The Higher Education landscape has changed dramatically over the years with a lot more flexibility available to learners today – now there are many more options for those wanting to gain further qualifications and boost their employability skills other than the traditional route of committing to a full-time degree for at least three years.
A pertinent and appropriate choice includes enrolling on an HTQ (Higher Technical Qualification), an accredited Level 4 or 5 qualification which is a highly relevant and successful pathway to career success, having been developed in collaboration with businesses to meet their skills requirements.
Approved by ifATE (Insitute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education) as meeting the knowledge and skills needed by the sector, HTQs are either new or existing courses (such as Higher National Diplomas/Foundation Degrees/Diploma HE) providing students over 18 with the necessary skills and expertise to enter the workforce, unlocking high-skilled, highly-paid jobs.
A shining example of student-to-employee success is former South Devon College student Jay Hunter, who progressed from a Level 5 Computing programme at the University Centre South Devon, part of South Devon College, before topping up with a Level 6 at University of Plymouth, before being headhunted for his current role as Web Developer at Yello Studio in Exeter.
Jay studied Computer Science which gave him a general understanding of the technology and overview of computing before allowing him to specialise in his second year, where he focused on web and app development alongside software engineering.
“My interests have always stemmed from the software side and programming, and focusing on these areas within my qualification has definitely helped to get me to where I am today in my career, mainly doing website development,” he said.
HTQs are primarily classroom-based qualifications but many will offer workplace simulations, virtual workplaces and work experience, providing access to state-of-the-art facilities.
Jay is enjoying putting his skills to good use within the workplace. He continued: “In my career I am involved in developing websites from start to finish. I also pick up other projects that have been on hold for a while for various reasons. I collaborate with my colleagues on projects, from other developers to designers, and there is a lot of creative freedom.”
Employers understand the value of HTQs and how they are vital in filling the skills gaps in the workforce, particularly when it comes to technical expertise, as they have been specifically designed with business requirements in mind.
This leads to recruiters and businesses actively seeking out potential employees who hold relevant HTQs, and this was certainly the case with Jay, as he was headhunted by industry-specific recruiters who were sourcing candidates with his particular skillset.
“I was contacted by a lot of recruiters and they work hand-in-hand with businesses, so they pass on your CV and help you as much as possible to get you a relevant position. I then did interviews with the company, and a code test relevant to software development, and was successful in gaining employment,” he said.
HTQs have the full backing of the Government’s ‘Skills for Life’ campaign which encourages people to maximise their potential and discover the technical education available to them. HTQs can lead to further education progression such as a Level 6 degree or a direct route into employment.
Andy Lake, Managing Director at Yello Studio, highlighted why Jay was the right fit for the role. He said: “We were very impressed with Jay’s skills and knowledge gained through his qualification in Computing. His focus on web development aligned perfectly with our needs, and it was evident from his application and interview that he had a strong foundation in the relevant technologies.
“Finding candidates with that blend of technical expertise and practical experience can be challenging, so Jay’s qualification really made him stand out. We’re thrilled to have him on the team and contributing his talents to our projects.”
Jay concludes: “There is every reason to do these qualifications – all the information you need is there, and it feels very different to secondary school! There is much more freedom and the research around the subject matter is fascinating – I enjoyed reading what people in the industry are doing. I would recommend these qualifications to everyone!”
To see the University Centre South Devon’s HTQ offerings, visit Courses Archive – University Centre South Devon (ucsd.ac.uk)