FASHION retail students are gaining real life experiences at BCoT to prepare them for a career in the fashion industry.

Level 3 students Emily Jenkins and Chloe Harrison both work for charity stores Mind and Sue Ryder, and believe their employability and enterprise skills have greatly developed since joining the stores as part of their Going for Gold study programme at the college.

Chloe, a former pupil of Robert May’s School, in Odiham, said: “I now have a much greater knowledge and under-standing of customer service and the demands of clients and consumers.

“It’s great as we get to see the end product and service of what we are studying.

“Working for Sue Ryder has broadened my understanding of what we do. It has improved my visual merchandising skills, and the company have been extremely helpful in providing good careers advice for us.”

Chloe is now looking into developing her skills in media, while Emily is hoping to continue on to a business course at BCoT.

Other students in the fashion retail class have been accepted onto programmes at the Fashion Retail Academy (FRA) in London, an institution supported by Sir Philip Green, of Arcadia Group.

Sian Walker is one of these students and is really excited about starting at the FRA in September.

She said: “My course at BCoT has given me invaluable experience and has fully prepared me for my career in industry.

“Sarah Gallagher, my tutor, has been an inspiration. She has made the course so enjoyable and interesting – I owe her so much.”

Fashion retail lecturer Sarah said: “I am so proud of these girls – they are forward-thinking and looking at their career options after they finish at BCoT.

“I know they will succeed and excel in whatever path they choose to follow.”