The career prospects of 12 level three travel and tourism students from City College Norwich took off after they spent three days working at an airport.
The work experience at Norwich International Airport included helping with check-ins and boarding on the customer service and information desks.
They also worked for the airport’s travel agency, Travel Norwich Airport, within the airport terminal building and at a branch in Norwich town centre.
Half of them have since been offered summer jobs at the airport.
Brogan West, aged 17, a student who worked at the airport, said: “Everything was easy to pick up and the training we had from the airport staff was really good.”
Another 74 level one, two and three hospitality and catering students worked at the nearby four-star Holiday Inn Norwich North hotel.
They tried out housekeeping, bar work, food preparation, waitering and management roles.
Cap: Students Brogan West, aged 17 and Daisy Hughes, 18, on the runway
Learners Carlie Titchner, 17, Darin Greenough, 23, Christie Greville and Daisy Hughes, both 18, Catherine Fell and Brogan West, both 17, and Kirsten Beck, 18, at the check-out deskFrom left: Students Bethany Redhead, aged 19, Jack Allen and Cameron Goldie, both 18, William Kerry, 19, Tom Stevenson, 19, and Andrew Lewis, 18, in the kitchen at the Holiday Inn Norwich North hotelBill Heath, general Manager of Holiday Inn Norwich North, with student Emily Day, aged 17
Exeter College level two hairdressing student Kobi Kirby was the youngest of eight contestants to take part in BBC Three show Hair — a competition to find the best young amateur hairdresser in the country.
The 17-year-old made it all the way to the semi-finals and finished fourth overall — one place behind level two Riverside College hairdressing student Katie Crompton, 30, who featured in edition six of Campus Round-Up.
Kobi, who has as a Saturday job at Attitude salon, in Exmouth, had only begun his college course a few weeks before filming started and had no other formal training.
Linda Creed, hairdressing lecturer at Exeter College, said: “I am delighted Kobi did so well on the show. The experience helped him showcase his passion for hairdressing and his range of skills.”
Kobi said: “I’m really proud to have got as far as I did on Hair. Now I want to get on with my studies and then hopefully progress with my career. I would like to eventually work on photo shoots and hopefully have my own salon.”
Cap: Hairdressing student Kobi Kirby cutting a woman’s hair
Students at North Nottinghamshire College took inspiration from classic rock and horror films to help raise awareness among hospital staff about safety rules for blood transfusions.
The group of 12 level three creative media production students created a video, which is now used as a training tool by Doncaster and Bassetlaw Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, featuring zombies infected with bad blood taking over a hospital ward.
The students starred in the short film and wrote lyrics for “You Give Blood a Bad Name” — a humerous song they recorded for the backing track in the style of Bon Jovi hit You Give Love a Bad Name.
Media lecturer Darren Dutton said: “The finished video is excellent and conveys a serious message in a fun and unusual way.”
Visit www.bit.ly/bloodvideo to download the video.
From left: Student Lee Forshaw, aged 20, made up like a zombie
Basingstoke College of Technology principal Anthony Bravo is to become chief executive of the Bradford College Group.
Mr Bravo, previously principal of Crossways Academy and director of development (vice principal) for City and Islington College for almost six years and five years, respectively, is expected to take up the new post from September.
He said: “I am truly energised by this exciting opportunity.
Anthony Bravo
“I will build on the strengths of the Bradford College Group and bring a level of vitality and visibility that will ensure that the Group continues on its successful journey, ensuring enhanced economic and social impact in the region.”
Meanwhile, Newcastle College Group (NCG) deputy principal since 2011 Robin Ghurbhurun will be the new principal of Richmond upon Thames College from August.
“My first priority is to consolidate and grow the considerable strengths of the college while working with the staff to deliver outstanding quality and new provision,” he said.
“I am looking forward to establishing Richmond upon Thames College as a college for careers with an outstanding reputation for services to learners and employers.
“Our college will be synonymous with being a great place to learn, to work and to do business with.”
Mr Ghurbhurun started his FE career at Weald College (now Harrow College) in 1994 as a lecturer in computing. He left in 1997 for East Surrey College and then Carshalton College in 2000.
