USP College Hosts Inspiring Student CPD Day
- Posted 10 Nov 2025
USP College recently held its first Student CPD Day for this academic year, a dynamic event designed to help students explore future possibilities and gain real-world insight beyond the classroom. The day brought together employers, universities, and inspiring leaders to share knowledge, skills, and opportunities.
Students engaged with a diverse range of sessions, including a visit from a local business Punching 4 Purpose - a unique initiative run by USP alumni Richard Dellow and George Wight that combines boxing with mental health.
Creative students also took part in a dress-making competition, experimenting with design and pattern cutting to create unique garments. Students also took part in a T-Shirt Making Workshop led by Matt Keeling. Creativity went wearable as students designed and printed their own T-shirts. Experimenting with colour, typography, and layout, participants transformed their ideas into tangible pieces of art and left with something truly personal to show off!
CPD Day is about inspiring students to think big and connect with the world beyond college.
Create Britain run a Digital Portfolio Workshop delivered by Richard Woods. In a forward-thinking digital session, students set up their own Create Britain accounts building professional online portfolios tailored for creative individuals. By the end of the session, each student had a personalised profile showcasing their unique skills and creative identity ready to share with the world.
Professional boxer and Former Team GB Athlete Billy Adams led an energetic training session and talked to the students about mental toughness, while Fourth Monkey Performing Arts delivered an interactive workshop packed with creativity and performance techniques.
It is so rewarding to come to these type of events and work with the students that have so much potential.
We were proud to welcome Sydney Conteh, USP alumni from Thando Writing Company, who delivered a session on AI and Creativity, encouraging learners to apply technology in innovative and artistic ways.
Universities such as ARU and Ravensbourne showcased exciting pathways for students after college, helping them explore higher education options. Royal Opera House visited to inspire learners with exposure to world-class creative institutions and careers in performance, production, and arts.
It was nice to see my classmates marching for remembrance day. The days been such a good opportunity to talk to people who are already in the industry.
Highlights included external trips to the V&A Museum, Colchester Zoo to name a few. Southend United gave our Level 2 Business students a live brief to work on and other hands-on activities like an Escape Room Challenge, and a moving Remembrance Parade at 11am, led by our Uniformed Protective Services students, who also run a fundraiser for the Royal British Legion engaging students in activities including a push up challenge and pin the poppy.
Animal Management students enjoyed an unforgettable encounter with exotic species during Animalistic Encounters, learning about husbandry, training, and conservation, which included a skunk!
What a fabulous day! We can't wait for the next CPD Day in 2026.
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