Danielle gets ready to have a ball

A keen sportswoman from a Cheshire college has been selected to play for England in the Women’s Rugby League World Cup next month.

Danielle Bound, from Longford and a student at Warrington Collegiate, said she was “overwhelmed” with the news that she will play for her country at Headingley Stadium against stiff competition from Australia, France and three-time winners New Zealand.

“It’s a great honour,” said the 19-year-old who has played rugby seriously since she was 6.

“I’ve been with the England squad for over a year now, but this is definitely the high point of my international career.”

Alison Gallacher, lecturer in sport at Warrington Collegiate and Danielle’s personal tutor said: “I’m delighted with Danielle’s success. She is a really talented sportswoman who has juggled playing rugby at an elite level with her studies.”

Featured image caption: Danielle Bound is heading to the Women’s Rugby League World Cup

Bright future for Cronton college dancers

Two Cheshire dancers came in for life-changing news after bringing the house down with performances in The Immortal Swan.

Cronton Sixth Form College 18-year-olds Sophie Hind and George Cartwright were both offered places at Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (Lipa) after its head of dance Sarah E Baker saw the show.

George received a letter with an offer for a dance degree and Sophie was told she had been offered a full scholarship.

Sophie said: “Being part of the Professional Dance Programme [PDP] at Cronton has given me amazing training and opportunities.

“All my teachers have helped me achieve my goal of gaining a place at Lipa.”

Steven Musa, PDP programme leader, said: “The PDP is a unique and intensive practical course developed for both creative and technical dancers who hold the relevant performance skills for today’s dance industry, leading to training at a university, conservatoire or vocational dance schools.”

Featured image caption: Cronton Sixth Form College dance students Sophie Hind and George Cartwright perform in The Immortal Swan

Leon’s going to be rocking all over the world

A 34-year-old music technician’s dreams have come true as he joins the Status Quo line-up. Chris Henwood reports

Status Quo, the legendary rockers who have racked up 60 UK hits over nearly half a century, have turned to FE to find someone to bang their drums.

City and Islington College music technician Leon Cave has been named as the band’s new man with the sticks — or, as a band spokesperson said, “the new addition to Quo’s engine room”.

The 34-year-old multi-instrumentalist, who began working at the college in 2005, plays guitar, bass and drums, and has previously performed with the Beautiful South and the Francis Rossi band.

He has also played with Macara, Zen Baseballbat, Texas Chainsaw Orchestra, Hudson Swann and Carnival Messiah.

He said: “I have really persevered over the years to make it as a musician. Despite my age I never gave up, never lost my passion, and always kept believing that I would be able to be in the position that I am now.”

Leon also has worked with producers who have worked on records for Fat Boy Slim, Manic Street Preachers and Jamiroquai. They include Gregg Jackman (Seal, Prince), Bruce Wood (Nightmares on Wax), Charlie Russell (Athlete Jamiroquai), Howard Gray (Apollo 440, The Manic Street Preachers), John Fortis (Razorlight, Noisettes, Paulo Nutini), Cutfather & Joe (Jamelia, The Wanted), Lee Smith (The Cribs, Submotion Orchestra, Fat Boy Slim) and The Futz Butler (Audi, Coca Cola, Moonpig).

Leon first began drumming at 4, which was when his dad noticed that he had natural talent and could learn fast.

Now highly experienced, he plays more than 100 shows each year, including large pop gigs, radio performances, corporate functions and open air festivals.

Leon arrived in London from his native Cheshire in 2005 with £1,000 in his pocket and took a number of temporary jobs while gigging as much as he could across the capital.

After a year of temping he chanced upon a music lecturer from City and Islington College who encouraged him to apply for a job at the college as a music technician.

He has worked there since, preparing students for rehearsals and big events. Learners also shadow him to find out about the technical side of music production and performance.

He said: “It’s been rewarding working with such talented students for the past
eight years.

“By the time students finish their music courses at the college, they are more mature, more professional and their talents have been honed so that they are ready to begin working in the music industry.”

Leon debuted with Quo on May 25 in Frankfurt, Germany, at the start of their European tour. He replaces Matthew Letley, whose 13-year stint with the band ended with shows this year in Australia, New Zealand, Australia and Mexico.

Leon said he plans to keep working on his own material and hopes to one day record a solo album.

Featured image caption: City and Islington College music technician Leon Cave is Status Quo’s new drummer

Royal medal for Stourbridge student

Chris Morgan, a 30-year-old Stourbridge College Foundation Learning student, has been recognised for his classroom achievements by the Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners.

The Princess Royal presented the award — which forms part of the annual City & Guilds Prince Philip medal ceremony — to Chris, from Halesowen, near Birmingham, for producing exceptional work on his horticulture course while undergoing treatment for leukaemia.

