A new partnership has brought together two organisations with a combined total of more than 150 years’ experience in delivering adult education.

The Workers’ Education Association (WEA) and the Open University (OU) hope to reverse a recent decline in adult learning by working together.

Research from the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE) published in September suggested there has been a four per cent drop in adults participating in education since 2010.

The OU and WEA plan to develop campaigns together on widening participation.

Martin Bean, vice-chancellor of the OU, said: “If we’re going to get Britain’s economy back on track, we have to make sure that workers of all ages have the skills they need to compete — it’s not enough just to focus on 18-year-old school leavers. I’m delighted that the OU and WEA will be working together to open up higher education to an even wider range of adult learners, helping to make that vision a reality.”

Ruth Spellman, chief executive of the WEA, said recent increases in social inequality could only be addressed if people have access to the education services that enable them to reach their full potential.

Olympic runner Adam Gemili has sprinted his way to academic victory.

The 19-year-old 100 metres champion picked up two awards at Barking and Dagenham College’s Excellence Awards having received a distinction for his extended diploma in sport.

“It’s really great to be recognised for the time I spent at the college,” said the World Junior Championships gold medal winner. “I had two great years there, I learned so much and made so many good friends. I’m really pleased to get this award and be able to represent the college.”

He scooped student of the year at the awards ceremony held at Broadway Theatre in Barking, as well as a sports and public services industries trophy.

His tutor Errol Parker praised how he kept focus on his studies even while training and competing at the highest international level. “He always met deadlines, never made excuses, came to college when he could, and remained in touch with his tutors throughout his training,” he said.

Claire Young, finalist of reality television programme The Apprentice 2008, spoke at the ceremony. She said: “Tonight has been absolutely brilliant, and I think it’s fantastic that the college is recognising success and recognising that students are working hard and excelling.”

A community centre now has its own movie theatre thanks to ten West Yorkshire students.

The Prince’s Trust Team at Leeds City College installed a high definition projector, sound system, created a mural of movie legends, and put up drapes for the cinema at Kentmere Community Centre in Seacroft.

The students hope the theatre will help tackle social isolation among senior citizens living in Leeds.

Team leader Elliott Ward said: “The project has been a great success and has been very well received by the centre and its users. We hope this will lead to us doing more projects with the centre; it has already been noticed by Joanne Brook of Leeds City Council and hopefully this will lead to more beneficial and exciting projects for future Prince’s Trust Teams to get involved in.”

The cinema has proved popular with centre users. Barbara Kelly said: “These young people have spent a lot of time doing this and it looks really good. It will be nice to come here on an afternoon, get away from it all and enjoy a film.”

The lounge of 94-year-old student Arthur Holder is filled with more than 200 handcrafted pieces of silverware.

There are vases, jugs, and bowls — and all made by the grandfather-of-two at Chesterfield College, where he has been studying on a silversmith course for nearly four decades.

“I love to be able to create,” said former estate agent and surveyor Arthur.

“When I was in business, I had up in the attic two and half tonnes of paper in files.

“That’s one of the reasons I started, I’d been working all those years, but what had I got to show for it? Nearly three tonnes of paper.

“Now I’ve been working for 38 years on silver and I’ve got more than 200 beautiful items.

“It’s fun and very fulfilling. I haven’t missed a year and I won’t ever stop, I’ll be going on until I’m 100.”

Widower Arthur said he’d always been interested in silver and enrolled at the college in 1971 after a neighbour told him about the course. And this month he was presented with a lifelong learning award at the college’s annual Aspire Awards.

“I felt like a fish out of water at the ceremony, standing there with all those young people, but I felt really proud when I got the award,” said Arthur, who has seen the price of silver go up from £3 to £30 per ounce since he has been at the college.

“It was very much appreciated, I’ve made a stand for it and it’s on display in my lounge.”

As well as his house being packed full of items he’s made and collected, Arthur has built a workshop at home so he can work on pieces all week. But he said he still attended the college because it had better equipment and he loved the environment.

“I’m always thinking about what I’m going to make next,” said Arthur, who has two grown-up children in Chris, 54, and Rosalie, 58, who has also recently taken up silversmithing.

“It’s a fantastic hobby. It enables you to use your hands and your brain at the same time. It’s hard physical work, hammering away at the silver, but I really enjoy it.”

Arthur, who goes to college once a week, visits fairs and auctions for inspiration, as well as looking through books on pieces from the past. He also gives talks on silver at different clubs.

