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We caught up with former student, Tobias (Toby) Caswell-Jones to find out more about his life and work since graduating from the professional cookery course at The City of Liverpool College in 2022. He gives us the background on what led up to him securing a place on Gordon Ramsay’s popular ITV1 show, Next Level Chef, which came to our screens on Wed 11th January.
“Growing up, I always enjoyed cooking; I wasn’t particularly good at it, but I enjoyed it. It always intrigued me how chefs could just look at ingredients and create such huge amounts of flavour. My mother worked in a bakery for a long time, and my grandmother spend most of her working life in a bakery. As it turns out, my grandfather was a chef in the Merchant Navy, and the entirety of my dad’s side of the family are chefs in Ireland. So, unbeknownst to me, cooking was in my blood!
“It was really at the first tick of the COVID pandemic that I started cooking more and more frequently, and I found that once I put my head into it I was pretty good! It was then I decided that I wanted to cook, and applying to college was the next step.
“I decided that with only bar management on my CV, the best way to prove to a kitchen that I can cook – and I wasn’t just some time-wasting kid – was to attain a qualification in cooking. I chose to do an NVQ 2 in Professional Cookery. Little did I know how much I would truly learn about food and the inner workings of kitchens while doing my course, and this little bite extra to what I was expecting is what pushed me to do my Level 3. To be able to learn new dishes and techniques, some that I’d never even heard of, was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. The College developed my repertoire and knowledge by amounts I can’t even measure. If it wasn’t for the Level 3 course, I wouldn’t be the chef I am today.
“Cementing the basic techniques of roux-based sauces, together with the knowledge of what it takes to create flavour in the Level 2, is what mattered most. A plate can look pretty and be ‘instagrammable’ but if it doesn’t taste of anything then it’s pointless. Flavour is the number one priority when creating food, and that’s what the college taught me. Then, following on with the Level 3 and learning more complex dishes, such as the knack of creating a good jus, and dispatching of lobster and crab, as well as being given the opportunity to work with lots of interesting ingredients, put me ahead of most chefs my age – even if I’ve only worked with ingredients once before, it gave me an advantage over someone who had never worked with them before! All the tutors on the cooking course really saw my potential and wanted to nurture me into the chef I am now, the passion these staff have for the next generation of chefs is admirable, they want to see us succeed, and to be able to give them that is an honour.”
“Since finishing College, I went on to become Sous Chef of the two-rosette restaurant, Mustard and Co., in Crosby. But I will say that to progress so quickly is something that wouldn’t have happened without hard work, determination, and sheer willpower. But having the knowledge that College taught me, did put me ahead of the mark, and allowed me to express my capabilities in the kitchen; giving me the freedom to do what I want to do. I currently work in Queens, Liverpool’s new wine bar and bistro, where we do absolutely everything properly and from scratch. It’s with great thanks that I was set up with the best advice from my tutors about commercial kitchens and the ins and outs of the industry, that I couldn’t have done so much in such a short time.”
Gordon Ramsay’s ‘Next Level Chef’ TV show
“Having the opportunity to compete and participate in Next Level Chef was an opportunity I will never forget, nor will I ever take for granted. To have the chance to be mentored personally by the biggest chef in the industry, Gordon Ramsay; his former protégé and starred chef himself, Paul Ainsworth; and American powerhouse Nyesha Arrington. It’s something I’m never going to forget.
“I learnt so much on my journey of Next Level Chef. From going into the competition with a lot of imposter syndrome, to coming out on the other side with a whole new sense of confidence and encouragement in my cooking ability, has transformed me both as a chef and as a person. An experience like Next Level Chef has transformed me. Thanks to Gordon, Paul, and Nyesha, I can finally cook the way I wanted to, and I have the faith and knack in myself to be able to cook in such a way.
“To anyone who is thinking of an opportunity laying in front of them, I implore you to take it. It was a fleeting moment, but taking that first step into Next Level Chef was the best thing I could’ve done for myself, and I encourage any young person to do the same.”
“To anyone thinking of taking the culinary course at the College, I’d tell you to do it; and do it right now! Many people in the industry tell you that “you don’t need college” and that you “learn everything you need on the job”, but I can tell you now, that is not the case. There is a reason why I am where I am in such a short period of time, and that is definitely, in part, with thanks to the college, along with a lot of determination. You gain so much that you wouldn’t otherwise have learnt, and that expansive repertoire helps you tenfold in the industry.