He joined Lewisham College in 2003 before moving to City College Norwich in 2007 as director of innovation. He joined Newcastle College as deputy principal 2011.
He said: “I leave NCG, Newcastle College, with a spring in my step.
“It has been a tremendous privilege to work with such dedicated staff, their contribution to the overall impact on students is truly remarkable.
Robin Ghurbh
“Professionally, NCG has challenged me to think differently, think big and to be ambitious for our learners.
“The relentless focus on detail, rigour and responsiveness to stakeholders ensures that we do things right and do the right things for our learners.
“The achievement that provides me with greatest satisfaction is the stewardship of the college during a significant period of transition in leadership and management along with tackling external challenges while throughout maintaining a strong financial base and improving the quality of provision.”
The curtain is to come down on a 38-year education career with the retirement of Solihull College principal Brenda Sheils.
She joined the Midland college as deputy principal in 2000 and three years later became its principal.
Ms Sheils had begun her teaching career at a Cambridgeshire comprehensive school in 1975 and since then worked in schools, community education and colleges in Devon, Cheshire and Gloucestershire.
Brenda Sheils
“I am so very proud of the excellent contribution the college has made over the years to the economic development and social well-being of Solihull, Birmingham and the wider region,” she said.
“The college has recently achieved the Investors in People Gold Award which recognises the strong values, ambitions and commitment to achieving excellence by everyone who works or studies with us.”
Her retirement comes the same year as she was honoured with an OBE for services to FE.
“It was an absolute privilege to be awarded the OBE. It was also a very big surprise,” said Ms Sheils.
“I was presented with the award by the Prince of Wales, who warmly congratulated me and was particularly interested in the Prince’s Trust scheme at the college.
“It was a personal honour but it also reflects so well on the hard work and success of the staff and students at the college.
“Although it was not planned this way, going to Buckingham Palace and collecting the OBE has been wonderfully timed with my departure. I am pleased that I am leaving the college in such a great position.
“The college has a very strong reputation.”
Her replacement has been announced as current North East Worcestershire College principal of four years John Callaghan. He was previously deputy principal at Derby College for six years having started his career as a software specialist with Birmingham City Council, before working at the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) and for RSM Tenon & KPMG, as well as having senior posts at Tamworth & Lichfield College.
John Callaghan
Mr Callaghan is expected to stand down in June to take over the reins at Solihull College.
“I will miss it, I’ve put a lot of my heart and soul in here so there’s an emotional attachment there as well,” he said.
“Over the last few years there’s
been a very significant upturn in our fortunes in terms of finance and quality and it’s the staff that have done that not me, they have supported me and allowed me to lead them to create an improved college and I am certain that will continue.”
Totton College student Jake Burgess kicked off his professional career by signing for East London-based League One football club Leyton Orient.
The level three BTec in sport learner, from the Hampshire-based college, was one of 5,700 hopefuls who entered a pro-contract competition run by Samsung.
They were whittled down to 22 invited to play in a match at Orient’s Match room Stadium on March 2.
The 16-year-old was one of six players chosen for further training with Orient and fellow professional clubs Swindon Town and Wycombe Wanderers.
Orient’s manager Russell Slade was so impressed he invited Jake to sign his first professional playing contract.
Jake said: “It’s a dream come true to become a professional footballer. The football academy at the college has given me the time and focus I need to improve my technique, while making sure I perform inside the classroom too.”
Sky Sports will be showing a three part documentary on the competition later this year.
Cap: Jake Burgess and Jo Tessem, a former player for Premier League club Southampton and football academy coach at Totton College, being interviewed for the Sky documentary
An executive at coach firm National Express is to become principal and chief executive at Birmingham Metropolitan College.
Andrew Cleaves, currently managing director of the transport group’s international division having previously run its Birmingham-based UK Coach business, will take up the FE post in May.
He previously spent 12 years in senior roles at Tube Lines, managing the public private partnership with Transport for London for infrastructure and maintenance of the London Underground.
