Art and Design are about to take on a fresh hue with the opening of a brilliant new £1m art and design centre at Bournemouth & Poole College. Remarkably, building work on the new block only began in May and it is being seen as a triumph of hard work and dedication of all the teams involved.

Colin Wills, estates manager at the college, said: “The building has been situated and created to make the most of ‘northern light’ which reduces glare, whilst providing soft and restful daylight for the artists.”

“It looks fantastic inside and as word spreads I have no doubt it will attract some great young talent from our region.” College principal Lawrence Vincent said: “Using our own resources we have been able to create an inspirational environment for our talented students.”

The first opportunity for potential students and parents as well as local people to check out the new centre will be on November 3 when an open evening is scheduled.

Lance Corporal Johnson Beharry VC visited South Thames College as part of Black History Month today.

The British Army Soldier met over 100 hundreds and spoke about he came to be decorated with the Victoria Cross in 2005, the highest military decoration for valour in the British and Commonwealth armed forces.

Mr Beharry said: “When I first came to London I dropped out of College. I was dealing drugs, drinking and smoking. I turned my life around and now I am the only living British solider still serving in the Army to have been awarded the Victoria Cross.”

Mr Beharry was awarded the prestigious decoration by the Queen for twice saving members of his unit from ambushes in Iraq.

“I have been through a lot, but meeting the Queen was one of the scariest days of my life,” he said.

Mr Beharry endured serious head injuries after falling into a coma and spending time on a life support machine.

Doctors gave Mr Beharry a 1% chance of survival, but he made a miraculous recovery and returned to his role in the Army.

Jordi Williams, a 23 year-old Law student, said: “I’m so happy I met Johnson, I could really relate to his background. He showed me that no matter what you’ve been through you can always come out a better person and be where you want to be.”

Mr Beharry has been working with a number of charities to raise awareness about injured soldiers since winning the Victoria Cross.

The event was organised by South Thames College, Wandsworth Borough Council and the Metropolitan Police.

Sheffield College music students have been given the chance to feature in a new music video by Maverick Sabre. The MOBO Awards nominated singer has been visiting various colleges and asking music students to perform with him on his forthcoming single ‘I Need’.

Mr Sabre will use the best performance for a new video that will coincide with the single’s release on November 7. The singer held the recording session at Norton College, part of The Sheffield College, on October 4.

Mr Sabre said. “I know there are hundreds of great young musicians across the country who just want a chance to show what they can do. “I’m really pleased to give some of them an opportunity to get together and be part of a massive collaboration on ‘I Need’.”

Mr Sabre recorded several takes of the song with a student band, as well as smaller groups of musicians. Neil Anderton, Music Course Leader, Norton College, said: “The event was a huge success. Students were buzzing with excitement, rose to the challenge and worked very professionally. “They gained an insight into working to industry standards given the tight deadline to produce quality material for commercial use, and enjoyed the question and answer sessions.”

Mr Sabre later played an acoustic set for the students, and talked to them about his experiences in the music business. Freya Sheldon, a student at Norton College, said: “He made it about the students, not just himself. “This is the first time I have performed in a studio, and it was really interesting to see how it all worked.

There were cameras everywhere, but after a while it felt really natural.” Mr Sabre will be visiting other music colleges including Norwich, Brighton, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester and Glasgow.

Young people alarmed by the recent spike in youth unemployment can take advantage of expert advice on entering the world of work when Harlow College plays host to Essex’s first-ever apprenticeship fair today (Monday).

The unique event – which takes place inside the college’s new University Centre Harlow building – will give would-be apprentices the chance to seek information and guidance from employers representing a diverse range of industries.

The college has recently helped set up apprenticeships with Harlow MP Rob Halfon and freelance education journalist Janet Murray. Deputy principal Sue Young said: “There are lots of myths about apprenticeships, from smaller companies thinking they’re unable to afford them, to young people not fully understanding them and thinking they’re only offered in certain jobs.

“By working with local employers, we want to unlock the untapped talent and potential in Harlow and further afield.” Mr Halfon, who last year became the first MP to appoint a paid apprentice, added: “Harlow College is not only one of the top UK colleges in England, but has also led the way in apprenticeships across the board.”

