This week, our T Level Computing students got the grips with the Arduino and Raspberry Pi kits, diving into circuit programming and exploring the Internet of Things . As part of their Digital Environments core module—and inspired by a recent visit to Amazon’s distribution centre—students put their skills to the test by building a Pi Car and programming electronics for use in control engineering, a field that plays a crucial role in automation and advanced manufacturing.
“Control Engineering is a potential area I would like to go into in the future,” shared Tom Gasseling, T Level Digital Design Production and Development student. The discipline is a key specialism at Amazon and across the wider North West manufacturing sector, which makes this experience particularly relevant for students considering careers in the field
"It’s opened my eyes to a whole new sector," added Dante Toole. "These tasks are far more hands-on than our usual screen-based programming, and you can see progress in real time.”
T Level Programming Tutor Rebecca Rand was equally impressed: “The students have demonstrated a strong ability to apply their programming skills in a practical setting. This is just one example of the many activities we do to enhance students' career prospects . Some are considering roles in control engineering, while others—enthusiastic hobbyists—fully embraced the challenge of programming the Arduino."
Although slightly tangential to the course’s core objectives, our department takes pride in introducing students to a wide range of applications to better prepare them for a career in technology and to ensure they have the broad skill set needed to maximisevarious opportunities for progression
If you're an employer looking to tap into new computing talent in programming, data analysis, or digital support, or if you'd like to explore partnership opportunities with The Manchester College, please get in touch with us by contacting on EmployerPartners@tmc.ac.uk and yelhaou@tmc.ac.uk