Andrew Cleaves
“As the UK economy continues to recover we have to provide young people with the necessary skills for them to be successful,” said Mr Cleaves.
“To do this, we will strengthen our links with businesses across the region both large and small, stakeholders and local authorities.
“Under my leadership I am determined that the team at the college will bring all these aspects together to provide a compelling mix, that will see our students succeed in an ever-changing world.”
The college, which has around 50,000 students on 20 campuses and centres of excellence in the Greater Birmingham area, was formed in August 2009 through the merger of Matthew Boulton College and Sutton Coldfield College.
Mr Cleaves succeeds Dame Christine Braddock DBE who, after 17 years as principal, is retiring this year.
She is a past president of the Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, a CBI council member for the last decade, a member of the Local Enterprise Partnership (Lep) board and former deputy chair of Midland Heart Housing Association.
“The governors, and everyone involved in the recruitment process which began last autumn, identified knowledge of the business community gained at a senior
Christine Braddock
level and the ability to build partnerships as critical requirements for my replacement,” she said.
“Employability is at the heart of everything we do, and engaging with employers to discover their requirements for now and into the future is central to our strategy.
“When I first met Andrew, you could see he really bought into the partnership approach, and that being able to have a positive impact on the lives of tens of thousands of students was very appealing to him.
“He really did tick every box we had on our list of potential attributes, and he has a very ‘can do’ mind set, which sits very well with everyone he has met.”
A permanent principal is to replace Ealing, Hammersmith and West London College interim boss Dr Elaine McMahon CBE.
Garry Phillips , currently principal at New College Telford, takes over from July.
Garry Phillips
“It is an exciting time for the college and the sector and I am looking forward to working with colleagues and stakeholders in the community, particularly as the college is known for being innovative, responsive, student-centered and highly supportive of students to achieve their ambitions,” he said.
Dr McMahon, a former principal of Hull College, Harlow College and Salford College, and an ex-157 Group chair, was given the interim post in January following the retirement of former principal Paula Whittle at the end of last year.
Mr Phillips has worked in FE for 20 years at five colleges in both rural and inner city locations. He is also a member of the Education and Training Foundation’s expert panel for leadership, management and governance and on the Association of Colleges’ 14 to 19 portfolio group.
“I am passionate about ensuring that students of all backgrounds have sufficient and appropriate access to education, training and skills, and to give the local and national pupil/student population the tools to effectively contribute to their commerce and community,” he said.
And in the North East, Derwentside College is under the new leadership of Karen Redhead.
Karen Redhead
She has taken over the reins following the retirement of Albert Croney after eight years at the helm.
Ms Redhead held a number of senior roles over the last 20 years before being appointed as the college’s director of curriculum and quality and deputy principal in 2010.
Karen said: “The college has an excellent and well-deserved reputation for getting people into good jobs and for helping
Albert Croney
employers to up-skill their workforces.
“We have developed some key strategic partnerships that were judged to be outstanding by Ofsted in our most recent inspection.
“I am looking forward to working with the senior team and our strategic partners to build on the many successes achieved to date and to realise our ambitious and forward-thinking plans for the future.”
South Cheshire College helped a group of Romanian rail workers break down the English language barrier.
Babcock International, which repairs track and signalling for the national rail network, payed for eight of its Romanian employees to study level one, two and three English functional skills courses.
They were also prepared for an online exam, which they passed, that tested their knowledge of the UK rail industry.
English teacher Christina Martinez said: “Some of the group spoke better English than others when they first arrived here, but they have really knuckled down to their studies.
“Hopefully, the functional skills programme has given them a much better grasp of all aspects of the English language and the confidence to progress in the workplace.”
One of the students Daniel Ivan, aged 36, from Onesti, in Romania, said: “It has been challenging but very rewarding at the same time because we all speak better English now.”
Cap: Romanian rail workers Ivlian Dideanu, aged 41, Ioan Manoila, 45, Sebastian Gheorghe, 34, Remus Constantin, 34, Cohstantin Gheorge,
31, Costin Pavez, 35, Daniel Ivan, and Virgil Tanase, 45
