Whilst out shopping one day, Andrea picked up a leaflet advertising free short-courses at Ruskin College for adults just like her with few or no formal qualifications. She decided to attend a weekly language course over an eight week period, and that was the turning point, she was hooked and wanted to study more!

From a short course to a degree course

“It seemed quite natural once I was in college, to try studying full-time. I thought I’d like to read History but was interviewed by the Economics lecturer and he rightly spotted that my interests were better suited to studying Social Sciences which encompasses Sociology, Politics and Economics” explained Andrea.

“I’m the first member of my family to go for a degree, so when I started out three years ago, I thought if I can get through my first year that would be brilliant. And then, if I can just get through my second year — fantastic, at least I’ll have certificates and a diploma to my credit. And now here I am, in my third year working on my dissertation and final modules. Who would have thought it?”

Not just about getting your degree

“Going to Ruskin is about so much more than just getting a degree; its about opening up a whole new skills set, self-belief, making new friends and limitless possibilities for the future as a result. Although raising children is very rewarding, being a single mum I felt I needed mental stimulation which in turn is proactive in creating more choice and opportunities, not just for me but also for my children.”

Andrea has served two stints as President of Ruskin’s Student Union, elected by her fellow students and has found the whole experience very rewarding and enjoyable. In this role she has learnt how to chair lively meetings and initiate change such as instigating award ceremonies for students on every type of course at the college.

Lecturers are so supportive

“The lecturers are superb and so supportive; I feel I could go to them about literally anything Ruskin is a small college so you get to know most people and even staff from other departments and from admin, really care and help you.”

“For example, when I started my degree, the children were only 2 and 3 years old, so I needed help in getting a child care grant in my first year and then a student loan after that, o- I couldn’t have continued learning and the office staff were great.”

A future of possibilites

“When asked about her plans for the future Andrea said: I’m not 100% sure yet which direction I will take career-wise, as there are a wide range of options out there. Who knows, I may well choose to carry on studying and take an MA next!”

Ruskin offers a second chance

Ruskin College is known as a ‘second chance’ adult education college that specialises in providing ‘return to learning’ opportunities for adults with few or no qualifications. Ruskin welcomes students who not only want to develop themselves but also ‘want to put something back into society.’

Ruskin bursaries and courses

Most people who study at Ruskin are entitled to some form of financial support which can cover the cost of the whole fIrst year of studies at degree level. More information is available from the college’s Academic Registrar, Hannah Jones via hjones@ruskin.ac.uk or on 01865 517832.

Ruskin offers long courses in English and Creative Writing, History, Writing for Performance. Combined Studies, Law, Youth and Community Work, Social Sciences, Women’s Studies, Social Work, and International Labour and Trade Union Studies.

The initiative aims to provide budding entrepreneurs with support and a small amount of capital to help them get started as well as access to training and business mentors.

The Government is now inviting organisations and consortiums who can offer the right level of support to deliver the programme to bring forward their proposals.

Business and Enterprise Minister Mark Prisk said:

“We want to give young people the best possible chance to start and grow their own enterprise. This scheme is not just providing a small amount of funding, but is about looking at the bigger picture and we want to be able to offer a full package of business training and mentoring.

“We want providers to come forward and demonstrate how they will be best placed to deliver this exciting scheme. By encouraging more young people to get into business we will be able to boost their entrepreneurial spirit and help the future growth of the UK economy.”

An initial £10 million has been announced to provide capital for Start-up Loans that will help tens of thousands of young people take their first steps as entrepreneurs every year.

Any providers or consortiums interested in expressing an interest can find more information by visiting http://www.bis.gov.uk/startup-loans.

Expressions of interest are open until 12pm on Wednesday 9 May.

Anna staged the event as part of the launch of her Five Island Swim Challenge, in which she aims to swim around each of Dragonera, Spain, Portsea Island, the Isle of Wight, Jersey and Tiree.

Students on the City & Guilds Media Techniques course, armed with cameras, tripods and sound recording equipment, not to mention trusty notebooks and pens, spent around 30 minutes questioning Anna on her challenge.

Anna is a former journalist herself, and after graduating with a degree in journalism and philosophy she was an economics correspondent for an international news agency working out of London and New York. She has also written for a range of newspapers and magazines in the UK and overseas.

 ‘The students were terrific and asked some really probing questions. I felt like I had been given a good grilling by the end, and it was an interesting experience to be on the receiving end,’ said Anna (36) who also runs her own PR agency Seagrass Communications.

The students are also studying AS and A-Levels alongside their media course and course coordinator Rob Hind stressed ‘real life’ experience was an important element.

‘This is a practical media course and it is vital to give students the opportunity to see what it is like to work in the real world and we were delighted Anna agreed to hold a press conference for us,’ he said.

‘Depending on their specialism, the students had to produce a either a story for a TV news bulletin or a human interest story for their print portfolios,’ he added.