“To current students at the College, what I must tell you is keep going. It’s hard work being in the industry; there are lots of downs, many issues, and a lot of adversity you’ll have to overcome; but at the end of it all, it definitely is worth it. The food industry is the backbone of society, and being able to give an amazing experience to everyone who walks through those doors is an honour and a gift. Everything works out, so keep going, listen to your tutors—they know a lot more than any chef I’ve worked under – and enjoy the experience while you can.
Plans going forward, I hope to keep cooking great food for customers who appreciate it. That’s all I’ve ever wanted to do, cook food. In my current position at Crosby Wine Bar and Bistro, I’m allowed to cook the way I want to cook and cook using great ingredients and produce.
The main goal is to become a Head Chef within the next few years, and be able to put my own personal mark on the Liverpool food scene, and perhaps even a mark on the UK, but as long as I’m serving tasty, heart-warming food that’s all that matters.♦
Link to information about the Next Level Chef show
The City of Liverpool College Adult pathways: What course do I choose?
Whether you’re looking to gain new skills, retrain for a new career, or learn something new to build your confidence, here at The City of Liverpool College we have the perfect course for you.
We believe in making education accessible for all, no matter your age. With a range of full-time and part-time courses available, the College has pathways to suit all student needs and life commitments. Ranging from hands on vocational courses to classic classroom style teachings, both online and offline, find your future here.
Full-time and part-time vocational courses
Vocational courses are great for a smooth transition from education to industry.
Work experience forms a significant part of vocational courses, meaning students have the skills to hit the ground running once they enter industry.
Our excellent industry links mean that learners will receive the latest information and expertise directly from the sector. Students benefit from on-site visits, guest speakers, work experience placements, and professional masterclasses, to name just a few benefits.
Whether your passion is for construction, health and beauty, the digital industry or virtually any other career path, we have an abundance of state-of-the-art-facilities, including specialist design studios, salons and kitchens and mechanical engineering workshops to prepare you for industry.
Find the right vocational course for you here.
Full-time academic courses
For those who want to pursue a degree but lack the qualifications to do so, Access to Higher Education or Pre-Access courses are the perfect solution.
Access courses offer an intensive learning opportunity where students will develop the knowledge and skills required to progress into higher education.
There are various Access courses to choose from – including Business & Finance, Engineering, Midwifery and Sport Science. Each one combines subject specific knowledge with preparation for undergraduate study. Access students will earn a full Level 3 qualification, equivalent to three A Levels.
For those who don’t yet have the entry requirements for Access courses, don’t worry. The College also offers a Pre-Access qualification in various subjects which will support students to develop their skills and confidence ready for Access.
The Access to HE department has strong links with industry, to ensure both Access and Pre-Access programmes are in tune with the latest innovation and technological advances.
Find a full list of courses, fee details and entry requirements here.
Free online short courses
We are delighted to offer a wide range of free online courses to help adults develop in-demand skills and improve their career prospects with flexible learning to fit round other commitments. Many of these courses are 100% free of charge,
These courses are a great way to gain nationally recognised qualifications, help enhance employability or expand your knowledge in a subject that interests you.
There are over 20 short courses available spanning seven industries, including Business and Management, Caring for Children and Young People, Digital Skills for Work, Equality and Safeguarding, Health and Care and Warehousing.
Our free courses are available to start all year round and have been designed to ensure students can study around their current work and life commitments. Durations vary between five and 12 weeks and learners will achieve a Level 2 Award on completion of the course.
For those who don’t qualify for the full funding towards the course, the Colleges offers an extensive financial support package to assist students during their studies.
For full details and how to apply, visit here.
Apprenticeships
More and more adults are choosing an apprenticeship to help them gain the knowledge, skills and hands-on experience they need for either a new career, or to upskill in their current roles.
As Liverpool’s leading provider of apprenticeships, the College has worked with employers across the UK to help thousands of people start their careers. Apprenticeships give learners the opportunity to ‘earn whilst you learn’, providing adults at any stage of their life with valuable workplace experience whilst gaining a qualification.
Apprentices at the College benefit from access to industry standard workshops, purpose-built facilities and expert tutors and skills coaches – many of whom started their careers as apprentices.
From Level 2 to degree-level, the College offers a wide range of training programmes accessible to learners aged 16+. Potential job outcomes include Adult Care Workers, Business Admin, Chef de Partie, Civil Engineering Technician, Gas Engineering Operative. A full list can be found here.
