Government plans new team to exploit international education opportunities

During a trip to India to promote vocational education the Skills Minister has announced that the government will establish a 10 person team in Westminster to ‘capatalise on the growth of demand for UK education from abroad.’

The Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) announcement comes ahead of the government’s education sector industrial strategy due to be published in early 2013.

Matthew Hancock said: “It is essential that we realise the potential of the largely untapped resource that is our education exports. There is a fast-growing demand for high-quality education, and we are lucky to have a dynamic and entrepreneurial sector that is well placed to contribute.

Education UK will specifically target fast-growing markets such as India and the Middle East”

“We are in a global race and other countries are presenting attractive and co-ordinated offers, so Education UK is a vital step in bringing together the UK sector to drive its international engagement, particularly on high-value opportunities.”

The  press release goes on to say: “Education UK will specifically target fast-growing markets such as India and the Middle East. The UK has an excellent reputation for education internationally, but isn’t currently exploiting this to the full.

“Education UK will work on:

  • Researching, identifying and helping to develop trading opportunities for UK exports
  • Supporting UK providers to respond effectively to targeted international opportunities, by fostering the development of UK consortia for specific opportunities and helping them to prepare and promote bids
  • Ensuring large-scale complex commercial opportunities, which the UK is not currently well-equipped to respond to, are effectively pursued so UK organisations win the business.”

Education UK is a joint BIS and United Kingdom Trade & Investment (UKTI) initiative and the 10 person team will be based at 1 Victoria Street in London.

The FE Week team is ‘on location’ in India, and our blog can be followed and read here.

Careers advice ‘getting worse,’ warns government education committee

The quality and quantity of young people’s career advice is not good enough and is getting worse, a government review has found.

A “deterioration” in guidance since the service became the responsibility of schools in September was identified by the Education Select Committee, whose report on careers guidance was released today.

The committee chair, Graham Stuart MP, questioned the advice of schools who, he said, “put their own interests ahead of that of their pupils, restrict access to other education providers and make the filling of their sixth form places more of a priority than their statutory duty to provide independent and impartial advice and guidance for pupils.”

We have concerns about the consistency, quality, independence and impartiality of careers guidance now being offered to young people”

The review, announced in June, looked at how careers guidance was affected by the Education Act 2011.

The Act saw provision of the service shift from the duty of local authorities, delivered by Connexions, to schools.

“We have concerns about the consistency, quality, independence and impartiality of careers guidance now being offered to young people,” said the committee report, which referred to the transfer of responsibility for careers guidance to schools as “regrettable”.

“We heard evidence that there is already a worrying deterioration in the overall level of provision for young people.

“Urgent steps need to be taken by the government to ensure that young people’s needs are met.

“Too many schools lack the skills, incentives or capacity to fulfil the duty put upon them without a number of changes being made.

“Young people deserve better than the service they are likely to receive under the current arrangements.”

The committee heard from a number of education sector big-hitters, including FE Minister Matthew Hancock and Dr Deirdre Hughes, chair of the National Careers Council, who said there was a potential loss of £28bn to the UK economy if young people were not given the right career guidance.

Mr Stuart MP said: “We found that the quality and quantity of guidance for young people is deteriorating just when it is most needed.

“We want face-to-face guidance to be available to all young people as an integral part of a good quality careers service. They deserve and should receive far better support than current arrangements generally allow.”

He also called for the National Careers Service (NCS), which he described as “a great innovation for adults,” to be extended to support schools.

“The NCS must also be adequately funded to deliver this critical service for young people. Schools can’t simply be left to get on with it,” added Mr Stuart, who called for schools to produce annual careers plans to “ensure they can be held accountable for what they do”.

See the next edition of FE Week for reaction to the education committee’s findings.

Kerrang radio on hand to launch music facilities

Midland students rocked out with Kerrang Radio to launch their college’s new music facilities.

Dudley College teamed up with the national radio station for a live event hosted by presenter Matt Stocks, to promote the state-of-the-art resources at new training centre Evolve.

The day included local bands performing in the college’s new theatre and a demo clinic for young bands to get expert advice from Kerrang DJ Alex Baker.

Simon Johnson, course leader for music, said music courses at the college were proving so popular with students they were coming in on their days off to use the industry-specific facilities, specialist software and musical kit.

Matt Bircher, 17, a second year music technology student, said: “The range of equipment and new studios have definitely had an impact on my studies.

“There’s more variety in what we learn, lessons are more interesting and we get to use the kind of equipment that commercial set-ups have so the quality of sound is amazing.”

Taught by industry-trained tutors, music students are given every chance to compose and perform in front of live audiences.

Featured Campus Round-up: Students get chance to curate Michael Jackson wardrobe

A savvy student landed a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” managing the king of pop’s costumes when he impressed with his Michael Jackson knowledge.

