Taster days provide you with a fantastic opportunity to find out more about our courses and are an excellent way to help you make a more informed decision about your future.
In 2026, our taster days will be running on Monday 16th and Tuesday 17th February during half term. Our taster sessions are for school leavers (Year 10 and Year 11 or Year 9 if the student is Electively Home Educated) who are looking to start a full-time course with us in September 2026.
Throughout our taster days you will explore the college, find out about the courses you are interested in, get involved with fun activities and meet the tutors. If you are not sure of which path to take, why not choose a different session on another day and compare the two!
All subjects will include practical activities, so please make sure you wear suitable clothing and footwear.
Tamworth College, College Lane, Tamworth, Staffordshire, B79 7LP
💄 Beauty
An opportunity to see practical hand and nail treatments demonstrated by tutors. You will then get to try this skill for yourself.
Monday 16th February 2026 (9.30am-12pm) – Book here
Monday 16th February 2026 (12.45pm-3.15pm) – Book here
🧱 Bricklaying
Enjoy a very practical and exciting ‘hands on’ day where you will get the opportunity to experience the construction trades we have on offer. You must wear suitable clothing such as boots and overalls.
Monday 16th February 2026 (9.30am-3.30pm) – Book here
🪑 Carpentry and Joinery
Enjoy a very practical and exciting ‘hands on’ day where you will get the opportunity to experience the construction trades we have on offer. You must wear suitable clothing such as boots and overalls.
Monday 16th February 2026 (9.30am-3.30pm) – Book here
👨🍳 Catering and Hospitality
An action-packed day working with professionally trained chefs, to learn how to make fresh bread and how we can turn this into a delicious pizza that you will be able to take home with you.
Monday 16th February 2026 (9.30am-12pm) – Book here
Monday 16th February 2026 (12.45pm-3.15pm) – Book here
💻 Creative and Technical Computing
This taster will give you a flavour of our digital and IT courses by exploring opportunities within the digital economy as well as exploring how digital innovation is changing the way we work (and play). The day will provide you with practical opportunities to demonstrate your skills in areas such as networking, coding and web design.
Monday 16th February 2026 (9.30am-12pm) – Book here
Monday 16th February 2026 (12.45pm-3.15pm) – Book here
👶 Early Years
An opportunity to experience what it is like to be an Early Years practitioner by taking part in a range of hands on activities that support children’s development. You’ll get to meet the team, and explore the job roles available.
Monday 16th February 2026 (9.30am-12pm) – Book here
Monday 16th February 2026 (12.45pm-3.15pm) – Book here
⚡ Electrical
Experience the world of electricians in the state-of-the-art electrical workshop where you will have the opportunity to work with cable systems, tools and testing real electrical circuits. Safety boots and overalls will be required for safety reasons inside the workshop area.
Tuesday 17th February 2026 (9.30am-3.30pm) – Book here
👨🏭 Engineering
Experience virtual welding, CAD (Computer Aided Design), manual machining and CNC machining in the state-of-the-art engineering facilities at Tamworth College. Boots and overalls will be required for safety reasons.
Monday 16th February 2026 (9.30am-3.30pm) – Book here
💇♀️ Hairdressing
An opportunity to see practical hair styling skills including plaiting and braiding demonstrated by tutors and then practice this skill yourself.
Monday 16th February 2026 (9.30am-12pm) – Book here
Monday 16th February 2026 (12.45pm-3.15pm) – Book here
👩⚕️ Health & Social Care
You will have the opportunity to take part in a range of fun practical activities for the caring industry from healthy eating to beating the bugs!
Monday 16th February 2026 (9.30am-12pm) – Book here
Monday 16th February 2026 (12.45pm-3.15pm) – Book here
👨🔧 Motor Vehicle
Enjoy a fun packed day inside the state-of-the-art motor vehicle workshop where you will work under the bonnet of real cars doing maintenance on the engine, brakes, steering and exhaust.
