PortalPressIssue 3 | 17 October 2014

Welcome

ContentsShadow Education Secretary visits Goole College 3HCUK Training launches in Goole 4HCUK Training co-hosts Ports and Logistics event 4Symposium invite for all staff 5Modern art field trip for Harrogate students 5Inspirations Launch 6Theme nights announced at Charlotte’s 7New College Year and we’re off to the Peak District! 7Employability Hub’s ResQ Sector Based Work Academy success! 8Harrogate College Public Services Students 10Careers in Focus 11Students launch supermarket’s fashion collection 11The Royal Marines ‘Look at Life’ 12Does the idea of starting a business sound alien to you?! 13BBC Radio 4 Debut for Harrogate College Hospitality & Catering Lecturer 13The ‘JP Charity-Challenge’ 2014 – Action for Children 14Arts events, October 2014 15

This week has seen the launch of a second branch of HCUK Training – Hull College Group’s new dedicated arm for meeting employers’ training and recruitment needs. After Hull’s launch at The Deep on Monday September 29, HCUK Training was introduced to the local business community in an event at Goole’s Lowther Hotel on Monday October 6. Congratulations to all staff involved in ensuring the launch events were successful.

Goole College also welcomed a high-profile visitor this Thursday, with Shadow Secretary for Education Tristram Hunt spending some time at the College, meeting staff and Goole 14-16 College students. Mr Hunt was impressed by our students’ enthusiasm for their studies and their commitment to following a vocational path alongside GCSEs. The visit will be featured by the Goole Times and BBC Look North next week.

At Harrogate and Hull final preparations have been underway for next week’s inaugural HE Open Day on Wednesday October 15. At Hull, the open day has proved extremely popular and bookings are now closed with more than 300 students expected to attend. Numbers for the Harrogate date are still growing, and staff are encouraged to continue promoting the day to FE students looking to progress. Good luck to all those involved in the organisation of both next week’s dates, they should be an excellent opportunity to secure interest in our HE programmes for 2015/16.

Regards,

Gary Warke, Chief Executive

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Shadow Education Secretary Tristram Hunt (Lab) visited Goole College on Thursday, meeting staff and students and speaking about the importance of vocational qualifications. Mr Hunt was particularly interested in the Goole 14-16 College, spending time speaking to students about why they made the decision to leave school and follow a route at the College combining GCSEs and vocational work.

Goole’s 14-16 College, part of Hull College Group, launched in September 2013 as one of only five facilities in the country. It was awarded the highest possible rating by Ofsted in its first monitoring visit in April and saw an increase in student numbers for September 2014.

Mr Hunt spent some time in the College’s welding workshop, which recently underwent a £500,000 refurbishment through funding secured by the Hull and Humber Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) under the Government’s City Deal policy.

Goole College Principal Lynne Richardson said: “We were delighted to welcome Mr Hunt to the College. His visit provided an opportunity to discuss the importance of providing a vocational option

for students, and the benefits which can be gained from offering this option from age 14.

“We are extremely proud of our 14-16 College and it was a pleasure to see the students speaking to the Shadow Education Secretary so enthusiastically about their studies and the vocational element of their courses”.

Shadow Education Secretary visits Goole College

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launches in GooleHCUK Training marked its official launch in Goole with a special event at the town’s Lowther Hotel on October 6. The event followed the launch of the Hull arm of HCUK Training at the Deep the previous week.

HCUK Training, which has bases at Hull, Goole and Harrogate, will provide workforce training to employers that is performance and value driven and responsive to their business needs. HCUK Training is part of Hull College Group, and will work directly with employers to provide a range of services from training existing employees to sourcing Apprentices and devising bespoke training solutions.

As part of the launch event, local employers had the opportunity to consult with members of the HCUK Training team on their specific business needs and existing skills gaps. They also heard

about the latest funding opportunities, including the SSW programme, an initiative offering eligible employers across the Humber region with fully funded workplace learning courses.

Events in both Hull and Goole were very well attended and received extremely positive feedback from the business attendees. A further event in Harrogate is planned for later in the year.

HCUK Training, in partnership with the Humber Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and Team Humber Marine Alliance, will be hosting a Ports and Logistics skills event on board the Pride of Rotterdam on Thursday 16 October.

Employers from across the Humber will have the opportunity to discuss their skills needs with various education and training providers and will have the opportunity to discuss the opportunity to access free funding, such as Skills Support for the Workforce (SSW).

There will be an opportunity to shape the skills strategy for the sector and the aim is to draw people’s attention to the transformational impact that Offshore Wind will have on the sector and the potential demands for re-training and up skilling across the Humber.

