18-year-old Ritik Pracax has ambitions to become a mechanical engineer and this is how his journey with Leicester College is preparing him for his future…

Ritik’s first steps towards a career in mechanical engineering began when he enrolled on a BTEC in Engineering/Manufacturing Level 2 at Leicester College. Alongside this course, Ritik also studied for his GCSE in English.

Having enjoyed the BTEC Level 2, Ritik continued his studies and went on to complete the Engineering Technologies Diploma Level 3.

Ritik said: “I chose to take the Engineering Technologies Diploma Level 3 as it’s a one-year course, is a qualification that may help in getting a job and also the qualification can be used as entry to the Higher Education course.

“The best thing about the course is that we had the opportunity to work with the milling machines, to use AutoCAD software and learn new features.”

Continuing at Leicester College

After completing this course in June 2023, Ritik chose to use it as entry to the higher education course and decided to continue his education at Leicester College. He has enrolled onto the BTEC Higher National Certificate (HNC) – Mechanical and starts in October 2023.

“What made me decide to continue education is that I always wanted to pursue a career in engineering and I’ve seen the HNC/HND course is available at Leicester College with tuition fees less than university. The HNC/HND is equivalent to two years at university.

“I chose to stay at Leicester College because it provides excellence teaching, supportive tutors and many practical workshop sessions which helps you build knowledge such as using lathes and milling machines.”

Learning is a passion

Ritik is passionate about learning and gaining qualifications that he knows will help him reach his career goals.

“Learning is a passion; If you’re considering continuing studies it is the best thing, as with good qualifications you’re able to find a job that fits you and also earn a good salary.”

Supportive staff

Ritik found his experience at Leicester College to be a very positive one thanks to the teaching and support staff and would recommend the College to others.

“There are supportive tutors who give their best so that we can achieve a high grade and helpful careers advisors who can give good advice if you think the course is not right for you.”

‘Top up’ at university

Once he has completed the HNC, Ritik plans to go on to the next level and complete the Higher National Diploma before ‘topping up’ with one year at university and then hopefully beginning a career as a mechanical engineer.

“My next steps after completing the new course is to continue further by doing another year of HND and then proceed to university for the third year to gain a bachelor’s degree. My ultimate goal is to become a mechanical engineer. The qualifications from HNC and HND will help me go to university to top up my qualifications to a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering.”