Leah described her apprenticeship as excellent, fun and stress-free. She thoroughly enjoyed her programme, in particular developing the specific on-the-job skills she needed to secure full time employment.

“I have always wanted to be a nurse and make a difference to people’s lives,” she said. “I started off as an apprentice which combined studying with working as a healthcare assistant on the trauma and orthopaedics ward.

“The apprenticeship has taught me so much and has helped me develop my confidence and a lot of clinical knowledge to help me pursue my goal in becoming a nurse.

“I could not have completed this apprenticeship without the consistent help and support from my tutor. He’s helped me a lot and has guided me brilliantly throughout the course and now I have a permanent job and I’ve made a lot of life-long friends along the way.”

Leah has since secured a full time job with City Hospitals Sunderland as a healthcare assistant and is building up her clinical knowledge and skills so she can soon undertake a nursing degree.

“I am proud of what I do,” she added. “Healthcare is a profession I want to progress in and do for the rest of my life.”

Student success stories

Maths and English for a Successful Future

Maths and English are everywhere! They are important life skills that will help you to achieve your best in your studies and to progress to your dream career. A GCSE Maths and English qualification could be the difference between being accepted onto a university course or getting a job promotion.

98% of our students progress to a positive destination

*Destination data for Sunderland College students aged 16-18, academic year 2017/18).

Why choose Sunderland College?

Our achievement rates are well above the national average.

We are the College of the Year.

(*Top college nationally for BTECs, Pearson 2019)

100% of our HND and HNC students progressed to employment or further study. 

(*Destination data, academic year 2016/17, HNC 19+)

We have recently invested £50 million in our facilities.