Do you have an interest in IT and want to progress into a career in the industry? If so, here at Coleg Ceredigion we offer an opportunity for you to study with us and reach your goals. Whether you're thinking of going to university, studying an apprenticeship or going straight into employment here’s what you need to know about the IT courses we offer. 

Our course lecturer Aled Richards tells you all you need to know about studying with us and what to expect when you enrol on your chosen course.Aled has an experienced background in IT and he’s been teaching the subject for nine years.

Aled enjoyed studying IT throughout school at GCSE and A level and began teaching IT in 2013 at Tasker Milward School in Haverfordwest where he became the IT co-ordinator and completed his  ASFI level three Certificate in Computing. He then  moved to teach IT and computer science at Ysgol Uwchradd Aberteifi and became the digital competence coordinator for the school before becoming a lecturer at Coleg Ceredigion.

Aled said:” I have not looked back and have thoroughly enjoyed my last 9 years teaching IT. It is a subject that is constantly evolving and has a central role in today’s society. It is interesting, challenging and technical which I find exciting to teach. I am constantly learning and developing my knowledge and understanding year on year. I enjoy working with professionals from across the industry in order to give the students a taste of the world beyond the classroom to inspire their future career aspirations.”

Aled says if you are looking for a practical, vocational route to a career in IT then studying IT at Coleg Ceredigion is the pathway for you. Available at both level two and level three, the course will enhance your employability by developing the skills you need to excel in a wide range of technologies. Students who successfully complete the level two qualification generally progress to the level three course and into higher education and employment.

The level two IT course focuses on The Digital Software Practitioner Pathway, which will lead to specific job roles which include: Software Tester, Project Administrator and Web Content Maintenance. The programme aims to develop your understanding and skills of the essentials of IT and cyber security. You will gain insight into the IT sector as you investigate the pace of technological change, IT infrastructures on a global scale and the importance of legal and security considerations. To find out more about the level two IT course, click here.

Our level three extended diploma in IT course allows you entry into a wide range of IT related careers either in the IT sector or in other sectors, for example a game designer or network technician. It will enable access to an IT, Software, Web or Telecoms Apprenticeships. You could choose to undertake an IT related degree from options including BSc Computer Science or BSc IT Practitioner or choose from non-IT related degree programmes. This qualification has between 120 – 420 UCAS points, depending on the grade achieved, so it would be accepted by universities as meeting requirements for entry to a range of degree programmes. If you are interested in studying the level three extended diploma in IT, then click here to find out more. 

Following a diploma in IT at Coleg Ceredigion Aled says it allows you to really focus on the subject in great depth. He said: “ The course is essentially split into two sectors (creative and technical). The creative part includes several animation modules including stop motion, 2D animation, computer game design, digital graphics and interactive media development. The technical section includes modules on website development, social media, project planning and e-commerce.  The course is a broad-spectrum course giving a flavour of the wide field that is the IT industry.

“It is designed to be wide ranging to give potential learners an insight into the industry allowing learners a good oversight of the field before making any decisions to specialise. Whatever the focus, all learners will develop other desirable skills, such as primary research, producing management information, understanding legal and ethical implications for organisations in using IT, planning and effective communication. Through studying this qualification, you will acquire a range of transferable skills and knowledge that are highly regarded by employers.”

Coleg Ceredigion has excellent facilities to be able to support students learning with an animation studio, graphics tablets, Virtual Reality headsets, 3D printers, Coding kits (lego minstorms, raspberry pie’s, spheros) as well as a brand new Esports suite which is in the process of development. 

All teaching materials are shared and assessments completed digitally using G Suite. Students also have access to professional quality software such as Adobe Creative Cloud (Dreamweaver, Animate, Photoshop, Illustrator).

If you are interested in joining Aled and studying IT at Coleg Ceredigion then visit our website to find out more and apply now.