Monday 16th February 2026 (9.30am-3.30pm) – Book here
👮♂️ Public Services
An action-packed day of team building and investigating a simulated crime scene, managing a major incident/disaster, using walkie talkie radios to manage the incident.
Monday 16th February 2026 (9.30am-12pm) – Book here
Monday 16th February 2026 (12.45pm-3.15pm) – Book here
👣 Routes to College
Are you thinking about progressing to college? Are you worried the class sizes may be too big, the work too fast paced or would prefer a more supportive environment? During your ‘Routes To’ taster you will be able to join in with the college environment in a smaller supportive group where we focus on teamwork activities, developing your confidence, as well giving you the opportunity to try lots of different things to see what interests you and what you enjoy.
Tuesday 17th February 2026 (10am-2.30pm) – Book here
🏃♂️ Sport
An opportunity to work on fitness equipment with the sport team in our gym and partake in field sport.
Monday 16th February 2026 (9.30am-12pm) – Book here
Monday 16th February 2026 (12.45pm-3.15pm) – Book here
😊 Supported to Learn
Supported to learn is designed to help people with learning difficulties achieve their full potential within a wider college environment, preparing them for study within a mainstream college environment while still having specialist staff deliver their education and support them in a safe and secure learning environment.
Tuesday 17th February 2026 (10am-2.30pm) – Book here
🛫 Travel & Tourism
Have a go at real life cabin crew demonstrations using the safety equipment used on board. Make a cabin announcement to board your flight and ensure your passengers are safe before you take off.
Monday 16th February 2026 (9.30am-12pm) – Book here
Monday 16th February 2026 (12.45pm-3.15pm) – Book here
Rodbaston College, Rodbaston Drive, Penkridge, Staffordshire, ST19 5PH
🚜 Agriculture
A very practical day that will offer participants a wide variety of tasks including tractor maintenance, tractor driving and working with farm livestock. You must bring along appropriate footwear/clothing such as wellington boots and overalls.
Monday 16th February 2026 (9.30am-3.30pm) – Book here
🐒 Animal Care
Activities involving animal health, feeding, behaviour and handling. You must bring along appropriate footwear/clothing such as wellington boots and overalls, please tie long hair back and remove all jewellery and piercings.
Monday 16th February 2026 (9.30am-3.30pm) – Book here
Tuesday 17th February 2026 (9.30am-3.30pm) – Book here
🌳 Arboriculture
See if you have a head for heights as you have a go at tree climbing with a rope and harness, there is also time to look at the basics chainsaw maintenance and safety.
Monday 16th February 2026 (9.30am-3.30pm) – Book here
🐶 Canine Care, Behaviour and Welfare
You’ll have a fun day gaining an insight into the canine care profession. This includes the evolution, training and behaviour of domestic canines including their care and welfare in kennels, home and boarding care.
Monday 16th February 2026 (9.30am-3.30pm) – Book here
🐛 Countryside
A very practical ‘hands on’ day experiencing a wide variety of practical tasks that will include pond dipping, surveying the wildlife on the college estate and building homes for animals and insects. Participants should wear wellies, waterproof, warm clothes and be prepared for a proper environmental experience!
Monday 16th February 2026 (9.30am-3.30pm) – Book here
🐎 Equine
After a tour of all the equine facilities at Rodbaston College you will get the chance to understand the depth of knowledge studying an equine qualification with us can provide the extensive range of careers available. It is advisable to wear suitable equine clothing (jodhpurs, boots etc., where possible) to ensure that you have everything you need for your day, as expected of an equine student.
Monday 16th February 2026 (9.30am-3.30pm) – Book here
👨🔧 Motor Vehicle
Enjoy a fun packed day inside the state-of-the-art motor vehicle workshop where you will work under the bonnet of real cars doing maintenance on the engine, brakes, steering and exhaust.
Monday 16th February 2026 (9.30am-3.30pm) – Book here
🚿 Plumbing
Enjoy a very practical and exciting hands on day where you will get the opportunity to experience some of the activities a plumber would undertake in our state of the art training facility.
