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Shaping Confident Professionals
Highlands College introduces three alumni whose careers in very different areas show the diversity of roles and skills supported by the further-education provider
HIGHLANDS College has long been the foundation of professional and vocational education in Jersey, supporting generations of Islanders as they step into their chosen industries.
Now, through the Highlands College Alumni Network, the college is strengthening its ties with former students, celebrating their achievements and offering a space for connection, career support and shared pride in the journeys that began in its classrooms and workshops.
Three alumni, from business, hairdressing and construction, exemplify the breadth of opportunity Highlands provides. Their stories show how early guidance, hands-on experience and strong community support can shape confident professionals ready to thrive locally and beyond.
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Charlie Sutcliffe
Charlie Sutcliffe is now part of a professional apprenticeship scheme with Lloyds Bank
Charlie Sutcliffe joined Highlands College straight from secondary school, enrolling on the Level 3 Business course. What he found was an environment designed to help students grow into industry-ready professionals.
His tutors played a key role in building his confidence, ensuring that theory was paired with skills he could take into the workplace. Today, Charlie is part of a professional apprenticeship scheme with Lloyds Bank, a direction first sparked while he was still a student.
One of his most memorable experiences at Highlands was the event-hosting module. Working with classmates to organise a seven-a-side football match highlighted the value of teamwork and initiative, traits that have followed him into his professional life.
Guest speakers, including industry expert James Mathewson, also helped him develop his confidence and connections through LinkedIn training and networking guidance. Reflecting on the academic side of his course, Charlie says: “Understanding the structures and strategies [of businesses] helped massively in preparing me for my role today.”
His link with Lloyds began when the company visited Highlands to speak to the business studies group. Supported and encouraged by his tutors, Charlie applied before completing his course, even receiving time off to complete assessment stages.
A two-week work placement sealed the opportunity. Approaching it with focus and determination, he recalls: “I looked at it as a two-week job interview.” It was that attitude which helped him stand out, eventually securing the apprenticeship position in which he now thrives.
Charlie credits the college with striking the perfect balance between support and independence, saying: “The environment is built for students. You’re able to have your own independence while having the support available when you need it.”
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Bleue Tilstone
Bleue Tilstone is now a hairdresser
Bleue Tilstone’s route into hairdressing wasn’t one she had planned. Initially studying art at Highlands College and unsure about her next steps, she decided to try something different and took on a temporary role in a salon.
As she puts it: “It sounds awful to say that I just kind of fell into it but, actually, it was the best thing to do. I really don’t know what I would do if I wasn’t a hairdresser.”
With support from the college, Bleue transitioned from her art studies into a hairdressing apprenticeship which gave her the perfect blend of theory and hands-on learning.
One of her standout experiences was taking part in a hairdressing showcase, an event that allowed her to fully embrace the creative side of the profession. Bleue says opportunities like this helped her refine her artistry and build confidence.
After completing her training, Bleue worked for a year in Jersey before travelling to Australia, where she continued her career in a new environment. Exposure to different techniques and perspectives broadened her expertise.
“It was great to see different perspectives and techniques,” she said. “When I returned to Jersey, I was able to bring back new skills and teach them to others.”
Her apprenticeship set the foundations for what came next, from technical cutting and colouring to understanding client care and salon operations. Bleue highlights the value of learning in a real-world environment, saying: “With college, you need the exam side and the theory but in an apprenticeship, you’re in a salon environment, watching and learning every day. You see how people do things differently, and you pick up skills in a way you wouldn’t in a classroom alone.”
For those considering an apprenticeship, she offers this final piece of advice: “Take every opportunity to learn, be open to new experiences and enjoy the journey. You never know where it might take you.”
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Jack Arthur
Jack Arthur is now a project manager at Rok Construction
Few students have travelled through Highlands College in quite as many stages as Jack Arthur. His story begins on the 14–16 programme, where he completed a BTEC Level 1 Construction course that replaced two of his GCSEs. The practical mix of carpentry, bricklaying, plumbing, painting and electrical work piqued his interest from the start.
After secondary school, he returned for the BTEC Level 2 Construction course, where broader subjects such as technical drawing and construction health and safety helped him discover his preferred direction. With his eyes on the Level 3 Apprenticeship, Jack secured a trainee site manager/site engineer role at Rok Construction, marking the start of a remarkable progression.
Balancing growing responsibilities at work with higher-education study, Jack completed his HNC in Construction Management through University College Jersey, an intensive period that taught him invaluable life and professional skills.
As he recalls: “Those years were demanding, balancing growing responsibilities at work with an increasing workload for my studies. That’s when I really learnt the value of discipline, teamwork and time management. It taught me to stay focused under pressure.”
He then moved directly onto the UCJ Higher Apprenticeship Degree in Construction Management, all while stepping up professionally. Promoted to site manager and site engineer, his first major project was the construction of Les Quennevais School.
His experience grew further through involvement in some of Jersey’s most significant builds. He contributed to the development of the new States of Jersey Police Headquarters, a fast-paced and complex project demanding collaboration and commitment. Later, he supported the restoration of the historic Jersey College for Girls building, transforming it into modern apartments while preserving its heritage. “It was a huge learning curve,” he says. “There were so many things to get right.”
Today, Jack is a project manager at Rok, overseeing developments from planning to completion, including projects such as the new Oakfield Sports Centre and the upcoming refurbishment of the Jersey Airport departure lounge. Each experience, he says, stems from foundations laid at Highlands.
“Each project has taught me something new. And each one traces back to the skills, confidence and opportunities I built through my time at Highlands College,” he said.
His advice to anyone thinking about studying after school or upskilling while in the workforce is: “The sooner you enrol on a course, the sooner you’ll complete it and the quicker you’ll progress. Highlands is a great path to take. You get the real-world experience of work, you get your qualifications and you don’t end up in the debt that often comes with going to university.
“Life only gets more difficult, and you will have less free time to go back and take the course you wish you had taken.”
If you are a former student of Highlands College, no matter when you studied or what course you completed, you are warmly invited to join the Highlands College Alumni Network. It’s a chance to reconnect, share your journey and be part of a growing community celebrating the achievements of Islanders in every industry. Scan the QR code below for more details.
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