Lynn Glazzard, director at the Centre of Excellence for Foundation Learning at Stourbridge, said: “This was a wonderful achievement for Chris, and a marvellous opportunity for him and his family to attend the awards ceremony at Buckingham Palace.”

She added: “Chris’s conservation project allowed him to try new skills and we are all thrilled at the recognition he has received for his hard work.”

Featured image caption: The Princess Royal presents Chris Morgan with his award

BMET opens specialist academy

A college in the Midlands is opening a purpose-built specialist academy with a curriculum focused on law, finance, accounting, banking and insurance.

Birmingham Metropolitan College (BMET) has started recruiting for its Professional Services Academy, with courses getting underway in September.

A number of city businesses have signed up to offer internships, mentoring by senior staff, workshop sessions, and ‘guru’ lectures.

Principal Dame Christine Braddock said the professional services sector could lose out as other sectors stepped up recruitment.

“We’ve seen in recent years that sectors — engineering, creative, health and digital come immediately to mind — have strengthened their response to recruitment challenges,” she said.

“At the same time, I thought many local youngsters were missing out on stimulating and well-paid jobs in professional services because they wrongly believed that it was a sector that welcomed only graduates.”

Featured image caption: Birmingham Metropolitan College principal Dame Christine Braddock signs up to the city’s new new Professional Services Academy. Pic: Daniel Graves

The right mix in the Midlands

College chiefs have persuaded a number of five-star restaurants to take on Walsall College learners to work alongside professional chefs across the West Midlands.

Meanwhile, chefs from Five Rivers A La Carte, in Walsall; Jamie’s Italian, in Birmingham; Fairlawns Hotel and Spa, Walsall; and, Simpsons, in Birmingham; all visited the college’s Jerome’s Restaurant to deliver master classes and share their skills and expertise.

Steve Biggs, trainer assessor in hospitality and catering, said: “The master classes gave students the opportunity to learn new techniques from professionals, but in turn the chefs were so impressed with the students’ enthusiasm and their ability to pick up knowledge quickly that they had no hesitation in offering them work placements.”

Rashpal Sunner, executive group chef at Five Rivers, said: “The college’s great set-up for training the next generation of chefs, with state-of-the art kitchens and industry-experienced lecturers, will ensure the Midlands’ restaurant sector continues to thrive.”

Featured image caption: Rashpal Sunner, executive group chef at Five Rivers, with Walsall College catering students Dale Gavin, 19, from Bloxwich, and Georgina Growcott, 18, from Wolverhampton

Mother and daughter open bridal store

A mother and daughter duo in the Midlands have married up business and learning interests by opening a store together.

Warwickshire College enterprise and entrepreneurship diploma students Dee Evans and Rosie Oliver-Evans opened The Dress Shop, a bridalwear business in Rugby, with the help of a £3,000 grant from Rugby First and Rugby Borough Council.

Dee said: “We’re extremely passionate and excited about this venture.

“Following my own wedding, I wanted to be able to provide other brides with high quality, beautiful wedding dresses at a reasonable cost. Rosie saw a further opportunity to include inexpensive, quality bridesmaid and prom dresses so together we developed The Dress Shop.”

Julie Taylor, director for enterprise and entrepreneurship at Warwickshire College, said: “This is a fantastic success story for Dee and Rosie.”

Featured image caption: Dee Evans and Rosie Oliver-Evans with Mark Pawsey MP, who opened their bridalwear business in Rugby

Downing Street send-off for UK’s WorldSkills competitors

Number 10 Downing Street got a visit from the cream of the UK’s vocational learners before they jetted off to Germany to take on the best of the rest at WorldSkills 2013.

Parliament’s apprenticeship ambassador Andrew Jones MP was on hand to greet the 34-strong Team UK, before they met with London Olympics bronze medal-winning high jumper Robbie Grabarz, who wished them well for the competition in Leipzig.

“These young people are not just ambassadors for skills and apprenticeships they are ambassadors for our country,” said Mr Jones.

“They demonstrate the talent and application of UK apprentices and show that apprenticeships are leading the way in ensuring we have the skills and abilities needed in our job market.

“I know Team UK will perform to the best of their abilities and repeat or better the success they had at the WorldSkills Competition in 2011 where they powered ahead of countries like China and Germany. I wish them every success in the competition.”

Mr Grabarz said: “I want to wish Team UK the best of luck for WorldSkills Leipzig 2013.

“I know personally how much training and effort is needed to be the best of the best and I know how hard the members of Team UK have been preparing.

“There are lots of similarities between training for a sport and training for WorldSkills and I hope that their achievements will help show the country just how talented these young men and women are and encourage other young people to get involved. I wish them every success in the future.”

Just like the Olympics, WorldSkills sees the most talented young people from all over the world compete for gold, silver and bronze glory.

