Elsa Gallimore
City and Guilds Clothing Craft Stage 1, HND Fashion Design

Elsa Gillimore joined Waltham Forest College four years ago to study City and Guilds Clothing Craft Stage 1, working her way up to study HND Fashion Design. Many opportunities have arisen for Elsa during her studies. These have included showing her collection at the Alternative Arts Fashion Week for two years, being a make up artist for a documentary by the BBC Graduates and being approached by E4 to be the fashion stylist for a new comedy quiz game. “I consider myself lucky to have tutors who work within the industry. Waltham Forest College has given me a platform to further my career prospects using its wide variety of facilities and supportive members of staff. Without them, it would have been impossible to achieve what I have accomplished during my time here. I would definitely recommend the College!”

Stephen O'Malley
Two Year Drama Access course

After a serious accident in 1992, Stephen spent two years in hospital and years in rehabilitation. To build his confidence Stephen decided to join The City Lit, taking short courses in French and Technical Voice Production. With a new found confidence and sense of purpose Stephen then enrolled on The City Lit Two-Year Drama Access course, which he successfully completed this year. Stephen says, "the course has changed my character...I worked with all types of people...I now relate much better to others." Stephen has published a number of poems and is currently writing and performing for a new drama group based in London.

Kimberley Escrig
Teaching Exercise to Music, accredited by OCR NVQ Level 2 in Coaching, Teaching and Instructing, accredited by OCR 

Catherine Mitri
Access to Teacher Training

Mature student Catherine Mitri started and successfully completed an Access to Teaching course at Barnet College, where she was delighted to achieve a GCSE grade B in Mathematics. She is currently at Middlesex University studying for a BA Primary Education with Qualified Teacher Status. "Going back to education has instilled in me a confidence I never knew I had. I'd advise anyone who has any doubts whether to return to education / learning if they haven't done anything for some time to cast aside the doubts as Barnet College will certainly help you, help yourself".

Anne-Marie Powell
National Certificate in Horticulture

Anne-Marie studied at Capel Manor College in 1996, where she took her National Certificate in Horticulture. The course provided the perfect platform for her garden design business. She writes regularly for the national press and gardening magazines, and was seen earlier this year offering expert landscape advice on Channel 4's 'The Garden Doctors'.

Gary Green
BTEC National Diploma in Business and Finance

Gary Green gained a BTEC National Diploma in Business and Finance from Lambeth College. He has recently qualified as a Barrister and will soon be joining his first chambers, embarking on a career in criminal law. "It's thanks to the enthusiastic teachers, the good advice I received and the inspiration I found here that I have pursued my career so confidently".

Junior Barrett
GNVQ Advanced Media & Communication (now BTEC National Diploma Media)

"The course helped me gain a lot of new skills in print media, IT, audio and TV production and journalism to name a few. It gives you an excellent grounding in the different forms of media out there, and helps you decide which one is for you. I got to work one day a week at BBC Radio 1 with some of the top DJs as part of the BBC mentor scheme". Junior is now in his first year at Guildhall University and is presenting a Saturday morning radio programme on Choice FM.

Richard Darvill
City and Guilds Photography Part 2

Richard studied photography at Woolwich and Greenwich Community College. His first course was an Introduction to Photography. From there he progressed and qualified to do the City and Guilds 9231 course. He has since been awarded the City and Guilds bronze medal for excellence. Richard says: "I have been given every encouragement by tutors at the college photography department." He now plans to do freelance photography work.

Siri Caplan
NVQ2 Carpentry and Joinery

 Siri decided to change her career direction by developing her practical carpentry skills. She was nervous about joining Lewisham College as a mature student but says: "I felt a bit apprehensive about how I would fit in. In fact I couldn't have been made to feel more welcome". She now aims to progress to NVQ level 3 at evening class.

Samantha Nottage
Apprenticeship

"Whilst working as a Web Designer and IT Support Technician, I undertook an Apprenticeship through BTAS at Hendon College, leading to an NVQ Level 3 in Customer Care. The Apprenticeship helped give me the confidence to apply for a new job at web consultancy Henley Online. It has been particularly useful in the client-facing aspect of my work - after which I create design ideas and develop web pages around their company profile".