At South Essex Colleges Group, our T Levels give students the opportunity to develop their knowledge, practical skills and confidence while gaining valuable industry experience. With supportive tutors, hands-on learning and industry placements, students can build the foundations for a successful career.
Digital Support T Level student, Leudin Corre is a UK National Finalist in WorldSkills Competition.
Leudin spoke to us about her achievement.
My name is Leudin Corre, I am studying the Digital Support and Security T Level at South Essex Colleges Group and I’m a UK National Finalist in WorldSkills!
Being a finalist in this competition means a lot to me. When I found out that I got through to the WorldSkills National Finals (a nationwide skills competition for young students), I honestly couldn’t believe it. I felt huge relief and excitement! I didn’t think I stood a chance, so seeing that I made it through gave me a confidence boost. It was a nice surprise and it made me feel better about my chances moving forward. It’s proof that I made the right choice picking IT for my college course and career.
The entry stage of the competition focused on loT and networking using Cisco Packet Tracer which I’m familiar with from my year 1. For the remote national qualifiers, we also used Packet Tracer but it threw me into brand-new systems that I hadn’t covered in my T Level yet. I’m expecting more advanced Windows AD DS and Linux through Hyper-V VMs in the finals plus a brand-new tool I’ve never used before. I’m super excited to prepare.
When I started out with my Level 2 Diploma in Digital and IT Skills, I wasn’t 100% sure about IT but I just went for it. Reaching this point shows me that I am good enough to excel and make something real out of my T Level. It’s been a huge reassurance and confidence boost all around.
The college has played a huge part in this whole experience. I wouldn’t have even heard of WorldSkills, let alone entered, if it wasn’t for them. Thanks to my tutors motivation and guidance, I decided to participate and look where it got me! They encouraged me to give it a try and pushed me to learn new things and step out of my comfort zone. This competition could open a bunch of doors to opportunities!
Taking part in this competition has motivated me to continue my course as it’s given me a motivation boost, especially since I found out that AD DS is going to be a big part of my course for year 2. I didn’t want the things I learned in the competition to be a one-time thing, so knowing I get to dive deeper makes me excited for what’s next.
If you’re a student thinking about applying for this T-Level, honestly, just do it. The course gives you a really solid mix of hands-on tech skills and actual industry experience and the tutors are so supportive, they push you to step out of your comfort zone and go for big opportunities like WorldSkills. You don’t need to have it all figured out right away, just be ready to learn and see where it takes you. It turned out so well for me even if I didn’t know a lot before college.
Leudin's story demonstrates how ambition, resilience and the right support can unlock exciting opportunities. From starting her studies unsure of where a career in IT might lead to becoming a WorldSkills UK National Finalist, she has shown what can be achieved by stepping outside your comfort zone and embracing every chance to learn. Her success is a testament to her dedication and willingness to challenge herself, and serves as an inspiration to other students considering a future in digital technologies. We are incredibly proud of Leudin's achievements and look forward to seeing her continue to develop her skills, pursue her ambitions and make her mark in the digital sector.