Skills Funding Agency wants a chair

The post of Skills Funding Agency advisory board chair is up for grabs.

The agency, which manages an annual budget of more than £3bn, is advertising the three-year unpaid job on its website and is expecting the successful candidate to be in place in around two months’ time.

They will head a board made up of representatives from the FE sector, employers and other stakeholder groups, including Association of Colleges chief executive Martin Doel and NUS president-elect Toni Pearce.

The agency wanted someone with “ideas for reducing bureaucracy” and “better and more simplified ways of implementing programmes”.

The job specification reads: “It [the board] provides independent support and challenge on both the business operations of the agency and on the delivery of its priorities and performance, acting as both a sounding board and source of expert advice, drawing on the particular roles, knowledge and expertise of its members.

“In particular, the board provides practical advice and guidance, as well as challenge to [the agency’s] chief executive on how best to deliver those FE and skills priorities set for the agency by the Secretary of State, including the interpretation of those priorities for particular groups, and on issues such as the impact and implementation of operational procedures on learners, providers and employers.

“The chief executive of the agency is responsible for all individual allocation decisions and for dispensing funding to the sector.

“The board does not have a role in this, nor holding the chief executive or the agency to account for its performance.

“However, the board and chair will be expected to provide feedback to the Department [for Business, Innovation and Skills] and Ministers on the performance of the chief executive and agency.”

The chair could ask to stay in the job for a further three years, but staying on beyond six years would be “exceptional”.

They can expect to be going to around five board meetings a year, and would have to pencil in a further five days over the year for other tasks and functions relating to the post, for which expenses are paid.

Previous board meetings have been chaired by the agency chief executive and also board members, such as Construction Skills chief executive Mark Farrar.

“This is an exciting and rewarding opportunity to be part of a dynamic and fast moving organisation, leading and working collaboratively with a board of high profile figures from across business and the education and training sector,” according to the job specification.

Visit the agency website for more details and for information on how to apply before the deadline of midnight Sunday, May 19.

Success tastes sweet for Carshalton

A five-layer chocolate orange cheesecake was among the dishes that a group of Surrey students used to tempt judges of the Nestle Toque D’or competition.

Chef student Jose Queirolo, front-of-house student Jamie Newman, and Lois Benjamin, who acted as commis chef, all from Carshalton College, presented their two-course lunch, with a main of Peruvian steak,  to the judges at the college’s in-house Nightingale restaurant, along with a presentation about the concept of the lunch and the costing.

Carshalton tutor Anthony Dunball said: “The students worked really hard on designing, preparing and producing the lunch.

“They displayed a high level of skill in their catering and hospitality understanding.”

Eight teams from around the country will go forward to the national final next month.

Featured image caption: Louis Benjamin, 16, Jose Queirolo, 20 and Jamie Newman, 16

Colleges’ troubled merger plan goes ahead

Two Midland colleges are set to merge less than two months after Skills Minister Matthew Hancock told them to go back to the drawing board with the plans.

Proposals by Stourbridge and Birmingham Metropolitan to form “one of the largest and most significant further education providers in the country” have been okayed by governors.

They are now set to become one institution with the 12,500-student Stourbridge College dissolving and its property, rights and liabilities transferring to Birmingham Met, which, two years ago, had more than 26,000 learners.

David Nolan, chair of Stourbridge College Corporation, said: “The board of governors at Stourbridge College has unanimously voted in favour of merger after considering the wide range of benefits this would create for our learners, including greater choice of courses, improved facilities and enhanced connections to employers and the jobs market.”

The merger idea was put out to a six-week formal consultation which ended on Wednesday, February 27.

But the proposals were later investigated by Mr Hancock’s officials at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) to “establish if appropriate processes have been followed”.

He wrote to David Beasley, clerk at Stourbridge College, saying: “I am not convinced by the rationale set out in your consultation document that this would represent the best outcomes for learners in your local area.

