City of Bath College students stand out from the crowd with t-shirt design business

Enterprising students have set up a new clothing company inspired by the skateboarding and hip hop scene.

Technology Crew clothing is the brainchild of former City of Bath College student Josh Frayling and current college student Nathaniel Osborne. The Bath-based duo’s range of t-shirts and sweatshirts aim to reflect today’s street culture, with edgy, urban designs influenced by street art and graphic novels.

The eye-catching designs are the ideas of Josh (18), who studied the National Diploma in Graphic Design at City of Bath College.

He said: “The designs are meant to stand out and get people’s attention. I’m a graphic designer and always trying to be different and come up with new and innovative designs and the t-shirts are an extension of that. At the moment we are selling online, but we’re hopeful if Technology Crew clothing really takes off we’ll be able to start selling in some shops in Bath.”

Nathaniel (19) is currently studying on the BTEC Diploma in Creative Media Production. He said: “My responsibility is publicity and trying to raise the profile of the company online. We have our own website and are now on Facebook and Twitter, so it’s just a case of getting our name out there.

“Up until recently we have been relying on word of mouth and have been selling t-shirts to friends of friends, but we want to expand now.”
Both Josh and Nathaniel credited the college with having an influence on their new company.

Nathaniel, who writes for the college’s online student magazine, Bladud, added: “I’m really enjoying the course.
“The teachers are great and are always there to help and inspire you.”

Success for first Suited, Booted, Recruited employment course at Filton College

Filton College are celebrating after their new Suited, Booted, Recruited course proved a roaring success.

Young people, who were not in education, employment or training, were given the opportunity to undertake the course to enhance their employability.

The two week intensive programme that commenced on 10th October 2011 was designed to enable 16-18 year olds to stand out and get noticed by potential employers. The course was a huge success and recruited more than 100 young people.

The students studied a wide range of subjects, including; manual handling, food hygiene and customer service. It incorporated softer skills which are so important in the workplace, such as timekeeping and clear communication, whilst also integrating the necessary skills needed at interview, including; CV writing and how to sell yourself.

Former World Boxing Champion, Glenn Catley was pivotal on the programme delivering motivational and relaxation techniques, as well as great inspiration to the learners on the course. The finale of the course was an employment event where the students were kitted out with a new suit courtesy of ASDA, ready for interviews with local employers which took place on the last day.

As a result a total of 13 students were offered jobs on the day and many more are still waiting to hear back. Sara-Jane Watkins, Vice Principal said: “I am absolutely over the moon with how the course went. It was such an emotional event seeing learners being interviewed and I am thrilled that 13 jobs have been offered today.”

City College Brighton and Hove launch new training progamme for young chefs

Student chefs hope their food will be top of the table after the launch of a new training restaurant at a football stadium.

City College Brighton and Hove has opened up City College @ East Central Brasserie inside the new American Express Community Stadium, which is home to Championship side Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club.

It is designed to help train the next generation of chefs to achieve culinary excellence in a working environment, under the supervision of trained chefs. Principal Phil Frier said: “It is a great coup to be involved with this wonderful new stadium and the restaurant is not just providing excellent opportunities for our Level 1 to 3 catering students, it’s a great means of enhancing our reputation in the community.

“The Gallery, the training restaurant we have at the college’s main campus, has gained a fantastic reputation for fine dining and we’ve no doubt customers at the Amex will be delighted with the quality of the food and very reasonable price.”

City College @ East Central Brasserie is open Monday to Friday during term time, caters for more than 100 covers, and gives students the opportunity to train towards delivering an express lunch service.

To try for yourself, call City College @ East Central Brasserie on 01273 648095.

TyneMet College help Proctor and Gamble cook up a storm at Corporate Athlete day

TyneMet College hosted a two-day training event for a group of employees from Procter & Gamble (P&G) last month. Delegates were taught how to make a slap up dinner as part of a corporate day.

Over the two days, the group utilised the training facilities at the college, including cookery sessions led by the catering staff to cook a healthy three-course meal and exercise and fitness sessions led by North East Sports Academy (NESA) and Flex Fitness Gym’s specialist coaches in TyneMet’s purpose-built gym and sports hall.

It was arranged by TyneMet Governor, Dr Graeme Cruickshank, who is an Associate Director of Research and Development at P&G. He said: “This event has been a fantastic success.
“Our people are our greatest strength at P&G and we reflect this in commitment to and investment in learning and development.

“There is nothing more important than helping your employees to grow and develop and Corporate Athlete is a key part of this.”
He added: “The facilities at TyneMet College are modern, of a very high standard and they easily accommodated our group.

“We were well supported by the different college departments and having access to their expertise really helped to bring the course to life for our team.” Victor Reid, director of business development at TyneMet College, said: “We were delighted to be able to facilitate the P&G Corporate Athlete event.

