What are we offering

The Technicians' Academy has been operating from September 2003 we have been running a full-time one or two-year course aimed at students who wish to become IT professionals. The core academic elements are double award Applied ICT and Cisco specialist courses. Over the two years students will follow the Cisco IT Essentials I and II courses and the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA). The Cisco courses are certified by Cisco and are recognised internationally as valuable qualifications. This combination of subjects provides a fantastic opportunity for students to develop a high level of expertise in IT.

Full details of the Applied ICT course can be found on the OCR website. Information about the Cisco courses can be found on the Cisco Networking Academy Program website.

The Cisco modules give students the opportunity to develop skills in the practical as well as theoretical aspects of standalone and networked computers. Students carry out a range of tasks including building a computer, installing operating systems and networking computers. Students learn about all aspects of networking including wireless networking and router technologies. These aspects of the course proved very popular in our first year and our students have developed a high level of confidence and proficiency in fixing computers.

As part of the course students are involved in setting up a network support system which involves running a helpdesk within the college providing support for staff and students. Students will also have the opportunity to provide ICT support to our feeder primary schools. The students produce training materials as part of one of the AVCE units, last year students produced manuals and guides to various software packages in use around the college.

Last year students were involved in supporting a number of primary schools carrying out tasks ranging from removing viruses through to setting up a new computer suite. The students also delivered training on creating websites to groups of primary school children who visited us at the end of the summer term. We intend to develop this aspect of the course further, both the students and the primary schools found the ICT support service very useful.