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Congratulations to a group of students from across the college curriculum who were awarded certificates after completing the first ever ten-week RISE Resilience programme last week.
This positive psychology course was created by former educator and positive psychologist, Liz Folan, to help students who feel overwhelmed with everyday life and studies find ways to overcome their stress and anxiety and to ultimately flourish.
Over the course of the programme, students are taught coping techniques and equipped with actionable tips and workable psychological tools to help navigate life’s challenges and become the best version of themselves they can be.
Liz said: “The results have been phenomenal! Students have reported improved self-esteem, relationships, motivation and overall mental wellbeing, as well as a significant decrease in negative emotions such as self-criticism and worry. They have also found strategies to reduce their critical inner voice, which has resulted in a marked improvement in attendance and engagement, alongside a renewed passion for their academic courses.”
The RISE Resilience programme is expected to sign up a new group of students in the near future.
Anderson:
“I enjoy learning new things and wanted to feel better about myself, as I feel low by myself in this country with nobody to talk to. Liz gave me advice about that and to wake up and be strong, healthy, taught me how to reach my goals, and that nothing can stop you. I feel much better about myself as a person, with a stronger mindset and like nothing will hold me back now. I will work hard to be where I need to be.”
BeeBop:
“I learned loads of stuff about Mindfulness, the way our brains trick us into believing negative thoughts that aren’t true, the neuroscience behind it and much more. But the most important thing I learned is what my character strengths are – before RISE, I never even realized that I am a very forgiving person, and I probably wouldn’t have recognized it in myself without RISE! I also find it easier to spot the good things in my life now; what I’m doing right, instead of obsessing over the negatives. In my experience, RISE helps cultivate a positive outlook on life, which is so invaluable.”
By Lindsey Meadows.
As Head of Apprenticeships, I’m here to bust some of the myths surrounding apprenticeships and highlight the many benefits they offer.
Myth #1: Apprenticeships are just for people who aren’t academically inclined
This is far from the truth. Apprenticeships are a great option for anyone who wants to start or further their career, regardless of their academic background. They offer a unique combination of on-the-job training and academic learning that allows individuals to develop both their practical and theoretical skills. Whether you’re looking to start a new career or improve your current one, apprenticeships provide valuable hands-on experience and industry-recognised qualifications.
Myth #2: Apprenticeships are only available in manual trades
Apprenticeships are available in a wide range of industries, including but not limited to construction, engineering, hospitality, IT, finance, hairdressing, and barbering. With the increasing demand for skilled workers in many industries, apprenticeships are becoming more and more diverse, allowing individuals to pursue their passion and interests in a variety of fields.
Myth #3: Apprenticeships are only for young people
While apprenticeships are often associated with young people just starting their careers, they are not limited to a specific age group. Individuals of any age can benefit from an apprenticeship, whether they are looking to change careers, upskill, or retrain in a new field. Apprenticeships are designed to be flexible and cater to the needs of different learners, and many employers are open to taking on mature apprentices who bring a wealth of experience to the workplace.
Myth #4: Apprenticeships don’t lead to good career prospects
This couldn’t be further from the truth. Apprenticeships provide a solid foundation for a successful career and are highly valued by employers. Not only do apprentices gain valuable hands-on experience, but they also develop a range of transferable skills that are highly sought after by employers. Many of our apprentices go on to secure permanent positions within the companies they trained with.
Myth #5: Apprenticeships don’t pay
One of the biggest benefits of an apprenticeship is that you get paid while you learn. Apprentices earn a wage while gaining valuable on-the-job experience. This means you can start building your career and earning a living, all while gaining the skills and knowledge you need to succeed.
In conclusion, apprenticeships offer a wealth of opportunities for individuals of all ages and backgrounds to develop their skills, gain valuable experience, and launch successful careers. I encourage anyone considering an apprenticeship to explore their options and take advantage of this valuable opportunity. To find out more, visit: www.liv-coll.ac.uk/apprenticeships
Journalism student celebrated for top NCTJ exam resultsJournalism student, Conal Cunningham, has been awarded with the Newsquest essential journalism prize, for achieving some of the best results in the country in the 2021-22 NCTJ Diploma in Journalism exams.