Degree level/higher education
Achieving your HE qualification at college is a great alternative to university. Our University Centre is one of the largest and most successful college-based HE providers in the country, offering a high-quality academic experience which will help you develop the higher-level skills to help you succeed in your desired industry.
Our University Centre offers a higher education experience that centres around its learners and is highly valued by employers and business. Students benefit from small learning groups, access to specialist facilities and great support from our knowledgeable and industry-experienced tutors.
Our Higher National qualifications, Foundation Degrees, BA/BSc (Hons), Top-Up degrees and teacher training courses cover a wide range of subject and occupational areas, and many can be studied either full-time or part-time to fit around life commitments.
HE degrees are offered in sectors including: Art & Design, Business, Computing, Construction, Early Childhood Studies, Education and Professional Development, Hospitality Management, and Sports and Exercise Science. A full list can be found, here.
For more information about our adult courses, please visit: https://www.liv-coll.ac.uk/course-finder/adults/
College Partner donates Industry Logbooks to Electrical StudentsMembers of The City of Liverpool College’s Construction team welcomed visitors from Electrical Contractors Association (ECA) to the Vauxhall Road centre on Wednesday 11 January 2023 to present students on the electrical course with a valuable hand-held Regulations logbook. This important item will support these learners on their journey to professional status.
Steve McGreevy, Head of Construction at the College said: “We would like to thank our College partner, ECA, for donating key resources to our Electrical students. The Regulations books will not only be of huge benefit to our students during their studies at the College, but also prepare them for the world of work. This is a fantastic gesture from ECA and we look forward to enjoying our continued collaboration, along with the positive impact this will have in supporting our students.”
ECA is the main trade association for companies involved in electro-technical and other technical engineering projects in England, Northern Ireland and Wales. It provides support and advice to its members on health and safety, standards, skills, technical issues and employment, and works closely with other regulatory bodies to establish a safe and efficient industry.
Jim Johnson, Northwest Regional Manager at ECA, said: “It was my pleasure today alongside Mark Giardelli of McGoff & Vickers, Shaun McAteer from Actaeon Solutions Group and Luke Burns from City Electrical Factors to present The City of Liverpool College students with 44 new 18th Edition Regs books that will hopefully aid them in their studies to become Electricians. This is the second phase in our working partnership with the College, following our very successful collaboration with Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) in taking 60+ students to the NEC Birmingham to attend Solar & Storage Event, which showcased the future of the Electrical & Mechanical working landscape and where the students working journey may take them.
“ECA and MCS and their partners will continue to support The City of Liverpool College students on their exciting industry journey.”
This week our Wellbeing and Welfare Team are launching a valuable new service for our University Centre students. ‘HE Student Help’ will provide an innovative Social Prescribing approach that connects students with non-clinical support both inside and outside the College. The service aims to develop preventative strategies and improve mental health outcomes for students at our University Centre, helping them to successfully engage in their studies and careers.
What is HE Student Help?
HE Student Help is a free and confidential service to help students improve their health and wellbeing. The service will allow the College to support students in referrals to services such as: finance, NHS, community groups, support groups, mental health support, housing.
Who is it for?
The service is for HE students and can support any students who:
What can students expect?
An advisor from the College will introduce themselves and offer an appointment. The student’s first appointment will be one hour long and entail the advisor listening to their needs. The advisor will then offer suggestions on appropriate support based on what matters to the student.
How can students access support?
HE students can access support by self-referring to HEhelp@liv-coll.ac.uk or completing a Microsoft Form found on the College’s student intranet site.
VIEW campaign launch poster
College Healthcare Cadets perform lifesaving treatment
One of the biggest challenges facing the NHS today is the workforce crisis. With constant pressures and chronic shortages, the number of nurses leaving the NHS has continued to rise over recent years.
But as far as recruitment of new workers to the sector is concerned, two of our L3 NHS Healthcare Cadets are hoping to make a positive contribution to the latest figures, since their random call to action had such life-changing results.
Long time friends, Madison Baker and Lauren Bullock (pictured above), were returning from a stint at this year’s London Marathon, when they were approached in Euston Station by someone clearly in distress.
To find out more, we caught up with our teenage heroes, in between their busy schedules on placement at Liverpool’s Royal Hospital and volunteering with St John’s ambulance at various high-profile events.
Tell us what happened at the station on the eventful day in question?
