The National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) has launched a film to encourage more young people into apprenticeships in the care sector.

The film features four current and former apprentices working in different roles across the sector discussing how an apprenticeship has benefited them.

Lindsay Giess, 32, who features in the film, completed an advanced apprenticeship in health and social care and is now a senior carer at a residential home.

She said: “I knew for quite a while that I wanted to work in this sector but I wasn’t sure of the best way to go about it.

“Being an apprentice meant from the outset I was doing exactly what I wanted to do – [it] is one of the best decisions I ever made.”

Care employers are being encouraged to promote the film across the sector and to young people, and it will also be used by NAS as a resource for schools and careers events.

To see the film, visit apprentice.tv

Featured image caption: Lindsay Giess in the NAS film that encourages young people into the care sector

Raising money for charity was a piece of cake for public service students near Manchester.

The Warrington Collegiate services students raised more than £80 for the ‘Peace of Cake’ campaign for the Peace Centre, which works to support victims of terrorism and their families.

The students were thanked by mascot Hero the Bear and former police officer Pam White, who was caught up in the 1983 IRA bombing of Harrods, and who now works with the charity.

Pam said the charity was “delighted” by the students’ efforts.

She added: “As well as enjoying some really nice cakes they raised a fantastic amount of money.”

Featured image caption: Pam White with Hero the Bear and Warrington Collegiate students

Prisoners at Eastwood Park women’s prison in Gloucestershire are learning to make luxury soap as part of a social enterprise.

The scheme, launched by Weston College, employs eight women to design and manufacture the  soap to help to prepare them for life after they are released.

One of the prisoners, who cannot be named, said: “This is the best course that the prison has offered.

“It gives us real skills that we can use
when we leave prison and potentially it will enable us to set up our own business.”

She added that when the four-week course ended, she hoped to stay on to help other prisoners to learn.

The soap is sold to prison officers and staff at Weston College, but it is hoped the women may be able to create a business selling in people’s homes on their release.

Tutor Ian Rampton said: “The ladies finish the course passionate and excited, developing the belief that they can do something for themselves.”

Featured image caption: Prison and college staff show off the prisoners’ work

Two entrepreneurial students in Yorkshire have whipped up a tasty business idea which they are marketing to fellow students.

Lancaster and Morecambe College students Mathew Whelan and Mike Fort took the idea of the simple but messy method of microwaving a brownie in a mug and created the Lazy Bake, which gets rid of washing up by providing a sachet of brownie mix in a bio-degradable container, so all it needs is water and a drop of oil.

“The Lazy Bake started initially because it is something we enjoy,” said Mike.

“Students like food that tastes good and is quick and simple to prepare, and our product fits that description.”

Mathew is heading to university in September, but the duo said they see this as “an opportunity”.

Mike said: “We are talking with a few local shops about stocking Lazy Bake, but our ultimate aim is to have our product on the shelves at university campuses.”

Featured image caption: Lazy Bake creator Mathew Whelan, 24 and Mike Fort, 22

A Surrey catering student cooked up a storm to be one of ten finalists for the 2013 Jamie Oliver Home Cooking Skills competition.

Carshalton College level one hospitality services student Nelson Domebele,18, created ‘a meal for family and friends’, whipping up spaghetti bolognese with garlic bread followed by a chocolate dessert.

Nelson said: “I chose catering after being inspired by my mum and grandmother — I just enjoy being in the kitchen, it feels like home.

“Working in a kitchen means you have to be fired up and always focused.”

The finalists will have their dishes judged by Jamie Oliver, with the winner due to be announced today.

The winner will receive £50-worth of cookware, vouchers to dine at one of Jamie Oliver’s restaurant and will have their recipe posted on his blog.

Tutor Sandra Marshall said: “Nelson is a passionate student who works hard… taking every task to heart to produce the best.”

Featured image caption: Chef, Nelson Domebele

 An award at the Cleveland College of Art and Design remembers an outstanding student who always thought of others. Rebecca Cooney reports

A young designer in Derbyshire has won a college award dedicated to a former student who lost her battle with breast cancer last year.

Cleveland College of Art and Design (CCAD) student Charlotte Hall, 18, is the first recipient of the Sophie Cutts Excellence Award for her textile designs based on butterflies.

Former textile student Sophie Cutts died last September, aged 21.

Her parents Tracy and Craig, with her tutor Lynne Carverhill, dedicated an award in tribute to her talent and commitment to her studies.

“We were thinking we would like to have an award . . . and then Lynne got in touch as she was thinking along the same lines,” said Tracy.