And Team UK will be competing against apprentices with the aim of being named the best in the world in their vocational skills from July 2 to 7.

They are all aged between 18 and 25 and will compete in 30 skills ranging from electrical installation, welding and autobody repair to cooking, landscape gardening and bricklaying.

Ben Shaw, 20, Team UK member in CNC milling, said: “Our visit to Downing Street was an unforgettable experience.

“After we walked through the famous black door it really did hit me that I am representing the UK on the world stage.

“The last few months have been tough but I am pleased with the training I have put in and I am ready to do the UK proud and showcase how talented the young people in this country are.”

The team has also been given ministerial messages of support.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said: “Every member of Team UK is a role model for vocational skills.

“Team UK’s success is proof of how high quality apprenticeships and vocational qualifications can lead to rewarding and successful careers.

“WorldSkills is a fantastic competition that sends a strong message to young people across the globe that vocational skills and vocational qualifications should be supported, cherished and celebrated.”

Business Secretary Vince Cable said: “When it comes to skills, Britain has world class talent. Team UK are a good example of what our workforce can offer business and how practical learning can transform the lives of young people.

“I wish them every success in their events in Leipzig next week while they compete against more than a thousand contestants from all over the world.”

The results of this year’s competition will be announced at its closing ceremony on Sunday, July 7.

FE Week will be reporting live throughout the evening from Leipzig’s Samsung Arena. See our reports on feweek.co.uk

An FE Week WorldSkills supplement is also being published.

FE faces a painful hit . . .

. . .  and the losers will be adults with low qualifications who are taking their first steps as learners, says David Hughes in his reaction to Wednesday’s Spending Review

Wednesday’s spending announcement was a highly political holding operation. It covers only one financial year (2015/16) and cuts just £11.5bn from an annual budget of some £745bn. But what it does is maintain the confidence of international bond markets (not unimportant) and potentially wrong-foots the Opposition in advance of the next election.

It’s fascinating to watch the dynamics of coalition politics, with Danny Alexander, chief secretary to the Treasury, playing ‘good cop’ by announcing capital spending plans the day after the Chancellor has been ‘bad cop’ by announcing cuts. The review was hardly ambitious in its scope, although the proposal to cap the welfare budget (annually managed expenditure in Whitehall-speak) was a shrewd and nakedly populist move. By ring-fencing health, international development, defence equipment and schooling (until Year 11), it was relatively predictable where the savings would be made.

Overall, Business Secretary Vince Cable and his officials at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) appear to have played their hand deftly, emerging with a headline cut of 6 per cent. This is rather better than local government, for example, which faces an eye-watering 10 per cent headline cut on top of a tough settlement in the 2010 exercise. Supporters of localism were also disappointed by the decision to set the size of the single local growth fund (the so-called ‘Heseltine pot’) at just £2bn in its first year. This is right at the bottom of what was expected and suggests that, as is usually the case, Whitehall trumps Town Hall.

That said, the protection afforded to the £5.7bn science budget within BIS’s £15.5bn settlement means that FE and higher education will take a painful hit, which will, undoubtedly, mean fewer adults learning.

The size of the single local growth fund (the so-called ‘Heseltine pot’) suggests that, as is usually the case, Whitehall trumps Town Hall”

It is good to see that some of our pre-Spending Review proposals, outlined in The Case for Investment in Learning for Adults, announced. These include the good news that traineeships will be extended to 19 to 24-year-olds, that spending on the National Careers Service will be protected and that spending on 19+ apprenticeships will be maintained, as will the £210m for the adult and community learning budget.

There will be a total reduction of £360m in the skills programme budget: £250m in funding for participation and £110m in non-participation funding. If savings are to be made “by prioritising higher value qualifications”, this prompts a concern that the losers will be those adults with low qualifications who are taking their first steps as learners.

While it is likely that basic skills will be protected, there is a risk that the next few rungs of the ladder of achievement will be reduced. In particular, the decision to end co-funding for level two retraining in SMEs (a legacy of Train to Gain) will privilege larger employers that have the capacity to secure funding through employer ownership pilots, even though it is the SMEs that are seen as the real engines of growth in the economy.

One of the real surprises in the Chancellor’s statement came when he announced that “if claimants do not speak English, they will have to attend language courses until they do. That is a reasonable requirement in this country.” We need to know how this will be funded, but equally we need to consider the capacity and capability issues.

Overall, the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE) is encouraged by the government’s recognition that learning for adults is an investment in the country’s future, not only boosting skill levels but also improving employability, improving children’s performance at school and  ensuring better health. The breadth of learning that the government will invest in has been maintained, even if overall numbers will reduce. NIACE will continue to make the case for that breadth as well as overall levels of investment.

David Hughes, chief executive, NIACE