Maddie said: “As we waited for our train back to Liverpool we were approached for help because a man had collapsed on the platform. As we rushed to the scene it was clear he was very unwell and we assessed him immediately. We tested his level of alertness to pain and recorded his GCS (Glasgow Coma Scale) – this measures a person’s consciousness and how we should treat them.”
Lauren said: “We identified that the patient was in a state of shock due to blue lips and a very pale complexion. This was very worrying but we knew how to help due to our training from both our studies at the College and through our current work placements.”
What did you do next?
Maddie said: “Once we’d wheeled the patient into the station’s first aid room, we had the added problem that all first aid boxes were locked, so we had to think on our feet and perform observations manually to further assess his condition.”
Lauren said: “We performed observations and measured respiration counts. We noticed that the patient’s pulse was very weak, which was a worrying sign in addition to extremely low blood pressure. This was followed by intense chest and arm pain which signified the beginning of a potential heart attack.”
What happened then?
Maddie said: “Luckily, the ambulance crew arrived extremely quickly, so we helped get the patient into the ambulance and liaised with the crew to relay our information and observations before they rushed him off to hospital.”
How did you feel about the help you had given?
Lauren said: “We’re very thankful that we were there to come to the patient’s assistance whilst waiting for the ambulance crew, and hope we made a big difference to the patient’s recovery.”
What effect has this had on your future career plans?
Maddie said: “This incident has confirmed my goal of wanting to become a paramedic – being able to help someone in their time of need is very rewarding.”
Lauren added: “I also would like to continue my training to become a paramedic and to continue to help make a difference in people’s lives. We’re really enjoying studying at the College as well as gaining hands-on practical skills on our real world placements.”
Tanya Dawson, course tutor on the L3 NHS Healthcare Cadets course, said: “We are very proud of Maddie and Lauren and are pleased these young cadets were able to call on the knowledge they’ve gained from both their college course and professional placement.
“Work experience is an invaluable part of the programme as it allows our young professionals in training to take the skills learnt and put them into practice, so they are work-ready for the career they’ve chosen to pursue.” ♦
To learn more about college courses in Health and Social Care, CLICK HERE
The importance of investing in adult learningAdult education remains as fundamental a part of further education (FE) as ever, with over 1.5 million adults enrolled into FE or skilled training in the UK in 2021/22. Whether people are looking to upskill in their current career, start a new venture or change direction entirely, adult education is more popular than ever.
In 2020, the adult education sector was labelled ‘the crown’ and community learning its ‘jewel’ by the Education Select Committee. But despite this and its growing demand, government spending on adult and community education by councils in England fell from £395 million to £311 million per year between 2013-14 and 2019-20, representing in a drop of 21%.
At The City of Liverpool College, we believe everyone should have access to quality education and training, whatever stage of life they are at. The benefits of adult learning are plentiful, not only for people, but for communities, businesses, and the economy. The world in which we live and work is changing all the time, impacted by advancements in technology, the research and guidance of practices, professional guidelines, societal changes and the culture of work.
Education plays a vital role in improving an individual’s outlook and their overall life chances, as well as enhancing a business’s workforce and skillset. Here are just a few reasons why investing in adult education is so important.
Demand in the UK’s labour market is growing. Businesses now require more than a university degree from their employees. Employees are now expected to know a little bit about a lot of things relating to their industry and workplace. Adult education is a great way to achieve that.
At the College, we have a real laser focus on developing our curricular around sustainable careers, not courses, embedding the development of wider skills, knowledge and behaviours into teachings to support successful entry into maintained employment.
FE and training courses allow employees to evolve, produce better results, and increase their employability and promotion opportunities, all while accommodating adult learners needs and existing commitments. The opportunity to join short courses with flexible delivery means more adults can take advantage of such training and education despite external factors which prevent full time being an option, such as other work and family.
One of the key roles of adult education is to enable workers to develop their skills and acquire new ones. In the wake of the economic crisis, it gives people aged 18+ a chance to retrain, gain new skills and knowledge and stay up to date with industry needs.
Being able to access FE is particularly important for adults in disadvantaged groups, and those who may not have had access to the best quality education at a younger age.
When attempting to build a solid career, sometimes retraining is not just an option worth considering, it’s an essential. Due to the evolution of technology, many jobs require individuals to be tech-savvy; those who aren’t will either need to learn, or train into a different route.
With new technologies emerging almost daily, the world of work and the skills required to thrive in it continue to change. Understandably, it can be hard to keep up, especially for those who were not brought up in the digital age.
