Today we are celebrating higher education learners developing advanced technical and academic skills, and how The Sandwell Colleges deliver local career-focused courses that open doors to opportunity.
Gerard Sokoli left Sandwell College in 2020 after completing a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Engineering with Distinction. He went on to study Civil Engineering at Aston University, and credits his experience with us and the guidance he received from our Engineering Team for allowing him to progress to his current position of Structural Engineer.
“Looking back, my time at Sandwell College played a huge part in shaping the direction of my life and career. It was during college that my love for engineering really began to grow, and I owe a lot of that to the lecturers who taught and inspired me along the way. Being taught by experienced professionals such as Mark Banks and Ranjit Jiwa made a real difference to me. They did not just teach the subject, they brought it to life through their knowledge, experience, and the way they connected engineering to the real world. Their support helped me see that engineering was not just something I enjoyed studying, but something I genuinely wanted to pursue as a career.
“Since leaving college, I have been fortunate to build valuable experience in the field of structural engineering, which has helped me develop both my technical understanding and my confidence within the industry. I also went on to study Civil Engineering at Aston University, a step that was strongly influenced by the advice and encouragement I received from Mark Banks. Alongside my engineering journey, I have also expanded my experience into digital marketing, where I have supported start-ups and charities with their marketing development and brand awareness. More recently, I am proud to be involved as the Chair of the IStructE Midlands County Young Members Group, where I use my experience, knowledge, and enthusiasm for the profession to help support and inspire the next generation of structural engineers. For me, that is especially meaningful, because it allows me to give back to a profession that has already given me so much. When I reflect on where it all started, I look back on Sandwell College with a great deal of gratitude, as it gave me both the foundation and the belief to move forward with ambition.”
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