Case studies

I want a job where I can help the planet. My mum’s a member of Greenpeace so I try to help her with campaigns and ideas. Being green is really important to us.

I’m doing the Foundation Diploma in Engineering because I want to see how things are made and how we can help save more energy.

What will I learn?

There are seven different parts of Principal Learning that I'll do, including engineering the future.

Because we'll be taught about the different sides to engineering, I can get a feeling for what I'm good at. And also what I'm not good at. It's going to help me work out what I want to do when I'm older, and it doesn't have to be in engineering.

I'm doing a GCSE in Environmental and Land-Based Science for the Additional and Specialist Learning part of the course as well as maths and English which are compulsory.

What am I most looking forward to?

Science is my best subject at school, so I've got a great idea for my project already. I'm going to use wind turbines to see how much energy the school uses and if the turbines can save any.

I'm doing work experience at a nearby nuclear power station. I'll be in the visitor centre helping young people from primary schools find out about the good and bad bits about nuclear power. I'll make work sheets for them to fill out.

What will I do afterwards?

Like my mum, I want to make a difference. So I might look for an apprenticeship when I finish my Diploma. This means I can get really hands on, maybe in the water industry. To me, it's the most important element.

This case study is an illustration of how and why a student might decide to do a Diploma; it does not refer to a real individual. To talk through your own specific study or career goals, you can seek further advice and check local availability with your teacher or Connexions Adviser.

I’ve always done well at school, and I got top grades in my GCSEs. I really want to do something that’s going to challenge me even more next.

My dad manages a food processing factory where I did my work experience last year. I loved trying to work out ways to make the production lines work better or quicker. He said I should get into engineering. So I’ve decided to do the Advanced Diploma in it.

What will I learn?

I love science and maths, which are both important parts of this course. For me this means I can learn about things that I really understand the point of and I'll also be looking at design and production which will be interesting.

There are six areas of Principal Learning to cover altogether; each one is going to teach me about different areas of engineering skills and knowledge. I'm also doing a Level 3 Certificate in Process Technology for the Additional and Specialist Learning part of my course.

What am I most looking forward to?

I'm spending two weeks in a factory that makes bottled sauces. I'm going to make the equipment that fills the bottles more efficient.

I also want to use work experience to do my project. My idea is to see if I can speed up the bottle filling process, without damaging the quality of the sauces. I love this kind of problem solving, so I'm looking forward to getting started.

What will I do afterwards?

I think I want to work in engineering, so I might look at a career in process engineering. I think I'll go on to do an Advanced Apprenticeship next.

This case study is an illustration of how and why a student might decide to do a Diploma; it does not refer to a real individual. To talk through your own specific study or career goals, you can seek further advice and check local availability with your teacher or Connexions Adviser.

I like puzzles and problems. Taking things apart to see what’s going on inside, and finding out how it all works, is my favourite thing. My teacher said I should look at Engineering.

I’ve always worked hard and done well academically. So the Higher Diploma in Engineering is a good next step. It really stood out to me because of the practical ways you can learn, as well as studying in class.

What will I learn?

With my Diploma there are eight areas of Principal Learning. It covers everything to do with my subject: from engineering design to maintenance and manufacturing. I'm also doing an OCR Level 2 National Award in ICT as part of the Additional and Specialist Learning.

I'll do a week's work experience at a building services company too, helping engineers put in air conditioning units.

What am I most looking forward to?

I'm entering the national Young Engineer for Britain competition. I'm doing it for my project. It means coming up with a new product that can be used in everyday life, and I've got a really good idea - but I'm not going to say what it is yet.

What will I do afterwards?

I want to keep learning as much as possible, so I'll probably go on to do the Advanced Diploma in Engineering. I like the idea of eventually working in engineering in buildings, looking at lighting, heating and maintenance for example.

This case study is an illustration of how and why a student might decide to do a Diploma; it does not refer to a real individual. To talk through your own specific study or career goals, you can seek further advice and check local availability with your teacher or Connexions Adviser.

Science and maths are my best subjects, but I only like them if I’m working something out. I’m not big on theory; I like projects and problem solving more. Which is why I’ve picked the Diploma - I’d rather apply what I’m learning to a real situation, so I can see why it’s important.

What will I learn?

I'll look at how engineering helps businesses and the planet, plus the different ways things are made. I'll also look at computer aided design. This is all part of my Principal Learning. But as well as this I've decided to do an Advanced A Level in Science in Society for my Additional and Specialist Learning.

What am I most looking forward to?

Six of us from the course are going to enter the national TrackNAVCHALLENGE. We are going to build a radio controlled car that needs to impress the people at Land Rover. It has to be four-wheel drive and able to take on different environments, just like the Land Rover can.

I'm also doing a two week work placement in a factory, building railway rolling stock. It's going to give me a taste of what work is like and what engineering skills I'll need to use.

What will I do afterwards?

I think I'll start working. I want the hands on experience, so I'm going to get straight into something like transport engineering. With my Diploma qualification I'll have both the practical and theory to start working and continue learning when I'm ready.

This case study is an illustration of how and why a student might decide to do a Diploma; it does not refer to a real individual. To talk through your own specific study or career goals, you can seek further advice and check local availability with your teacher or Connexions Adviser.

I love cars; my dream is to be part of a Formula 1 team. I watch the racing whenever it’s on and always think about being one of the engineers. Oh, and the travel. I’m doing the Foundation Diploma in Engineering because it’s going to help me get there.

What will I learn?

The Principal Learning covers seven areas, including an introduction to electronics and engineering materials. It's going to teach me the basics about the subject as well as the skills you need to work in this area.

I can then apply this to my work experience. First I'm going to the parts department of a car dealership and then I'm spending a week at a bicycle shop. I can take my own bike apart and put it back together again, so maybe they'll let me help out on some of the repair work.

What am I most looking forward to?

My project because I'll be able use what I've learnt in a real situation. A local caravan making business wants me to help them with a design problem. They are going to get me to design a set of folding steps that roll out every time the caravan door is opened. I'm going to try using computer-aided design to show them what I come up with. Using CAD is something I'm covering in the Diploma, so this will be good practice for me.

For my Additional and Specialist Learning I'm taking an IMIAL (Institute of the Motor Industry) Level 1 Award in Automotive Pre-Vocational Learning. It will prepare me to go into the motor industry and follow my dream.

What will I do afterwards?

I want to get a job in the automotive industry. I might look for a job as a trainee, possibly at a tyre and exhaust centre that specialises in carrying out repairs to cars. I'm also going to do a Motor Vehicle NVQ Level 1. Like I said, I really want to become a fully qualified technician and get into Formula 1, and I think what I'll learn on my course will help me get there.

This case study is an illustration of how and why a student might decide to do a Diploma; it does not refer to a real individual. To talk through your own specific study or career goals, you can seek further advice and check local availability with your teacher or Connexions Adviser.