Journalism student Nick Hart (19) from Gosport said: ‘I was a bit nervous beforehand, but doing the press conference was more comfortable with it than I thought I would be. I wondered whether our questions would be up to journalistic standards, but it soon became clear they were. It certainly felt like we were doing a real event and the exercise has boosted my confidence.’

Fellow student Portia Chimbunde (16) from Bridgemary added: ‘I think the press conference was really helpful and helped me get a perspective on what the journalism trade might be like in the real world, it was definitely an experience I won’t forget. I work for Radio Haslar and I hope to be able to use Anna as a contact for my regular show on there.’

One member of staff has been chosen to perform as a dancer in the Olympic Games closing ceremony and another will take part in the opening ceremony of the Paralympics. An 18-year-old Public Services student at Merrist Wood College, Lauren Driver, is one of only 100 “Young Leaders” nationally to be selected for the games and has worked with Olympic double gold medallist Dame Kelly Holmes.

“Young Leaders” is a project to support teenagers with potential on an intensive personal development programme which includes volunteering in their local community.  The young leaders will each play a significant role in the delivery of London 2012.

Lauren, who is planning a career in the police force or fire brigade, will work in event services at the Games and is going to the opening ceremony. She has also been given a ticket to attend the Olympics event of her choice.

“Dame Kelly was there at the start of the programme to introduce us to it and she was lovely, really inspirational. We also met Seb Coe at the programme graduation ceremony last week, which was filmed by ITV News. It has been a fantastic experience and I feel so lucky to have been chosen.”

A hundred Guildford College Group students are in line to act as security staff at the games after being trained as door supervisors through the Bridging the Gap initiative, which gives students the chance to be involved in London 2012. Ten Guildford College catering and hospitality students will be able to show off their skills serving up nutritious food to some of the world’s top athletes at the Olympics rowing events, thanks to a contract with London 2012 caterers Aramark.

All three campuses in the Guildford College Group have been awarded the “Get Set” Olympics accreditation for education establishments, entitling them to 18 Olympics/Paralympics tickets. To celebrate World Sports Week on 27 June, the College is organising its own “World Sports Day” at Merrist Wood. Participants who best demonstrate Olympic values will have the chance to win the London 2012 tickets.

The new training area, used by students on the Level 2 Diploma in Air Cabin Crew, now features twenty-four airline seats and overhead lockers, plus a galley area and crew jump seat. With practical tasks and role-plays an essential part of the course, first class facilities are vital in order to make the assessments as realistic as possible.

In addition to classroom-based activities, and food and beverage service experience in the College’s training restaurant, Le Cordon Vert, students also participate in off-site trips and external training sessions, which support their knowledge of the aviation industry. Throughout the year, students visit the headquarters of international airlines such as Monarch, and Virgin Atlantic, where they get the opportunity to take part in safety training, including general cabin safety, and dealing with fire and smoke. They also experience ditching drills and evacuation procedures in water, at a training session held at a local swimming pool by Active Solutions Consulting Group. The year-long course concludes with an exciting flight to Edinburgh, where students get to experience exactly what’s involved in the job after take-off.

Student Alex Rodrigues, 18, from Bewbush, understands how practical training in a real-life environment could give him the edge when it comes to getting a job. He says: “I really enjoy the variety of the lessons here at College and find the practical tasks particularly interesting. I recently started work as a waiter at a top hotel, and believe my lessons in the College’s restaurant helped me get this job. Eventually I hope to become cabin crew, and would love to work for a big airline like Virgin, Emirates or British Airways – I believe I’m already well on my way!”

If you would like to know more about the Air Cabin Crew qualification offered at Central Sussex College, go to: www.centralsussex.ac.uk/aircabincrew Alternatively, call in at the College’s Open Evening on Wednesday 16^th May, 5-8pm to speak to staff and see the facilities first-hand.

Creative, Cultural and Sport Apprenticeships – Information Day

Friday, 18th May 2012 – Local Government Association (Local Government House, Smith Square, London, SW1P 3HZ)

A recent report by the Economic and Social Research Council has shown just how tough it is for young people to find employment.  Youth unemployment has now passed one million, and the Government is introducing a radically different approach to welfare.   How can culture, sport and tourism help provide young people with the skills and experience to find work and live positive lifestyles?  Find out how others have set up successful Apprenticeship schemes at this practical Information Day at the LGA and network with some of the key players.

