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Learners from Stoke on Trent College have been embracing their diversity and different cultures as part of the annual Multicultural Day.

 

Now in its 13^th year, the student-led event was held in the Sports Hall at the Cauldon campus, with a host of activities going on throughout the day.

 

Attendees were treated to a mix of delicious Indian foods, prepared and served by Hospitality and Catering students.

 

Maths lecturer Amna Jamal also led a sing-a-long of Pakistani songs used traditionally for weddings and happy occasions as well as playing a traditional drum known as a Dholak.

 

Students from various courses also hosted stalls showcasing different cultures plus presenters from Blue Sky Radio were broadcasting live as well as speaking to learners and Principal & CEO Hassan Rizvi. A range of external College partners also attended including Amity Hub and Staffordshire Police.

 

The culmination of Multicultural Day saw learners and staff take part in a catwalk, showcasing traditional dress led by BBC Radio Stoke’s Reverend Geoff Eze.

 

Level 3 Health & Social Care learner Umaiza Noveed, was one of the organisers of Multicultural Day and said,

 

“I’ve really enjoyed being an organiser of the Multicultural Day. Through the planning we’ve got to work with College staff and understand how to plan events.

“To see everything come together today has been a really rewarding experience.”

 

Hassan Rizvi, Principal and CEO at Stoke on Trent College said;

 

“Multicultural Day is the perfect way for learners and staff at the college to embrace our different cultures and come together for an unforgettable celebration.”

 

Dave Hopley, Assistant Principal Student Experience at Stoke on Trent College said;

 

“Multicultural Day is always one of the highlights of the college calendar. Our learners have been working extremely hard, planning and managing the event and the results are truly outstanding.

 

“We’re proud to honour and embrace the multitude of backgrounds and cultures represented at the College and the uniqueness this brings.”

 

ENDS

 

Notes to Editors

• Stoke on Trent College serves up to 9000 students a year including young people, adults and apprentices. Working with a wide range of employers in key growth areas of the economy such as Digital, Construction, Engineering, STEM and Health and Social Care and more.
• The College also work with young adults who may have a special educational or additional need.
• A wide range of flexible and distance learning is provided by the College to individuals and businesses.

For all media enquiries, please contact marketing@stokecoll.ac.uk  

Nineteen-year-old Subhan Mahmood, an apprentice from Keighley College, has secured a full-time role at Acorn Stairlifts.

Subhan began his training with the stairlift manufacturer’s customer services team in August, 2023 and made an impact thanks to his enthusiasm, hard work and desire to learn new skills.

Those qualities convinced the business to offer him a permanent role, and Subhan – who previously worked in a fast-food restaurant – couldn’t be happier.

‘I’m on my way!’

He said: “It feels fantastic. I think my hard work has really paid off and I’m well on my way to achieving my goal of becoming a service engineer for Acorn.

“In customer service, I talk to customers on the phone, helping them if they have any problems with their stairlift, and book services for them.

“I had a good experience on my apprenticeship course. Every Monday I had sessions with my tutor, Sarah Barwell, who really helped me with my coursework. And my team leaders at college were very supportive if I needed extra help.

“I would recommend doing an apprenticeship to others. I have gained so much customer service experience through my apprenticeship, placement, and coursework and I’m comfortable now talking to different customers in a good manner.”

A reward for commitment and a positive attitude

Subhan’s Team Leader at Acorn Stairlifts, Bethany Berry, said: “The apprentices we take on from the college are always hard-working and add value to our business, but Subhan stood out.

“He showed that he was willing to try hard throughout his apprenticeship, and was always happy to take part in any training offered to help him gain further knowledge of Acorn and our stairlifts.

“He has also been working hard on improving his customer service soft skills, and as a result has one of our highest inbound call numbers.

“Subhan has aspirations of becoming a service engineer at Acorn, so we will help in every way that we can with that – at the moment he is working in our customer services faults team to build up his knowledge of the product.”

‘A brilliant option’ – apprenticeships unlock careers

Keighley College, which is preparing to open a dedicated new Engineering hub, has a longstanding working relationship with Acorn Stairlifts and regularly places apprentices, plus supported interns, with the firm.

Head of Stakeholder Engagement and Growth, Clare Fitzgerald, said: “We are delighted to see Subhan land this position which could be his first step into a rewarding career.

“It is through our partnerships with prestigious local firms like Acorn Stairlifts that we secure quality placements for our apprentices and students that lead to opportunities like this.

