Exeter College Launches Unique Engineering Academy in Partnership with HepcoMotion

Exeter College and HepcoMotion have launched a T Level Engineering Academy, the first of its kind in the UK. The Academy will be open to all T Level Engineering students from September 2022, giving learners a clear line of sight to industry and providing them with vital experience.

T Levels are a technical qualification that were first rolled out in September 2020, Exeter College was one of the first providers in the country to be offering the Government’s new T Level qualifications. From September 2022, Exeter College will be offering over ten T Levels covering subjects such as Digital Production, Design and Development and Health.

There will initially be fourteen places available with interviews being conducted at HepcoMotion in Tiverton. Students will benefit from a minimum of 40 days of industry placement, a mentor programme, site visits and specially selected sessions delivered at the College by HepcoMotion.

HepcoMotion, part of the Hepco Group of companies is a world-leading manufacturer of linear motion systems and automation components. Exeter College is delighted to be strengthening its partnership with Hepco through the delivery of this Academy. Working together on a number of projects since 2016, Hepco and Exeter College originally joined forces to offer Engineering Pre-Apprenticeships, Apprenticeships and Higher Education opportunities.

Head of Faculty for Engineering at Exeter College, Andy Wells said;

“We are incredibly excited to be able to offer our students this unique opportunity. The time spent with Hepco will be invaluable and will place our students a head above the rest when venturing into the world of work.

“It is hoped that this Academy will create a pipeline for talent spotting and recruitment – feeding learners directly into jobs in industry. We believe it will enhance the already great reputation that HepcoMotion holds in the local community and nationally and we cannot wait to get started.”

Head of Learning Development and Apprenticeships at HepcoMotion, Maurice Porter said;

“Hepco is pleased to build on its successful training programmes and apprenticeships by introducing The Hepco Academy in partnership with Exeter College. This exciting development will strengthen our partnership with the College and further develop our training for Hepco employees.”

Learn more about the T Level Engineering Academy.

Find out more about T Levels at Exeter College by downloading a School Leavers’ Course Guide or by visiting us at our next Open Event. Alternatively, please contact the College Advice Team on 01392 400600 or email cat@exe-coll.ac.uk.

Rebel Girl – Celebrating our creative female students this International Women’s Day

To celebrate International Women’s Day, we’re recognising some of our inspirational creative female students.

Wide Awake

Thirteen of our incredible Performing Arts Academy students recently produced and performed their own scratch performance, Wide Awake.

Based around the theme of protests, the students explored how it’s going to be their generation who has to save the world. From placards to speeches, soapboxes to flash mobs, the students creatively represented the art of protesting.

The students worked together well to create and develop the scratch performance; undertaking field visits, workshops and meeting with industry professionals.

Drama and Theatre Studies student Ella Edmonds said, “This Scratch Performance shows a different type of theatre – it’s not one long linear play, it’s made up of different elements and approaches. I think it’s also quite a fun way to bring up the points that we wanted to without it being preachy. It was a lot of fun and we all enjoyed the experience.”

With the support of freelance theatre practitioner Katie Villa, students wrote, produced and performed the thought-provoking show. The experience helped students develop skills in a wide variety of disciplines; something that should help them in a competitive industry.

The concept of a scratch performance within the industry is to share work and gather feedback, discovering what does and doesn’t work. This again helps students to build upon their skills and learn for future performances.

Audience member Kailem Hodge shared his opinion on the performance, “It was really good. I enjoyed the getting involved in writing a placard at the beginning; it felt very inclusive like we became a part of the performance.”

Forge

Chloe Harris, a second year Foundation Art Degree student, has recently had her work exhibited in Exeter.

Titled ‘Forge’, Chloe’s triptych work was shown in the AWEsome Art Space in February this year.

When talking about her styles and influences Chloe said, “I am increasingly finding creating art in a set of images works well with my abstract style. Triptych, for these three, provided a consistency to the still life subject.”

Forge, by Chloe Harris. Exhibited at the AWEsome Artspace in Exeter.

Chloe continued, “It was great to see my art in a professional context and I’d welcome another opportunity to exhibit again with more work. I have already entered the triptych for the Royal Academy Summer Show.

“It’s important women take part in creative subjects because they are a great way to communicate. Also, for women with less confidence, the art can speak for itself. People’s perception and interpretation of art is what interests me the most.”