College students are celebrating success in vocational subjects.

University College Isle of Man (UCM) listed its highlights:

â?¢Sixteen level 3 (BTEC and UAL) students achieved triple distinction star.

â?¢43% of Level 3 students gained distinctions or distinction star (equivalent to A-Level A or A star).

â?¢82% Level 3 BTEC students achieved merit or distinction.

â?¢98% of all skills based vocational students passed (VTCT and City & Guilds).

â?¢90% of Level 2 learners will progress to higher level courses or the world of work.

More than 400 students completed their vocational courses at levels 1, 2 and 3. Average scores among them is equivalent to a grade B at A-level (UCAS point 40 per qualification).

Of more than 150 students who completed their level 3 vocational studies, 43% of them gained distinction or distinction star (equivalent to A-level A or A star).

UCM offers 54 vocational courses that cover a wide range of subjects, including construction, health and social care, sport, hairdressing and beauty therapy, art, design and media, engineering, business, information technolgy and administration.

The qualifications gained from these courses are awarded by the Business & Technology Education Council (BTEC), University of the Arts London (UAL), Vocational Training Charitable Trust (VTCT) and City & Guilds.

Sixteen level 3 (BTEC and UAL) students achieved triple distinction star, which is the highest grade awarded. A total of 82% level 3 BTEC students achieved merit or distinction. UCM teaches 11 BTEC courses, covering a wide range of subjects, including construction, health and social care, information technology, sports and business.

Robbie Sullivan, who achieved triple distinction star in extended diploma in IT (Level 3), said: ’I couldn’t have successfully completed this course without the support from tutors at the college and staff at student services.’

He is now going to study a computer science degree at UCM.

A total of 98% of all UCM skills based vocational students passed their exams (VTCT and City & Guilds - these organisations only award pass or fail marks, no grades).

Hannah Caley who passed her beauty therapy (level 3) and was the winner of the beauty therapy level 3 award at the recent UCM further education awards in May, said: ’I enjoyed everything about my course, particularly the focus on developing my practical skills, my classmates and the realistic learning environment.

’We often had to perform the treatments on each other (in class), which was fantastic as not only do we learn so much from one another, it was also a lot of fun.’

Jo Pretty, principal of UCM said: ’Congratulations to all of our students receiving their results.

’Their success reflects their hard work and dedication, and also the high quality teaching and support that is provided by UCM staff, who are practitioners and experts in their fields.’

The college says that vocational qualifications are highly regarded by employers today, mainly due to their focus on development of transferable, practical skills and because they offer students the opportunity to explore and develop critical employability skills such as creativity, communication, collaborative working and presentation skills.

Most of the vocational courses have been designed together with employers.

’Through the vocational courses that UCM offers, we provide our students with the underpinning knowledge and practical skills they need to be successful in their future employment,’ Mrs Pretty said.

UCM is currently enrolling students for the next academic year.