Draft Agenda
10.00    Registration and refreshments
10.30    Welcome and Introductions  – Cllr. Flick Rea, Chair of the LGA Culture, Tourism and Sport Board , Simon Eden, Chief Executive, Winchester City Council
10.45- 11.00    The Skills policy landscape and the cultural and sport sector – Philip Mind, LGA
11.00-11.20    Skills Councils and apprenticeships – Emma Forward, Sport Active, Jennie Goodsalve, Cultural and Creative Skills, Skillset tbc
11.20-11.40    Royal Opera House apprenticeship scheme – Lowri Jones, Apprenticeships and Work Experience Co-ordinator
11.40-12.00    Questions and break    Simon Eden, Chief Executive, Winchester City Council
12.00-12.20    Reading’s Cultural Academy – Lisa Pearce, Culture and Sport Development Manager, Reading Borough Council
12.20-12.40    Apprenticeships in Urban South Hampshire – Jane Bryant, Chief Executive, Jay Michelle-Mendivil, Artswork
12.40-13.00    Pinewood work experience – Darrienne Price, Business and Operations Manager, Screen South
13.00-13.30    Questions and close – Simon Eden, Chief Executive, Winchester City Council
13.30    Lunch and networking

For further information and to book please contact:
Stella Bellem – Cultural Improvement Officer
South East Cultural Improvement Forum
stella.bellem@freeuk.com

Eligibility

The competition is open to all learners with a learning difficulty and / or disability who are studying at Entry Level or Level 1 in a FE College in the South East region.

The Challenge

The task is to design a short film about an enterprise currently running within your curriculum.  The film could include details such as the name of your organisation, the product or service offered, who will be the customers and how you will market to them.   The film should also outline the areas of responsibility within the teams, explaining who does each role within the business.

The film should be no longer than five minutes and may include dialogue from the tutor. Entries will be judged on: originality, creativity and the strength of the enterprise idea.

Each College may enter a maximum of five films, each completed by either an individual or a group of students. Once you have designed the film, please upload it to YouTube and send the link to: rupertgarnett@aosec.org.uk .  Please also include details of the names of the student(s) who has designed the video, and the course they are studying.

The deadline for receipt of applications is the end of Thursday, 14^th June 2012.

As we are seeking to publicise the good work of Colleges in this area, we plan to post links to all the films on our website, together with the names of the students and their College.  Please ensure you have permission from the student or their guardian for us to publicise their film in this way, or indicate when you submit the film if we cannot publicise the student’s name.

Prizes

1^st prize: £100 Love to Shop vouchers

2^nd prize: £75 Love to Shop vouchers

3^rd prize: £50 Love to Shop vouchers

Open date: 10 Apr 2012

Closing date: 04 Jun 2012

The Further Education Teachers Qualifications (England) Regulations 2007 and the Further Education Teachers Continuing Professional Development and Registration (England) Regulations 2007 both came into force on 1 September 2007. They set requirements for teachers:

•  to hold or acquire, within a specified period of time, recognised qualifications
•  to complete a period of professional formation leading to Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) status;
• to complete at least 30 hours of continuing professional development each year and provide an annual record to the Institute for Learning (IfL); and
• to be registered with IfL and maintain that registration continuously.

In direct response to concerns raised about the current arrangements for achieving a professionalised workforce, in particular the role and payment of membership fees for the Institute for Learning (IfL), John Hayes, Minister of State for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning, announced an Independent Review, chaired by Lord Lingfield, and supported by a small panel of expert professionals led by David Sherlock.

The Government has recently welcomed the interim report and recommendations of the review.

One of the key recommendations is the revocation of the 2007 Regulations, to be replaced by largely discretionary advice to employers on appropriate qualifications for staff and continuous professional development. As a result the Government is setting in motion this formal consultation to canvas the sector’s views regarding the revocation of the regulations. This is ahead of the final stage of the review, which will consider professionalism more widely and report in July 2012.

http://www.bis.gov.uk/Consultations/revocation-of-further-education-workforce-regulations

Colleges play a significant role in maintaining and growing student interest in sport as well as providing students with the opportunity to try new sports and activities. Colleges are key in ensuring transition of young people through the education pathway is smooth and hence reduce the risk of drop off in participation, especially at 16 and 18.   In recognition of this key role, Sport England have developed Active Colleges.

Active Colleges is a £25 million investment ring-fenced to benefit students in further education.  This funding will be used for 2 key strands;

1. College Sport Makers – 150 full time sports development professionals working in the FE sector. Their role will be to link colleges with community sport opportunities in order to widen the offer for students.

1. Activation Fund – For revenue projects that will increase regular sports participation of students in colleges.

To enable colleges to find out more about Active Colleges and how to apply for funding, Sport England will be holding a series of pre-application workshops. The aim of the workshops will be to:

1. Provide more detail about College Sport Makers including:

1. The role
2. Funding
3. Eligibility criteria
4. Mentoring & Evaluation
1. Provide more detail about the Activation Fund
2. Look at what makes a good application
3. Look at the timescales and processes for applying for funding

The pre-application workshops will take place on the following dates:

If you would like to sign up for one of the workshop slots, please contact further.education@sportengland.org providing the following:

• Your Name
• Name of College
• Date of workshop you would like to attend
• Time of workshop

Please note that a maximum of two members of staff from an individual college will be able to attend. There are only 50 places per session. Places will be allocated on a first come first served basis.