“Delivering the course at TyneMet gave us the opportunity to showcase the excellent teaching and learning resources we have. We look forward to working with P&G again and hosting future events for them.”

Brian Ashton opens new sport and fitness centre Lancaster and Morcambe college

There was a scrum of activity when a former England Rugby coach opened a college’s new sports centre. LMC Sport and Fitness, the new centre at Lancaster and Morecambe College, was launched in style by Brian Ashton last month.
The glitzy event was also attended by The Right Worshipful the Mayor of Lancaster, councillor Paul Woodruff, Ann Morris the chief executive of the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce, representatives from sports clubs and other personalities.
The state of the art facilities were shown off by local teams and college sports tutors with the Vale of Lune RUFC training on the artificial 3G pitch and the local netball league taking part in a tournament on the Multi Use Games Area. David Wood, chief executive and principal of the college, started proceedings for the evening with a speech on upcoming developments for the college.
Following this, the centre was officially inaugurated by Mr Ashton, who spoke about his experience of coaching experienced professional players and young people in sport, offering words of advice and encouragement to college tutors.
Nick Barrett, LMC Sport and Fitness manager, said: “The evening has been a great success and an excellent opportunity to show off our amazing facilities and what we have to offer to the local community.
“Many of the guests have commented on how impressed they are with the facilities and the great value for money.
“We are very much looking forward to welcoming them and many other new members to the centre in the coming months.”

Burton and South Derbyshire college opens stylish new facilities in refurbishment plans

A multi-million pound college refurbishment programme has continued with the opening of a brand £500,000 new facility.
Works at Burton and South Derbyshire College include a new hairdressing salon, the installation of electronic white boards in classrooms, new IT equipment and a refurbished study centre, with new flooring, upgraded décor and furniture.
The new hair and beauty salon, Innovations, has now opened to the public and offers a range of treatments, which are carried out by students who are being assessed for the practical elements of their courses.
More than £14m has been invested in facilities at the college in the last six years including a Design and Creative Industries Centre (£3.6m), Sports Centre (£1.5m), Automotive and Engineering Skills Academy (£2m) and a University Centre (£5.2m).
The most recent refurbishments also included the development of a new Microsoft IT Academy, hailed as “the future of education” by Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Iain Duncan-Smith MP, during a visit to the college last month.
Dawn Ward OBE, chief executive and principal, said: “We pride ourselves on providing a professional, comfortable and supportive environment for our students to study in, together with investing in the very best technical facilities to ensure students are equipped with the latest skills and knowledge that employers need, in any given sector.”

New executive director for LSIS

The Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS) has announced the appointment of Chris Cherry to its senior management team.

Cherry joins the team as Executive Director, Strategy and Business Development. He has worked as a college lecturer and senior manager, and more recently as an inspector, education adviser, consultant and business development director.

Mr Cherry said; “This is a tremendous opportunity to support the sector through major shifts in policy and the impact of further social and economic change.”

London colleges merge

Two north London colleges officially merged this week in a bid to protect their financial future

The merger between Barnet College and Southgate College took place on Tuesday 1st November.

The new Barnet and Southgate College is now one of London’s largest further education institutions, with an annual turnover of £50m.

Marilyn Hawkins, principal at the newly merged college said: “This merger marks the beginning of a new chapter in Further Education in London, and I am really excited about the opportunities it will provide, enabling us to do what we do best: enhance the social and economic well-being of our students.”

The college has stated that teaching staff will be unaffected by the move.

Government protects student governors after heavy NUS lobbying

The Government has reversed its plans to remove the compulsory legal requirement of having two student governors at each college.

Skills Minister Lord Hill has confirmed the coalition will bring a new amendment to secure staff and student governors when the Education Bill is returned to Parliament on November 14, 2011.

The decision follows heavy lobbying of both Government ministers and parliamentarians by the NUS, who has worked closely with unions such as UCU and UNISON to try and change the proposals.

Lord Hill announced the Government’s change of heart in response to a counter amendment the Labour party tabled at the House of Lords yesterday.

Lord Hill said: “Having listened to the arguments that were put to him by the noble Baroness, Lady Jones of Whitchurch, my honourable friend Mr Hayes and I have spoken further.

“We have decided that the Government will return at Third Reading with their own amendment, which will give effect to what the noble Baroness’s amendment seeks to achieve.

“With that assurance, I hope that the noble Baroness will feel able to withdraw the amendment.”

Baroness Jones of Whitchurch said in response that she would temporarily withdraw the counter amendment from Labour:

Baroness Jones said: “I am therefore grateful that the Minister has agreed to reconsider this issue and to come back with a form of words that will reinstate the right to student and staff representation at Third Reading.

“On this basis, we are prepared to withdraw Amendment 84ZLA. We of course reserve the right to return to this issue at Third Reading should we feel that the new proposals are lacking in any way, but I am sure that that will not be the case.

“For the moment, I thank the Minister for the progress made on this issue.”