“Apprenticeships are a brilliant option for anyone who wants to earn while they learn and gain a quick route into their chosen career path, as Subhan’s story – which we’re proud to share during National Apprenticeship Week – demonstrates.”

National Apprenticeship Week, which this year runs from Monday 10 to Sunday 16 February, is a week-long annual celebration that highlights the benefits of apprenticeships for individuals, businesses and the economy.

Councillor James Lewis, Leader of Leeds City Council, visited Swinnow Community Centre to witness the incredible work of students from Leeds City College participating in The King’s Trust programme. This initiative supports young adults in developing skills and gaining valuable experience to help them transition into employment.

During the visit, Councillor Lewis met with students and staff, observing their contributions to the community. The students took on various tasks at the centre, including cleaning, painting, and planting, all aimed at enhancing the space for local residents.

Peter, a current student on the programme, said: “I’ve really enjoyed my time on the programme so far – since we’ve started, we’ve undertaken team-building exercises, icebreakers and went on a residential at Kingswood. Throughout the programme, I’ve gained confidence, developed communication skills, and worked on a number of community projects. I’ve also got a two-week work placement coming up which I’m really looking forward to.”

“This programme has helped me set goals for the future, and my end goal is to work in IT. It’s been great to be a part of this cohort – we all come from different backgrounds, and I’ve made some really good friends along the way.”

The King’s Trust programme offers a hands-on approach to learning, providing young people with the confidence, practical skills, and sense of achievement needed for future employment. This 12-week course, designed for young adults aged 19-25, combines team-building exercises, community projects, and work placements. In its final week, participants celebrate their achievements with a presentation.

King’s Trust Programme Leader, Jonathan Benton, highlighted the impact of the course: “The personal development our learners have demonstrated throughout the programme has been fantastic. They’ve taken real ownership of their projects – identifying who in the community they can support, reaching out to key stakeholders, and organising meaningful initiatives. Alongside the Swinnow Community project, this cohort has created an allotment at Southroyd Primary School to grow their own produce, supported the park ranger in developing the rose garden at Gotts Park, and contributed to the Vineyard Food Pantry. It’s incredible to see them giving back to their community while building the skills and confidence that will support them in their future careers.”

This visit reinforced the power of community-driven initiatives in fostering personal and professional growth. The King’s Trust programme continues to be a vital stepping stone for young people looking to build meaningful careers while making a tangible difference in their communities.

Councillor Lewis expressed his appreciation for the programme, highlighting the positive impact it has on both the learners and the wider community.

“It’s been great to be here in Swinnow to see the work that is happening and how it’s supporting the young people of our region. The positive impact of the work that happens here through a Combined Authority not only benefits the people but the community as a whole.”

Luminate Education Group, of which Leeds City College is a part of, has a longstanding relationship with The King’s Trust. This partnership has helped countless young people gain essential skills and work experience, advancing their career goals. Through initiatives like this, Luminate Education Group remains committed to supporting learners in their personal and professional development, ensuring they are well-prepared for the future.

Selby College has been awarded the Marketing Excellence Award at the prestigious Goole & Howdenshire Business Excellence Awards 2025, in recognition of its student recruitment campaign which led to a significant rise in applications and enrolments.

The Goole & Howdenshire Business Excellence Awards recognise and celebrate business excellence in Goole and the surrounding area and have become one of the region’s most prestigious events, recognising local success stories.

Following the successful merger of Selby College and Wakefield College in 2022, the two College’s Marketing departments joined forces to create a collaborative, highly productive and results-driven Marketing & Creative Team.

The Team was awarded the Marketing Excellence Award for its keep warm campaign, which transformed how the Group engages with prospective students from their first point of contact in Year 10 through to enrolment.

This resulted in a huge 55.2% increase in applications for 2024/25, a 19% rise in Open Event attendees and a 7.6% increase in 16-18 enrolments – achieving a 9.1% escalation in student numbers, representing a growth of £3.4 million in funding.

At the core of the campaign were a series of touchpoints that kept students engaged throughout their journey, including tailored Year 10 Taster Day follow-ups, interactive Year 11 assemblies, targeted communications based on individual interests and creative post-application materials such as offer postcards that were praised by students and parents alike.

Suzie Doherty, Head of Marketing and Admissions at the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group, said: “This award is a testament to the collaborative efforts of our Marketing, School Partnerships and Admissions teams, whose hard work has helped the Group set a new standard in student recruitment and engagement. It recognises the strategic thinking, creativity and innovation that went into developing a campaign that truly puts prospective students’ experience at the forefront – from first impression to enrolment.”

