DCG Success Stories

T Level engineering student Rhys Allen so impressed his employer during his work experience placement that he has been offered a degree apprenticeship. 

Rhys, 18, is currently finishing his T Level in Design and Development for Engineering and Manufacturing with Derby College Group while also working part time with Taudevin Engineering Limited (TEL) in Long Eaton. 

He completed his mandatory work experience hours there months ago, but TEL asked him to stay on and do a day’s paid work a week while he completes his college course. 

Rhys said: “I’m so pleased to be offered a degree apprenticeship. It’s great news. I’ve enjoyed my T Level, particularly the practical part. I’ve spent a lot of time in the workshop at college and learned a lot of new skills such as welding and machining.  

“I’ve also done hand fitting at college and at TEL. They’re important skills to have if you want to be a good engineer.” 

Rhys chose engineering as one of his GCSE options and had been considering it as a career for some time.

He added: 

“A lot of my family are engineers. They enjoy it and talk about it, so I’ve been around engineering while growing up.  

“I originally went to Derby College after my GCSEs to inquire about the BTEC engineering course, but one of the teachers there advised me to apply for the T Level course as my grades met the standard.  

“I’m now looking forward to studying for my degree over four years and continuing to work at TEL. I’m currently working on a Jaguar classic car project, which I’m really enjoying.”

Joining Rhys on the degree apprenticeship course at the Roundhouse is fellow DCG T Level course member Hafza Tanveer, 17, who is also undertaking paid work at TEL one day a week.

Rhys added: “It’s good that we get Wednesdays off from college so we can work at TEL part time.  

“Our T Level course is quite intense. We have one of the longest weeks of any students in college, with our days beginning at 8.45am and finishing at 4pm four days a week.”

Steve Goss, TEL’s Business Manager, is thrilled with the progress both students have made and sees T Levels as integral to the company’s ongoing expansion plans. 

He said: “We struck gold with Rhys and Hafza. They are rising stars who have already secured a permanent role with us and a place on DCG’s degree apprenticeship course well ahead of its start in October.  

“Their success clearly demonstrates just what can be achieved when you combine the right student with the right educational route and the right company.”