Monday 16th February 2026 (9.30am-3.30pm) – Book here
👮♂️ Public Services
An action-packed day of team building and investigating a simulated crime scene, managing a major incident/disaster, using walkie talkie radios to manage the incident.
Tuesday 17th February 2026 (9.30am-12pm) – Book here
Tuesday 17th February 2026 (12.45pm-3.15pm) – Book here
👣 Routes to College
Are you thinking about progressing to college? Are you worried the class sizes may be too big, the work too fast paced or would prefer a more supportive environment? During your ‘Routes To’ taster you will be able to join in with the college environment in a smaller supportive group where we focus on teamwork activities, developing your confidence, as well giving you the opportunity to try lots of different things to see what interests you and what you enjoy.
Tuesday 17th February 2026 (10am-2.30pm) – Book here
😊 Supported to Learn
Supported to learn is designed to help people with learning difficulties achieve their full potential within a wider college environment, preparing them for study within a mainstream college environment while still having specialist staff deliver their education and support them in a safe and secure learning environment.
Tuesday 17th February 2026 (10am-2.30pm) – Book here
🩺 Vet Nursing
This day will provide you with an insight into the veterinary nursing profession. You will get a feel for the daily life of a small animal veterinary nurse through a tour of the unit which will introduce you to both the theory and practical skills required to pursue a career in this exciting sector.
Tuesday 17th February 2026 (9.30am-3.30pm) – Book here
Lichfield College, The Friary, Lichfield, Staffordshire, WS13 6QG
👩🎨 Art & Design
Learn about our creative arts subjects and get a taste of some creative craft in our ceramics room by working with clay alongside other arts practice.
Monday 16th February 2026 (9.30am-12pm) – Book here
Monday 16th February 2026 (12.45pm-3.15pm) – Book here
📈 Business
Experience the world of business and entrepreneurship. You will create your own product and with the help of experienced tutors develop a marketing plan.
Tuesday 17th February 2026 (9.30am-12pm) – Book here
Tuesday 17th February 2026 (12.45pm-3.15pm) – Book here
🎮 Esports
Come along and experience the world of Esports! Explore your favourite teams and test your skills in a mini tournament and find out about the wider employability aspects of what an Esports direction can take you.
Monday 16th February 2026 (9.30am-12pm) – Book here
Monday 16th February 2026 (12.45pm-3.15pm) – Book here
👗 Fashion
Get a snapshot of life at college’s fashion department, where you will get the chance to demonstrate your skills in fashion through exploring fashion styling. You’ll take part in a self-styled photoshoot, where you will get to know what to look at for developing your own fashion portfolio.
Monday 16th February 2026 (9.30am-12pm) – Book here
Monday 16th February 2026 (12.45pm-3.15pm) – Book here
🎮 Games
The UK is at the forefront of driving digital games market, especially through the growth of social, console, PC and mobile games. Games is now the largest growth area in the creative industries. Choose from the following pathways:
Games Art and Animation – Monday 16th February 2026 (9.30am-12pm) – Book here
Games Art and Animation – Monday 16th February 2026 (12.45pm-3.15pm) – Book here
Games Production – Monday 16th February 2026 (9.30am-12pm) – Book here
Games Production – Monday 16th February 2026 (12.45pm-3.15pm) – Book here
🎥 Media
Work in our TV and film studio operating cameras and bring ideas to life within our film and TV workshop.
Tuesday 17th February 2026 (9.30am-12pm) – Book here
Tuesday 17th February 2026 (12.45pm-3.15pm) – Book here
💻 Multimedia Level 1
Our L1 Vocational Multimedia course is a great springboard qualification for those looking to go onto L2 Music Tech / Media / Games or Performance in the future. You’ll get to explore some of the multi-media apps and programmes used by our students to make their projects come to life.
Tuesday 17th February 2026 (9.30am-12pm) – Book here
Tuesday 17th February 2026 (12.45pm-3.15pm) – Book here
🎸 Music Production & Performance
You will get a chance to explore the music departments recording studio where you will play and record a tune on a drum kit as well as mix a range of audio projects in our MAC labs. You will also get a chance to interact with emerging technologies that include new webcam samplers and band performances.