A total of 8,255 NCTJ (National Council for the Training of Journalists) diploma exams were sat throughout the academic year, with Conal achieving the best grade in the country for the Essential Journalism exam and receiving a cash prize of £250.
For the past 18 months, Conal has been working as a trainee journalist at the St Helens Star and Leigh Journal, reporting on a variety of people, court cases, council meetings and charity events.
We spoke to Conal to find out more…
How does it feel to have achieved the best exam results in your year?
“I’m thrilled to have achieved the best grade in the country for my Essential Journalism exam. It’s not something I was expecting but it’s been great to have been recognised and congratulated on the award. It shows I’m on the right path!”
How did the College prepare you for your exams?
“The college were thorough in preparing me for all the journalism exams I had to take. I wasn’t familiar with too many of the modules, so course tutors Joanna and Kate really helped get me up to speed, despite it being a fast-track course.”
What did you enjoy most about your time at the College?
“As I had already undertaken a degree and masters at university, I was really pleased that the College offered a fast-track journalism course so I could quickly get the qualifications I needed. It was a fairly laidback but also very thorough course with supportive tutors.”
Have you enjoyed working at the St Helens Star and Leigh Journal?
“I’ve really enjoyed working for the St Helens Star and Leigh Journal. It’s given me a good platform to start my career and the opportunity to interview a range of people on a variety of topics and events.”
What ambitions do you have for the future?
“I’m not sure what’s next but I do enjoy the local aspect of journalism and getting to be a voice for ordinary people in the community. In the future I could perhaps specialise in a specific field of journalism.”
Would you recommend the NCTJ course to other aspiring journalists?
“I would definitely recommend the NCTJ course and the College to aspiring journalists. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do after university, so it was a great way to quickly get up to speed in journalism and gain the necessary qualifications to start my career.”
If, like Conal, you’re interested in a career in journalism and would like to find out more about our fast-track NCTJ accredited course, click here.
Former student in final line-up of Ramsay’s Next Level Chef TV ShowWe caught up with former student, Tobias (Toby) Caswell-Jones to find out more about his life and work since graduating from the professional cookery course at The City of Liverpool College in 2022. He gives us the background on what led up to him securing a place on Gordon Ramsay’s popular ITV1 show, Next Level Chef, which came to our screens on Wed 11th January.
“Growing up, I always enjoyed cooking; I wasn’t particularly good at it, but I enjoyed it. It always intrigued me how chefs could just look at ingredients and create such huge amounts of flavour. My mother worked in a bakery for a long time, and my grandmother spend most of her working life in a bakery. As it turns out, my grandfather was a chef in the Merchant Navy, and the entirety of my dad’s side of the family are chefs in Ireland. So, unbeknownst to me, cooking was in my blood!
“It was really at the first tick of the COVID pandemic that I started cooking more and more frequently, and I found that once I put my head into it I was pretty good! It was then I decided that I wanted to cook, and applying to college was the next step.
“I decided that with only bar management on my CV, the best way to prove to a kitchen that I can cook – and I wasn’t just some time-wasting kid – was to attain a qualification in cooking. I chose to do an NVQ 2 in Professional Cookery. Little did I know how much I would truly learn about food and the inner workings of kitchens while doing my course, and this little bite extra to what I was expecting is what pushed me to do my Level 3. To be able to learn new dishes and techniques, some that I’d never even heard of, was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. The College developed my repertoire and knowledge by amounts I can’t even measure. If it wasn’t for the Level 3 course, I wouldn’t be the chef I am today.
“Cementing the basic techniques of roux-based sauces, together with the knowledge of what it takes to create flavour in the Level 2, is what mattered most. A plate can look pretty and be ‘instagrammable’ but if it doesn’t taste of anything then it’s pointless. Flavour is the number one priority when creating food, and that’s what the college taught me. Then, following on with the Level 3 and learning more complex dishes, such as the knack of creating a good jus, and dispatching of lobster and crab, as well as being given the opportunity to work with lots of interesting ingredients, put me ahead of most chefs my age – even if I’ve only worked with ingredients once before, it gave me an advantage over someone who had never worked with them before! All the tutors on the cooking course really saw my potential and wanted to nurture me into the chef I am now, the passion these staff have for the next generation of chefs is admirable, they want to see us succeed, and to be able to give them that is an honour.”
