Working together, learning together

City College Peterborough is here to support its learners to achieve their personal and professional goals. Whether it's studying towards qualifications, selecting a vocational course, improving career prospects or making decisions about your future - The Moment discovers more about how the college is perfectly placed to help you succeed.

City College Peterborough is no ordinary college. Founded in 1944, this Peterborough institution has spent the past 80 years helping thousands of people annually to learn new skills and gain recognised qualifications. All with the aim of helping residents attain their dream careers and lead fulfilling lives.

Whatever your personal or professional ambition, City College Peterborough can support you to achieve it. Firmly focused on the local community, the college prides itself on the work it does with people across the city and surrounding areas to help enrich their lives.

It’s never too early or too late to think about career options. If you’re not sure what job would suit you, or whether a qualification could help you move to the next stage of your profession, why not book a free appointment to access specialist support?

The Moment caught up with careers advisor, Rob Doran, to discover how tailored advice can be life-changing for so many people.

First of all, could you tell us more about your role and how you can support learners with their career aspirations?
I provide City College Peterborough’s IAG service, which translates to ‘Information Advice and Guidance’, and it’s linked to careers support. Basically, I’m very happy to discuss anything related towards helping people with their career path and discovering the right direction for them. The service is available to help people prepare for their perfect job – whatever their age, situation or background.

Finding fulfilling careers is not always straightforward. Over the years, I’ve become knowledgeable about why people choose not to take certain paths. Language can be a major concern, because sometimes when people come to Peterborough from different countries – often with very high qualifications – their ‘bottleneck’ is English. And it means that people might be a doctor in their own country, yet working another role here. There’s the ESOL (English for Speakers of Overseas Languages) courses, but I also look at further possibilities where they might improve their English outside of a course too.

Together we work out the route needed to go further in their career. I’m ‘peeling the onion’ all the time to try and find reasons behind people’s issues and how I can help them get ahead.

That’s very interesting, it sounds almost like you’re trying to discover people’s untold stories…
Absolutely, it’s about psychology. And it’s fascinating because often the answer comes from trusting my instincts. You know, I can’t pre-empt anything. I won’t sit here just thinking about the next question to ask, because it doesn’t work like that. Instead, I like to encourage people to open up and let go, until eventually we find an answer. I take it deeply seriously. I try to see from the other person’s perspective, and then can start a process of saying, ‘Well, okay, shall we try this? Or how about this instead?’

How do people come to you in the first place?
Usually through the college, but I often get a lot of word-of-mouth referrals or several members of the same family come for sessions too. It’s important to know you don’t have to make these important decisions on your own. Through our 1-2-1 sessions, I can create personalised plans to help people achieve their goals.

As well as advice on qualifications, apprenticeships and a wide range of other learning and training, I can also support with CVs, cover letters, job applications, and interview practice to help boost confidence. Fear and confidence are linked and so if I can help reduce fear in an interview then automatically confidence will increase. Interview practice is always job related. Ultimately, we can look at transferable skills that a person can use to change a career path or open new opportunities.

Can you explain more about the format of the sessions?
I provide an hour of discussion and I think once people get to know me they open up more. And it’s a process of probing gently and keeping the person on track with the questions – not letting tangents get in the way!

I’m ‘strangely’ fascinated by CVs and have my own philosophy on them and how they work best. Yes, all CVs can work but you can shape and edit a CV to make it more powerful. It doesn’t matter how skilled or high-up in a profession; somebody like me can look at it and go, ‘Well it’s not telling me anything. Let’s start the process by saying who you are and then make it real and bespoke rather than copied from the internet.’

Are there common issues or worries that people often come to you with?
Everyone’s different, but I think the commonality is being in the wrong job, looking to improve a current position or looking for work. I can provide help by building two pathways, if necessary, one with a realistic approach to make sure immediate needs are met (such as paying the bills) and the other planning for an ambition or longer-term career goal often requiring studying.

For some time now, I have seen cultural changes happening in the family, where traditionally there was one going out to work and one at home raising the family. But now both partners are needing to work (especially when the children have grown) and share the household income; to afford a house for instance and to insure against any misfortune happening to the sole earner. Sometimes a person may never have worked before, so then we’re starting from scratch.

Do you think that, for many people, it’s about gaining the con!dence to get out there and try new things?
Absolutely. Alongside courses, sometimes it helps to suggest volunteering a few hours a week somewhere, such as in a school, or a charity shop. Just to build up confidence and if they like it, more hours can be added to the voluntary role and so on. Through doing this, they are also getting training, meeting others (networking) and developing new skills which can provide other career possibilities.

The skills that businesses need are changing faster than ever. How do you help people keep up with that evolution?
Technologies are always changing and it is important to keep up with the fundamentals, yet many applicants still want to work in people-orientated places and positions. My starting point sometimes is to ask what a person wanted to do when they were younger. What was their dream? Okay, so now what’s stopping you from being that? And then I can start the process of seeing if there’s something suitable in their original ambition or at least in the same sector. I am always looking for clues to find a rewarding, healthy career path, if money is not the sole driving force. Also, having been self- employed too for many years, I am able to offer advice in this area.

Are there any incentives to help people take-up courses? And anything to remove the barriers too?
We certainly cover addressing concerns and barriers in the 1-2-1 session. It’s a difficult one, because barriers can be deeply entrenched and with many different root causes. I ask how we would get around a barrier in an acceptable way. The main incentive is to find out what a person cares about and where they want to be, and then we can work backwards from there. It is important, in my opinion, to choose a relevant course rather than simply picking one at random, so, I check the job descriptions of a desired career and work backwards to see what is needed. This way their course choices are relevant to an outcome.