With the population getting older and tech playing a significant role in most, if not all, industries, adult courses offer a highly effective way of learning and staying up to date with the latest developments, giving adults the opportunity to keep informed of trends and remain in tune with the forever changing working world. This offers ample business benefits, as it enables employers to grow their own talent and workers will always have the up-to-date skills they need to be innovative and bring new ideas to the table.
The UK has a growing problem with adult skills shortages, which are more apparent in technical areas. Access to Higher Education, apprenticeships and vocational courses for adults provide a fruitful resource for upskilling, retraining and creating skilled workers who are prepared for a smooth transition into industry.
Adult education courses are designed to offer an answer to both current and future skill shortages by equipping the ageing workforce with the skills and knowledge to adapt to the ever-changing nature of business. This also broadens the job prospects and opportunities available to workers, providing access to lifelong learning and valuable qualifications which will ultimately lead to better quality jobs with higher salaries.
The 2021 Social Mobility Commission (SMC)’s State of the Nation report stated that “across the UK there are already signs that attainment gaps between advantaged and disadvantaged children are getting wider”. It also noted that “good quality training can help adults escape low paid jobs”.
To increase social mobility, we need to look beyond schools and universities, and invest properly into adult education. Adult learning and apprenticeships can help address low levels of social mobility by supporting adults to upskill.
Adult education plays a vital role in raising productivity, strengthening community cohesion, increasing social mobility, reducing unemployment and inactivity, enhancing progression into well-paid jobs, extending working lives, tackling health and mental health issues, and attracting inward investment.
An investment in adult education is an investment in transformative change in the UK. If the labour market is to work for everyone, those with lower skills and qualifications need to be able to improve their career prospects and realise their ambitions through access to FE and training opportunities. Colleges and educators must be enabled to continue to provide high quality education and skills training for adults.
To find out how your business can benefit from adult education at The City of Liverpool College, visit: https://www.liv-coll.ac.uk/course-finder/adults/
Students recreate scene from iconic soap operaWe caught up with tutors Phil Milor (Creative Media) and Paul Carmichael (Acting) recently, to learn more about a live project they’ve been working on with our talented Media Production and Acting students. The task required the groups to recreate a classic scene from the ever popular soap opera, Coronation Street, which provided our students in training with a unique insight into the working practices of their chosen industries.
Phil said: “Not only do Media students get to research and plan how industry professionals would have worked, but thanks to the state of the art facilities, they can also perform their assigned role working in our TV gallery or on the studio floor. This is where our School and courses differ from some of the more traditional Level 3 courses that are run in school sixth forms and other colleges.” Phil went on to say: “Within the Expressive Arts and Media Academy there are several opportunities during the year for this type of large-scale collaborative project. Having the UAL as our exam board allows tutors to be creative with both their assessments of students and in how we are able to link projects together across courses with a strong industry ethos, helping students to gain a better understanding of their chosen industry, as well as learn the valuable skills any employer would look for in a new employee.”
Paul said: “Usually actors have to learn on the job with such things as acting for camera and how to work in a studio. We’re very lucky to have state-of-the-art studio facilities so our learners can enjoy a professional working experience, which means they are already ahead of others coming into the acting industry!
“Collaboratively working on these projects with other L3 students in Media and Production Arts gives our learners important research activities, making academic work interesting and enjoyable, as well as developing them as actors. Using TV scripts from well-loved shows means they carry out in-depth character and acting style studies before entering into an intense rehearsal period, leading to a day of recording on set that reflects the current industry standard. I believe there’s no other further education institution in the city region that can rival both our facilities and the types of experience our students receive as actors in training, in this most vibrant and creative former City of Culture.” ♦
“I learned a lot working on the set. I’m used to working in theatre and playing to an audience and it is very different playing to live cameras throughout the day, then doing it all again at night with a live audience! You’ve got to be totally professional and be wary that there are lots of other people working too. Sometimes it can feel quite exhausting but every time, on every take, you’ve got to give it 110%!
“It was really good working with the Media and Production students as it made everything feel like a professional set and that’s so helpful as an actor. It’s such a vast industry that you need to be versatile and work with all different types of people.
“It was really fun looking into the background of my character and the woman who played her, and it meant I could be authentic as an actor with the way I walked and my facial expressions. It was a really fun thing to do and one which taught me so much as an actor.”