“Since finishing College, I went on to become Sous Chef of the two-rosette restaurant, Mustard and Co., in Crosby. But I will say that to progress so quickly is something that wouldn’t have happened without hard work, determination, and sheer willpower. But having the knowledge that College taught me, did put me ahead of the mark, and allowed me to express my capabilities in the kitchen; giving me the freedom to do what I want to do. I currently work in Queens, Liverpool’s new wine bar and bistro, where we do absolutely everything properly and from scratch. It’s with great thanks that I was set up with the best advice from my tutors about commercial kitchens and the ins and outs of the industry, that I couldn’t have done so much in such a short time.”
Gordon Ramsay’s ‘Next Level Chef’ TV show
“Having the opportunity to compete and participate in Next Level Chef was an opportunity I will never forget, nor will I ever take for granted. To have the chance to be mentored personally by the biggest chef in the industry, Gordon Ramsay; his former protégé and starred chef himself, Paul Ainsworth; and American powerhouse Nyesha Arrington. It’s something I’m never going to forget.
“I learnt so much on my journey of Next Level Chef. From going into the competition with a lot of imposter syndrome, to coming out on the other side with a whole new sense of confidence and encouragement in my cooking ability, has transformed me both as a chef and as a person. An experience like Next Level Chef has transformed me. Thanks to Gordon, Paul, and Nyesha, I can finally cook the way I wanted to, and I have the faith and knack in myself to be able to cook in such a way.
“To anyone who is thinking of an opportunity laying in front of them, I implore you to take it. It was a fleeting moment, but taking that first step into Next Level Chef was the best thing I could’ve done for myself, and I encourage any young person to do the same.”
“To anyone thinking of taking the culinary course at the College, I’d tell you to do it; and do it right now! Many people in the industry tell you that “you don’t need college” and that you “learn everything you need on the job”, but I can tell you now, that is not the case. There is a reason why I am where I am in such a short period of time, and that is definitely, in part, with thanks to the college, along with a lot of determination. You gain so much that you wouldn’t otherwise have learnt, and that expansive repertoire helps you tenfold in the industry.
“To current students at the College, what I must tell you is keep going. It’s hard work being in the industry; there are lots of downs, many issues, and a lot of adversity you’ll have to overcome; but at the end of it all, it definitely is worth it. The food industry is the backbone of society, and being able to give an amazing experience to everyone who walks through those doors is an honour and a gift. Everything works out, so keep going, listen to your tutors—they know a lot more than any chef I’ve worked under – and enjoy the experience while you can.
Plans going forward, I hope to keep cooking great food for customers who appreciate it. That’s all I’ve ever wanted to do, cook food. In my current position at Crosby Wine Bar and Bistro, I’m allowed to cook the way I want to cook and cook using great ingredients and produce.
The main goal is to become a Head Chef within the next few years, and be able to put my own personal mark on the Liverpool food scene, and perhaps even a mark on the UK, but as long as I’m serving tasty, heart-warming food that’s all that matters.♦
Link to information about the Next Level Chef show
The City of Liverpool College Adult pathways: What course do I choose?
Whether you’re looking to gain new skills, retrain for a new career, or learn something new to build your confidence, here at The City of Liverpool College we have the perfect course for you.
We believe in making education accessible for all, no matter your age. With a range of full-time and part-time courses available, the College has pathways to suit all student needs and life commitments. Ranging from hands on vocational courses to classic classroom style teachings, both online and offline, find your future here.
Full-time and part-time vocational courses
Vocational courses are great for a smooth transition from education to industry.
Work experience forms a significant part of vocational courses, meaning students have the skills to hit the ground running once they enter industry.
Our excellent industry links mean that learners will receive the latest information and expertise directly from the sector. Students benefit from on-site visits, guest speakers, work experience placements, and professional masterclasses, to name just a few benefits.