Are you proud of your achievements in the role and with what City College Peterborough manages to achieve?
I love City College Peterborough. The atmosphere here is very positive and we put on a lot of courses that attract different types of people of all ages and backgrounds. It’s not just about achieving qualifications and certificates – it’s about changing people’s lives.

I’m really proud of the loop of feedback between the service and the participant. It provides a certain energy. And when that energy is positive and they feel good, I feel that energy too. It’s rewarding to be able to help somebody – that’s what it’s all about!

Discover more

• To book an appointment with a face-to- face advisor, call 01733 761361 or email
• Visit www.citycollegepeterborough.ac.uk to find out more.

Want to learn a new hobby?

City College Peterborough offers a range of leisure courses that enable you to explore new interests, develop skills, and connect with like-minded individuals in a relaxed and supportive environment. Whether you’re looking to unwind, stay active, or pursue a hobby, there’s something for everyone. There are over 100 courses to choose from, including:

• Arts and crafts: Sewing, Painting, Pottery, Flower Arranging
• Jewellery making
• History
• Literature
• Languages
• Music
• Cookery
• Photography
• Upholstery

Find out more at www.citycollegepeterborough.ac.uk

Why choose a vocational qualification?

If you’re looking to upgrade your skills, shift to a new career path, or advance in your current position, then vocational training offers a wide range of benefits. Courses provide a practical, cost-effective, and effcient pathway to employment, particularly in industries that value specific, hands-on skills. Courses are designed with industry best practice in mind, ensuring that teachings are current and relevant to the job market.

Many industries, such as healthcare and education, have a high demand for skilled workers. Vocational training provides focused learning, practical training, and the specific skills needed for these roles. At City College Peterborough, vocational courses are offered through a range of classroom, online, blended and part- time formats, making them accessible to people who may already be working or have other commitments on their time.

Enrolling from September 2024, City College Peterborough’s vocational courses are free (subject to eligibility) and the college can cover childcare and travel too (if eligible). Enrol today by calling 01733 761361 or by visiting www.citycollegepeterborough.ac.uk

Vocational courses at City College Peterborough

Business Administration Courses

• NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Principles of Business Admin

A business administration course can boost your career prospects, enhance your professional and personal growth, and provide a versatile skill set suitable for various industries. This is a FREE* classroom-based qualification, worth up to £1,000.

Healthcare Courses

A healthcare course can lead to a rewarding career that offers the chance to have a significant impact on individuals and communities. This FREE* qualification is worth up to £1,600 and is a mix of classroom and blended learning.

• NCFE Level 1 Award in Preparing to Work in Adult Social Care
• NCFE Level 2 Cert in Preparing to Work in Adult Social Care
• NCFE CACHE Level 3 Certificate in Preparing to Work in Adult Social Care

“I’m doing Adult Social Care Level 2 and I love it. Lindsay’s very good… She has so much patience. The world needs more people like her, more teachers like her.”

Early Years Courses

Gain a recognised qualification to progress your career in Early Years Education, caring for children in the first six years of their lives. Gain a FREE* qualification Level 1-3 (courses worth up to £2,500).

• NCFE Level 1 Certi#cate in Caring for Children (classroom-based)
• NCFE Level 2 Certi#cate in Introducing Caring for Children and Young People (classroom-based)
• City and Guilds Level 2 Diploma for the Early Years Practitioner (work-based)
• City and Guilds Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Practitioner (NSF) (work-based)

Education Courses

Gaining a teaching qualification can enhance your career prospects, and contribute to both your personal and professional growth, ultimately benefiting both you and your students. Gain a FREE* qualification – courses worth up to £2,300.

• City and Guilds Level 2 Award in Support Work in Schools (blended learning)
• City & Guilds Level 2 Certi#cate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools (work-based)
• City and Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Specialist Support for Teaching and Learning in Schools (work-based)

Skills for Life: English, Maths & Digital Skills (IT)

A basic understanding of English, maths and computer skills is needed for everyday life, including getting the most from your money when you’re out shopping, or filling in forms and applying for jobs. These FREE* classroom- based qualifications are worth up to £1,000.

• Digital Skills Entry Level 3 and Level 1
• Certificate in IT User Skills
• Entry L3 to L2 English & Maths

Customer Service

A customer service course enhances your communication and problem-solving skills, opens up diverse career opportunities, and helps you contribute to business success. This FREE* blended learning qualification is worth up to £1,000.

• NCFE Level 2 in the Principles of Customer Service

*Subject to eligibility.

“The college is very lucky to have two such excellent maths tutors. I dropped out of maths at 14 mainly because of bad teaching and I hadn’t done it since until September. I enrolled on FS L2 with Andy, and he immediately put the confidence back into me to learn again. I passed in December and started GCSE with Karen in January. I am on track to sit the exam in May. I can’t believe how much I’ve learnt. I couldn’t be more grateful.”

Meet the tutor

Liz Munton – teaching for 10 years at City College Peterborough

Most rewarding element of your role?
Using the experience that I have in the Health and Social Care sector over many years, both as a Nurse and Manager. I have worked and supported learners who are completing their Online awards, NVQs and Apprenticeships. I find it rewarding, enabling students to move forward in their career pathways with end-to-end development, sharing my working life knowledge and experiences, and seeing students mature and develop over the time we have together.

What advice would you give to anyone thinking of joining a course?
There’s something to suit everyone, so go for it! My online courses are flexible, but with timed commitment to complete their awards, meeting end target dates in their own homes, with supportive short Hub sessions (either through Teams calls or in college with me). The courses are for individuals who are working full or part-time and are unable to attend college day classes due to work commitments, but who wish to either progress in their present job role through gaining additional knowledge and understanding and widening their skill set. They’re also suitable for other individuals who have decided to change their career pathway.

Please visit the website to browse the full list of courses available: www.citycollegepeterborough.ac.uk