Bridges have been built between students and experts after Weston College teamed up with a major builders’ merchants.
Weston College’s Construction and Engineering Centre of Excellence (CECE) has joined with Bradfords as part of a package which will see the centre gain competitive rates for building materials and equipment as well as advice, support and training days.

Bradfords, of Winterstoke Road, in Weston-super-Mare, has already supplied the CECE team with around 30 high visibility jackets.
Construction lecturer Shaun Canniford said: “It’s great news to team up with Bradfords. We have been given around £2,000 worth of materials so far and we are set to save around 30 per cent on usual costs.”

Bradfords, which has an annual turnover of £150 million, was established 200 years ago and covers the South West, Herefordshire and Worcestershire. Bradfords Weston-based Commercial Manager Ed Finch said: “We are proud to be working in partnership with Weston College as we believe the CECE is an excellent facility for learning and developing skills in the construction industry.

“Working closely with the college will allow Bradfords to build relationships with the next generation of tradespeople and help them make the transition when they leave education.”

Waltham Forest College has joined forces with Tottenham Hotspur FC to tackle the problem of young people at risk of drifting away from work, education or training after leaving school.

The college and the football club have set up a programme for more than 50 talented young footballers which combines education with football training delivered by Spurs’ academy coaches.

Tom Vittles, the college’s curriculum manager for sport, said: “Learners are required to sign a code of conduct, and will not be allowed to train or play football unless they are up to date with their academic commitments.”

Trevor Duberry, the club’s community development officer, said: “We know that many were unlikely to stay in education, and some had already fallen out of education. We have enticed them back in and this is an opportunity for them to stay engaged.”

The students were paid a motivational visit by two young Tottenham players who have broken into the Premier League club’s first team in European matches this season. Harry Kane, 18, and Andros Townsend, 20, held a series of question and answer sessions with the students, giving advice on their nutrition and training regimes and revealed what inspired them to achieve as professional footballers.

Andros said: “This is a fantastic project for getting young people off the streets.“If there were more programmes like this the world would be a much better place to live in.”

Stratford-upon-Avon MP, Nadhim Zahawi, visited Warwickshire College to try his hand at sports massage and theatrical make-up, as part of the college’s ‘have a go’ campaign.

Mr Zahawi met first-year theatrical make-up students and watched attentively as tutor, Tracey Bridger, made a prosthetic amputated thumb using carpet glue, cotton wool, honey and red food colouring. He then had a go at making one himself, using unsuspecting student, Demi Bailey as a model.

Mr Zahawi then had a go at sports massage alongside students from the second-year sports development course. Mr Zahawi said: “I found my visit to Warwickshire College inspiring. The students and staff are clearly incredibly committed and made me feel very welcome. “I was also heartened to hear that the government’s commitment to fund more apprenticeships and vocational training places is working, with more students and employers taking up opportunities.”

Iconic shoemaker Dr. Martens has used South Birmingham College for a new advertising campaign. The company did a photoshoot for their Autumn Winter 2012 collection at the College’s construction campus in Bordesley Green.

College staff and students were on site to ensure the crew had everything they needed and give advice on realistic poses for the models, who were trying to imitate vocational trades such as painting, bricklaying, and carpentry. Level 3 Carpentry student Martina Lyndon, 21, was helping with the shoot.

She said: “I’ve enjoyed helping them, showing them round and helping set up each shoot so that it looks as realistic as possible. “It is great that students can get involved with things like this – it makes me feel much more involved with the college.”

The photos will be used worldwide in Dr. Martens’ trade and consumer catalogues, as well as their print and online advertising. Daniel Freeland from Dr. Martens, said: “South Birmingham College has been an ideal location for this photoshoot. “We have been able to get shots of our new industrial footwear range in several different realistic trade settings. The campus here is very versatile with multiple environments so we have been able to get all our shots done in just two days.”

The fee that Dr. Martens paid to use the facilities will be used to create an ‘Endeavour Award’ for students at the College.