Eden Roberts – L3 Acting (Year 1)
“A fast paced, well organised event and the episode looked great on screen.”
Cerys Steele – UAL Ext. Dip. in Performing and Production Arts
“An excellent learning experience, as everyone had something new to do and it was a good reflection of industry practices.”
Becka Heath – UAL Dip in Performing and Production Arts
“As a second-year L3 Media student, filming Coronation Street was another level of media industry. Really enjoyed working with the actors and the technical teams. Felt so professional and different compared to other projects, in terms of how big each team was. Being a Camera Operator in this project felt like it’s real! Loved it!”
El-Dana Ahmed – L3 UAL Creative Media
“It felt like being a part of something in the industry.”
Elvie Prestridge – L3 UAL Creative Media
College names recipients of University Centre Research Awards
Congratulations to our recent higher education graduates who not only excelled in their degree level programmes, but also received the coveted University Centre Research Award (UCRA), which acknowledges outstanding research in a project or dissertation.
The five finalists were all commended in their class and received a UCRA certificate in recognition of their achievements, alongside two worthy recipients of first and second prize.
For her dissertation titled: ‘The impact of COVID-19 and support available throughout the pandemic for children with special educational needs and disabilities’
Vicky started at Level 3 in the College and progressed into the University Centre where she achieved a Foundation Degree followed by BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies. During her time with us, Vicky has flourished into a creative and critical thinker and submitted a truly outstanding dissertation.
For his work on the ‘Events Management’ module, creating an online event in Thailand as the country went into lockdown over the Christmas 2021 period. Alan has demonstrated an outstanding attitude towards his academic studies and achieved exceptional grades. Programme Leader, Andrew Simpson, recommended Alan for the award, stating “On my feedback sheet, I had actually run out of superlatives when annotating the work! I wholeheartedly nominate Alan for what I consider to be a thoroughly worthy piece of work to receive a Research Award!”
Claire Henderson – Foundation Degree Early Years Practice: Claire completed a small-scale research project ‘The ongoing impact of the pandemic on families’ health and wellbeing’. This was a contemporary and creative topic focusing on the key aspect of health and wellbeing within early years and its relevance towards children’s holistic development.
Sam Ross – Foundation Degree Early Years Practice: Sam engaged in extensive research and reading for an assessment on the History of Childhood. She provided a comprehensive and critical view on poverty in the twenty-first century and the aftermath of Covid-19.
Claudia McNally – BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies: Claudia started at Level 3 in the College and progressed into the University Centre where she achieved a foundation degree and then BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies. Claudia submitted a well-researched dissertation entitled ‘Reducing Parental Conflict in the Early Years’ which demonstrates her commitment and motivation as a researcher and Early Years practitioner.
An interview with… former HNC Musical Theatre student, Jacob Yarlett
We were excited to catch up with former musical theatre student, Jacob Yarlett, recently who is currently performing in the critically acclaimed musical, Book of Mormon, at venues across the UK and Europe. We asked Jacob about his time as a City of Liverpool College student and what he makes of landing his ‘dream role’ with the first audition that launched his career.
How did you get into your love of theatre and decide it is the career for you?
“I first became interested in theatre after I saw Wicked in London when I was 11 in 2007 – I liked the idea of being 20 feet in the air, green and belting out songs for my life. It wasn’t until I was about 13/14 years old that I thought I could do it as a career due to the very encouraging performing arts teachers at school and the fact I just loved doing it.”
How did you come to study musical theatre at The City of Liverpool College (COLC)?
“I was in my last year at sixth form in 2014 and didn’t feel quite ready to go off to drama school just yet so I was looking around for a foundation course. I wanted a year in which I could build upon the skills I already had and develop professional technique – the HNC course at COLC ticked all of those boxes for me. I had an evening audition where I had to dance, sing and give a short presentation on a show I loved. The audition was really fun, and I felt so at ease.”
What was your course like at COLC?
“The Musical Theatre course at COLC was great. We had classes across the three disciplines; Acting, Singing and Dance, where we built up our technique and received countless opportunities to perform. We also studied in a research and professional practice class which was great to learn more about the theory side. We covered so much over the year, and it was absolutely crucial for my progression. The facilities were incredible – a fully teched-out theatre, big dance and rehearsals rooms and we used them all constantly. My tutors were amazing. They were so encouraging and really pushed us to achieve what we wanted to as well as always giving up their free time to help us progress even further. I learned so much from them and am extremely grateful.”