Tuesday 17th February 2026 (9.30am-12pm) – Book here
Tuesday 17th February 2026 (12.45pm-3.15pm) – Book here
🎭 Performing Arts
Join us in our acting and dance workshop where you will be taking part with some of our own students in a performance.
Tuesday 17th February 2026 (9.30am-12pm) – Book here
Tuesday 17th February 2026 (12.45pm-3.15pm) – Book here
📸 Photography
Get a snapshot of life at colleges photography department where you will get the chance to demonstrate your digital photography skills with a studio shoot and get to know what to look for in developing your own photography portfolio.
Monday 16th February 2026 (9.30am-12pm) – Book here
Monday 16th February 2026 (12.45pm-3.15pm) – Book here
👣 Routes to College
Are you thinking about progressing to college? Are you worried the class sizes may be too big, the work too fast paced or would prefer a more supportive environment? During your ‘Routes To’ taster you will be able to join in with the college environment in a smaller supportive group where we focus on teamwork activities, developing your confidence, as well giving you the opportunity to try lots of different things to see what interests you and what you enjoy.
Tuesday 17th February 2026 (10am-2.30pm) – Book here
😊 Supported to Learn
Supported to Learn is designed to help people with learning difficulties achieve their full potential within a wider college environment, preparing them for study within a mainstream college environment while still having specialist staff deliver their education and support them in a safe and secure learning environment.
Monday 16th February 2026 (10am-2.30pm) – Book here
Cannock College, The Green, Cannock, Staffordshire, WS11 1UE
🧱 Bricklaying
Enjoy a very practical and exciting ‘hands on’ day where you will get the opportunity to experience the construction trades we have on offer. You must wear suitable clothing such as boots and overalls.
Monday 16th February 2026 (9.30am-3.30pm) – Book here
🪑 Carpentry and Joinery
Enjoy a very practical and exciting ‘hands on’ day where you will get the opportunity to experience the construction trades we have on offer. You must wear suitable clothing such as boots and overalls.
Monday 16th February 2026 (9.30am-3.30pm) – Book here
💻 Creative and Technical Computing
This taster will give you a flavour of our digital and IT courses by exploring opportunities within the digital economy as well as exploring how digital innovation is changing the way we work (and play). The day will provide you with practical opportunities to demonstrate your skills in areas such as networking, coding and web design.
Monday 16th February 2026 (9.30am-12pm) – Book here
👶 Early Years
An opportunity to experience what it is like to be an Early Years practitioner by taking part in a range of hands on activities that support children’s development. You’ll get to meet the team, and explore the job roles available.
Tuesday 17th February 2026 (9.30am-12.30pm) – Book here
Tuesday 17th February 2026 (12.45pm-3.15pm) – Book here
⚡ Electrical Installation
Experience a career as an electrician in the state-of-the-art electrical workshop where you will have the opportunity to work with cable systems, tools and test real electrical circuits. Safety boots and overalls will be required for safety reasons inside the workshop area.
Tuesday 17th February 2026 (9.30am-3.30pm) – Book here
👨🏭 Engineering
Experience CAD (Computer Aided Design), manual machining and CNC machining in the state-of-the-art engineering facilities at Cannock College. Boots and overalls will be required for safety reasons.
Monday 16th February 2026 (9.30am-3.30pm) – Book here
👩⚕️ Health & Social Care
You will have the opportunity to take part in a range of fun practical activities for the caring industry from healthy eating to beating the bugs!
Tuesday 17th February 2026 (9.30am-12.30pm) – Book here
Tuesday 17th February 2026 (12.45pm-3.15pm) – Book here
💻 Multimedia Level 1
Our L1 Vocational Multimedia course is a great springboard qualification for those looking to go onto L2 Music Tech / Media / Games or Performance in the future. You’ll get to explore some of the multi-media apps and programmes used by our students to make their projects come to life.
Monday 16th February 2026 (9.30am-12.30pm) – Book here
