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Principal Elaine Bowker and the team that delivers VTCT’s technical qualifications and apprenticeships to learners met with the MP and Chief Exec. to discuss the importance of technical education to the UK’s economy and the crucial role it can play in tackling poverty and deprivation. The guests also met with a number of learners who are studying VTCT qualifications and apprenticeships in Level 2 Hairdressing, Beauty Therapy and Barbering, and had the opportunity to watch the trainees in action using skills they have gained.
In light of recent revelations by Ofsted that Level 2 service industry courses, including beauty and hair, were identified by colleges as giving learners the ‘greatest chance’ of progressing into employment, the visitors had the chance to hear first-hand why so many young people are choosing to start their careers in the sector, which is a thriving space for young aspirational professionals seeking a long-term career in the industry.
Ms Ellman, who is MP for Liverpool, Riverside, said: “It was great to look around the College’s hair and beauty training facilities and find out more about how VTCT’s technical qualifications and apprenticeships are upskilling learners in my constituency and beyond.
“Providing young people with high quality education and technical training is crucial, to ensure they have the skills needed to take up new jobs in our economy, boost social mobility in areas that have been left behind and to tackle the UK’s marked skills gap.
“The City of Liverpool College is a vital provider of technical education in our city, and I greatly enjoyed the opportunity to speak to learners about their skills and future career aspirations. We must drive a culture shift to promote technical qualifications and apprenticeships as valuable routes into rewarding careers.”
Alan Woods OBE, Chief Executive of VTCT, said: “VTCT is leading the way in providing high-quality technical awards and assessments and it was fantastic to demonstrate our hugely valuable work to Dame Louise.
“The Government must lead from the top by promoting the value of technical and vocational education, and by making sure that colleges like The City of Liverpool College, and the employers they works with, are able to fund and accommodate the three-month work placement requirement of the new T Levels.
“This will be crucial in ensuring that the Government’s post-16 Skills Plan achieves its intention of delivering lasting change within our technical education and apprenticeships system.”
Mohammed Khalil, studying Access to Engineering, together with best mate Adam Mitchell, have created fashion brand, Fallen Angels, to bring a touch of style to urban street wear aimed at the 16-35s male market.
The nineteen-year-olds decided to develop their interest in street art and start an online business after Mohammed was made redundant. They spent time researching the market, sourcing fabrics and various manufacturing processes, before creating their colourful designs with a distinct street style focus.
The business has grown steadily since start of trading back in May 2018, where sales have more than tripled of their branded t-shirts, track suits and fleeces, sought after by a growing number of customers from around the UK.
Mohammed said: “We both look on the business as a long term plan but also knew it was important to choose the kind of business that would allow me to continue with my studies.
“Not only does starting up with a partner reduce the fear-factor, it also gives you someone to bounce your ideas off, as well as someone to share the ups and downs with.
“We are both very committed to making the business work and try to keep the workload equal so neither one bears the brunt of responsibility. If we continue to look out for each other, both our partnership and the business will flourish.”
The partners are already looking to expand the business locally, and are in talks with a number of clothing shops looking to stock their range of edgy clothing, including a leading fashion outlets in Liverpool’s Cavern Walks emporium.
Mohammed hopes to complete his qualification at the College and move on to a degree programme in Avionic Systems at Liverpool University.
For more information about Fallen Angels, visit: Instagram: @fallen_angel.s or www.fallenangel-s.co.uk
Finlay Panter, who studied A-level and Level 3 Music at The City of Liverpool College, is a finalist in the Jazz Composition for Large Ensemble category with his dazzling arrangement entitled ‘Time’.
Finlay, a gifted violinist, also developed a talent as a drummer and percussionist during his time at the College, taking part in a variety of student-led performances throughout his course of study. He won a coveted place on a degree programme at the highly sought after Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) where he graduated with honours.
Through his love of jazz, Finlay joined the professional Beats and Pieces Big Band ensemble will fellow graduates of RNCM, which has a growing following, and enjoys success throughout the UK, Europe and the United States.
His jazz composition ‘Time’ was premiered in Manchester in 2017 and was submitted for the British Composer Awards earlier this year.
College music tutor, Tom Sykes, said: “Fin showed huge potential as an artist very early on and I was delighted when he secured a place at what is one of the top music colleges in the country. Fin won this through hard work, determination and an exceptional talent and I wish him the very best of luck at the upcoming British Composer awards.”
Winners in all categories will be announced at the ABSCA ceremony held at the British Museum on 4 December, which will be broadcast on BBC Radio 3 on 9 December.
Principal appointed to board of Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP)
Elaine Bowker was appointed to the board of the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and brings her experience and knowledge to the table as leader of the largest further education college in region.
The LEP works with the Combined Authority to deliver the City Region’s Growth Strategy and provides strategic advice and guidance on economic development priorities. One of its key priorities focuses on the need for a workforce with advanced technological skills, able to meet the changing demands of industries in the region.
Elaine said: “I am delighted to have been selected to represent the vital role further education plays in providing the skills our city region needs.