The event is an opportunity for employers to discover how HCUK Training can address a range of business needs, including staff training, recruitment, and identifying and addressing specific skills gaps.

Guest speakers include Lord Haskins- Chair of the Humber LEP, Peter Aarosin- CEO of RSM Group Holdings Ltd, and Mark Frith- Port Manager for Goole and Hull ABP.

Members of the HCUK Training team would be happy to discuss individual business requirements in order to tailor a training package to suit your needs. Contact the team on: 0300 330 2010 or visit www.hcuktraining.co.uk.

HCUK Training co-hosts Ports and Logistics event

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Symposium invite for all staffWe would like to warmly invite you to a free one day Symposium and the opening of a photographic exhibition exploring the aesthetics of the geology of Flamborough Head curated by Matt Hopper and Fraser Briggs at Hull College on Saturday October 11 2014.

Regarding Dynamic Processes: Shifting Relations between Geology & the Visual Arts

This symposium will prove a lively day featuring internationally respected speakers and delegate discussion concerning interdisciplinary crossovers and collaborations.

It is a joint event organised in partnership with Hull Geological Society and Yorkshire Geological Society. The event is open to all: artists, scientists, students and the public; full information on the symposium content and booking details can be found by following this link:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/regarding-dynamic-processes-symposium-geology-the-visual-arts-tickets-12674817721The Aesthetic Geology exhibition will run until 31 October 2014.

Modern art field trip for Harrogate studentsThe BTEC L3 Extended Diploma in Art & Design second years went on a trip to mima, the Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art on Thursday 2nd October. We had a glorious day, and when they weren’t engaging with the exhibitions, they were able to photograph and record the building and grounds as well as feed the ducks on the lake.

There were 2 exhibitions, the primary one being works by Louise Bourgeois, which ranged from soft sculptural forms, to bronzes, as well as paintings and tapestries. This is challenging work which deals with some complex themes and the students responded really well, sketching from and discussing the pieces.

The other major exhibition was by Jeweller and designer Wendy Ramshaw, and again, the work was far-reaching and challenging. This appealed to the Sci-Fi fans as they felt it resembled futuristic cities and Gallifreyan symbols!

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Inspirations Launch

Goole College’s onsite salon has recently been refurbished and renamed, Inspirations.

The fully equipped industry standard salon offers a range of Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy services and treatments to the public, allowing Goole College students to work with real clients from the offset of their training. From a cut and colour to a manicure and spray tan, students and members of the public are welcome to book themselves in for a range of treatments on offer within the College’s own modern salon that offers an exceptional training environment for the Hair and Beauty therapists of the future.

Lynne Richardson, Principal of Goole College said: “We are delighted to launch our newly refurbished hair and beauty salon ‘Inspirations’ which will enable our customers to try different styles and treatments at very reasonable prices whilst also providing our students with valuable experience. We look forward to welcoming new and old customers of all ages to our new salon.”

Maxine Stevenson, Head of School, said: “We have excellent facilities at Goole that meet industry standards for hairdressing and beauty therapy, all students will gain practical and employability skills to a high standard that will be essential in gaining them future employment.”

Inspirations held its official launch of its new salon on Monday 29 September and photos of the new look salon can be seen below. Why not come along and try it out for yourself. Contact Inspirations on: (01405) 762420 or email: gooleinfo@hull-college.ac.uk.

INSPIRATIONSH a i r a n d B e a u t y S a l o n

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Theme nights announced at

Charlotte’s Restaurant is set to host a series of special events offering cuisine from around the world.

The theme events, where food is prepared by catering students under the guidance of industry-experienced tutors, cost £15 per person and are served from 7pm, with last orders at 8pm. Events are very popular, so book early to avoid disappointment:

Thursday 22 January 2015 – Burns Night special Thursday 5 February – Best of British Thursday 12 February – Valentines £18 per person Thursday 26 February – French Thursday 5 March – Moroccan Thursday 12 March – Italian Thursday 19 March – Irish Thursday 26 March – Indian Thursday 16 April – Spanish Thursday 23 April – Greek Thursday 30 April – Vegetarian Thursday 7 May – Mexican Thursday 14 May – AmericanCall: 01482 598803 to reserve a table

or email: charlottes@hull-college.ac.uk.

New College Year and we’re off to the Peak District!“Going on this trip was great fun and I’d definitely do it again! It helped me to get to know the group a lot and to make new connections”, George Purser, Student.

