3rd September, 2026 – Induction Day
This was a whole day at college, and a whole day of anxiety. After years of being away from any form of institute, I was thrust into the deep end, for which came at a price to my mental health. I wouldn’t say that I was stopped in my tracks at a given time, but I contemplated not attending, quietly sitting in the corner and re-evaluating my options. But no, I made the whole day and realised that I am still a champion at looking okay to all others that interact with me.
The day was about induction. We looked around the college through the use of augmented reallity, tidied the workshop and looked over the computer systems that we will be using for out course-work. At the end of the day, we were given out uniforms, so at least I will look tidy.
7th September ‘2026 – Week One
The first day, well, afternoon at college, and this was a classroom-based pair of sessions. It was all about getting into the swing of things. This included getting onto the college’s network, getting used to who my peers were, and most of all, answering the register at 48 years old!
We began our health and safety modules, on the Thursday, which then led into the Friday Workshop day. We began our time in the tool-shed, making a map of the building’s interior. This included the welding room, all sockets and switches, and each tool that was fixed around the outside.
The final part of the day was an afternoon of creating a interior-panel-puller. It began with a small pieced of 150mm x 40mm flat, mild-steel. I was then introduced to the use of Engineer’s Blue (actually, it is Marking Blue,) a liquid that is brushed onto the metal and when dry, it can be scored to created cutting lines that you measure out. I have a recollection of this studd, but don’t know when I would have used it. I made a poor cut on the first try, but had another go…which was still wonky! I think I need to up my hacksawing skills. It was a good first week, but tiring!
14th September ‘2026 – Week Two
Even more health and safety to start this week off. We managed to cover medical emergencies, but lost time and had to go onto out Monday afternoon tutorial. It was a bit politcal for me, but was getting onto the PREVENT ideas that look at radicalisation and becoming, or thinking of becoming terrorists. It was a hard slog, but can easily be understood as being needed in the modern age.
