Petroc is committed to driving forward educational success in further and higher education. They are extremely passionate about raising the aspirations, knowledge and skills of individuals, communities and businesses in Devon and beyond.

Excellence through learning is at the heart of what the college does. Petroc will enable the highest levels of learner achievement and the highest levels of career and life fulfilment, through learning that will stretch and challenge. Excellence is what customers, businesses and other organisations can expect to achieve themselves through working with the college.

Petroc is made up of three campuses situated in Mid and North Devon and offers a wide range of courses for students of all ages and abilities.

The college's aims and objectives are to:

• Create outstanding learner achievement in all areas
• Transform life chances and employment prospects for all
• Build community and prosperity within northern and Mid Devon and the wider south west of England
• Boost productivity, innovation and agility of businesses and organisations
• Tackle the climate emergency

They offer some truly exceptional facilities and spaces where students can learn, practice skills and relax.

Courses:

Animal Care

Petroc's Animal Care programmes give you the opportunity to study with like-minded people, who care as much about animal welfare as you do. Packed with practical experience and supporting theoretical knowledge, you will learn how to care for a range of animals, giving you the insight you need to help you choose your future career path.

Petroc's unique on-site facilities include a rodent room, a guinea pig and rabbit room, an exotics room and an aviary - as well as an outside enclosure for our adorable pygmy goats! These great facilities, along with our passionate experts and our 4-legged (and 8-legged!) friends, will support you on your journey to a future in the land-based sector.

After completing an Animal Care courses, students may go on to pursue their dream jobs as vet nurses, animal centre managers and even wildlife conservationists.

Applied Science

Petroc's Applied science courses offer you an excellent grounding for future science-based careers.

When you study on one of these programmes, you will gain the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to succeed in a range of professions such as a laboratory technician, criminal investigator or healthcare technician.

Whichever course you choose, you will build on the knowledge you gained in GCSE chemistry, biology, physics and maths and will learn how that knowledge can be used in the workplace. As well as studying the sciences specific to your course, you will undertake relevant and fascinating work experience to support your future career ambitions and will also have the opportunity to join our STEM APRIRE Academy to gain further experience and enrichment.

The courses on offer incorporate different modes of study, including a BTEC (100% college based), T-levels, (80% college, 20 % workplace) and an apprenticeship (80% workplace, 20% college).

If you have a scientific and inquisitive mind, then our Applied Science courses could be for you.

Business & Management

Whether you want to work your way to the top of a multinational organisation, or would like to start your own business, the skills learnt on our Business and Management courses will provide you with the knowledge and experience needed to succeed in this multifaceted industry.

As well as receiving first-class knowledge from our experienced lecturers (who have relevant and wide-ranging industry knowledge), you will also have the opportunity of hearing from, and speaking with, guest speakers and entrepreneurs who regularly come into Petroc to mentor and support our students. Petroc's Breakfast Networking Events and Enterprise Challenges will also provide you with a unique opportunity to interact with local business owners to understand the intricacies of the business world, and insight into starting your own business.

Petroc's courses incorporate a range of elements to help you to develop and reach your ultimate career goal which may include a marketing manager, mortgage advisor, lawyer, human resources consultant, or entrepreneur. Even if you aren't sure which direction you want to head in, the skills learned on a business qualification are highly transferable, meaning you will always be a great candidate for any future employment.

Construction

The construction industry incorporates a hugely diverse range of skills from trowel trades to architecture and design, and Petroc has courses at all levels to suit you.

Petroc have exceptional workshop spaces for all of their trade areas housing cutting-edge tools, machinery and environmental technology, where you will develop your hands-on, technical and practical skills. Our highly skilled lecturers are qualified in their industry so you can be sure you will receive the best training to take into the outside world, and they will support and guide you throughout your journey with us to enable you to achieve at the highest levels.

Many Petroc students who study on our construction courses go on to compete in national skill competitions and have become regional finalists in bricklaying as well as successes in furniture making, including the Medal of Excellence from City and Guilds. Decorative occupations have also been recognised at a national level including Trade Painters of the Year.

Whether your ambition is to start your own business or work for a larger contractor, the skills you learn at Petroc will provide you with a career for the future.

