A new centre has been opened in the heart of Birmingham by fashion expert and Clothes Show host Caryn Franklin and UB40 saxophonist Brian Travers.

South Birmingham College’s new Fusion Centre was formally opened at a ceremony, also attended by businesses, schools, universities and college friends.

Guests were entertained by cabaret, dance and comedy performances from performing arts students and a fashion show which showcased pieces that had been designed, created and modelled by students.

The centre boasts a brand new purpose built salon for hair and barbering students with 18 workstations.

Fashion students are able to hone skills in professional cutting, production and design rooms and performing arts students can take to the stage in a dedicated performing area with industry standard lighting, sound and staging.

Principal Mike Hopkins said: “Tonight has been an excellent opportunity to show-off what a great learning space the Fusion Centre is.

“We have industry standard facilities and equipment here and this really helps the students get ahead, during and after, their course.”

Students at Solihull College have made a difference to the lives of other young people after raising £5,200.36 for Teenage Cancer Trust.

The students are working towards the BTEC Extended Diploma in Business or Peter Jones Enterprise Academy (PJEA) Diploma in Enterprise and Entrepreneurship.

The Trust is the annual charity of LaSer UK, a Solihull-based company that works in collaboration with the college’s Business School.

Richard Smithies, corporate social responsibility champion at LaSer UK, said: “The amount of money is absolutely fantastic and we are proud to have worked with the students, making a difference to the lives of young people with cancer.”

From running a half marathon and washing cars to hosting a charity auction and Greek-themed quiz night, the students organised a range of fundraising activities to encourage the community to donate.

Students on the construction pre-apprenticeship programme at New College Nottingham (ncn) have been putting their maintenance skills to good use.

They have taken to St Peter & St Paul’s Church, in Hucknall, where they have been relaying paving slabs, plastering and painting as part of their course. ncn’s pre-apprenticeship programme helps 16 to 19-year-olds find employment in the construction industry.

The course equips young people with work-ready skills while the college uses its contacts with employers to help find a suitable apprenticeship.

Connor Simons (17) progressed from an entry level Diploma in Basic Construction at ncn Basford Hall

He said: “I wanted to build on the skills I’d already learnt and progress to a higher level. That’s when I came across the new pre-apprenticeship programme.

“I’ve loved every minute of the course. I look forward to coming into college each day because I know I’ll be learning something new and be that bit closer to finding a job.”

Hundreds of apprentices and employers gathered for City of Bristol College’s Apprenticeship Awards evening.

Now in its fourth year, it recognises the achievements of the college’s students, who completed their framework by the end of July and their employers.

Students and their employers received a range of awards on the evening, including Apprentice of the Year and Employer of the Year.

Guest speakers included Claire Young, finalist in series 4 of BBC1’s The Apprentice, Keith Elliott, the college’s principal and former apprentice Rob Stokes, who is now the deputy Editor of the Bristol Evening Post.

Claire Arbery, head of apprenticeships at the college, said: “We are delighted the Apprenticeship Awards are going from strength to strength.

“We recognise the importance of apprenticeships to the economy of Bristol, and this is why we hold an event each year to celebrate achievements of every apprentice we train, and their employers.

Weston College has launched a House Makeover Diploma focused on women following a successful taster day.

A dozen women got to grips with the intricacies of pasting, wallpapering and how to fill in damaged areas so repairs become virtually invisible at the college’s Construction and Engineering Centre of Excellence (CECE).

The new Level 1 course will allow women to gain a qualification and while the course is aimed at women who are interested in DIY, men can also enrol.

IT teacher, Sam Mabberley (45), of Earlham Grove, said: “This is a great course for working mums.

“I’m married to a painter and decorator but can’t get him to do DIY at home so I want to learn rather than pay someone else.

“I’ve enjoyed the taster day and would like to do the longer course.”

Barmaid and waitress, Sarah Greaves (23), of Wick St Lawrence, said: “I’d be interested in the longer course.

“I’ve already studied interior design but would like practical skills to support this.”

Maintenance operations lecturer, Shaun Canniford, added: “We have launched this course to show women trade secrets which are easy to master with practice and will save them a lot of money.”

Leeds City College welcomed a parliamentary visitor as the skills minister called into its flagship campus.

John Hayes MP, minister of state for further education, skills and lifelong learning, paid a special visit to the college’s new Keighley Campus on Tuesday and took a tour of some of the on-site facilities, meeting staff and students.

The minister was also asked to unveil a special plaque to officially open the campus.

He said: “I am delighted to be visiting the new Keighley Campus.

“There is a real sense of achievement here – the significance of a new building in helping to improve the town and the people who work in it, teaching and learning.”

Principal Peter Roberts said: “It was a great privilege to have John Hayes come to visit our flagship campus, which is a place of great achievement in terms of educational opportunities and community impact.”

The Deputy Prime Minister helped put the icing on the cake when visiting the Colchester Institute to set out plans for the new Youth Contract.

Nick Clegg visited the institute last month where he set out the government’s commitment to getting all young people earning or learning.

While on the visit, he met with students, staff and business leaders as well as taking time to watch a cookery lesson first hand.

The visit follows the unveiling of the Youth Contract – a government package of £1 billion to provide unemployed young people with more opportunities including apprenticeships and work experience placements.

Mr Clegg said: “Colchester Institute is giving thousands of students the opportunity to develop their skills and talents, not just in the classroom but together with real-world employers. We want to make sure that when students leave education they have the best chance to make a successful transition into the world of work.”

Danny Clough, principal of Colchester Institute, said: “We were delighted to welcome the Deputy Prime Minister and share his determination to provide students with the best possible range of skills to succeed in the workplace.”

Kind hearted students helped to raise money and awareness with a string of events for an important cause.

Hereward College took part in Anti-Bullying Week, with their Peer Support Team (PST), a group of students who help and support new students at the college, raising concerns about negative use of language in the college and wider community.

They were aided by Cyntia G Laycy, assistant educational psychologist, youth worker Rachel Brindley, mentor Dayna Donnelly and counsellor Linda Allden-West.

Events included a petition on a notice board to share thoughts on bullying and making T-shirts with messages against topic.

“I enjoyed it and it taught me a lot,” said Steph Merrison, a member of the PST.

And if these weren’t enough, the PST organised a sponsored walk to help raise funds for Childline, a charity which helps the most vulnerable children in society.

The walk took place at the Memorial Park, in Coventry, raising more than £265.