Riley and Kieran’s Story

“It’s really local and really convenient, it’s just a continuation of what I started.”

Subjects studied:
BTEC Computing, Foundation Degree Computing

What’s next:
Progression into roles in web development, IT support, networking and wider computing careers.

For Riley and Kieran, their interest in computing started in the BTEC Computing classrooms at Truro College, where they first began exploring how technology works and how digital systems are built.

That early curiosity has now developed into a clear progression route, as both students continue their studies on a Foundation Degree at University Centre Truro & Penwith.

“We did the BTEC in Computing, so this feels like an extension of that,”  Kieran explained. “I’ve always been really interested in technology and how it works. It’s really fun.”

One of the areas they enjoy most is web development, where ideas move from concept to creation through practical project work.

“Making websites is something I really enjoy,” Kieran said. “Seeing how it all comes together at the end is really satisfying.”

A key benefit of continuing their studies locally has been accessibility and familiarity. Studying close to home has allowed them to build on their existing experience without disruption, while still accessing higher-level learning and industry-standard facilities.

“The centre is really local,” one student explained. “It’s only about 20 minutes away, so it’s really convenient for me.”

Now studying in new, government-funded digital labs, Riley and Kieran are experiencing a university-level learning environment while staying connected to their local area and support network.

“This is Truro and Penwith Uni but it’s the Truro campus,” they said. “You still get the actual content for the course, just with more local access.”

Alongside technical skills, teamwork has become a central part of their development. Group projects, particularly in website creation, have helped them learn how to collaborate effectively and bring different ideas together into one finished product.

“When we do group websites, you have to think about how everything fits together,” one student explained. “That’s probably the biggest thing I’ve learned.”

Looking ahead, both students are focused on progressing into careers within the computing industry, with interests in web development and broader IT roles.

“I’d like to go on and get a job in IT, hopefully web development or something like that,” Riley said. Their experience highlights how local progression routes can support students in building confidence, gaining practical skills and moving step-by-step towards their future careers in technology.