DCG Success Stories

Going on a team building exercise while studying at Derby College Group opened up a whole new career for former Broomfield Hall student Brooke Moran. 

Brooke, 18, recently began a Level 3 Outdoor Activity Instructor apprenticeship at Kingswood Dearne Valley activity and residential centre near Doncaster after she impressed staff with her practical skills. 

She said: “We’d gone there to mark the end of our Level 2 Diploma in Practical Animal Care Skills course. While we were there the centre’s general manager approached me.  

“She said she’d been observing me and that my skills made me stand out during the activities. She then suggested I think about applying for an apprenticeship with the centre.” 

Although Brooke’s new role does not involve animal care, the practical, outdoor skills she acquired while at Broomfield Hall are relevant to what she’s doing now.

She said: “I like being hands-on and working outdoors which is one of the main reasons I chose to do my animal care diploma. I especially liked learning about different animal behaviours and getting to handle the reptiles and snakes.  

“I absolutely loved my teachers at Broomfield. Carly, my teacher, came with us to Kingswood Dearne Valley that day and she was even more excited about me getting the apprenticeship than I was!” 

As a trainee instructor, Brooke works with schoolchildren and young people of all ages, assisting them with activities such as water sports and archery. 

Brooke added: “The activities are all designed to be educational as well as fun. My job is full on and can be stressful at times but it’s so rewarding.  

“I had no idea that this is what I’d be doing when I enrolled at Broomfield, but by going to Derby College I got this great opportunity.”