Creative Industries

The creative industries cover a range of subjects incorporating art, media, music, performing arts  and dance.

Whatever your creative passion, you will be given the opportunity to hone your talent and explore your creativity. Our courses will give you the ability and confidence to help you stand out in these competitive industries and our lecturers will share their expertise and support you every step of the way.

If you study music or performing arts, you will have the chance to get involved in a whole host of productions and performances throughout the year. You will also have full access to our facilities which boasts two live performance venues, large dance studio, rehearsal studios, sound-proofed rehearsal booths, high spec recording studios, and IT suites.

Petroc's spacious and inspiring art and media studios house a variety of creative equipment including 3D printers, Apple Macs, darkrooms, editing suites and screen printers, which give you the opportunity to explore a range of creative pursuits.

Students go on to achieve success in a wide range of roles in the creative industries, from performers to technicians, composers to designers, film-makers to fine artists.

Many performing arts students have also gained places at prestigious, internationally-renowned schools and conservatoire - and all students progress onto their first choice university places.

Digital & Technologies

The digital technology sector never stops growing and IT professionals are always in high demand; when you study on our computing courses, we will be giving you cutting-edge training to help you stand out from the IT crowd!

Using a wide range of industry-standard hardware and software, you will gain experience on topics such as web and desktop application development, networking, programming and gaming. And our expert lecturers - who have a wealth of experience in the commercial sector - will support you with both your practical and theoretical learnings.

Petroc's brand new South West Institute for Technology (SWIoT) centre will provide you with an exceptional space to study and incorporates the latest specification networking, software, games development and data engineering facilities.

Upon completion of an IT course, students have gone on to build careers in areas such as software development, IT support, website development and mobile applications.

Education & Childcare

If you have a caring and patient nature and a passion for working with children in a nursery or primary school setting, then our education and childcare programmes are perfect for you.

Petroc's dedicated lecturers have a wealth of experience in the field and will teach you the unique skills needed to support young children in your care. You will practise your skills in a ‘true to life’ training room at our North Devon campus, as well as undertaking fantastic work experience opportunities, including the chance to visit Sweden to see how they run their innovative Forest Schools.

There are many pathways available to students who complete courses in education and childcare, from teaching assistants and nursery nurses to social workers and child nurses.

Electrical & Plumbing

Good electricians and plumbers are like gold dust and are always in demand! When you study on one of Petroc's electrical or plumbing courses, we will help you on your journey to become fully qualified and reach the top of your chosen field.

When you study with Petroc's, you will learn the skills needed to understand individual job requirements, how to test and install, and of course, learn the relevant health and safety requirements.

Petroc's state-of-the-art plumbing and electrical workshops are to the highest standards and are fully equipped with the latest testing and commissioning equipment that sets apart the true professionals of the industry. Petroc's team of industry-qualified and highly skilled lecturers will guide and support you every step of the way.

Whether you’re considering running your own business, or prefer the idea of working for someone else, the experience you will gain on our electrical and plumbing courses will provide you with the experience, skills and knowledge to forge a successful career.

Engineering & Manufacturing

The South West has an outstanding reputation in the engineering and manufacturing sectors, and North Devon is home to some global players including pharmaceutical, aeronautical and marine industries. Petroc's courses cover a range of skills and disciplines including CAD, 3D printing, fabrication and welding, and manual machining, which means they can support you in finding the right route for your future career.

Petroc's brand new South West Institute for Technology (SWIoT) centre will provide you with an exceptional space to study and incorporates electronics design, manufacture and testing laboratories; additive technologies (3D); and production robotics. Petroc's purpose-built engineering workshops house cutting-edge machinery and fabrication and welding bays, which offer the perfect environment for you to learn and flourish in. What’s more, you’ll be taught by real engineers; people with real-life experience.

There are a range of career opportunities open to you when you study with us, such as CAD technician, site engineer, and aerospace engineers, or you could progress onto a higher-level engineering course at Petroc.

Hair & Beauty

Petroc's hair and beauty programmes provide the perfect combination of practical and theory-based learning to ensure you develop the skills, knowledge, experience and confidence to work successfully in this creative and dynamic industry.