“Nor does your consultation document provide assurance to me that the corporation has undertaken the open and transparent processes that we would expect in terms of analysing needs, engaging with stakeholders and, critically, securing the most effective partnerships and delivery option(s) for the future.”

He added: “I would request that the corporation review its processes and rectify any shortfall, including seeking potential partners through open and inclusive processes.”

However, the merger — backed by the Birmingham Local Enterprise Partnership — is set to be complete as of June.

Vij Randeniya, chair of Birmingham Met, said: “We are delighted to be merging with Stourbridge College who have a long established reputation for success and innovation.

“Working together will help both colleges respond to government’s priorities, particularly in light of the current economic climate and the need to develop the skills of our regional workforce.

“Our partnership will offer us the exciting prospect of developing our curriculum across our network of campuses, as well as delivering a host of new opportunities for both organisations to build on the quality and innovation they are already known for.

“We are keen to support the work of the Black Country and Greater Birmingham Local Enterprise Partnerships to deliver economic growth and local community regeneration.”

Twin qualification in Superbike contest

Midlands students had the chance to live life in the fast lane when they qualified at the first round of the MCE British Superbike Championship.

Motorcyclists, twins and Black Country UTC students Matthew and Kurt Wigley represented the UTC and were accompanied by four fellow engineering students, who gained valuable hands-on experience as the pitcrew.

The brothers have been racing motorbikes since the age of six.

Pit crew member Laura Myatt said: “The first race of the season helped us gain a lot of experience and it was exciting to be involved in the preparation to the races.

“It was interesting to learn how the brake lines work and we now have a better understanding of the technology.”

Two students also got to visited the garage of one of the top Superbike teams to get a better idea of the key roles in a larger pit crew.

Featured image caption: Twin brothers Matthew (far left) and Kurt Wigley (far right) and their pit-crew classmates

‘I don’t want the fairytale to end’

A college catering assistant honoured in the new year is now looking forward to a garden party at Buckingham Palace. She’s just hoping the sun will shine, writes Rebecca Cooney

A college catering assistant from Romford has received a British Empire Medal and has been invited to tea with the Queen.

Sandra Coats, 57, has worked at Barking and Dagenham College for six years and was mentioned in the Queen’s New Year honours list for her outstanding contribution to the college.

“It was a lovely feeling, I’m just so pleased to be recognised It’s nice to be appreciated sometimes when you work hard,” she said.

Sandra was presented with her medal by Sir David Brewer, Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London, at a special ceremony held at the Tower of London.

Her husband, daughter and her daughter’s partner went with her.

“It was such a special day. It is something I will never forget,” she added.

But there is still more excitement to come, as Sandra has also received an invitation to a garden party at Buckingham Palace in May.

“I can’t wait to go to the palace — the letter said the Queen and other members of the royal family would be there,” she said. “The weather will be a bit nicer as well.”

A letter arrived last November, telling Sandra she had been nominated for an honour, but that she wouldn’t know for certain until December.

“It said it was confidential and I wasn’t supposed to tell anyone,” she said, admitting she found that a bit of a challenge.

She had been nominated by the college principal, Cathy Walsh.

“When I eventually told Cathy about the medal, she said she was so pleased,” said Sandra. “She told me that she’d nominated me because I deserved it.”

A college spokesperson, Anne Vessey said: “We are so proud of Sandra. The dedication and care she shows to all our students at Barking and Dagenham is very special. Her honour is our honour.”

Sandra serves breakfast and lunch, as well as cater for special events.

“I do really long hours, so I think it is well deserved,” she said. “It’s so nice for Cathy to notice and appreciate me though.”

She might admit to long days but said that she loved her job.

Her colleagues were all “very pleased” for her, she said. She planned to take in her medal to show it to them and to students.

She said she will hold on to and treasure her memories of the year.

“I’ve kept everything, all the letters that have come through right from November from the lieutenant and everything, I’ve got it all in a folder,” said Sandra.