“The big thing for all of us was that she was so young and so talented, and had a lot to give from her own ideas of design.”

After completing her studies at CCAD, Sophie went on to Edinburgh’s Heriot-Watt University. Her family collected her first-class degree on Friday.

“After her diagnosis and although she was poorly, she still had the commitment,” said Tracy.

“She finished her third year of university while having chemotherapy and after a huge operation and… was still focused, still excited about design.

“We wanted other designers to be inspired by Sophie; to follow their dreams even through the depths of darkness.

“We thought it would be nice to recognise somebody who had her qualities. It’s a nice way of saying to someone ‘you’re really good at designs, you’re a really good human being and your attitude to work is exceptional’.”

Charlotte, from Darlington, won the award for a final year project that the college said showed the same quality, commitment and attention to detail as Sophie’s.

“I was genuinely shocked because there was so much amazing work,” said Charlotte, who hopes to become an interior designer. “It is a real honour to receive the award.”

Lynne Carverhill said: “We felt we wanted to do something to celebrate the life and work of Sophie as she was a truly outstanding student.

“We wanted to remember her for the good things and to raise awareness that even if you are 21 you can get breast cancer.”

Tracy said: “When she was diagnosed, her doctors kept saying ‘but you’re too young’ and she wanted young people to know . . . they should be checking their bodies and being aware of the factors in cancer.”

Sophie’s dream was to use her talent to help others.

In her third year at university, she designed scarves for the holistic unit at James Cook Hospital, where she was being treated, for patients who were losing their hair.

“She wanted to produce a design so when people her age were offered a wig or a scarf there was a trained designer there giving a designer edge,”  said Tracy.

“Always thinking of others, that was who she was. We wanted to share that with the world and say ‘look at this wonderful person’. Here she was in her own distress and she just said ‘you’re not going to stop me’.”

Sophie’s family are now making sure that her designer scarves will be available to patients at the hospital unit.

“If Sophie were here, she would be going forward with her own business,” said Tracy. “It’s for us to say look what the world is missing, but you’re not going to miss out on her designs.”

Featured image caption: Winner Charlotte Hall with Craig, Tracy and Jacob Cutts. Right: Sophie Cutts with her partner, Paul Thomson

Hopwood Hall College students in Rochdale demonstrated their flair for retail by setting up a pop-up shop, and designing merchandise to celebrate the town’s heritage.

The learners volunteered for a three-day residential scheme, run by the college, vInspired — a volunteering charity for young people — and the Retail Trust, to gain hands-on retail experience.

Health and social care student Nahida Abasi, 17, said: “It has been a fantastic experience, I didn’t know what business was about before I joined.

“The programme has taught me so much and I’ve really had a great time.”

The students came up with the heritage theme and the idea of producing t-shirts, tote bags, tea towels and posters.

They then enlisted the help of local artists to help them with designs and to find their premises.

Featured image caption: Hopwood Hall students chose a heritage theme for their pop-up shop

A students’ union in Nottingham served up a Wimbledon themed lunch to 150 people to celebrate the hard work of some of its top students.

Each school of learning at West Nottinghamshire College nominated its 15 top achieving students to attend a ‘Big Lunch’ buffet that featured a guest
magician, free drinks and food — including, traditional Wimbledon strawberries
and cream.

The ‘Big Lunch’, which started at the Eden Project in 2009, aims to get people to have lunch with their neighbours to promote community, friendship and fun.

Learner voice co-ordinator Sue Harries said: “The atmosphere was fantastic and everyone had fun and enjoyed each other’s company and the entertainment.

“It proved to be a great chance for students from different schools of learning to meet people they’ve never met before . . . there was a wonderful sense of camaraderie.”

Featured image caption: Top performing students got to know each other at the Wimbledon-themed Big Lunch

Business Secretary Vince Cable dropped in on students at Warwickshire College to see how they are minding their own business.

Dr Cable visited enterprise and entrepreneurship students working towards a diploma at the college’s Peter Jones Enterprise Academy (PJEA) as well as meeting students from construction, plumbing and carpentry.

Student Phoebe Cowley, 18, from Rugby,
said: “Dr Cable asked about my business, which is called Glow All Out, providing products for festivals.

“I told him how the PJEA course has really supported me, given me ideas and experience and even helped me to change my business model to improve it.”

Dr Cable also visiting the college’s Power Academy, which trains engineers in power generation manufacturing.

“It is good to see a college giving people the key skills and training to help build a balanced, sustainable economy,” said Mr Cable.

Featured image caption: Business Secretary Vince Cable with Michael Clough, 18