“The skills gap is an issue faced by many industries and businesses across the country, and I’m passionate about working with fellow board members to put skills at the top of the agenda and bring about positive change. As principal of the largest college in Liverpool City Region, I’m well aware of the talent that exists in the area and the potential to drive our economy forwards through a continued focus on skills, giving Liverpool City Region’s residents the best shot at becoming the leaders of tomorrow.”
The LEP was created in 2012 and brings together businesses and civic leaders to drive private-sector led growth and job creation. It covers the local authority areas of Liverpool, Halton, Knowsley, St Helens, Wirral and Sefton.
href=”https://businessmerseyside.co.uk/2018/10/05/elaine-bowker-joins-liverpool-city-region-lep-board/”>Read story in Business Merseyside
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href=”https://www.liverpoollep.org/news/elaine-bowker-joins-liverpool-city-region-lep-board/”>Read story in Liverpool LEP
Former student nominated for music’s highest award
Mike Di Scala, who studied HND Music Technology at the College’s Arts Centre, has been nominated for a GRAMMY Award in the Best Dance Recording category with his chart-topping single ‘Cola’.
Mike is one half of hit duo CamelPhat & Elderbrook and has made his name in the industry as a prolific producer. He was also front man with dance group Ultrabeat, having his first hit single, Pretty Green Eyes, reach number 2 in the UK singles chart and number 1 in the UK dance chart back in August 2003, shortly after graduating from his higher level course at the College.
In the world of talented musicians and industry creatives, his first GRAMMY nomination is recognised as an unforgettable career high as well as deserved recognition by the artist’s peers.
Since its introduction at the 40th GRAMMY Awards – the music industry’s equivalent to the Oscars – the Best Dance Recording category has recognised tracks by artists as varied as Janet Jackson, Daft Punk, Lady Gaga, Skrillex and The Chemical Brothers.
This year’s 60th GRAMMY Awards ceremony takes place on 29 January 2018 in New York’s famous Madison Square Garden. Organisers of the event decided to mark its milestone with a move to the new location, in recognition of New York’s title as the music capital of the world.
College presents evening with 2016 Masterchef winnerChef Gary Maclean, winner of Masterchef: The Professionals 2016, will prepare dinner for more than sixty guests at the College’s Academy Restaurant (Duke Street). His plans also include a masterclass with the college’s promising chef apprentices, in readiness to support preparations for his four-course taster menu, and showcase the skills that won Gary his sought after title.
The dinner is offered as part of more than fifty events and activities taking place across the region to inform young people about the variety of opportunities available in the region’s growing Visitor industry.
Visitor Economy Week is an annual event sponsored by the Liverpool City Region’s Enterprise Hub, in partnership with businesses and colleges across Merseyside.
The Visitor industry is worth around £4.3bn to the Liverpool City Region’s economy and is expected to see a rise in job creation from its current 50,000 jobs in the sector to 55,000 by 2022.
Go to Visitor Economy Week site
Former student set to show her creations at London Hat Week 2018Milliner Sue Wood, who studied in the school of Fashion, Art & Design at The City of Liverpool College, joins hundreds of talented hat makers from around the world for “The Great Hat Exhibition”, which was inspired by London’s Great Exhibition of 1851 and celebrated modern industrial technology and design.
Former secretary, Sue, began her business after she searched for a hat to complement her mother of the bride outfit and couldn’t find one small enough to fit.
Determined to wear an elegant hat to the wedding, Sue enrolled on a three-day millinery course with Rose Cory – the late Queen Mother’s milliner – which inspired her passion and led to her joining an evening course at the College, before taking her studies further at Leeds College of Art.
Since launching her new career, Sue has been involved in many big theatre productions, including Disney’s ‘The Lion King’, and receives regular commissions for weddings and other special events.
All entries for London Hat Week were inspired by a piece of history or culture, or created using a unique technique or craft from their chosen country.
Sue’s creation (pictured below) – named Oswaldtwistle – has taken its inspiration from the industrial revolution.
If you are interested in joining a Fashion course at The City of Liverpool College, click on a section below
View evening and short courses in Fashion, Art & Design, including millinery
View full and part time courses in Fashion, Art & Design
College is leading the way in battle to bridge skills gapRanked in the top 25% of further education (FE) establishments in the country by Ofsted, the college is also the highest performing learning hub of its type in the Liverpool City Region, based on Department of Education figures.
Its success has been underlined recently by the launch on site of the North West’s first academy for computer aided design (CAD), where professionals of all ages are signing up to become the next generation of digital designers and technicians.
And there was introduction of Pepper – a robot working at the college’s dedicated digital academy – teaching important computer-based skills to learners.
All this is in the face of swinging cuts in funding – one year amounting to £8m – as the college, led by principal Elaine Bowker since 2011, bids to continue to innovate in what is well-known as the Cinderella education sector of FE.
Funding per capita in FE amounts to a paltry £3,800, compared to £5,000 for school-age pupils and university students at £9,000.
While Bowker is keen to celebrate the college’s achievements, she does hold back on the issue of funding.
“I think if the Government was serious about the Northern Powerhouse, it would be serious about further education funding, and would fund it at the same level that it funds higher education per capita,” she said.