How did studying musical theatre at the college help you to progress onto university and into the industry?
“Studying at the college gave me such a strong foundation and most importantly, the confidence that I could go into my drama school auditions knowing I was prepared and had trainable skills that could take me out into the professional industry.”
How did you take the first step into working in the industry?
“So after COLC I went to study my degree in Musical Theatre at The London College of Music (LCM) and graduated in 2018 without an agent which was terrifying as I had no security and felt like I would not get any auditions. My friend told me that Book of Mormon was going on tour and was about to start auditioning and that I should just submit myself as I didn’t have an agent. So that’s what I did and luckily, they asked me to come in for an audition. After many, many rounds I finally got the job as the Standby for Elder Cunningham.”
What has it been like to perform in such a famous musical?
“We say it a lot in the show, but it has honestly been INCREDIBLE. The Book of Mormon was honestly my dream show and Elder Cunningham was my ideal role and I feel so lucky to have been able to perform like this so early on in my career. As well as getting to travel across the UK and parts of Europe, the cast and crew are amazing – you honestly couldn’t ask for better people in a job. There’s always fun to be had with them.”
What’s a typical show day like and rehearsal?
“A typical show day as a standby now is – wake up, maybe have a walk to explore around the city that we are in and then head to work in the evening where we do a mandatory company physical and vocal warm-up which is a lot of fun. Then we’ll have our notices which are usually any notes from the show the night before to improve, as well as telling us if any covers or swings are on. If I’m standing in to perform that night, I’ll then get ready for the show. Occasionally during the day we’ll have cover rehearsals where me and the other covers will rehearse the show in advance.”
Any advice/tips for current students?
“My advice would be to take the work seriously but not yourself. At the end of the day, we’re not performing heart surgery and it is so easy to let yourself get wrapped within the industry. Make sure to find the joy outside of it and have fun!”
Any plans for what you would like to do next?
“First of all, I’m focusing on looking for an agent for when the show finishes. Hopefully then I can start auditioning for the next job whatever that will be. I’m very lucky to have ticked off my dream show already so anything else is a bonus. I would love to do Mean Girls if that ever comes over from the US.”
Congratulations to City of Liverpool College engineering student, Harvey Hudson, who was named Young Apprentice of the Year recently at the prestigious CIBSE Young Engineer Awards 2022, held in London this month.
Harvey, who is studying for a Level 3 Diploma in Building Services Engineering, was commended on the night for demonstrating excellence in his studies, alongside the hard work and dedication he shows during his placements with leading energy management consultants, Vital Energi.
Harvey is one of a group of recent recruits to Vital Energi’s ‘Net Zero Apprenticeship Programme’, which was founded in partnership with The City of Liverpool College to address the skills gap in the engineering industry across the UK.
Jenny Jackson, Resource Manager at Vital Energi said: “We are delighted that one of the first students to enrol on our Net Zero Apprenticeships programme has won this award.
“Harvey isn’t just a great apprentice, he’s also a fantastic ambassador for apprenticeships. He’s spoken at events about the benefits of apprenticeships and to audiences ranging from school children to industry experts, and he has also had a real impact on promoting, not only our apprenticeship programme, but also apprenticeships in general. We’re very proud that one of the apprentices enrolled on our course has distinguished himself on a national level.”
Lynn Borthwick, Head of School, said: “Our staff in the School of Engineering, Green Technologies & Logistics are delighted that Harvey has been recognised for his hard work and dedication to studies.
“The whole [apprentices] group have been studying a range of topics and have worked very hard to achieve good results both in internally-assessed units and in these national exams. We work closely with Vital Energi to ensure our learners can apply their theoretical knowledge to the work placements they undertake, and also bring the work-based learning to class and enrich the sessions with their practical experience.”
The Apprentice of the Year Category is in its third year of the CIBSE Awards and was introduced to the programme to recognise the innovative thinking, hard work and skills of graduate engineers, whilst also showcasing those employers who are truly committed to developing and encouraging young talent.
Harvey spoke about his time on the programme, saying: I’ve found my course at The City of Liverpool College to be excellent – the teachers and apprenticeship team are very supportive and are always there to help you to progress further.
“My apprenticeship is really unique because I’ve been able to work within different departments in a company – from design, and commercial, to site placements. This has really helped me to further develop my skills at college because I’ve been given hands on work experience that complements the college course I’m studying. I’m really grateful for the opportunities I’ve been offered.”