For students like George, just starting on the Level 3 CACHE Diploma in Child Care and Education (EYE) at Harrogate College, friendships and self-confidence are already growing thanks to the latest residential trip organised by tutors. On the 25th and 26th September a cohort of 9 students travelled to the beautiful Peak District for a couple of days activities specifically designed to develop their team building skills and the development of confidence in challenging circumstances. Students were encouraged to step out of their comfort zones to challenge and stretch their physical and mental abilities through activities which included Rock Scrambling, Abseiling, Raft Building and a Night Walk.

Sally Abbott, Course Tutor, says “We love taking our students on this trip. It gives us a real insight into the different personalities of individual students which is important when they are going to be going out on work placements as part of their course”. Aside from all that confidence and skill building, a fun time was clearly had by all!

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RESQ is the third largest employer in Hull and we have been successfully working with them for over three years providing Sector Based Work Academies (SBWA) as part of their recruitment process. We provide a two week course that includes units such as interview skills and customer service skills that will enhance the candidate’s opportunity in gaining work. Every candidate that completes the course will have a guaranteed interview for a position at ResQ.

A little background on this company, brothers Nic and Matt Marshall established Res-Q Contact Services Limited with their fellow director Gill Marchbank in May 2006. Having worked all over the world, they chose Hull to set up their business because of its low cost base and the availability of a friendly labour force.

Starting with just a team of just twelve telephone agents, ResQ now employs more than 500 permanent staff across two service centers. ResQ provides contact centre outsourcing services for some of the UK’s leading brands and their business has continually flourished.

Karen Boswell was one of our recent candidates that had completed the ResQ SBWA and she was successful in gaining full time employment.

Karen said: “Thank you for all the help and support during my time on the course and helping me gain employment”.

We also had fantastic feedback from the employer regarding her interview and sales pitch. A representative said: “Karen was very good, she was well-mannered and confident especially when completing the sales exercise”.

Congratulations Karen, we wish you and all the other successful candidates the best!

Premier Inn Industry insight visitThroughout this four week course delivered by the Employability Hub, students are supported to engage in a transformative programme which encourages them to reflect on their readiness for work and develop their confidence as future employees.

The course material enables them to explore their options relating to work and further study and develop a career plan that helps them to move onto the next steps of their journey into employment. There is a mix of employability theory and practical activity which develops teamwork and problem solving skills.

Students study qualifications in I.T but are also taught the skills to apply for jobs using traditional pen and paper. A strong emphasis is placed on developing effective workplace communication, taking control of their CV, sending e-mails appropriately and writing excellent cover letters.

Activities that support looking for work include introducing awareness of the techniques and approaches that encourage young people to access the hidden job market and enable them to

improve or change job search habits.

Students are also given the opportunity to learn away from the classroom, with successful industry insight visits kindly provided by Premier Inn which students have really enjoyed. An employability scavenger hunt allows students to access the local services discussed through the course, such as employment agencies and Igen.

September 2014 – 19-24 Future Steps students visit Hull City Centre Premier Inn, where they spend an afternoon being given an insight into every area of the business by the Whitbread Area Manager. Each student took a speculative letter and copy of their CV and was given a valuable insight into the specific application procedure for Premier Inn.

New successes for Employability Hub!

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New successes for Employability Hub!

19 - 24 Future Steps JourneyMark Giles (in the picture) came through to the Employability Hub from an Apprenticeship Information Session that also invited the Employability Hub Job Coaches to the sessions to offer advice and guidance for those who had previously been unsuccessful gaining an Apprenticeship.

Mark unfortunately had been unsuccessful gaining an Apprenticeship. He was lacking in confidence and had indicated to a Job Coach that he was not comfortable in social situations. Karen Burnett the Job Coach attending that session advised him that the 19-24 Future Steps course would of great benefit to him. Throughout the duration of the course he achieved 100% attendance and grew in confidence.

As part of his course and all other courses delivered by the Employability Hub a Job Coach is assigned to guide and support every student with their next steps, whether this is into employment or onto another course they are interested in. This support is not only available for the duration of their course it is also continued 8 weeks after course completion.

After speaking with Mark at his exit review, he was put forward for the Traineeship programme where he had a meeting but felt that this wasn’t for him. From this he attended a week’s trial at Talent Match and also had an informal interview with the Princess Trust. He is currently waiting to start this programme at the end of the month. I recently spoke with Mark and he said he was really looking forward to it.

Hub News

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Harrogate College Public Services Students complete a 5 day Army Look at Life Residential Course as part of their induction.As part of our induction related activities all new students on L2 & L3 Public Services attended an Army ‘Look at Life’ Residential Course held at Queen Elizabeth Barracks, Strensall, Near York, from Monday 15th September to Friday 19th September.

