Vocational Access Gateway

The Vocational Access course includes a range of practical and classroom activities designed to give you the skills, qualities and experiences necessary to meet your progression goals.  All Vocational Access students’ timetables comprise the following elements:

Vocational Pathway Sessions

You will be able to choose a vocational pathway so that you can experience what it will be like to study on a higher-level course. These options not only help to build skills and help you to make decisions for the future but help to build valuable relationships with staff in other curriculum areas.

Vocational Pathways include: 

Catering, Health and Social Care, Sport, Public Services, Media, Art, IT, Mechanics, Building Trades, Hair and Barbering, Beauty, Customer Service, Business, Plumbing and Electrical, Performing Arts, and Music. 

Essential Skills Development 

Your weekly Essential Skills sessions develop your English, Maths and ICT. Sessions will help to make you to live and study independently as well as increase academic ability. These options will be delivered at Entry 2, Entry 3 and Level 1. You will work towards gaining qualifications to help you to progress onto your chosen course, with the option to retake your Maths and English GCSEs where possible. Small group tuition in a supportive environment will build your confidence and for those that require additional support, your tutors will also signpost you to additional in-house resources.

Core Projects 

During your time on Vocational Access, you will complete two exciting projects to develop your ability to work and study independently. These projects will develop your confidence, teamwork, study skills, employability skills and the tools necessary to study at a higher level. The briefs for these projects will be set by external employers and charities and will give you real-life experiences to reference on your CV and at interviews. These will be delivered at Entry 3.

Personal Development & Tutorial 

You will work with your tutor to identify your strengths and areas for development, enabling you to create a unique development plan and identify suitable resources to help you to meet your goals. As well as group sessions you will have 1-2-1 time with your tutor to discuss issues and set bespoke targets.

Registration Fee Payable on Enrolment: £0.00

Applicants would benefit from achieving 3 GCSEs Grades E-G. Alternatively, applicants will be considered based on interview and a satisfactory skills scan, with a desire and commitment to complete the course they would wish to study.

• The College welcomes contact with parents/guardians of students who are under 18.
• Additional support is available for students with learning difficulties and disabilities.
• Cardiff and Vale College is committed to inclusion and values diversity. We are determined to promote equality of opportunity and to treat everyone fairly and with respect.
• Cardiff and Vale College reserves the right to make changes to this course without prior notice.
• Course fees are subject to change. Your fee will be confirmed prior to enrolment.
• All courses are accurate at the time of upload or print.
• Courses can only run if there are sufficient numbers.
• Please note, if you choose three or more course choices, then you may be referred for a careers appointment first. This does not apply to A Level or GCSE choices.