A make-up specialist returned to her college to explain how she laid the foundation of her career.
Lydia Birch-Hampson studied level two and three beauty therapy at South Cheshire College and now works as a product specialist for Chester-based Mac make-up.
She said: “I’ve had a fantastic time after completing my college course and looking back I really appreciate what I learned at college because it has stood me in good stead.” Lydia has also used her skills at national events such as London Fashion Week and the show Dancing on Ice. She added: “Hopefully, they found the demonstrations and talk interesting. I told students the make-up industry is massively competitive, but it’s also very rewarding.”
Beauty and make-up lecturer Maxine Smith said: “Visits like this from former students inspire our current students to set their sights high.”
A West Sussex duo were in the spotlight as they designed the lighting for a promotional video for a group of session musicians.
Northbrook College theatre production students Charlie Howsego and Alex Allen worked on a live remix of Beyoncé’s Crazy in Love and the Beastie Boys’ Intergalactic.
Session guitarist Oli Corrigan, who has worked with Jessie J, said: “I can’t commend the students that worked with us enough.
“Both Alex and Charlie were in full control of the lighting setup we used for the video. They were fantastic team players and worked extremely well with our video production team.
“Charlie and Alex also had some excellent suggestions which were used in the video and they really contributed.” The video, Beyonce and Beastie Boys Live Band Remix HD, has had more than 110,000 YouTube views.
A catering student from the mountains of Nepal has scaled new heights by proving he is the best young chef in North East England.
Darlington College NVQ level three catering and hospitality student Man Thapa scooped first prize in an inter-college competition involving trainees from all over the north east.
The 20-year-old, who is originally from Bokhara, in Nepal, moved to Darlington three-and-a-half years ago, when his father retired from the Gurkhas.
Man captured the judges’ attention with his chicken chasseur, which he had just 90 minutes to prepare.
He said his dream was to one day become head chef in a top London hotel.
It was back to the classroom for a group of budding teachers, who are already helping FE students improve at maths and English.
Twelve people have started teacher-training courses at Canterbury College Teaching Academy. They all hope to become GCSE maths and English teachers in the FE sector.
As part of the course, they are helping teach numeracy and literacy skills to students who are studying other subjects at the college, but only achieved a D grade or less in GCSE maths and English.
Former estate agency accounts manager Victoria Dagg, 26, who is retraining as a maths teacher, said: “I’ve sat in on lessons and have even taken charge of some for short periods.”
Students who did not achieve A to C in maths and English GCSE must now study them alongside their college courses, under new government rules.
The new Labour FE faces are Liam Byrne, who takes Gordon Marsden’s place, and Rushanara Ali, who takes Tristram Hunt’s role.
Tristram Hunt interviewed by FE Week editor Nick Linford
FE Week would like to welcome them to the wonderful world of FE and congratulate Mr Hunt on his promotion to Shadow Education Secretary.
Mr Byrne has experienced a range of government and shadow ministerial roles. His own post-16 education includes studying A-levels at The Hertfordshire and Essex High School, in Bishop’s Stortford.
Ms Ali attended Tower Hamlets College, which she has credited with much of her success.
Mr Hunt meanwhile, who takes over from Stephen Twigg, is no stranger to FE Week, and our profile of him, along with a recent interview on Labour’s plans for the future can be found on the FE Week website.
This is the impressive handiwork of stone conservation students who restored a crumbling Victorian ruin to its former glory as an orangery, writes Rebecca Cooney.
These pictures show how the the Grade II*-listed building in the Tyntesfield Esate, North Somerset, built in 1897 to house exotic plants, was saved by City of Bath College NVQ level three learners.
The National Trust, which owns the estate, invited students to help save the building, repairing mortar and fitting new pieces of stonework.
Course leader Nigel Bryant said: “It was the worst building I’ve seen in 30 years — I think it was a challenge the students enjoyed very much.
“There was serious decay with water penetration, vegetation growth, and whole sections eroded away, they just weren’t there anymore.
“It’s an opportunity to put their training into practice, to work with industry and to put in a piece of history.
“It’s giving back buildings and monuments back to the public so they can be reused and enjoyed again.”
The course has been shortlisted for an Association of Colleges Beacon award in recognition of the students’ efforts and the winners will be announced at the association conference in November.
Former Shadow Skills Minister Gordon Marsden (Pictured at FE Week HQ for a roundtable on FE loans)
has paid tribute to his old FE sector stomping ground, describing it as his “passion”.
Mr Marsden, who has joined the shadow team for transport following last week’s ministerial reshuffle, said his new position would be “an interesting place” with “all sort of fascinating things going on”.
“However, I also have enormously enjoyed and am very sad to be leaving the area of FE and skills and lifelong learning,” he said.
“To me this job hasn’t just been a wonderful job to be given it has also been a passion.”
Hosting one of a number of FE Week debates at the Houses of Parliament
Mr Marsden held the shadow skills position since the 2010 General Election, having previously served on House of Commons Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills Select Committee and before that the Education and Skills Select Committee.
“Most of my life inside and out of politics has been concerned with education and life chances and those issues,” he said.
“So it has been a double bonus to do a job that is fascinating, with some wonderful people but also to do it in an area that I feel strongly about.”
He added that he had been “richly blessed” by the “warmth and support” of his colleagues.
He said: “I’ve simply been heartened week by week in meeting all the individuals in FE and skills and without whom I couldn’t have done half what I’ve tried to do.”
Association of Colleges chief executive Martin Doel said Mr Marsden had been a “fantastic” Shadow Skills Minister, whose “passion for the work of colleges has been evident”.
He highlighted Mr Marsden’s work in ensuring access to higher education students would not have to pay back advanced learning loans if they went on university — something Mr Marsden said was one of his proudest achievements in the role.
Gordon Marsden pictured with Nick Linford.Hosting an FE Week debate on apprenticeship funding reform
Mr Doel also praised Mr Marsden’s campaign to ensure students on ‘inactive’ benefits were able to access FE, particularly those taking ESOL courses.
Toni Pearce, president of the National Union of Students, said: “Mr Marsden’s support for numerous campaigns has been very much appreciated. It has been great to work with him, and we wish him the very best for his new role.”
Deputy executive director of the 157 Group Christine Doubleday said the organisation had “always held Gordon in very high regard” and praised his “wealth of experience and passion for FE. We do of course wish him all the best and look forward to working with Labour’s new skills team.”
Association for Employment and Learning Providers chief executive Stewart Segal said: “Gordon has always taken a keen interest in the views of independent training providers… and we are very grateful for the substantial contribution he has made in maintaining the profile of FE and skills at Westminster.”
Jill Stokoe, education policy adviser at the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, also praised Mr Marsden’s “energy and passion” for the role, particularly his commitment to apprenticeships.
