MORE than 100 students marked the completion of their Higher Education studies with Wiltshire College & University Centre on a day of celebration at Salisbury Cathedral.
College staff and invited guests joined 104 graduates as they paraded through the streets of Salisbury under bright blue skies before being presented with their degrees and awards in front of family and friends at the cathedral.
Principal & Chief Executive Iain Hatt told them, “Earning your qualification is no small feat. It’s the result of hard work, perseverance, and commitment.
“Many of you have balanced the demands of home, work and study – making your success even more commendable. Your dedication has brought you to this important milestone, and I hope you take great pride in all that you have achieved.”
Before the walk to the cathedral, the day had begun at Salisbury Playhouse, where students assembled to collect their caps and gowns, pose for photographs and excitedly greet course mates, many of whom they hadn’t seen since before the summer.
The diverse range of students reflected the breadth of the nature of the courses on offer at the college as young people on the threshold of their careers mingled with mature students who had combined part-time studies with full-time jobs.
Among them was Sally-Ann Nelson from Calne who gave up a career as a theatrical make-up artist to study a CIPD level 5 in HR to pursue a similar role in the entertainment industry. She said the course was invaluable in guiding her in the right direction.
“I wouldn’t have known where to start or who to contact and the knowledge I have gained from it has been amazing. It’s going to really jump start my career,” said Sally-Ann, who held down two jobs while studying.
“Our lecturer, Simon Alford, was really good, and he always noticed when I was having a wobble and supported me through it – I don’t think I would have got through the course without him.”
Henry Negus, 21, used his degree in Motorsport Technology to begin a Masters in Race Car Aerodynamics at Southampton University. “I really enjoyed the course at Castle Combe and I feel like the course and the lecturer David Campion taught me how to think a bit,” he said.
“If I hadn’t done the course, I probably wouldn’t have moved on to wanting to do a Masters, it made me want to do more.”
Lizzie Clancy, 36, of Warminster, juggled a job and a family to complete an AAT Level 4 Professional Diploma in Accounting. “It was challenging because some of the exams were hard, but I wanted to do it because my partner Alex comes out of the army in a couple of years, and I needed a goal when he gets out to do a little bit more with my life,” she said.
She is now working as an accounting assistant and looks back on the course at Trowbridge with fondness. “I really loved it because I went there when I was 16 so going back 20 years later was sort of strange, but I had great support from the lecturer and the people,” she said.
Alongside her and Alex at the cathedral was their daughter Iris. “Having a day like this is lovely, I didn’t go to university when I was younger, but now I can share it with Alex and Iris and my mum,” she said.
Macy Murton-Phelps, 20, from Melksham, spoke of her pride in being the first person in her family to study for a degree after completing her HND in Public Services, Crime and Criminal Justice.
“Now I’ve finished I feel like, ‘Wow, I actually did it!’ I feel proud of myself,” she said as she modelled her gown.
“Having a day like today is massive because you get a chance to think, ‘I did it!’ The course and Tracy Mitchell, the lecturer, were great, and I liked that I could study locally and live at home. I’m going to work in probation after learning about it on the course; I’m really interested in it now.
“This course has taught me that I’m quite capable, and although I come across as ditzy, I do know quite a lot. It has been a brilliant experience.”
Course mate Abigail Hooper, 20, from Broughton Gifford, said the course had been one of the best years of her life. “It was incredible because it was challenging, we had a load of support from our lecturer, it was interesting because we went to watch criminal proceedings, and my classmates were amazing – I’ve made friends for life,” she said.
She is looking for a job in the law or the police. “I want to do something relevant to the course because it’s so interesting and I’m passionate about it,” she said.
For Harry Baird, 32, of Salisbury, his HNC in Engineering has been life-changing. He was working as a dispatcher at Nicholas & Harris in the city when he was offered the chance of an engineering apprenticeship.
“When I was younger I was always taking things apart, so my dad suggested I study engineering, but I wasn’t interested in it then. I wanted to play music and go out with my mates,” he said.
“But when I got offered this chance, I thought it was time to grow up and do something serious, and I haven’t looked back. The course was great and I had good support from the lecturers. Now I’ve got a better income and there are more opportunities for me – the future looks better than what it was before.”
He said he was proud to have his family watch him graduate. “They’ve supported me and so have my friends, so it is their achievement as well,” he said.
Mr Hatt paid tribute to all of the families and employers who have supported and encouraged the students, while speaker Paddy Bradley MBE, who is the college’s Chair of Governors, urged the new graduates to continue their learning journey.
“Education doesn’t stop here. Think of today not as the end of your studies, but the launch of your lifelong learning journey,” he said.
“Keep asking questions, keep building on what you’ve achieved, and keep striving to make a difference, in your workplaces, your communities and your own lives. Perseverance brought you this far, and embracing change will carry you even further.”
Pictured: Sally-Ann Nelson outside the cathedral after receiving her CIPD level 5 in HR
Pictured: Engineering graduate Henry Negus, centre, with course mates Ollie Stafford, left, and Jack Singleton
Pictured: Macy Murton-Phelps who passed an HND in Public Services, Crime and Criminal Justice
Pictured: Lizzie Clancy who completed an AAT Level 4 Professional Diploma in Accounting with her daughter Iris
Pictured: Abigail Hooper, right, with classmate Charlotte Robson who both gained an HND in Public Services, Crime and Criminal Justice
Pictured: Harry Baird, who passed an HNC in Engineering