Petroc have state-of-the-art commercial nail and hair salons, barbers and beauty therapy treatment rooms at both their North and Mid Devon campuses where you will practise your skills on clients to ensure you are industry-ready in one of the fastest-growing employment sectors.

Whether you dream of opening your own salon or want to become a make-up artist for theatre and film, Petroc's passionate staff and unique facilities will help you succeed in this exciting industry.

Health & Social Care

The Health and Social Care sector is one of the largest sectors in the country and provides support to people in a range of settings including hospitals, care homes, schools and nurseries. Petroc's Health and Social Care programmes teach the vital skills needed to work in this sector, such as teamwork, communication and research, to help you liaise with individuals, parents and guardians, and care providers.

Work experience is imperative for gaining employment in this industry and our expert lecturers will support you in your role, whether that’s in a special needs school or in a nursing home specialising in dementia care. You'll also have the opportunity to participate in work experience at the North Devon District Hospital, through the Care Academy.

If you have a caring nature and want to make a positive difference to people's lives, there is a wide range of rewarding careers awaiting you. Alternatively, you may decide to further develop your skills, knowledge and experience on one of Petroc's degree-level programmes.

Hospitality & Catering

The Hospitality and Catering industry flourishes in the South West region, with a whole host of accommodation providers and eateries to choose from. If you have a passion for creating great food and delivering high-quality customer service, Petroc's hospitality and catering courses will feed that passion and provide you with the skills and experience to take you wherever you want to go!

You will train in Petroc's modern, stylish, commercial training kitchens and public restaurants, which will give you real-life experience of working in this exciting and fast-paced industry. And Petroc's experienced lecturers will share their wealth of knowledge to develop your skills and support you through your studies and work experience.

So whether you see yourself as part of a busy catering team or aspire towards becoming a head chef, hotel manager or event manager, at home or abroad, we’ll help you go further.

Motor Vehicle

If you love cars and are fascinated by the inner workings of engines, suspension systems or chassis, then Petroc's motor vehicle courses could be right up your street.

Petroc's fantastic training area replicates a modern vehicle repair centre with all the lifts and equipment you would find in a commercial garage. Petroc's knowledgeable and passionate lecturers will help you develop your skills in everything from car maintenance to hybrid vehicle fault diagnosis.

There are many exciting career opportunities within this fast-paced field, and Petroc work closely with local employers to give you plenty of opportunities to find out about the different careers available and ensure you are as employment-ready as possible.

Public Services & Outdoor Education

Petroc's Public Services and Outdoor Adventure courses are both exciting and challenging, and are a perfect platform for you to further explore your passions and hobbies. So, if you enjoy supporting and working with others, and are keen to explore career routes from within one of these diverse areas, then one of these courses could be perfect for you.

Petroc's passionate and inspirational lecturers will provide you with hands-on experience, alongside supporting theoretical knowledge. Petroc regularly use North Devon’s natural playground as our teaching space where you will have the opportunity to develop your practical learning together with teamwork and leadership skills.

You may also wish to join the 999 Academy, where you will engage in social action projects, gain an insight into the emergency services and develop your life skills.

Students who study on these courses progress onto a huge variety of careers from criminology to activity instructor, as well as jobs in the armed forces and blue light services.

Sport, Health & Fitness

When you study on Petroc's Sport, Health and Fitness programmes, you will learn alongside like-minded people, who are all motivated, focussed and driven to develop themselves both physically and mentally.

With access to Petroc's specialist fitness studios, Technogym-equipped gyms and sports massage therapy suites, you will gain essential practical experience to use alongside the theoretical elements of the course. You will also head into the local community to practise your newly acquired skills in real-life settings such as schools, festivals and community events, to help prepare for a career in this diverse field.

Students who have studied these courses with us have gone on to secure roles such as PE teachers, personal trainers, nutritionists and sports massage therapists, and many have secured places at some of the country’s leading sports universities.

Fees:

Education is free for all students who are aged 16-18 (on 31 August of the year you start your course).

If you are aged 19 or over, you may have to pay to study, however, there may be funding options or free courses available to you.

Head: Sean Mackney