Halesowen College students have revealed how they worked on the health and care front line at the height of the Covid epidemic.

It’s all part of Love Our Colleges Week, aimed at raising awareness of what colleges and students do to help their communities.

Halesowen is marking Colleges week – organised the Association of Colleges

by focusing on ways it helps give local employers a skilled workforce.

Student Elica Hale worked as a health care assistant at a Birmingham hospital during the coronavirus pandemic.

Elica, aged 18, said: “Working in the hospital was very challenging. I really enjoy my job and being able to go on the wards and care for people is amazing especially while they are unable to see family members.”

She has won a NCFE (Northern Council for Further Education) Aspiration Award for Learner of the Year.

Students Abbie Checketts and Shannon Priest had placements at care homes during the pandemic which led to successful employment.

Kelly Mould joined the College in 2014 to complete her GCSE English and Maths, she then went on to complete her Access to HE course part time before studying Paramedic Science at the University of Wolverhampton. She now works as a paramedic for West Midlands Ambulance Service University NHS Foundation Trust.

Meanwhile catering students are taking part in monthly masterclasses with champion chef Stuart Deeley and other prestigious chefs.

Stuart started his career at Halesowen College on a catering course and has gone from strength to strength working in top restaurants and winning prestigious national competitions.

The College is launching a new qualification in Cyber Security at Level 3 to meet the growing need for professionals in this area in the UK.

Jamie Morgan-Green, from the College, said: “We work very closely with our local community and it is a great to see that many of our former students have been so successful in their chosen careers.

“The College is providing a skilled workforce for the future.”