The Marketing & Creative Team were also finalists in the Team of the Year category and the Group was shortlisted for the Environmentally Friendly Business of the Year, highlighting the Group’s commitment to sustainability.

This comes as the Group recently hosted its own Sustainability Week to boost participation and highlight how small changes can have a big impact on the environment.

Taking place across Castleford College, Selby College and Wakefield College, students and staff took part in a range of creative and practical activities from recycling and upcycling workshops to tree planting, clothes swap shops and more.

Some of our closest business partners have been sharing their memories of the college during our 200^th anniversary year.

We have established strong links with so many of the district’s companies over the past two centuries, not least through training their workforces.

In the case of Fives Landis, the relationship has involved training many apprentices who have gone on to become part of the firm’s senior leadership team – including Managing Director Phil Jenkins.

Engineering Director Ian Wellcock, who began his Mechanical Engineering apprenticeship with the college in 1999, said: “All Landis apprentices went through the college, and we have many success stories.”

Inspiring future generations

Mechanical Engineering Administrator Amanda Dowden started as an apprentice at Fives Landis, which manufactures grinding equipment for the automotive industry, in 1978.

She said: “Studying at the college has shaped my career, and it helped give me the confidence to do something I enjoyed in an area that was not seen as something a woman would do in those days.

“The college has been an integral part of training future engineers. I hope it continues for another 200 years, inspiring generations to come.”

Meeting local demand

Apprenticeship manager John Harrison’s career at Fives Landis, meanwhile, spans four decades. He said: “The college was integral to training future engineers for what was then Landis Lund Ltd.

“While apprentices once had to travel elsewhere for training, we’ve now returned to our roots, with Keighley College as our main apprenticeship provider.”

A past to be proud of – and an exciting future

We are proud to have been able to help shape the careers of generations of residents, and provide them with more opportunities, for 200 years.

Originally established as Keighley Mechanics’ Institute on Valentine’s Day, 1825, the college has played a vital role in the community and continues to be a cornerstone of education and professional development.

We recently held a special evening meal for our partners, local dignitaries and past and present staff and students to celebrate the anniversary – and will be holding more events throughout the year.

Make sure you stay up to date with all the latest Keighley College news.

Our Business students have been picking up tips – and promoting North Yorkshire – during a trip to Canada.

Three lucky Level 3 learners, Grace Payler, Dan Rushton and Lily Bell, travelled to the country thanks to funding from the Turing Scheme.

During their visit, the trio enjoyed an educational visit to a Quesada Burritos & Tacos restaurant, and took part in a sustainable tourism class at Georgian College, in Ontario. They also managed to squeeze in some incredible sightseeing opportunities and other leisure activities.

Working on a marketing campaign

Dan said: “On the first day, we went down to Quesada in Barrie, met with the owner and asked them questions about the business and how it was marketed.

“Whilst we had lunch, we worked on a marketing task; discussing new ways to market the business to increase its sales.”

Another day began with some snow tubing fun, before the students – who were accompanied on the trip by our Business course leader, David Gaunt – headed to Georgian College.

Tourism insights and one-off experiences

There, they joined a class to present a slideshow about Harrogate and North Yorkshire’s visitor economy and learn about sustainable tourism in Canada.

David, meanwhile, taught a lesson on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and how it varies across different countries, to degree students.

It wasn’t all hard work, however, and the Harrogate group also found time to visit Niagara Falls and take in an ice hockey game.

Grace said: “I loved visiting Niagara Falls and seeing so many different things I never thought I would be able to see.

“We attended a Barrie Colts ice hockey game with members of the international team and a Canadian student who will be part of a reciprocal visit to Harrogate College. It was a great new experience for me.”

Adapting to unexpected challenges

The trip also turned into a real test of adaptability and independence when flights were unexpectedly cancelled both ways. The students, along with David, had to quickly adjust plans and find solutions to navigate these disruptions.

Fortunately, they received invaluable support from two Barrie residents, Jean Maurice and Bill, who are connected to the international conifer network. Their kindness and generosity in assisting the group through the travel difficulties made a huge difference, ensuring they could still make the most of their trip. This experience not only highlighted the importance of resilience but also showed the strength of international connections and community support.