“I feel really special at the moment and don’t want the fairytale to end.”

Featured image caption: Barking & Dagenham College catering assistant Sandra Coats, wears her British Empire Medal, with Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London, Sir David Brewer CMG JP, at the Tower of London ceremony

Kenyan adventure for 19 learners

Bracknell & Wokingham College students spent two weeks in Kenya helping to renovate two primary schools.

The 19 learners, who study a range of A-level and vocational subjects including construction, health and social care, travel and tourism, childcare and uniformed public services, built a security fence and painted classrooms at one school, and rebuilt classroom walls and helped local students with their lessons at the other.

Uniformed public services student Esmee Sturges, 18, said: “At the end of the trip the look on all the children’s and teachers’ faces is something that I will never forget, they were so grateful for what we had done in their school. I am so glad I had the chance to take part in this experience.”

But it wasn’t all work: the students also saw Kenya’s beauty up close when they went on safari.

Featured image caption: Access to nursing and health professions student Kirsty Morton, 27, and travel and tourism student Susannah Jones, 17, put the local mud-based building techniques into action at the Jubilee Academy, Kenya

Australian dancer inspires Zac

A Warrington Collegiate performing arts student impressed judges at a contemporary arts evening with a piece inspired by Australian dancer Lloyd Newson.

Zac Hancock, 17, from Orford, directed and performed Who? in the  main reception area — including the lift — of the town’s Pyramid centre.

Rachael Nelson, tutor and course leader for dance at Warrington Collegiate, said: “This set of pieces, delivered in unusual settings, rather than a conventional stage, is diverse, challenging and innovative. It demonstrates the creative talents of the students.

“The work was of university level . . .  the students surpassed what can be expected at advanced level.”

The mini-performances were judged by Janey Moran and Derek Dick, representing Warrington Culture, a charitable trust. The judges said they were impressed by Zac’s piece and his “clever use of movement and word”. They said it worked “extremely well” in the chosen setting.

Featured image caption: Performing arts students Joseph Connolly, 19 (back), and Zac Hancock, 17

‘Never again,’ says Holocaust survivor

A Holocaust survivor’s tale of how his family escaped Nazi Germany was at the heart of the build-up to Diversity Week at Canterbury College.

John Izbicki, 82, told about 50 students of his family’s survival through Kristallnacht (the night of broken glass) when Jewish premises throughout Germany, including his parents’ haberdashery shop, were attacked.

His family hid in the ruins of a torched synagogue and had a close call with a Gestapo officer who caught John’s father but decided to let him go. Eventually all the family members made it to the UK.

The former Telegraph journalist said the message he wanted to put across was “don’t let it happen again”.

A-level student Nikki Welch, 17, said: “It was really moving to hear stories about the war from somebody who was there.”

Classmate Tasha Sleeman, 18, said: “He encouraged us to think about the horrors of yesterday in order to make tomorrow better.”

Featured image caption: John Izbicki (centre) with Canterbury College students, from left: Steph Bailes, 17, Tasha Sleeman, 18, Ben Gardiner, 16, and Nikki Welch, 17

‘Old lady’ in Doncaster gets a facelift

Yorkshire painting and decorating students brushed up their skills to give a hotel ballroom a makeover.

The level one, two and three learners from Doncaster College had four weeks to transform the Danum Hotel’s “old lady” to meet the deadline for prebooked wedding receptions.

Lecturer Neil Preskey said students got site experience and practised specialist skills. “Plus, we want to build relationships with the community and help local businesses so it was an excellent project to do,” he said.

The learners carried out all the work, from risk assessments, health and safety, through basic preparation to high level skills such as gold leafing.

They chose a ‘classic modern’ colour scheme of browns and off-whites.

Danum general manager Dawn McCabe said: “It looks wonderful and it’s given the ‘old lady’ extra life… so a massive thank you.”

Featured image caption: The Danum Hotel ballroom after its month-long makeover