Having worked in Germany and later as strategic director transformation in the same office as Sir Howard Bernstein when he was chief executive at Manchester City Council, before she moved down the East Lancashire Road to Liverpool, Bowker had a clear view of how to turn round a college which had been under performing before she arrived in 2011.
“I’m a big fan of the German system,” she told TheBusinessDesk.com. “There, employers and colleges work hand in hand. That’s why we want to be the college for business.
“Ultimately, we are about skills and talent and we have a very good reputation with the LEP, as well as employers big and small.
“We know that skills are a big issue in terms of the ongoing worries over UK productivity. We aim for our students to be as employable as possible, and we know this is successful because we get really good feedback.
“The courses we deliver and the skills we develop in our students are what employers want. They’re up to date and that’s why they come to us.
“Sometimes the courses are providing talent for the future and sometimes companies are sending employees to the college for upskilling.” she said.
The college has about 10,000 students, predominantly, 16 to 24-year-olds, but there is a large number of 19 to 24 years olds as well as other adults training or reskilling. There are about 800 staff working at the college.
It has also attained TEF Gold standard (Teaching Excellence and Student Outcomes Framework) and has crossed over to provide higher education (HE) provision in social work, digital and technology, performing arts and dental technology.
It also offers specialist HE courses in hospitality, engineering and construction.
“We score with the quality of our teaching and learning,” Bowker went on. “We’ve also got really good links with employers, so all of our students go on to really good destinations.”
Bowker also hailed the impact the college was making in the so called “cold spots” of the city – areas where there are very few people progressing to university – where largely first-generation graduates come from.
The college does not just talk the talk, it walks the walk, with close links with Siemens in the engineering area and was the first college in the world to achieve accredited status as a Microsoft College.
It carries out training programmes for Laing O’Rourke and Balfour Beatty as well as for Malmaison and Signature Living, the Liverpool-based aparthotel specialist and is the only college accredited to carry out training for the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts.
“All the top end restaurants have chefs who have trained here,” said Bowker. So, with all this in mind, does Bowker have the answer to the much-talked-about skills gap which is having a negative effect on UK productivity?
“The answer is, stop making it complicated,” she said. “It’s about talking to employers and understanding business needs. About talking business, not education, quite frankly.
“I come from a business background and I know it’s important to understand what the business priorities are.”
Above article written by Education correspondent, Nick Jackson, TheBusinessDesk.com – published 12.01.18
Former student is first to exhibit in ‘Celebrate’ Liverpool ProjectWork by nineteen-year-old former Level 3 Photography student, Georgia Bond, will feature in an exhibition that runs at MAKE.Liverpool from 5-7 April as part of the City’s first ‘Celebrate’ Liverpool project.
Images on display at the event were inspired by the negative stereotypes that exist about Liverpool, and feature pictures that capture the essence of Liverpool, through both its people and the City’s stunning architecture.
Georgia, who is now in her second year at Coventry University, said: “Studying at the College provided me with opportunities to develop my confidence in the industry and gave me the building blocks to enhance my future career, particularly in organising this exhibition.
“I hope this show is the start of something great. I want my work to make a positive contribution that sees the project grow in popularity; enough so that the City hosts a photography festival, that brings different elements and people into the city for a celebration.”
Georgia, who currently works freelance alongside her university studies, plans to study abroad for a year after completing her second year at Coventry. She aims to become a commissioned artist in a socially engaged practice and eventually go on to teach.
Also in April, Georgia will host an audience with students at the College to talk about her university experience and the work she’s been involved in so far. She hopes to inspire students to get involved in the ‘Celebrate’ Liverpool project and has plans to hold a summer event that brings creatives together in celebration of the City.
Jen Newton-Prosser, Photography lecturer at the College, said: “Georgia was a fantastic student from day one of the course, and completely threw herself into all aspects of student life. She became a student rep, amassed hours of work experience and achieved high grades on all assignments. She’s dedicated, ambitious and I am extremely proud of her.”
The ‘Celebrate’ Liverpool exhibition is open from 5-7 April 2018 at MAKE.Liverpool. Opening night, on 5 April, is open to the public and runs from 4 – 10pm, where there will be an opportunity to view and purchase the work of artists involved in the show.
For the latest news and updates about the exhibition and ‘Celebrate’ Liverpool project, follow @celebrateliverpool #Celebrate
Student named Britain’s best young plastererFormer plastering student, Yagoub Juma, who fled the Sudan after witnessing the massacre of family members, was this week named UK’s young plasterer of the year after taking Gold at the UK Skillbuild final held in Birmingham’s NEC.
Yagoub, 29, arrived in Liverpool after trekking through the Middle East and North Africa for almost ten years, where he enrolled on a level 2 Plastering course at the College’s Institute of Technology on Vauxhall Road. Yagoub said: “I thank God that I arrived here in Liverpool where people have befriended me and supported me.”
SkillBuild is the largest multi-trade competition in the country for construction trainees and apprentices, and covers the ten craft occupations of bricklaying, cabinet making, carpentry, dry walling system, joinery, painting & decorating, plastering, roofing, stonemasonry and wall and floor tiling.
Yagoub has returned to College to study maths and English part time while he seeks employment as a plasterer.