A life-changing trip

Reflecting on the trip as a whole, Lily said: “Canada was great, it grew my confidence and allowed me to develop new skills such as presenting, using a slideshow that we had created before the trip.”

Dan added: “Going to Canada was incredible, it has really given me a new outlook on college life and it has improved my organisational skills because we had to be ready on time for each day’s events.

“The experience has also led me to feel more confident in myself.”

Some of our Early Years and Education T Level students have enjoyed a two-week placement in Spain.

The group spent their fortnight working at the Academia Igualada, a private school in Catalonia, thanks to funding from The Turing Scheme UK.

The institution teaches children from nursery age right up to those studying the Baccalaureate – the final stage of secondary school in Spain. 

Developing skills and forging friendships 

Millie McHale said: “On the first day, we were given a tour of the school and introduced to key staff members that we would be working with.

“The experience as a whole was amazing and exceeded my expectations. I have built positive and memorable relationships with staff and children. This placement has helped me develop so many important career skills that I do not believe I would have learnt without this opportunity.”

“I have also built lifelong friendships and memories that I will never forget, this has really helped build my confidence. And lastly it has taught me so many life lessons and built my independence in ways I would never have imagined.”

Fellow T Level student Naimah Begum said: “I started the first day with kindergarten one-year-olds.

“I supported by feeding the children, getting them dressed for lunch and taking part in provisions. I was also an English assistant with three students, it was great! It was an environment where I felt confident and had a good conversation with the children.”

Learning about teaching roles and a different culture

Skye Brimacombe also relished her time: “I learnt many different techniques to use in UK placements and a lot about Spanish culture.”

Study support coaches Sophie Sutcliffe and Benjamin Wallis accompanied the students on the trip.

Sophie said: “Our learners will have new ideas for activities which they can use as part of their T Level, and will bring new skills and ideas to their placements in the UK.

Benjamin added: “The placement was directly linked to their vocational course, where students spend time working in a school and supporting children of different age groups. It was a great experience for them to do the same kind of work but in a foreign country.”

 

Stay up to date with the latest Leeds City College news.

Seventeen learners from Stoke on Trent College have completed a brand-new extracurricular program that will enhance and inspire future career paths.

8billionIdeas saw learners from Business Level 2 courses take part in a future-focused three-day program which provided learners with the opportunity to take part in two different sessions in a work experience style format.

The sessions on offer were:

The Internship, is an award-winning virtual program which gives learners an introduction to work and employability skills. The program provides them with a virtual tour of different departments and insight into how an international company works across varying layers of the organisation.

Foundations, is a 15-module program that is designed to give young learners mindset tools that will improve their confidence and develop skills to succeed in life and work.

Anna-Marie Oakes, Level 2 Business student, who took part, said:

“It was a fun and engaging course to do, and has helped me get more organised and get a better idea of what I want to do next after college.”

Hassan Rizvi, Principal & CEO at Stoke on Trent College said:

“8billionIdeas was a fantastic opportunity for our learners to gain vital skills that will benefit them in the future workplace and in everyday life.

“The Internship program saw students introduced to the workplace with an understanding of how a large-scale business operates whilst the Foundations course was focused around life skills such as mindset and confidence with learnings able to be applied in all aspects of life.

“8billionIdeas is another example of the College’s commitment to ensuring all of our learners have clear progression paths and are future ready when going into the workplace or higher education.”

Deepali Kothari, Marketing Manager

 

“At 8billionideas, we’re proud to partner with Stoke-On-Trent College to deliver ‘Foundations’ for Year 12 students, helping students develop the skills, mindset, and confidence they need to thrive in the world beyond the classroom.

 

“This partnership embodies the power of ‘The Critical Curriculum’ and is rooted in bringing real-world learning and practical experiences to students. It reflects the school and 8billionideas’ shared belief that every young person deserves the chance to dream big and turn those dreams into reality.”

 

Find out more about 8billionIdeas here – https://www.8billionideas.com/.

 

ENDS

 

Notes to Editors

• Stoke on Trent College serves up to 9000 students a year including young people, adults and apprentices. Working with a wide range of employers in key growth areas of the economy such as Digital, Construction, Engineering, STEM and Health and Social Care and more.
• The College also work with young adults who may have a special educational or additional need.
• A wide range of flexible and distance learning is provided by the College to individuals and businesses.

For all media enquiries, please contact marketing@stokecoll.ac.uk  

18 students from Gower College Swansea are holding offers to study medicine or veterinary science at university this September.