Whether your passion is for construction, health and beauty, the digital industry or virtually any other career path, we have an abundance of state-of-the-art-facilities, including specialist design studios, salons and kitchens and mechanical engineering workshops to prepare you for industry.
Find the right vocational course for you here.
Full-time academic courses
For those who want to pursue a degree but lack the qualifications to do so, Access to Higher Education or Pre-Access courses are the perfect solution.
Access courses offer an intensive learning opportunity where students will develop the knowledge and skills required to progress into higher education.
There are various Access courses to choose from – including Business & Finance, Engineering, Midwifery and Sport Science. Each one combines subject specific knowledge with preparation for undergraduate study. Access students will earn a full Level 3 qualification, equivalent to three A Levels.
For those who don’t yet have the entry requirements for Access courses, don’t worry. The College also offers a Pre-Access qualification in various subjects which will support students to develop their skills and confidence ready for Access.
The Access to HE department has strong links with industry, to ensure both Access and Pre-Access programmes are in tune with the latest innovation and technological advances.
Find a full list of courses, fee details and entry requirements here.
Free online short courses
We are delighted to offer a wide range of free online courses to help adults develop in-demand skills and improve their career prospects with flexible learning to fit round other commitments. Many of these courses are 100% free of charge,
These courses are a great way to gain nationally recognised qualifications, help enhance employability or expand your knowledge in a subject that interests you.
There are over 20 short courses available spanning seven industries, including Business and Management, Caring for Children and Young People, Digital Skills for Work, Equality and Safeguarding, Health and Care and Warehousing.
Our free courses are available to start all year round and have been designed to ensure students can study around their current work and life commitments. Durations vary between five and 12 weeks and learners will achieve a Level 2 Award on completion of the course.
For those who don’t qualify for the full funding towards the course, the Colleges offers an extensive financial support package to assist students during their studies.
For full details and how to apply, visit here.
Apprenticeships
More and more adults are choosing an apprenticeship to help them gain the knowledge, skills and hands-on experience they need for either a new career, or to upskill in their current roles.
As Liverpool’s leading provider of apprenticeships, the College has worked with employers across the UK to help thousands of people start their careers. Apprenticeships give learners the opportunity to ‘earn whilst you learn’, providing adults at any stage of their life with valuable workplace experience whilst gaining a qualification.
Apprentices at the College benefit from access to industry standard workshops, purpose-built facilities and expert tutors and skills coaches – many of whom started their careers as apprentices.
From Level 2 to degree-level, the College offers a wide range of training programmes accessible to learners aged 16+. Potential job outcomes include Adult Care Workers, Business Admin, Chef de Partie, Civil Engineering Technician, Gas Engineering Operative. A full list can be found here.
Degree level/higher education
Achieving your HE qualification at college is a great alternative to university. Our University Centre is one of the largest and most successful college-based HE providers in the country, offering a high-quality academic experience which will help you develop the higher-level skills to help you succeed in your desired industry.
Our University Centre offers a higher education experience that centres around its learners and is highly valued by employers and business. Students benefit from small learning groups, access to specialist facilities and great support from our knowledgeable and industry-experienced tutors.
Our Higher National qualifications, Foundation Degrees, BA/BSc (Hons), Top-Up degrees and teacher training courses cover a wide range of subject and occupational areas, and many can be studied either full-time or part-time to fit around life commitments.
HE degrees are offered in sectors including: Art & Design, Business, Computing, Construction, Early Childhood Studies, Education and Professional Development, Hospitality Management, and Sports and Exercise Science. A full list can be found, here.
For more information about our adult courses, please visit: https://www.liv-coll.ac.uk/course-finder/adults/
College Partner donates Industry Logbooks to Electrical StudentsMembers of The City of Liverpool College’s Construction team welcomed visitors from Electrical Contractors Association (ECA) to the Vauxhall Road centre on Wednesday 11 January 2023 to present students on the electrical course with a valuable hand-held Regulations logbook. This important item will support these learners on their journey to professional status.
Steve McGreevy, Head of Construction at the College said: “We would like to thank our College partner, ECA, for donating key resources to our Electrical students. The Regulations books will not only be of huge benefit to our students during their studies at the College, but also prepare them for the world of work. This is a fantastic gesture from ECA and we look forward to enjoying our continued collaboration, along with the positive impact this will have in supporting our students.”
