More Information

What to bring with you
Some courses require you to 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.

Subjects
Art & Design
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.

Automotive
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
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.

Beauty Therapy
Explore and experience the practical and theoretical aspects of beauty and the industry. Work alongside our professional therapists to gain hands-on experience in our industry standard salon environment. Please wear flat, closed toe shoes to comply with health and safety regulations.

Business
Participate 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.

Civil Engineering
Our Construction Live taster day at the Cannington campus gives you a unique opportunity to operate an excavator (even if you don’t have your driving licence yet), fix steel ready for concrete to be poured and try your hand at installing a water mains or managing a construction project. In Taunton, you’ll learn more about construction management, architecture and surveying, and use computer-aided drafting and modern surveying equipment. Please wear old clothes/overalls, sturdy shoes and appropriate outdoor clothing (waterproofs).

Computing & IT
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 and build a PC from scratch.

Construction: Carpentry & Joinery
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.

Construction: Electrical
Are you interested in working with the latest energy-saving equipment or do you just like making electrical items work? You could be a budding electrician. Learn how to connect a plug and socket and get a taste for the industry in our electrical workshop.

Construction: Plumbing
Plumbing is different every day and no two jobs are ever the same. One day you could be repairing water pipes and the next installing eco-friendly systems. Join us for an introduction into the industry and learn how to solder and bend a copper tube. Please wear old clothes and sturdy shoes/boots. Trainers will not be suitable.

Construction: Painting & Decorating
Try out some practical decorating skills, learning to use a variety of painting techniques, wallpapering, applying decorative effects and painting a panel door. Please wear old clothes and sturdy shoes/boots. Trainers will not be suitable.

Digital Media Design
Come and experience a taster in design for digital products such as games, 3D models and websites, and get a feel for the sort of things we offer in this dynamic and growing games development industry.

Engineering
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), 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.

Graphic Design
Gain a practical insight into this exciting industry. The taster includes photography and the use of industry standard design software to create a variety of communication mediums.

Hairdressing
If you enjoy working with hair, this taster gives you the opportunity to explore and experience the practical and theoretical aspects of hairdressing. Work alongside our professional stylists to gain hands-on experience in our industry standard salon environment. Please wear flat, closed toe shoes to comply with health and safety regulations.

Health, Care & Education Studies
Are you thinking of working in disability care, early years, health or elderly care? Come and participate in fun, interactive and hands-on activities to learn new skills and discover what it could be like to work in the industry.

Horticulture
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/Wellington boots and appropriate outdoor clothing (waterproofs).

International Baccalaureate Diploma (IBDP)
New to our Taunton campus – Come and experience what it’s like to study this stimulating and exciting qualification. The IB enables you to study six different subjects, along with a challenging core of activity that prepares you for university or employment either in the UK or overseas.

Media Production
Let us introduce you to the production process, from the initial idea to the finished product and the variety of technologies such as TV, film and animation. Work alongside industry professionals in our excellent facilities.

Music Technology
This course is perfect for anyone interested in computer-based music production, sound recording and audio editing. Come and have a go, and work within our professional-standard recording studios.

Performing Arts
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.

Production Arts
This taster gives you a chance to look at the technical support and backstage elements of live performances including lighting, live sound, scenic construction and stage management. This is perfect for anyone thinking of working in the production industry or wanting to support live performances. Please wear old clothes and sturdy shoes/boots. Trainers will not be suitable.

Professional Cookery & Hospitality (Thursday evenings)
Join our team of students in our state-of-the-art facilities during our busy Thursday evening dinner service. Experience the buzz of a commercial kitchen and restaurant. Have the chance to get involved preparing dishes from our beautiful seasonal menus. Please email tomlinsonr@btc.ac.uk to book your place.

Public Services
This taster session includes practical team leadership skills and encourages you to problem solve. Working in small groups, you will look at the aspects needed in the Public and Emergency Services. Please bring sports kit and trainers.

Sport Science/Sport Coaching/Fitness Instructing
Are you interested in a career in sport science, physical education, health and fitness or coaching? Come and experience what it would be like to study the theoretical and practical elements of our national award winning sports curriculum. Please bring sports kit and trainers.

Travel & Tourism
Find out what working in this rapidly growing industry is all about. Discover the range of career opportunities available to you throughout a variety of industries and gain an insight into some of the exciting activities related to the travel, tourism and hospitality industries.

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

Getting here

The taster day will be held at the Taunton Campus of Bridgwater & Taunton College on Wellington Road, Taunton, Somerset. Please see the map below.