The College’s Medics, Dentists and Vets (MDV) tutorial support provision – which is part of the wider GCS Honours programme – gives students who have expressed an interest in medical sciences, veterinary science, dentistry and pharmacy an opportunity to gain the skills and experience needed to apply to their chosen university.

All 18 students benefitted from the College’s MDV tutorials as well as taking part in the Seren Academy, the Welsh Government’s programme to equip learners with the necessary tools to apply to leading institutions in Wales, the UK and across the world.

“This is a fantastic achievement for the learners who have all worked so hard over the course of their A Level studies,” says Assistant Learning Area Manager, Jess O’Driscoll. “It is also a huge testament to the dedication of our teaching staff who have played a huge role in this success – from helping with personal statement and reference writing, to interview prep, and providing incredible support both in and out of the classroom.”

The students are:

Brooke Davies (formerly Cwmtawe Community School) who has been offered a place at the University of Surrey
Ava Phillips (formerly Cwmtawe Community School) who has been offered a place at Cardiff University
Jess Fowkes (formerly Bishopston Comprehensive) who has been offered a place at Cardiff University
Ben Hawkins (formerly Bishopston Comprehensive) who has been offered a place at Cardiff University and University of Bristol
Milly Jenkins (formerly Bishopston Comprehensive) who has been offered a place at University of Exeter
Sophie Peter (formerly Bishopston Comprehensive) who has been offered a place at Cardiff University
Edward Spanner (formerly Bishopston Comprehensive) who has been offered a place at Cardiff University
Adina Zafar (formerly Olchfa) who has been offered a place at Cardiff University, University of Bristol, University of Exeter and University of Birmingham
Steffi Saji (formerly Coedcae School) who has been offered a place at Cardiff University and University of Nottingham
Asmaa Riaz (formerly St John Lloyd Catholic School) who has been offered a place at Lancaster University
Kacper Rejniak (formerly St John Lloyd Catholic School) who has been offered a place at Cardiff University and University of Nottingham
Rhiannon Reed (formerly Ysgol Gyfun G?yr) who has been offered a place at Cardiff University and Bangor University
Millie John (formerly Penyrheol Comprehensive) who has been offered a place at Cardiff University and University of Exeter
Ebony Johnston (formerly Ysgol Glan Y Mor) who has been offered a place at University of Exeter
Sam Jones (formerly Ysgol Maesydderwen) who has been offered a place at Cardiff University and the University of Sunderland
Sebastien Maskell (formerly Ysgol Gyfun Maes y Gwendraeth) who has been offered a place at University of Plymouth
Beth Plowman (formerly Pontarddulais Comprehensive School) who has been offered a place at Cardiff University and Bangor University
Ella Watkins (formerly St John Baptist Church in Wales High School) who has been offered a place at Cardiff University

HSDC is proud of its dedication to the local community, with both students and staff regularly organising and participating in charity fundraisers, such as Engineering’s recent Movember campaign and Esports’ Winterfest event. 

Recently, a student on the Extended Diploma in Sport at Alton College has embodied these values of charity and community that have come to define Alton. From 9am to 9pm on Friday 28 February, Tegan Peers-Holland organised and participated in a twelve-hour long netball tournament, raising money for Cancer Research UK. 

Tegan undertook this task as part of her course requirement to plan and lead an event, but ultimately wanted it to be an opportunity to bring together people of all skill levels for a day of fun, fitness and fundraising. When asked about how the netball went, Tegan said:

“The netball matches went so well! It was an amazing opportunity to raise money for a good cause whilst also getting so many people involved both inside and outside of the College. People of all ages and skill levels were allowed to participate, making it an inclusive event with fantastic attendance!”

The netball tournament was open to everyone, with lots of local community groups from outside the College also taking part, including family members and  local league teams. Alton Lions were also in attendance and helped to sponsor the event, for which Tegan was incredibly grateful.

In total, Tegan was able to raise £760 for Cancer Research UK, a truly amazing achievement. Dean Gillatt, a Sports lecturer at Alton who helped to supervise the event, praised Tegan’s efforts:

“Tegan is a truly outstanding student, both in and outside of the classroom. Her charity match was amazing and really showed what she can achieve. Everybody had a great time, and whilst there were a few tired faces at the end of the 12 hours, it was well worth it!”

Everyone at HSDC is extremely proud of Tegan, who hopes to use the skills she has acquired on the Extended Diploma in Sport to pursue a career as a PE teacher in the future.