Shane McCusker, a media student at Barking & Dagenham College, got to be in charge of handling costumes during the London stop of the Michael Jackson exhibition world tour before jetting off to LA to witness Jackson’s costumes going under the hammer, one fetching $270,000.

The plucky 18-year-old clinched his dream job after bagging an interview with Michael Bush, Jackson’s long-time designer, at the Irish stop of the tour.

When he corrected Bush on a fact, the designer said he “wanted him to be a part of the tour because he knew so much.”

Fellow media student Kristian Baycroft was invited to help Shane and the pair were insured for up to £10m to handle Jackson’s world-famous and dazzling outfits at Westfield Stratford City.

“I’ve been a huge Michael Jackson fan since I was five years-old and now I’m an even bigger fan,” said Shane who also runs film-making enterprise Wider Horizon with Kristian.

“We met some of Michael Jackson’s biggest fans. The strangest moment was when a mad Romanian started licking one of Michael Jackson’s jackets from the Bad tour (jacket pictured with silver V detail). I had to approach him and say “excuse me, can you stop licking that jacket?” Shane joked.

“There was so much pressure on us though as when handling the costumes it was our responsibility. If something got broken it was on our head,” he said.

When Shane and Kristian were flown out to the world-famous Julien’s Auctions rooms in Beverly Hills they saw members of Jackson’s family and representatives of celebrities such as Lady Gaga bidding for the superstar’s clothes. She bought 55 items including a jacket for £148,418.

Shane was also invited to London Fashion Week Catwalk Show where he bagged two front-row seats and mingled with the likes of Philip Treacy, milliner to the stars, as well as Lady Gaga.

Shane said: “Philip Treacy was really nice and as he’s Irish and I’m half Irish we had lots to talk about. He wasn’t arrogant at all and he was one of the first customers of our business venture.”

The pair’s entrepreneurial nous led him and Kristian to set up a photo booth offering fans a chance to pose for a souvenir photo alongside one of Jackson’s iconic jackets.

They built a website overnight to host the images for customers to download, and as a result of their business acumen, have thousands of photos and hours of footage from the numerous exhibitions.

They also earned enough to fund their next project, a drama series proposal they are working on.

He said the experience taught him how to deal with big businesses who didn’t take him seriously due to his age.

“This taught me how to stand on my own two feet and not be belittled by anyone. At first some people were telling us how we would do things but I learned how to answer back so they didn’t walk all over us,” he said.

AoC in India : Arrival and pleasure before business for FE Week team

We made it!

Last minute packing before any flight is always slightly stressful and you are never really sure whether you have actually managed to pack everything that you will need. Listening to reports of “chaos” and long delays at Heathrow airport because of the overnight dusting of snow adds further to the panic.

Nick and I met at Heathrow shortly after 8:00 and were lucky enough to only spend 90 minutes queuing at the bag drop off. Whilst that seems like a ludicrous length of time to wait, when standing with people that have stories to share of their two day delay or lost luggage – 90 minutes suddenly felt like five.

After some editorial planning at 37,000ft and of course a few films on the iPad, we safely arrived at our hotel at 4:00 this morning (Sunday) in New Delhi .

We squeezed in a whole three hours sleep last night – that’s how we roll at FE Week – and have spent the first part of today being tourists. I say tourists, we got in a taxi and visited the Red Fort. There are a million and one things to-do or visit whilst in New Delhi.

But, as it  states on my Indian visa, we are here on business. So we only had this morning and early part of this afternoon to have look around. (Check out the pictures below from FE Week’s onsite–photographer, Nick Linford)

Our first stop, the the Red Fort, a 17th century fort complex constructed by the Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan in the walled city of Old Delhi that served as the residence of the Mughal Emperors

Before setting off to the Red Fort we stocked up on a hearty breakfast of smoked salmon, watermelon and samosas! Devouring samosas and onion bhajis at 9:00am is worlds apart from my typical routine in the morning – I’m more of a muesli and double shot espresso kind of guy. Nevertheless the fusion of spices certainly has a stimulating effect first thing in the morning and the did trick after limited sleep.

The Red Fort was stunning – I would say that with only a few hours to have a look around we chose well. Everywhere you look, even at the Red Fort, there is a large military presence. This is mainly due to the upcoming annual celebration of the republic and also the rising tensions between Pakistan and India.

A tractor passes us outside the Red Fort

We were joined on our travels around New Delhi today by Marguerite Hogg, AoC and Mark Brickley, Guilford college. Our driver was very daring and confident – whizzing in between traffic lanes, Tuk-Tuks, mopeds and pedestrians. Although he suddenly lost his confidence for the final part of our journey after being pulled over by the police for skipping a  red light and being handed a 100 rupee fine.

Time for an arty picture: bracelets for sale inside the Red Fort

Of course, whilst driving to the Fort, whilst walking around the Fort, and whilst driving back to the hotel, the four of us spoke a lot about Further Education.  I have only spoken to two or three people from other colleges so far, but already I am surprised by how much work the sector is currently doing internationally.

