progressing on to an apprenticeship. She later returned to complete an HNC in Electrical and Electronic Engineering whilst working at her current place of employment.
“Continuing your education whilst working full-time is tough, but the support at Colchester Institute helped me greatly. Doing this allowed me to get promoted from a technician to an engineer once my course was finished, all while I was earning alongside my studies. I now work full-time as a Test Engineer. I have worked here for four years whilst also completing the second year of my course.”
Daniel wanted to be a police officer at the age of five and had a natural instinct to help people and those in his community. Being dyslexic, he never let this get him down and he adapted well to his situation.
Aged 17, he joined the cadets and at 18 he was volunteering for the Special Constabulary. Now he’s a full-time Police Officer working for Essex Police.
“The thing I liked most about the public services courses was that I was able to look at what all of the emergency services offer and do, and how they assist each other. There were regular outside speakers who would come into the College and speak with us, helping us learn from someone with hands-on experience. There was also a lot of support there for my dyslexia and I was able to build up a good relationship with my class.”
Colchester Institute Governor, Terry Smyth, discovered Pantry 61 in Boxted after receiving a local recommendation. What he found was a family business owned by patisserie chef Penny Smith selling beautiful homemade cakes and desserts all year round.
