Jump directly to main content Jump directly to menu

Gareth Topliss

Doncaster College has allowed me the opportunity to create an education and career path I never thought an education provider could teach me.

Gareth Topliss

What's your story?

My education journey at Doncaster College started in 2010, I previously left High School with no qualifications due to behavioural problems and at the age of 24 I decided to revisit education and redeem my past. I worked in the construction industry from leaving school but music has always been a passion of mine and I chose to study Music Technology to further my knowledge and potentially find work in the Music industry. I started studying a BTEC in Music Technology Doncaster College and progressed on to a BA Hons Degree in Music Technology at Doncaster College. On completion of my Degree I had a gap year from education and was offered an opportunity to manage a roofing company in Australia for a year which was an amazing experience and confidence booster. Upon arriving back to the UK I was motivated to continue my education journey and enrolled on to a level 7 PGCE at Doncaster College so I could become a Teacher in Music Technology.

Half way through my PGCE I had a near death experience working for a roofing company, an 8×4 board fell from a 3 story building and hit me in the head fracturing my skull, it was a long recovery time but with determination I managed to complete my PGCE on time and find a role at Higher Rhythm in Doncaster as a Volunteer Coordinator in Music to help vulnerable children and adults. I was very successful in the role hitting above targets and went on to running multiple projects such as embedding maths in to music activities for Doncaster Council and Teaching BTEC level 1 and 2 in Music Technology for the same charitable organisation.

As project funding become unreachable I saw a job advertised at Doncaster College as a Multi Skills Technician, applied for the role and got the job. Since starting at Doncaster College I have covered multiple Construction lessons, completed the Let’s Teach programme and enrolled on to a City and Guilds Level 2 bricklaying course with the intention of starting a Teachers position in September 2025 as a Bricklaying Teacher for City and Guilds Level 1 in Bricklaying. I chose Doncaster College for my education initially for convenience but realised that Doncaster College was the right education provider to continue due to teachers and staff humanist approach and helpful nature.

 

I learnt a lot of life skills and developed my academic understanding which has helped me in finding rewarding job opportunities. My advice to future students is do not waste early opportunities to progress and to older students it is never to late to start an educational journey, practical or academic minded people can progress if you find an area of study you are passionate about, regardless of future opportunities in industries there are always transferable skills that you develop in education that you can pass on to new job opportunities, education regardless of area of study will allow you to progress and show willingness to future employers

I am now employed at Doncaster College as a Technician Instructor for Multi Skills Construction, my key achievements so far are showing willingness in my role, going the extra mile in everything I do and being given the opportunity progress by covering lessons for teachers on leave, completing internal programs such as Let’s Teach and enrolling on to a City and Guilds Level 2 Bricklaying course so I can start a Teachers position from September 2025. My hopes for the future have already become a reality within 9 months of starting my position, my aim in life was to be a Teacher for Doncaster College to create opportunities for individuals in my home town and community, my goals and aspirations are now to become the best teacher I can be and pass on my experience and knowledge for people to succeed and achieve.

I have had an amazing experience with Doncaster College, I have a lot to be thankful for and I would not be where I am without Doncaster College. Doncaster College has allowed the opportunity to create an education and career path and given me knowledge I never thought an education provider could teach me

View our construction courses

Want to find out more about the construction courses we offer, so you can follow in Gareth’s path?

Click here to visit our Construction Course page