An Ambassador Car – only used by Indian government officials – drove alongside our taxi
Picture of the familar Tuk Tuk, also taken from within our taxi

The official launch of AoC India on Tuesday night does not mark a start, it represents a new chapter of “FE abroad”. Hopefully over the next couple of days we will be able to update you on what this all means and how it will work.

There was a large military presence at Delhi Gate, our last stop on the way back to the hotel

We are now back at the hotel after our quick fling with being tourists in India and its straight back to business. Whilst we are here we are going to be producing a sixteen page supplement on AoC India in time for the next edition. Looking through the agenda for the AoC delegates, our challenge appears to be trying to find the time to interview delegates.

Our first meeting is a presentation from the Sannam S4 at their offices, to hear about their expertise in market entry and the plans for AoC in India. Keep checking back for blog updates and further coverage.

The AoC delegation pose for a group shot at the Sannam S4 office in New Delhi

Warwickshire student designs memorial

A woodland memorial seat designed by a Warwickshire student is to take pride of place in the grounds of a country park.

Jan Waterston, 25 and a furniture craft student at Warwickshire College, had his design chosen after a challenge was set to get crafters out of the workshop and into the woods to design a bench for Coombe Abbey Country Park, in Coventry.

The bench will be a memorial to the parents of Keith Sealey, from Lutterworth-based furniture makers, Sealey Furniture.

Jan, from Birmingham, said: “I’m just thrilled that I’m going to have the opportunity to take this design and bring it to life. I’m going to be able to see it in a really special landscape.”

Keith said he wanted to do something to remember his parents and as a furniture maker thought it would be “really nice” to
do something celebrating their work in Coombe Park.

He added: “We were blown away by both the quality and originality of the designs that the students have come up with in quite a short period of time — I’m seriously impressed.”

Bright sparks achieve sporting success

Sporting success came as no shock for two electrical installation students from Surrey.

Dedicated 17-year-olds Jack Franklin (see front page) and Eddie Temple, both from Guildford College, have excelled in their fields.

Jack, from Guildford, has returned from the European Karate Championships, in Austria, with a bronze medal having competed for England in the 16 to 17-year-old Kumite, or fighting, category.

“It proved that all the training was worth it and helped to repay everyone who has helped me,” said Jack.

He trains up to four times a week as a member of Guildford Wado Kai Karate Club, a member of the England Wado Kai Karate Federation.

Meanwhile Eddie (pictured above), from Woking, has become the youngest member of the Streatham Redskins ice hockey team, which he joined from Slough ENL Jets.

He scored 22 goals in just 14 games for Slough in his age group last season.

“Being only 17 gives me plenty of time to move up the lines and I feel this is the right move for my development,” said Eddie.

“I am very pleased to be a part of the team and I can’t wait for the season to start.”

Fighting talk for young entrepreneurs

A world leader in interactive entertainment and fiction inspired budding tycoons at a Midland college.

Ian Livingstone, co-founder of Games Workshop and co-author of the multi-million-selling Fighting Fantasy gamebook series, shared his tips for success with members of West Nottinghamshire College’s Vision Entrepreneur programme.

The programme was set up to coach would-be business people from the college, local schools and the community through monthly sessions, which include inspirational speakers and tips from industry experts.

The session saw Mr Livingstone – who was made a CBE in the latest New Year Honours List – talk about his role as adviser to the government and the British Council, as well as his position as executive chairman of Eidos, the company behind Tomb Raider.

College principal Asha Khemka OBE said: “To have one of the founding fathers of the UK games industry visit the college and speak about his business endeavours was a real honour.

“Ian’s rise to success is down to a recipe of hard work, determination and a passion for the industry and our audience was truly inspired by his story, which included encouraging them to nurture their own business ideas and concepts.”

Holocaust survivor says ‘do not hate’

A Holocaust survivor visited students in Kent to share childhood memories of being a Jew living under Nazi rule.

Zigi Shipper, 83, who grew up in Lodz, Poland, spoke at MidKent College’s Medway Campus, in Gillingham, as part of events to mark Holocaust Memorial Day.

Mr Shipper, from Hertfordshire, was just a boy when the Nazis invaded his home country in 1939, sparking the beginning of the Second World War.

But unlike many fellow Jews, he survived concentration camps like Auschwitz and Stutthof and lived to tell the tale.

“I like talking to young people because they need to know what can be caused by racism, hatred and prejudice,” said Mr Shipper.

“How can I forget what happened? I lost my family for no reason at all. It took a long time to talk about what happened.”

Of the three million Jewish Poles alive before the war, only 300,000 survived the Holocaust.

Mr Shipper said he hoped his educational tours inspired young people to be more tolerant and accepting of others.

He added: “My message is simple – whatever you do, do not hate. And whatever you do, do not give up.”