Young people on the Civil Service’s fast-track apprenticeship scheme met Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude.

The minister met existing apprentices at the Cabinet Office, in Whitehall, London, during an event to publicise plans to double the number of places on the scheme, which gives 18 to 21-year-olds the chance to work at the heart of government.

The scheme was introduced last year, when 100 18 to 21-year-olds were placed in departments to learn on the job.

This year, the government claims it will offer 200 permanent posts to school-leavers from September.

The aim is to eventually increase the figure to 500, which would match the number of university graduates taken on each year through the Civil Service’s graduate fast-stream scheme.

Mr Maude said: “The apprenticeship scheme will sit alongside our popular graduate scheme ensuring we draw the widest pool of talent into the Civil Service.”

A group of students learned about the troubled history of South Africa’s second largest city from Shadow Education Secretary Tristram Hunt.

The keen historian spoke to more than 20 learners from Stoke-on-Trent College and Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College about Cape Town, where black and white communities were divided by apartheid from 1948 until Nelson Mandela was elected as South Africa’s president in 1994.

The Stoke-on-Trent Central MP’s talk helped prepare them for a trip to South Africa next month, which will include visits to schools and an Aids orphanage in Cape Town, plus the prison on nearby Robben Island where the late Mr Mandela spent 18 of his 27 years in captivity before he was released in 1990.

Calvin Austin, learner involvement co-ordinater at the college said: “Tristram’s talk helped the students understand the historical context of the country they are set to visit.”

A art student has been awarded £500 from a fund set up in memory of a talented Nottinghamshire artist.

Tom Trueman, aged 18, who is studying for a foundation diploma in art and design at New College Nottingham, submitted a range of his paintings to prove his promise as an artist, when applying for a grant from the Joan Oliver Fund, which is distributed through the Nottinghamshire Community Foundation.

He impressed Brian Oliver, who set up the fund to help young artists in memory of wife Joan, who died six years ago, and was given £500 to help progress his career.
Tom said: “I feel very privileged to receive the fund, it means I will be able to continue doing what I love.

“Hopefully with time and practise I can start selling my artwork. It’s not about a hobby or a career, it really is a way of life for me.”

Award-winning florist Joseph Massie shared his seeds of wisdom with students of Hugh BairdCollege.

Mr Massie won five consecutive gold medals for floral design and four best in show awards at the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Chelsea Flower Show between 2009 and 2013.

He held a masterclass with level one, two and three floristry students at the Liverpool-based college, to help them prepare for the regional heats of the RHS’s young florist of the year competition taking place next month. He showed them how to create a floral collar, made from a variety of flowers including lilacs, orchids and chincherinchees.

Mr Massie said: “The standard of work the students produced exceeded my expectations. They have shown incredible creativity and a real flair for the art of floral design.”

A former Sir George Monoux College student has been selected to be part of R&B star will.i.am’s team on BBC talent show the Voice.

Jermain Jackman, aged 19, who gained top grades in BTec music at the East London-based college, sang And I Am Telling You by Jennifer Hudson to impress the coaches.

Jermain’s admiration for will.i.am inspired him to audition for the Voice.

He said: “He is one of my favourite artists, so when he was the only coach to turn around for me it felt like fate.”

Louisa Kennedy, course leader of creative performing arts at the college, said: “Jermain is a very motivated young man and an excellent role model for young people. We are all so proud of him.”

Jermain completed his BTec in July last year, but was presented with the college’s Music Student of the Year Award and the Rising Star Award earlier this month.

Students and staff at Stratford-upon-Avon College raised more than £1,000 for local charity SW Heart after completing a gruelling 24-hour rowing challenge.

The event was organised by BTec level three national extended diploma in uniformed public services students, who were joined by learners studying other courses and college staff in completing a combined total of 346 miles on rowing machines. It took place in the college’s Oasis Café, with students rowing through the night.

Steve Wadley, lecturer and event co-ordinator, said: “I am delighted with all the effort put in throughout a very tough 24-hour period. I
would like to thank everone who helped make the event a great success.”

SW Heart, which is based in Warwickshire, supports of heart patients and their families.

Two talented members of the East Durham College rugby scholarship programme passed through trials for the England college rugby squad.

Lee Little, a second row lock, and Liam Armstrong, who plays in the back row, travelled to Telford, Shropshire, to represent the North of England Colleges’ rugby team in a series of matches against college representative sides from the Midlands and the South East.

The games also acted as trials for the England college squad’s 37-man squad and the 18-year-olds were both selected.

They now hope to play in upcoming matches against the Welsh Charitables, an under-20 colleges and schools representative side, and the Irish Exiles, another under-20 colleges and schools’ representative side.

Lee said: “I can’t wait to meet with the national squad.

“I’m really nervous, but I am sure it will be a fantastic experience.”

Former Starlight Express star Gavin Ashbarry told arts students how he got his musical career rolling during a visit to South Thames College.

The actor recalled how he travelled the world from 2001 to 2013 playing Dustin the steam engine in the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, which was a particularly difficult role as he had to sing and dance while roller skating.

He also spoke about training requirements and life on tour for a musical theater performer.

Sarah Slade, performing arts tutor at the college, said: “Gavin gave a real insight into what it is like working within the industry today, the highs, the lows and how fun it can be.

“The whole visit left students feeling motivated and inspired. It is proof of how important it is to relate industry experience to our courses to help students understand how their studies connect to their future ambitions.”

Mr Ashbarry is now preparing to play the cowardly lion in a production of the Wizard of Oz in Dubai in April.