A Civil Engineer from East Lancashire is charting fully qualified status and thanks Accrington and Rossendale College for supporting his drive towards developing his professional credentials.
Thirty-seven-year-old Robert Gregg, from Sabden, is a Development Support Technician in Lancashire County Council’s Highways and Transport department, and is well on the way to achieving a Distinction in the HNC Construction and Built Environment qualification he is studying with the College.
Robert left school with no GCSE qualifications, and after studying Level 1 and 2 Motor Engineering at Accrington and Rossendale College almost 20 years ago, he drifted into operational Civil Engineering working on projects across the UK and in Ireland, as well as a period working on offshore oil pipelines.
However, with a family on the way and a desire to move into a locally positioned career in a more professional role, Robert decided to call on the services of Accrington and Rossendale College again in 2018 to support his career move.
Robert, who is based at LCC’s Burnley depot, said: “Before undertaking the HNC and after 17 years working in the industry, I was still indecisive as to where I wanted to go with my career.
“Since enrolling onto the course with Accrington and Rossendale College, however, I now have that direction of where I want to go. Committing to enrol onto the course and demonstrating application to achieve a qualification also helped me to secure my current role at Lancashire County Council.
“Coming back into academic learning was quite a daunting prospect when I started in my mid-30s, especially having no qualifications from school. I had achieved around 15 construction qualifications over the years, but there was nothing academic or anything that would support a career on the professional side of the sector.
“The teaching at College has been fantastic, and I’ve felt comfortable and at home in the classroom. My progress over the last year would not be possible without the quality of teaching that I have received and the content in the course which has developed my knowledge.
“A combination of studying a career-relevant qualification and the insight of my experienced tutors at College has also given me the encouragement to become recognised with the Engineering Council and become a full member of the Institution of Civil Engineers and the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation.
“My next aim is to undertake a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Civil Engineering and work towards becoming a Charted Civil Engineer in the next five years.”
If you would like to study a Higher Education course with Accrington and Rossendale College or Nelson and Colne College, qualifications in the new 2020-21 offer include Applied Sciences, Building and Engineering, Business and Professional Services, Education and Childhood Studies, Health and Social Studies and Humanities. January and some February starts are specifically available in the following courses:
- HNC/D in Computing
- BEng (Hons) Manufacturing Engineering Top-Up
- BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering Top-Up
- HNC/D in Business
- Foundation Degree in Coaching and Mentoring
- Foundation Degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice
The Nelson and Colne College Group, incorporating Nelson and Colne College and Accrington and Rossendale College, has the highest satisfaction rate of colleges and universities in Lancashire for Higher Education, with a 95% satisfaction rate in the Higher Education National Student Survey.
Following its recent review, the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) recognised the quality and standards of the Colleges’ Higher Level provision – a genuine hallmark of excellence.
For more information about university level study options with Nelson and Colne College and Accrington and Rossendale College, visit www.nelson.ac.uk or www.accross.ac.uk.
If you wish to enrol on to a course, please contact the Higher Education Admissions Team on 0333 003 1717 or email he@nelsongroup.ac.uk.
