Tash,18, is a practical media student at Gloucestershire college and is full of praise for her course. Her world comprises exciting-looking digital equipment, attentive, relaxed tutors and contemporaries full of energy and fun. It would be odd if her story seemed anything less than ideal since her story appears on a promotional DVD — a reminder of the glossy selling that can surround recruitment to further education.
Happily, the reality squares well with the marketing here, with Gloucestershire a member of one of only 17 consortia nationwide to have secured accreditation with Skillset — the media industries' sector council. "It's the top endorsement," says director of the college's school of media Tim Evans.
Exploring the sometimes inflated claims on college websites, brochures and films may be hard for students but it is essential that they exercise their power to pick and choose courses by asking searching questions. "Among the basic things you need to investigate," says Michael McGuire halfway through a two-year media BTec diploma at Lewisham College, "are the quality of the equipment and facilities and how well your qualification will meet employers' needs."
There are other positive signs to look for. At Staffordshire University, the media department enjoys industry endorsement with Panasonic, Adobe and Avid. "These are indications that the manufacturers recognise the quality of our training using their equipment," says film technology awards tutor Peter Hughes. "It also puts us in the front of the queue when it comes to trying and testing the latest kit."
The fact that colleges are spending big bucks on their own facilities is a good sign too — take, for example, the £2m that Reaseheath college, Cheshire, put into its new pig unit boosting the relevance and prestige of its agricultural courses.
"And if the college has high standards," points out Tim Goodall, progression manager at the Brit school of performing arts and technology in Croydon, "then its students will have an eagleeye when it comes to other institutions trying to short-change them." He cites examples of Brit students returning from auditions where they were expected to perform on un-sprung floors.
"Determination and commitment are probably the most important characteristics of anyone applying to join us," says Arthur Boulton, senior manager at the Brit school, where applications consistently outstrip places. "A cynic might suspect that FE colleges will take anyone," adds Gloucestershire college's Tim Evans, "but it's not true of us. The extent to which a student is carefully vetted about their interest in a course, and what they want to do with it, should be a good sign — an indication that a college is eager to make a positive match between its new intake and the courses it offers."
Of course, not all students are clear about their ultimate goals. It is then that it might be worth investigating whether or not taster courses might be on offer. At Waseley Hills high school in Worcestershire deputy headteacher Chris Mead praises the work of Springboard — a charity that offers opportunities for students to dip into the world of hospitality, tourism and travel.
"It's an ideal way of finding out a bit more about how demanding the industry you are aiming to join can be — hospitality is hard work," he says.
If you show an interest in a career with animals to Martyn East, head of agriculture at Reaseheath, he is likely to point you towards the college's taster course in animal welfare. "We have devised a first diploma national award that gives students a broad spectrum of experiences and leaves the doors to more specialist training open in the end: farming, zoos, or veterinary science."
However good the course, it still can take a lot to get established in a career and the best colleges are mindful of this. "At Lewisham, the promise is 'guidance until you no longer require us', explains vice-principal for learning and skills Nick Edwards. "Even if a student has left us, we are happy to remain a support and advocate for them. We are there too when a student starts to consider their next set of training needs."
At Staffordshire, the on-going support for its media industries students can include providing them with a feather-bedded period of free office space in the technology park the university owns adjacent to its campus. "It is not automatic," explains Peter Hughes, "students have to pitch for the opportunity, and the facility is also there for students on three year courses — enabling them to set up a business in their second year."
Graduate Ben Macrow took up this chance, kick-starting a corporate video business with some fellow students. "We actually managed to pull a profit — and although we did not decide to pursue the idea, it gave us an invaluable insight into the challenges of being in business."