ECA is the main trade association for companies involved in electro-technical and other technical engineering projects in England, Northern Ireland and Wales. It provides support and advice to its members on health and safety, standards, skills, technical issues and employment, and works closely with other regulatory bodies to establish a safe and efficient industry.
Jim Johnson, Northwest Regional Manager at ECA, said: “It was my pleasure today alongside Mark Giardelli of McGoff & Vickers, Shaun McAteer from Actaeon Solutions Group and Luke Burns from City Electrical Factors to present The City of Liverpool College students with 44 new 18th Edition Regs books that will hopefully aid them in their studies to become Electricians. This is the second phase in our working partnership with the College, following our very successful collaboration with Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) in taking 60+ students to the NEC Birmingham to attend Solar & Storage Event, which showcased the future of the Electrical & Mechanical working landscape and where the students working journey may take them.
“ECA and MCS and their partners will continue to support The City of Liverpool College students on their exciting industry journey.”
This week our Wellbeing and Welfare Team are launching a valuable new service for our University Centre students. ‘HE Student Help’ will provide an innovative Social Prescribing approach that connects students with non-clinical support both inside and outside the College. The service aims to develop preventative strategies and improve mental health outcomes for students at our University Centre, helping them to successfully engage in their studies and careers.
What is HE Student Help?
HE Student Help is a free and confidential service to help students improve their health and wellbeing. The service will allow the College to support students in referrals to services such as: finance, NHS, community groups, support groups, mental health support, housing.
Who is it for?
The service is for HE students and can support any students who:
What can students expect?
An advisor from the College will introduce themselves and offer an appointment. The student’s first appointment will be one hour long and entail the advisor listening to their needs. The advisor will then offer suggestions on appropriate support based on what matters to the student.
How can students access support?
HE students can access support by self-referring to HEhelp@liv-coll.ac.uk or completing a Microsoft Form found on the College’s student intranet site.
VIEW campaign launch poster
College Healthcare Cadets perform lifesaving treatment
One of the biggest challenges facing the NHS today is the workforce crisis. With constant pressures and chronic shortages, the number of nurses leaving the NHS has continued to rise over recent years.
But as far as recruitment of new workers to the sector is concerned, two of our L3 NHS Healthcare Cadets are hoping to make a positive contribution to the latest figures, since their random call to action had such life-changing results.
Long time friends, Madison Baker and Lauren Bullock (pictured above), were returning from a stint at this year’s London Marathon, when they were approached in Euston Station by someone clearly in distress.
To find out more, we caught up with our teenage heroes, in between their busy schedules on placement at Liverpool’s Royal Hospital and volunteering with St John’s ambulance at various high-profile events.
Tell us what happened at the station on the eventful day in question?
Maddie said: “As we waited for our train back to Liverpool we were approached for help because a man had collapsed on the platform. As we rushed to the scene it was clear he was very unwell and we assessed him immediately. We tested his level of alertness to pain and recorded his GCS (Glasgow Coma Scale) – this measures a person’s consciousness and how we should treat them.”
Lauren said: “We identified that the patient was in a state of shock due to blue lips and a very pale complexion. This was very worrying but we knew how to help due to our training from both our studies at the College and through our current work placements.”
What did you do next?
Maddie said: “Once we’d wheeled the patient into the station’s first aid room, we had the added problem that all first aid boxes were locked, so we had to think on our feet and perform observations manually to further assess his condition.”
Lauren said: “We performed observations and measured respiration counts. We noticed that the patient’s pulse was very weak, which was a worrying sign in addition to extremely low blood pressure. This was followed by intense chest and arm pain which signified the beginning of a potential heart attack.”
What happened then?
Maddie said: “Luckily, the ambulance crew arrived extremely quickly, so we helped get the patient into the ambulance and liaised with the crew to relay our information and observations before they rushed him off to hospital.”
How did you feel about the help you had given?
Lauren said: “We’re very thankful that we were there to come to the patient’s assistance whilst waiting for the ambulance crew, and hope we made a big difference to the patient’s recovery.”
