From education to employment

From Junior Apprentice to university level learner, CAVC Film student Ray is in the picture

Ray Weston

One of the first students to take part in a sector-leading programme designed by Cardiff and Vale College (@CAVC) to prevent young people dropping out of education has just started studying for a degree.

Ray Weston was one of the first cohort to join CAVCā€™s Junior Apprenticeship programme in 2016. A partnership between the College, Cardiff Council, local schools and Welsh Government, the programme aims to offer innovative full-time vocational career route for 14 to 16-year-olds.

Feeling that school wasnā€™t really for him, Ray decided to take the opportunity to make a fresh start at CAVC. He joined the Creative Media pathway, taking a BTEC Level 2 in Creative Media alongside GCSEs in Maths, Numeracy and English Language.

Having successfully completed his two-year Junior Apprenticeship with a Merit and a B in GCSE English, Ray was able to progress to Level 3 BTEC Interactive Media course at post-16 level. He really enjoyed the course, especially getting involved with animation.

Rayā€™s success continued, and he successfully completed the Level 3 course with an overall Merit. This enabled him to go on to his next field of study ā€“ a Foundation Degree in Film at Cardiff and Vale College, which is run in partnership with the University of South Wales (USW).

ā€œThe Junior Apprenticeship programme gave me a really good head start,ā€ Ray said. ā€œI wouldnā€™t be doing the course I am doing now if it wasnā€™t for the Junior Apprenticeship programme

ā€œSchool wasnā€™t the right place for me and Iā€™m really glad I joined the JAs when I did. I am really enjoying my Foundation Degree studies and I intend to top up to a full degree at USW in two years.

ā€œI eventually would like to go into a career in film or TV production.ā€

Rayā€™s mum, Andrea Weston, said: ā€œIā€™m so grateful that the Junior Apprenticeship programme was running. If Ray had stayed at school, he certainly wouldnā€™t have come this far.

ā€œI would to thank all of the staff for all they have done for Ray.ā€

Cardiff and Vale College Deputy Principal Sharon James said: ā€œWe are all so proud of what Ray has achieved and we know he is destined for success. Itā€™s students like Ray that led us to set up the Junior Apprenticeship programme ā€“ school is not for everyone, but in right environment they can and will shine.

ā€œCongratulations Ray, and well done to all the staff across the College who have supported him and helped him to get to this level.ā€


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