Overview
The goal at Buckinghamshire College Group (BCG) is to prepare students for their future careers. BCG believes that the learning experience students gain there is critical for standing out ahead of the competition and helping them develop and excel in their chosen occupation.
Buckinghamshire College Group is a modern and progressive college with an excellent track record. They offer a wide choice of vocational courses: from full-time study programmes, part-time and professional courses, to apprenticeships, T-levels, and Higher Education programmes. They are the largest apprenticeship provider in the area, with a track record of delivering excellent results. Their buildings have state of the art facilities, filled with specialist and professional equipment, salons, studios and workshops.
Their tutors are industry experts looking to share their experiences with the students and apprentices. They work with a network of local employers, who are as committed as they are to ensuring that their employees are fully supported to succeed.
HealthTec's Health Wing Launch
Buckinghamshire College Group has officially opened its state-of-the-art Health Wing, a pioneering facility designed to transform health education for students and professionals.
The Health Wing, which includes HealthTec, a dental suite, a hospital ward, an immersive suite and manual handling training space was unveiled during a launch event on Friday 29 November 2024, and formally opened by the College's Principal, Jenny Craig, alongside Juliet Anderson from Buckinghamshire Health and Social Care Academy. The launch event, held at the College's Aylesbury Campus, brought together representatives from Buckinghamshire Council, the NHS, the residential care home sector, the dental sector, Bucks Business First, and Aylesbury Town Council.
During the event, attendees were given tours of the new facilities, which have been built to replicate real-world healthcare environments. Students training in the Health Wing will now have access to an immersive suite where complex scenarios can be simulated, a hospital ward for hands-on patient care practice, and a dental suite equipped with modern tools and technology.
Testimonials from the RCN Nursing Cadet Scheme
Mary, Level 3 Student, Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care at Buckinghamshire College Group
"I would recommend Nursing Cadets to my friends, or any individuals wanting to have a career in the NHS."
Read more of Mary's testimony:
Courses studied at BCG?
"Level 3 Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care".
Why did you choose to do Nurse Cadets?
"I chose Nursing Cadets because I saw it on the College website when changing my course to Level 3 Health and Social Care. It looked a great opportunity to experience different areas within Nursing. As I didn’t know what career path to choose I hoped that Nursing Cadets and the experience I would gain from it would help me with a greater understanding, which I could then add to my CV".
What has been the most interesting/enjoyable aspect of Nurse Cadets?
"The most enjoyable aspect of Nursing Cadets is being a part of a team that is working together to look after and care for patients. This makes me feel that by being here as an extra person, I am able to spend, time talking, listening and assisting where I can. Something else I found interesting is the different professional roles that I was lucky enough to work alongside. For example, Physiotherapists, Health Care Assistants and Pharmacists".
What are your ambitions for when you leave Nurse Cadets?
"My ambition is for my second year of Nursing Cadets to help me decide which career in Healthcare I would like to follow. Once this is finished, I am hoping to either do an apprenticeship or go to University".
Would you recommend Nurse Cadets to your friends and if so why?
"I would recommend Nursing Cadets to my friends or any individuals wanting to have a Career in the NHS. The organisation from the program leaders is really good and informative. They communicate well, check that we are OK, and will always be contactable if you have any questions or are wanting any further information".
Susan, Level 3 Student, Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care at Buckinghamshire College Group
"I have an ambition to help people of all age ranges and make sure they have the best outcome in their lives."
Read more of Susan's testimony:
Courses studied at BCG?
Level 3 Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care.
Why did you choose to do Nurse Cadets?
I chose to study Health and Social Care because I have an ambition to help people of all age ranges and make sure they have the best outcome in their lives. Health and Social Care is one of the areas that I am interested in, because of my interests in Biosciences and Chemistry.
What has been the most interesting/enjoyable aspect of Nurse Cadets?
Nurse Cadets is one of the most enjoyable parts of the course. I enjoyed Cadets because it is a practical way in, which I can demonstrate my skills and knowledge from my health and Social Care course such as confidentiality and the importance of Safeguarding.
What are your ambitions for when you leave college?
When I leave College, I am thinking of doing Adult Nursing first and progress onto becoming a Physician Associate. I have an ambition to learn and understand the Biology and Chemistry of individuals and knowing why individuals act the way they act. Through Nurse Cadets, my interests were demonstrated and therefore give me the basis for my progression to university.
Would you recommend Nurse Cadets to your friends and if so why?
I recommend College to anyone because it is not as intense in relation to exams and it develops individuals to become work ready, emphasising on experiences such as Nurse Cadets and course work.
Positive Steps @ HealthTec
In autumn 2020 HealthTec was a key part of a new scheme to re-employ people who were long term unemployed or had recently lost their previous jobs due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. This scheme was targeted at those who wanted to work in the NHS and Health & Social Care sectors and was a partnership between Buckinghamshire Healthcare Trust, Buckinghamshire College Group and the Department for Work and Pensions. Candidates had a formal application process and once on the scheme, spent 6 weeks in an intensive NHS experience.
Three days a week were spent on ward (in an entry-level role) and one day a week in HealthTec, learning soft skills, how to work on a ward and undertaking a BTEC Level 1 qualification. The sessions in HealthTec also helped to process the experiences of the past three days (on ward). With a guaranteed interview at the end of the project, we were pleased to say that 100% of candidates from Cohort One were successful in being offered a role within BHT. Several cohorts have now completed and our conversion rate of candidate to employment is currently around 90%. Moving forward, this scheme is planned to roll out in Oxfordshire, in addition to Buckinghamshire, to increase group sizes and benefit both Trusts.
Corporate Information
Buckinghamshire College Group is committed to ensuring they have a dedicated Leadership and Governance team in order to surpass their Vision & Mission Statement and Strategic Plan for 2023.
Their Vision & Mission Statements focus on the College's positive impact for students, businesses and community:
- BCG Vision: Buckinghamshire College Group will be recognised for providing excellence in vocational skills, education and training that adds value and wealth to individuals, employers, communities and the local and regional economy.
- BCG Mission Statement:
To provide excellent vocational and professional skills, education and training that has a positive impact for young people and adults, businesses and the communities they serve.
- BCG Values: Fundamental values are important in the way Buckinghamshire College Group works as an organisation and for those they serve. These have emerged from a whole College activity based around culture and identity as part of bringing both Colleges together. The values are AMBITION: Accountable, Making a Difference, Behaviours for Respect, Inspiring, Teamwork, Innovating, Open, Nurturing
These values support the vision and shape the culture and identity of the Buckinghamshire College Group. Follow
this link to see their full strategic plan.
