Tresham

Sharon Builds Her Future at Tresham

09 Jul 2009

Tresham's BTEC National Diploma in Construction course has helped Sharon Gardiner, 26, from Corby to gain the confidence to pursue a career as an architect after leaving school with three GCSE's at grade C and taking a break from education to care for her young daughter.  

Sharon, 26, left school in 1999 after she completed her GCSEs and soon became pregnant with her daughter who she cared for until she was ready to start school. Sharon then took the opportunity to study Painting and Decorating as a part time learner at Tresham around caring for her daughter.

Once Sharon began studying again she realised that she wanted to progress with her training and was encouraged to take the level 2 course.   She then moved on to the newly introduced Level 3 BTEC Construction programme at Tresham.

The Level 3 BTEC Construction course available at Tresham is equivalent three A Levels and can enable learners to progress onto higher education to study programmes in building, civil engineering, architecture, surveying, land management or quantity surveying or employment in a variety of levels at technician level.

The BTEC in Construction is a vocational programme that is an alternative to the more traditional A Level pathway into higher education or employment within the construction industry.

"I didn't think I was smart enough to study for this course but the assessment works for me and is assignment based which suits my learning style.  I have been fully supported throughout this course at Tresham and the tutors are really approachable who will help you progress to your full potential."

"So far I have achieved distinctions overall in all modules that I have done and now I plan to got to university to train to be an architect which is something I would never do. I have got this far and I'm not going to stop now!"

Georgina Burton, Curriculum Leader for Construction at Tresham said:

"The BTEC National Diploma in Construction course that we have introduced at Tresham is an assignment based programme to suit people who are not comfortable sitting exams as the final assessment. Students study a range of units that are vital to working within the construction industry including health and safety, construction science, materials, technology, design and environmental sciences. The course prepares students for university or for a range of high level roles in the construction industry."