What effect has this had on your future career plans?
Maddie said: “This incident has confirmed my goal of wanting to become a paramedic – being able to help someone in their time of need is very rewarding.”
Lauren added: “I also would like to continue my training to become a paramedic and to continue to help make a difference in people’s lives. We’re really enjoying studying at the College as well as gaining hands-on practical skills on our real world placements.”
Tanya Dawson, course tutor on the L3 NHS Healthcare Cadets course, said: “We are very proud of Maddie and Lauren and are pleased these young cadets were able to call on the knowledge they’ve gained from both their college course and professional placement.
“Work experience is an invaluable part of the programme as it allows our young professionals in training to take the skills learnt and put them into practice, so they are work-ready for the career they’ve chosen to pursue.” ♦
To learn more about college courses in Health and Social Care, CLICK HERE
The importance of investing in adult learningAdult education remains as fundamental a part of further education (FE) as ever, with over 1.5 million adults enrolled into FE or skilled training in the UK in 2021/22. Whether people are looking to upskill in their current career, start a new venture or change direction entirely, adult education is more popular than ever.
In 2020, the adult education sector was labelled ‘the crown’ and community learning its ‘jewel’ by the Education Select Committee. But despite this and its growing demand, government spending on adult and community education by councils in England fell from £395 million to £311 million per year between 2013-14 and 2019-20, representing in a drop of 21%.
At The City of Liverpool College, we believe everyone should have access to quality education and training, whatever stage of life they are at. The benefits of adult learning are plentiful, not only for people, but for communities, businesses, and the economy. The world in which we live and work is changing all the time, impacted by advancements in technology, the research and guidance of practices, professional guidelines, societal changes and the culture of work.
Education plays a vital role in improving an individual’s outlook and their overall life chances, as well as enhancing a business’s workforce and skillset. Here are just a few reasons why investing in adult education is so important.
Demand in the UK’s labour market is growing. Businesses now require more than a university degree from their employees. Employees are now expected to know a little bit about a lot of things relating to their industry and workplace. Adult education is a great way to achieve that.
At the College, we have a real laser focus on developing our curricular around sustainable careers, not courses, embedding the development of wider skills, knowledge and behaviours into teachings to support successful entry into maintained employment.
FE and training courses allow employees to evolve, produce better results, and increase their employability and promotion opportunities, all while accommodating adult learners needs and existing commitments. The opportunity to join short courses with flexible delivery means more adults can take advantage of such training and education despite external factors which prevent full time being an option, such as other work and family.
One of the key roles of adult education is to enable workers to develop their skills and acquire new ones. In the wake of the economic crisis, it gives people aged 18+ a chance to retrain, gain new skills and knowledge and stay up to date with industry needs.
Being able to access FE is particularly important for adults in disadvantaged groups, and those who may not have had access to the best quality education at a younger age.
When attempting to build a solid career, sometimes retraining is not just an option worth considering, it’s an essential. Due to the evolution of technology, many jobs require individuals to be tech-savvy; those who aren’t will either need to learn, or train into a different route.
With new technologies emerging almost daily, the world of work and the skills required to thrive in it continue to change. Understandably, it can be hard to keep up, especially for those who were not brought up in the digital age.
With the population getting older and tech playing a significant role in most, if not all, industries, adult courses offer a highly effective way of learning and staying up to date with the latest developments, giving adults the opportunity to keep informed of trends and remain in tune with the forever changing working world. This offers ample business benefits, as it enables employers to grow their own talent and workers will always have the up-to-date skills they need to be innovative and bring new ideas to the table.
The UK has a growing problem with adult skills shortages, which are more apparent in technical areas. Access to Higher Education, apprenticeships and vocational courses for adults provide a fruitful resource for upskilling, retraining and creating skilled workers who are prepared for a smooth transition into industry.
Adult education courses are designed to offer an answer to both current and future skill shortages by equipping the ageing workforce with the skills and knowledge to adapt to the ever-changing nature of business. This also broadens the job prospects and opportunities available to workers, providing access to lifelong learning and valuable qualifications which will ultimately lead to better quality jobs with higher salaries.