The students participated in a full range of Army related activities, including marching, patrolling, a night exercise, sleeping out under Basher’s, camouflage and concealment lessons, obstacle course completion, 1.5 Mile run (part of the PFA –Physical Fitness Assessment for the Army), a range of teamworking activities and finally room inspections and cleaning duties.

A great week was had by all, including some excellent weather which enabled us to complete the full range of activities on offer. The students lived on base for the 5 days they were there and wore the appropriate combat uniform and got well fed 3 times per day. All students thoroughly enjoyed their time and have all completed some assessment towards their course, which is great to get something nailed on so early in the year.

It also provides an excellent opportunity for new students to break down those awkward barriers very early on, as they are all thrown together to eat, sleep and work as a team for the duration of the 5 days. We really feel this helps massively towards our retention of students and also allows the accompanying staff to very quickly get a good overview of each and every student.

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Careers in FocusHarrogate College was proud to represent itself at the annual Careers in Focus event on Tuesday 7 October at the Yorkshire Showground.

The Careers in Focus event is a one stop shop to talk to experts and learn more about a whole host of employment paths. Aimed at 14-16 year olds, there are around 100 interactive stands and displays representing a wide range of careers. Harrogate College’s interactive stand focussed on fashion and photography. Students were encouraged to ‘have-a-go’ at designing an outfit out of old newspapers and dressing their perfect models – mannequins.

The event attracted nearly 2,000 year 9s to 11s from schools across the Yorkshire and East Riding area with plenty of prospectuses and freebies taken away. All in all, a successful day promoting Harrogate College to our target audiences.

If you know of any other school events coming up in your area, please let the marketing team know so that we can help support the event.

Students launch supermarket’s fashion collectionThe Hair and Beauty department at Harrogate College were asked by Sainsbury’s to take part in a fashion show to help launch their Autumn collection.

Hair and Beauty lecturers and skills assessors, Katie Sharman, Denise Cain, Lynne Sherne and Steph Keedy, took their keen and excited hair and beauty students Yasmin Taylor, Dawn Winder-Rhodes, Megan Jackson, Nancy McGuigan, Emily Goran, Alex Parfit and Ellie Cooke to the event at Wesley Lower Hall in Harrogate town centre on Wednesday 8 October.

The students were put under considerable pressure as some of them had only been at the College for as little as two weeks and had no idea of what would be asked of them until they arrived on the day. The brief given was a limited description of what would be required,

however all the students responded to this admirably by producing some outstanding work.

On arrival at the Hall the team were shown into a really small area where they had to set up all the hair and make-up products. Although cramped, this is realistic of the hair and make- up industry and was a fantastic experience for the students. They all coped really well in the small space and at one point one beauty student was applying make- up, whilst the model was having her hair blow dried.

The team were thrilled to receive outstanding feedback about the students and it was even said that they acted as excellent ambassadors for Harrogate College. We feel thrilled to have them as part of our Hair and Beauty team.

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The Royal Marines ‘Look at Life’ 5 day supported residential – 29/09/14 – 03/10/14 The first ever Harrogate College ‘Look at Life’ residential with the Royal Marine Commandos took place a few weeks ago.

Students on the Level 3 Uniformed Public Services course departed college at 08:30 on Monday 29th September to take part in a once in a life time opportunity to gain a hands on, realistic view of Royal Marines Commando Training in Lympstone with the aim of being both insightful and informative. This live military installation, rated as being the elite training and development centre for the Royal Marines within the United Kingdom, is also the venue for the ITV hit series ‘Commando school’, CTCRM (Commando Training Centre Royal Marines)

If the 6 hour drive to the residential didn’t give the students time to fully launch their imagination as to what to expect, within 10 minutes of arrival they were effectively inducted into the ‘Look at Life’ programme.

All students were provided with military grade jackets, combats, under shirts, gym kit and military grade leather boots. This uniform was to be theirs and to be worn as a mandatory pre-requisite to their participation in all activities, including when entering designated areas, the food hall and around their dormitories. This simple but effective task of ‘self-determination’ and pride in your appearance is such a valuable and transferable employment skill outside of the uniformed public services and most certainly the very basic required personal conduct principle of all Royal Marine Commandos.

Fully integrated into the roles, activities and attire, it was clear to see as the week days passed the challenges, failures, achievements and efforts were striking a deeper cord within the group. Irrespective of their own fears, anxieties and limitations the students bonded as a team. Each seeking to do their best and do all they could to inspire and encourage their fellow team members to conquer their fears and dig deep to strive for their best effort.

The realisation that pride, reward and a sincere and genuine acceleration of their own personal self-efficacy and esteem could be achieved by simply applying their best effort to any situation, is a memory which will remain with them forever. This heightened degree of self and team commitment seemed to wash away their individual fatigue and after each task there was an almost tangible degree of excitement in the air.

