Amy Lea, a talented student at South & City College Birmingham, is studying for a T Level in Engineering and Manufacturing. She’s recently won the Herbert Austin Legacy Award at the college’s prestigious Sir Doug Ellis Apprenticeship Awards, recognising her outstanding achievements and passion for the subject.
Amy studies at the Longbridge Campus and has always been curious about how things work. “I was obsessed with physics, maths and tech as a kid,” she says, “so engineering just made sense.” Her T Level course has been the perfect launchpad – combining hands-on learning with real-world experience.
“SCCB has given me all the resources I need to put skills learnt into practice”, she explains. “One of the facilities I’ve had access to is the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Institute of Technology, where I have taken part in two projects. One with Worcester BOSH and the other where I have programmed part of a factory human machine Interface system”. Such experiences have ensured that Amy has had exposure to real-world engineering.
T Levels are a game-changer for students like Amy. You spend 80% of your time learning in college and 20% gaining experience in the workplace, building confidence, skills and contacts for your future career.
“The reason I chose a T Level was because I wanted real work experience alongside learning in college,” Amy says. “It’s been challenging, but I’ve absolutely loved it.”
Her tutor, Mike Tierney, is a huge fan of the programme too. “Students get proper insight into industry,” he says. “Our facilities here are seriously impressive – from high-tech electronic labs and robotics to mechanical engineering workshops with laser cutters, 3D printers and even water jet tech.”
What’s next for Amy? She’s aiming to land a higher-level apprenticeship in engineering – and her future looks bright.
Her advice for anyone considering a T Level?
“The work can be tough, and you need to balance it with your placement, but the skills you gain are totally worth it. It’s a brilliant way to build your career.”