The 2021 Social Mobility Commission (SMC)’s State of the Nation report stated that “across the UK there are already signs that attainment gaps between advantaged and disadvantaged children are getting wider”. It also noted that “good quality training can help adults escape low paid jobs”.
To increase social mobility, we need to look beyond schools and universities, and invest properly into adult education. Adult learning and apprenticeships can help address low levels of social mobility by supporting adults to upskill.
Adult education plays a vital role in raising productivity, strengthening community cohesion, increasing social mobility, reducing unemployment and inactivity, enhancing progression into well-paid jobs, extending working lives, tackling health and mental health issues, and attracting inward investment.
An investment in adult education is an investment in transformative change in the UK. If the labour market is to work for everyone, those with lower skills and qualifications need to be able to improve their career prospects and realise their ambitions through access to FE and training opportunities. Colleges and educators must be enabled to continue to provide high quality education and skills training for adults.
To find out how your business can benefit from adult education at The City of Liverpool College, visit: https://www.liv-coll.ac.uk/course-finder/adults/
Students recreate scene from iconic soap operaWe caught up with tutors Phil Milor (Creative Media) and Paul Carmichael (Acting) recently, to learn more about a live project they’ve been working on with our talented Media Production and Acting students. The task required the groups to recreate a classic scene from the ever popular soap opera, Coronation Street, which provided our students in training with a unique insight into the working practices of their chosen industries.
Phil said: “Not only do Media students get to research and plan how industry professionals would have worked, but thanks to the state of the art facilities, they can also perform their assigned role working in our TV gallery or on the studio floor. This is where our School and courses differ from some of the more traditional Level 3 courses that are run in school sixth forms and other colleges.” Phil went on to say: “Within the Expressive Arts and Media Academy there are several opportunities during the year for this type of large-scale collaborative project. Having the UAL as our exam board allows tutors to be creative with both their assessments of students and in how we are able to link projects together across courses with a strong industry ethos, helping students to gain a better understanding of their chosen industry, as well as learn the valuable skills any employer would look for in a new employee.”
Paul said: “Usually actors have to learn on the job with such things as acting for camera and how to work in a studio. We’re very lucky to have state-of-the-art studio facilities so our learners can enjoy a professional working experience, which means they are already ahead of others coming into the acting industry!
“Collaboratively working on these projects with other L3 students in Media and Production Arts gives our learners important research activities, making academic work interesting and enjoyable, as well as developing them as actors. Using TV scripts from well-loved shows means they carry out in-depth character and acting style studies before entering into an intense rehearsal period, leading to a day of recording on set that reflects the current industry standard. I believe there’s no other further education institution in the city region that can rival both our facilities and the types of experience our students receive as actors in training, in this most vibrant and creative former City of Culture.” ♦
“I learned a lot working on the set. I’m used to working in theatre and playing to an audience and it is very different playing to live cameras throughout the day, then doing it all again at night with a live audience! You’ve got to be totally professional and be wary that there are lots of other people working too. Sometimes it can feel quite exhausting but every time, on every take, you’ve got to give it 110%!
“It was really good working with the Media and Production students as it made everything feel like a professional set and that’s so helpful as an actor. It’s such a vast industry that you need to be versatile and work with all different types of people.
“It was really fun looking into the background of my character and the woman who played her, and it meant I could be authentic as an actor with the way I walked and my facial expressions. It was a really fun thing to do and one which taught me so much as an actor.”
Eden Roberts – L3 Acting (Year 1)
“A fast paced, well organised event and the episode looked great on screen.”
Cerys Steele – UAL Ext. Dip. in Performing and Production Arts
“An excellent learning experience, as everyone had something new to do and it was a good reflection of industry practices.”
Becka Heath – UAL Dip in Performing and Production Arts
“As a second-year L3 Media student, filming Coronation Street was another level of media industry. Really enjoyed working with the actors and the technical teams. Felt so professional and different compared to other projects, in terms of how big each team was. Being a Camera Operator in this project felt like it’s real! Loved it!”
El-Dana Ahmed – L3 UAL Creative Media
“It felt like being a part of something in the industry.”
Elvie Prestridge – L3 UAL Creative Media
