The first few days and weeks at college can often feel a bit daunting but we’ve pulled together some key information to help you get started. This covers everything from understanding our expectations of you, from wearing your ID badge to living our college values, to where you can find Learner Support should you need it.
We hope that everyone at the college, staff and learners together, will live up to our values. The college values are a guide and expectation for us all to help create a learning environment where you will feel comfortable to express yourself as an individual but also feel part of a larger family that supports one another to be the best version of themselves.
Our values are about being:
We set high expectations and standards for students, colleagues, and our communities, striving for excellence in all that we do
We believe that every challenge is an opportunity to learn, develop and become stronger.
We work together, support one another, share ideas, and encourage success.
We value individual differences and creating an environment where everyone has the same opportunities.
We allow ourselves and others to grow by treating each other with thoughtfulness and an open mind.
To ensure the safety of everyone on college premises, it is mandatory for students, staff, and visitors to wear their ID badges at all times. As part of the enrolment process, learners will be provided with lanyards and ID badges.
If you forget your ID badge, do not worry. You can obtain up to three temporary day passes from the reception. However, if you happen to lose your badge, you can obtain a free replacement from the reception. Additional replacements can be obtained at a cost of £2.00 each.
Please be mindful that failure to wear your ID badge may result in disciplinary action. We appreciate your cooperation in adhering to this safety measure.
At The Trafford College Group, our Learner Support team is dedicated to providing a supportive platform for all learners to help them achieve their goals.
If you have a learning difficulty, disability, or medical condition, or if you have an Education Health and Care (EHCP) plan, we are here to assist you.
During your enrolment process, we encourage you to speak with a member of our Learner Support team. They will be available to discuss your individual support needs and work with you to create an individualised support plan that caters to your requirements.
If you have already had discussions with our Learner Support team, please remember to email any specialist reports, medical reports, GP letters, EHC (Education, Health, and Care) plans, or other relevant documentation to admissions@tcg.ac.uk before your enrolment session. This will allow us to review the information and ensure that we are fully prepared to meet your individual needs.
For learners with an EHC plan, we kindly request a copy of the plan in advance, as this gives us adequate time to review the document thoroughly and ensure that we can effectively address your specific requirements.
Your well-being and success are of utmost importance to us, and we are committed to providing the necessary support to help you thrive during your time at The Trafford College Group.
In response to the cost-of-living crisis, The Trafford College Group has formed partnerships to assist with support for students facing financial challenges. The Community College Kitchen is an in case of need service that is available at all college sites. This ‘just ask’ service is provided by partners, one of who is the college. The service is run by volunteers who operate the service on ech site.
The offer is –
• Personal hygiene products
• Food staples
• Hot meal voucher
• Support for breakfast club at each site
Just visit learner services at each site for further information.
You will be allocated a 100GB mailbox for you to use, 1TB storage on your OneDrive account, and the ability to install the Microsoft Desktop apps on up to 5 personal devices.
At The Trafford College Group, industry placements and tasters play a crucial role in our study programmes, especially in T-Levels, where you have the opportunity to apply the skills you have learned during your placement. This practical experience is a vital component of your career development.
Completing your industry placement and taster brings a multitude of benefits, including:
• Developing valuable employment skills
• Acquiring new technical skills
• Learning effective communication with employers
• Enhancing your CV for future employment
• Gaining employable opportunities
• Building a professional network and creating connections
• Preparing for the demands and expectations of the workplace
• Making informed decisions about your career path
• Enhancing maturity, confidence, and self-reliance
The duration of your work experience will vary depending on your course and level of study. It is important to discuss the specific requirements with your tutor, who can provide more detailed information tailored to your programme. Here is a brief overview:
For Level 1 Courses:
• Introduction to employers through site visits, college visits, and interview practice
• Volunteering opportunities within the community
• 1 or 2 days of workplace experience (where applicable)
For Level 2 Courses:
• Completion of a 1 or 2-week industry taster with an employer
• Volunteering opportunities within the community
For Level 3 and T-Level Courses:
• Minimum of 35 hours of work placement with an employer
• T-Level programmes involve 30 hours in the first year and a minimum of 315 hours of industry placement in the workplace during the second year
• Volunteering opportunities to enhance employability skills within the community
Our dedicated Industry Placement Team, in collaboration with the Careers team and your tutors, will work closely with you to ensure you are well-prepared and benefit from working within a relevant business. This practical experience will complement your academic studies and provide a solid foundation for your future endeavours.
