At TMC, our Year 1 RQF students have been putting their skills into action by developing a real website for a real client—a Slovak community charity. Through a collaborative project combining the Web Development and System Analysis & Design units, students have gained hands-on experience in solving digital challenges with purpose and professionalism.
Learning Like the Pros: Real Clients, Real Impact
The project saw students working with the community charity to understand their digital needs, target audience, and online goals. This wasn’t a simulated task—this was the real thing. Students had to analyse client requirements, create mood boards and wireframes, and ultimately design and build a functioning website that met the charity’s needs. They quickly discovered that working with clients means being flexible, asking the right questions, and sometimes helping organisations shape their vision from scratch. For many, it was their first experience of translating a client’s goals into technical solutions.
Industry Support and Professional Insight
To kick things off, Claire Worthington, the powerhouse Founder and Director of Village Web Company CIC, shared her wealth of knowledge with our students. She talked about industry-standard tools, the importance of user-first design, and what it’s really like to work in web development. Her session was a perfect introduction to bridge the gap between textbook theory and real-world practice.
Later, students were joined by guest speaker Chad Whitaker, a professional Web Developer, who went beyond a traditional talk. Chad offered live feedback on students’ projects, solved real-time coding challenges, and shared his journey into the tech industry. In a lively Q&A, students explored topics like the role of AI in web design—and were reminded that while emerging tech is exciting, mastering the fundamentals remains key.
💬 “Chad’s feedback was incredibly helpful in improving my website. He showed me how to make it more user-friendly and align it with industry standards. Hearing his career story really helped me see my own path more clearly.” – Joshua, Year 1 Student
Expanding Horizons
This project wasn’t just about learning to code—it opened up a world of possibilities in the digital realm. From the creative spark of web design to the problem-solving logic of system analysis, students saw how their skills could stretch across various fields in computing. Cybersecurity also took center stage, reminding everyone how essential it is to protect user data and create secure websites. The bottom line? There’s no shortage of exciting career paths in tech, from frontend design to backend development, system analysis, and cybersecurity.
And most importantly, students saw firsthand how their work can create real-world change. It's not just about building a website—it's about making a meaningful difference for the community.
Student-Led Success: From Classroom to Community
A standout moment? When Rado and Hayden took the initiative to go above and beyond the classroom. These two didn’t just stop at the charity project—they reached out to local businesses, built even more websites, and applied what they’d learned in a live environment. Hayden even spent extra hours on online tutorials to level up his skills. Their hustle turned a class assignment into a true community impact—and we absolutely love to see that kind of drive!
Are you an employer or organisation looking to collaborate with talented, driven students on real digital projects? Let’s connect! Together, we can create opportunities that benefit your business while giving our learners the chance to make a lasting impact in the tech world.