Yes it was only a 5 day taster course on paper, but in reality, through the body language of those on the residential, the tutors saw that this ever accelerating journey through the daily task, duties, activities and tests of any given Royal Marine Commando, has been priceless.

The students and tutors have had the opportunity to take a quick glimpse inside ‘Pandora’s’ box, touch the electricity that comes as standard when you chose a career that explores a whole new dimension. How many residential courses would, after a 6 hour mini-bus ride home, have left such an inspirational energy in the students that the first thing they decided to do when getting off the bus was to have a best effort press up contest, in the Car park in the dark!?

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Does the idea of starting a business sound alien to you?!Come to a FREE EVENT …

When? On Wednesday 22 October 2014 10am - 6pm

Where? Guildhall, Alfred Gelder Street, Hull

Hull College is working with the Department of Work and Pensions, and a cross city partnership, to deliver an inspiring day open to students and members of the public who would like to find out more about starting their own business. The event is free and will comprise of entrepreneurs talking about their successes in starting up in business, as well as advice and guidance on sales and marketing, accessing finance, online business and business start-up.

This event should be of interest to students across all curriculum areas, so please could tutors let students know about it. Additionally the Business and Management Degree and L3 students will be helping to run the event.

If any tutors would like to take class groups to the event please contact Alex Alterskye on X2907, or students can just drop in on the day.

Harrogate College Lecturer, Rosie South, was delighted to be part of a BBC Radio 4 Programme last month called Kitchen Cabinet. Hosted by Jay Rayner, regularly seen on BBC’s The One Show, a restaurant critic for the Observer Newspaper and novelist, this popular programme was recorded at The Pavilions in Harrogate with a large and enthusiastic audience participating.

Rosie was thrilled to be selected from the audience to put forward a question to the panel. Proudly seizing the opportunity to do a bit of flag-waving for Harrogate College, Rosie put the following question to the Panel:

“This week I have welcomed new students to catering and hospitality courses at Harrogate

College, as they begin their chosen career path - could the panel tell me how they began and whether they always envisaged making a career from food & drink?”

Rosie also got to meet the panel at the end of the show and was able to get some great contacts for potential visits to London with her students. The Programme was broadcast on Saturday 13 September and is available on iplayer.

BBC Radio 4 Debut for Harrogate College Hospitality & Catering Lecturer

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The ‘JP Charity-Challenge’ 2014 – Action for ChildrenHarrogate College Tutor, Jonathon Proctor (JP), is taking part in a charity event to raise money for Leeds based charity, Action for Children. Some of the amazing work this charity does can be seen via this link: http://www.actionforchildren.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do.

The 2014 national series will see over 25,000 people competing in a series of multi-terrain mixed discipline race challenges covering the length of the country from Cardiff to Nottingham and Edinburgh to London (via Manchester). The event will include 6 challenges based on 10-13km urban & cross country and water based assault courses and a final night-race challenge. More information on the 2014 national series can be found here: http://www.mhsurvival.co.uk.

You can donate by phone…..TEXT HARO98 THEN THE AMOUNT TO 70070

e.g. HARO98£5 TEXT TO 70070 to sponsor £5.00

OR……By visiting the fundraising page to make an online donation and to follow the progress of JP’s Charity Challenge 2014

https://www.justgiving.com/teamharrogate1

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Arts events, October 2014VISITING SPEAKERS

8TH October 12.30 - 13.30 HSAD Lecture TheatreKim Thompson

Working as a Creative Freelancer: Options, Opportunities & Branding.

22nd October 12.30 - 13.30 HSAD Lecture TheatreNicola Harley

A crime reporter who has worked for the Hull Daily Mail and nationals will discuss finding evidence to convict a

cold case rapist.EXHIBITIONS

9th - 31st October HSAD Gallery On the Endless Here

A photographic collaboration exploring the aesthetics of the geology of Flamborough Head curated by Matt

Hopper & Fraser Briggs.SYMPOSIUM

11th October 9.15 - 17.30 HSAD GalleryRegarding Dynamic Processes: Shifting Relations between

Geology & the Visual ArtsA lively discussion initiating On the Endless Here

concerning interdisciplinary crossovers and collaborations. An event open to all.

ARTISTS AT WORK4th – 26th October Kingston Art Gallery

Andi Dakin: Celestial EnergiesAn energetic vibrant show based on themes of space,

intergalactic activity & deep sea encounters.

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Do you have any news for the PortalPress?If so, please contact Hannah Savage on extension 2948 or

hsavage@hull-college.ac.uk should you have any feedback or articles for submission.