Arthur’s tutor, Mark Veevers, said: “Arthur is a real inspiration to not only me, but also other students.

“He is enthusiastic and energetic and over the years has become very skilled in many aspects of silversmithing.

“He encourages other students to aspire to make great things and he has inspired me to continue working in precious metals as long as I am able to stand up on my own. He is a wonderful bloke and I am privileged to have known him for so long.”

College principal Trevor Clay said: “Arthur really is an inspiration to us all. He’s a shining example that you’re never too old to learn and that a passion for learning doesn’t fade over time.”

A West Midlands student has been brushing up on his skills for a chance to win £2,000.

Walsall College painting and decorating apprentice, Daniel Warner, 19, will be tested on his paint and tool selection, as well as how he applies stencils, at the Young Painter of the Year finals, run by Johnstone’s.

“I’ve been putting some extra practice in ahead of the final and I’m really looking forward to showing my skills on the day. It would be amazing to win,” said Daniel.

Barry Hill, construction curriculum manager, said: “Daniel is an exceptional apprentice and is a credit to the college and his tutors. He is also a great ambassador for the apprenticeship programme itself, demonstrating the high level of skills those undertaking this kind of training can achieve.”

The public was let loose on the sausage machines at a North Eastern college.

Hundreds of sausages were made by people taking part in masterclasses at Middlesbrough College to mark British Sausage Week, where they learned how to mix the different meats with herbs before operating the filling machines.

The pork and leek, Cumberland and breakfast sausages were sold to the public and served at the college’s Café 66.

Catering lecturer Steve Donnison, who has been at the college for nine years, led the classes.

He said: “Sausage-making is just one of the technical skills we teach catering students during their time at the college.

“We provide them with all the skills they need to have a successful career and to be employable. For example in addition to cookery skills like fish-mongering and sausage-making we also teach them other skills including restaurant production and time-keeping.”

Media students in Berkshire have created a film to help young people decide what their next step should be after finishing their GCSEs.

The What is Work Ready DVD has been sent out to local schools to be watched by thousands of students.

Bracknell and Wokingham College students scripted the film, interviewed local employers and employees on their views on work readiness, and composed the soundtrack.

Student Connor Sharod-Southam, who operated the camera and edited the DVD, said: “I found the experience really useful and I think it’s made me much more prepared for the world of work. Asking employers to volunteer their time then briefing them on what we wanted them to say for the video gave me skills I will use all the way through my working life.”

Principal Campbell Christie said: “I am hoping the DVD will be seen as a great way to get the message about employability across.

“I also hope that other keen young college film crews around the country will be inspired to put their own local stamp on the template and continue to put this crucial work ready message across.”

Revamping a church, producing a radio show and nail art demonstrations were among the activities to celebrate Colleges Week.

South Cheshire College students kicked off the week with a Get into the Christmas Spirit coffee morning, which raised £60 for Help for Heroes, and then hit the Market Centre with dance performances.

Decorating students painted the Christadelphian Church in Crewe during the week while media students created a community news show at RedShift Radio station.

“This has been a great opportunity to organise activities in the community and promote the college at the same time,” said events management student James Vickers, 26.

Peter Swift, principal, said: “We are very pleased to have supported Colleges Week with a series of eye-catching activities.

“The aim was to show what the college is all about in the wider community and the events taking place in and around Crewe gave us the perfect opportunity to do that.

“It is important that we give people the opportunity to get into work, improve their chances of finding employment and help to maintain or improve skills which can boost their performance in the workplace.”

A student training in carpentry at a Royal Air Force (RAF) museum in Shropshire has been crowned Apprentice of the Year.

Laura Pringle, 20, who studies at City of Wolverhampton College, was presented with the award for the intermediate category at the Skills Show in Birmingham.

“I am overwhelmed with excitement and seeing the pride on my mum’s face when I told her has made all the effort worthwhile,” said Laura.

Mick Shepherd, the RAF museum’s training man ager, said: “Laura initially applied to become an engineer specialising in the restoration of metal aircraft. However, during her interview she showed such an enthusiasm for the work being done in our carpentry workshop that we asked her to be our first aircraft carpentry apprentice.

“Laura’s progress so far proves it was the right decision for us as well as Laura.”

“She joined us in 2010 and since then has gone from strength to strength not just at work but also in her studies with City of Wolverhampton College.”