Young people will soon be the driving force of our county’s workforce and economy, making investment in their development essential for Shropshire’s continued growth and prosperity.
Telford College plays one of the first and most important early steps in a young person’s journey before they progress into a career. The college has invested millions of pounds into creating vibrant, modern and hi-tech learning environments, helping set every student up for long-term success. Through this ‘Future Forward’ case study, we explore how the college has adapted to the ever-changing needs of learners and what’s included in the extensive support they provide.
Adapting to the changing needs of young learners
With a constantly evolving curriculum to meet ambitions of today’s young learners and the demands of tomorrow's employers, Telford College adapts its T Levels, hands-on apprenticeships, and industry-designed study programmes that give students the chance to learn in real workspaces, not just classrooms.
Sarah Davies, Executive Director of Partnerships and Employer Engagement, said “state-of-the-art digital labs, creative studios, and engineering workshops give students a realistic experience of the environments they’ll step into after college. Our new £9 million sixth form centre, opening in Telford’s Station Quarter in September 2026, will provide even more innovative and interactive environments, like cutting-edge science labs for physics, biology and chemistry.”
Challenges young people face when choosing next steps
The sheer volume of pathways available, such as A Levels, T Levels, apprenticeships, and vocational routes, mean young people now have more opportunities than ever before. While this opens up a huge range of possibilities, many students also face a complex mix of pressures when trying to decide what to do after school.
Sarah explains that “many students worry about making the ‘wrong’ choice or taking on financial commitments too early. Social expectations, family influences, and the pressure to succeed add further weight.”
Young people need clear guidance, real experiences, and reassurance that their path can grow with them, especially as rapid technological change continues to reshape jobs.
Choosing the correct pathway straight after school
Telford College’s role is simple; to guide young people towards the right post-16 pathway by combining structured information, personalised guidance, and hands-on experience.
“We don’t just want to help our students discover their career ambition; we also want to help them understand who they are, how they learn, and where they see themselves in the future, professionally.” This gives the college the insight it needs to help each student choose the right route for them.
Telford College holds regular open events at each campus, offering a chance to get a real flavour of college life. They also run taster sessions, which provide bite-sized samples of how a course is delivered for those who are still unsure.
Emerging pathways and skill demands
Employer expectations are constantly evolving, and certain skills are becoming increasingly essential.
Sarah, who works with a wide range of businesses every day, shares that “qualifications are important, of course they are, but they’re not everything. We repeatedly hear from employers about the need for young people to leave education with a high level of soft skills too; communication, teamwork, the ability to think on their feet and take initiative are vital.”
Career opportunities are becoming more advanced, with some of the biggest growth areas lying in jobs that combine creativity, technology, and purpose. Digital skills such as coding, design, data, and cybersecurity are becoming crucial in almost every job, not just tech roles.
The industries most actively seeking apprentices
Today, it’s pretty much possible to do an apprenticeship in any sector at any age. However, Telford College is seeing a particularly high demand in accounting, automotive, engineering, business, computing, construction, early years & education, and health and social care.
To give employers even more flexibility, the college has recently launched a new scheme, called Apprenticeship Plus.
Sarah explains “the scheme has been made in consultation with businesses to allow them to enhance the learning experience by adding customised modules to training programmes. This allows apprentices to gain skills and knowledge that align more closely with the goals and demands of specific employers.”
Despite growing popularity, some businesses, particularly SMEs, still see apprenticeships as bureaucratic, rule-heavy or risky.
“Funding and training rules can seem confusing or intimidating, and this sense of complexity is one of the biggest deterrents. But what they don’t realise is that our role at Telford College is to support them every step of the way and remove any barriers or concerns.”
A message for young people looking for alternatives to university
Sarah shares a final message for anyone uncertain about university:
“If you’re unsure about university, please know this: your future isn’t defined by one path. There are many ways to enter the career you want. Vocational routes like T-Levels can open doors to opportunities you might not even know exist, and give you real time in real workplaces, helping you understand what a job truly entails and where your strengths could fit into it.
“There are also a number of employer incentives for small and medium-sized firms that are about to start – get in touch with us to find out more.”
If you or someone you know is looking to start their career in a vibrant, well-resourced learning environment, you can explore all of Telford College’s courses and advanced facilities here.
If you’re an employer wanting to make a difference to the learning experience of future talent, reach out to the college at www.telfordcollege.ac.uk or email
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