More Information

What to bring with you
Some courses require you wear or bring certain items. This is really important because if you don’t bring the correct clothing, you may not be able to take part in your chosen taster.

Venue key
CAN    Cannington campus
BW      Bridgwater campus

Subjects

A Levels – BW
With 30 A Levels available at the College, this taster give you the chance to experience three subjects. Please specify your choices when you register.

Agriculture – CAN
There is so much more to agriculture than early mornings. Many agricultural systems and practices are at the cutting edge of technology, using computers and GPS systems to record animal data and drive tractors. See how technology reduces the hard physical work of this exciting industry. Please wear old clothes/overalls, sturdy shoes/Wellington boots and appropriate outdoor clothing (waterproofs).

Animal Management and Equine Studies – CAN
Are you are interested in a career working with animals? This taster gives you the opportunity to work in an area of our extensive animal collection, improve your handling skills and learn more about the available career opportunities. If you are interested in working with horses, please come and spend some time in the College’s equine yard. It comprises an indoor arena, outdoor ménage, two stable blocks and a wide range of horses. You’ll have the opportunity to spend some time on our commercially run yard and learn valuable stable management skills. Please wear old clothes/overalls, sturdy shoes and appropriate outdoor clothing (waterproofs).

Applied Science – BW
The applied science course is an ideal if you really enjoy biology, chemistry and physics. The taster focusses on delivering a Level 3 analytical approach to science experiments and will give you an idea of what to expect from this exciting course.

Arboriculture, Countryside and Horticulture – CAN
Do you love the outdoors and have you thought about working with trees? Find out about this exciting subject, learn to climb trees using ropes and harnesses, develop your chainsaw skills and find out how you can have a positive impact on the countryside and the environment. Would you like a career where the great outdoors is your office? Get a flavour of this rewarding industry by taking part in an interesting practical morning that includes woodland management and wildlife surveying. Careers in horticulture are full of variety and range from caring for historic landscapes, designing gardens such as the Olympic park, growing food for restaurants and producing specimen plants. Find out more in this practical taster session. Please wear old clothes/overalls, sturdy shoes and appropriate outdoor clothing (waterproofs).

Art & Design and Fashion & Business – BW
Drawing is the core skill for all Art & Design. This exciting workshop enables you to explore drawing in new and innovative ways to help stretch you skills and prepare you for the next steps in Art & Design. Join us to experience a taste of the fashion industry. This taster will explore everything from design and marketing through to buying and retail display.

Automotive – BW
This interesting taster based at the Bridgwater campus offers you the chance to work on race cars, trucks, modern vehicle technology and even try your hand at paint spraying. Closer to Taunton? Then come and join us at our Taunton campus, you will work in our state-of-the-art workshop learning how vehicles work and how to repair them. You may get messy so please dress appropriately and wear sturdy shoes/boots.

Barbering – BW
If you’re interested in learning the art of being a professional barber, give this hands-on taster a try. By blending traditional skills with a modern approach, you’ll try your hand at head art and tram lines as well as beard cutting and styling using some of the coolest products in today’s barbering world. Please wear flat, closed toe shoes to comply with health and safety regulations.

Business – BW
Are you interested in becoming an entrepreneur? Take part in a range of activities that are both fun and challenging. You’ll gain an insight into the world of business and the endless opportunities available to you in this global market.

Carpentry, Brickwork and On-site Construction  – BW
If you enjoy hands-on tasks and like working outside, then being a bricklayer may be for you. Come and work alongside our Apprentices and experienced staff to learn how to build a small brick peer in our state-of-the-art workshop. If you enjoy woodwork, then carpentry may be for you. Learn how to mark out, saw, chisel and make a basic timber joint. Please wear old clothes and sturdy shoes/boots. Trainers will not be suitable.

Computing & Digital Technologies – BW
Join us to find out about this dynamic industry. Use our excellent computer resources to learn about a variety of computer applications, how to produce and publish a website and make you own MP3 player using programming skills, build a PC from scratch, design for digital products such as games and 3D models.

Engineering and Nuclear Clean Energy – BW
Would you like to work in one of the UK’s most important industries? Join us and learn about Computer Aided Design and Manufacture (CAD/CAM), aerospace engineering, communications technology and electronics. Engage in activities that will give you a flavour of the type of skills and hi-tech technology required by modern industry. You will also discover the skills needed to join the dynamic and technical Nuclear Clean Energy industry. Find out how we use VI and other high-tech teaching aids to replicate the nuclear environment.

Hair, Beauty and Media Make Up – BW
This taster gives you the opportunity to explore and experience the practical and theoretical aspects of Hairdressing, Beauty and Media Make-up. Work alongside our professional stylists, therapists and Media Make-up artists to gain hands-on experience in our industry standard environment.  Styling hair, working on hand and nail treatments, create scares and bruises using scar wax and latex to construct a realistic casualty simulation. Please wear flat, closed toe shoes to comply with health and safety regulations.

Health, Early Years & Social Care – BW
Health and social care and early years, as a sector, is a really broad field which stretches from social work to midwifery and teaching to play work.  If you have an ambition to work in either the health or social care sectors once you leave school come to our taster and find out more about the sector, what it’s like to work in health and social care and develop some skills with us that will help you step onto one of our health, social care and early years careers.

Live Events Production, Music and Media – BW
Backstage, on stage, behind the camera or in front, this taster will give you a flavour of the courses and careers open to you in media, music, music tech and production arts. You’ll explore the technical support and backstage elements like lighting, sound and stage management that make live performances unforgettable, be introduced to the production process that takes TV shows, films and animations from initial idea to final product, investigate how computer-based music production, sound recording and audio editing perfect music recordings, and look into what makes a music gig, including finding out about different rock songs, rehearsal techniques and analysing your own performance. You will spend time with professional staff in our industry-standard recording studios and other settings. Please wear old clothes and sturdy shoes/boots (NOT trainers). If you play an instrument, please bring it with you. Drums, keyboards, microphones, amps etc will be provided.

Performing Arts & Dance – BW
Do you love being centre stage and enjoy performing? This taster gives you the chance to gain practical experience of our dance, drama and singing courses. Bring lots of energy and enthusiasm with you. Please wear clothing that allows you to move freely ie. leggings/tracksuit bottoms and a t-shirt.

Sport and Uniformed Public Services – BW
This practical taster brings together skills and attributes required within the Sport and Uniformed Protective Services industries. Whether you are interested in a career in sport science, physical education, health and fitness and coaching, or the Public and Emergency Services, this session is for you! Discover what it would be like to study the practical and theoretical aspects of our national award-winning sports curriculum, alongside the leadership and problem solving skills required for a career in the Public and Emergency Services. Please bring sports kit and trainers.

Plumbing, Electrical and Building Services – BW
No two jobs are ever the same within these industries. Learn about the skills required to work within the building services. You could be a budding electrician if you are interested in working with the latest energy-saving equipment. Learn how to connect a plug and socket and get a taste for the industry in our electrical workshops. Or are you interested in becoming a plumber, repairing water pipes and installing eco-friendly systems. Learn about some of the skills you would need, such as soldering and bending a copper tube. Please wear old clothes and sturdy shoes/boots. Trainers will not be suitable.

If you require any further information, please contact the Information & Guidance Team on 01278 441234 or email info@btc.ac.uk

Getting here

Our taster day will be held at our Bridgwater and Cannington campuses, you will need to come to the Bridgwater campus (see map below), if you are taking part in a Cannington based taster you will need to source your own form of transport both to and from the campus.