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Four students will represent Gower College Swansea at this year’s prestigious WorldSkills UK National Finals which will take place from 19 – 22 November at venues across Greater Manchester.

Representing the College are:

Saffron Owens (Foundation Skills, Hairdressing)
Evelyn Howells (Restaurant Services)
Kane Morcom and Bradley Claringbold (Industrial Electronics)

They will join nearly 500 other students and apprentices for the WorldSkills UK National Finals, with the results being announced at a glittering award ceremony at Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall on the evening of Friday 22 November.

Saffron has worked alongside Hairdressing lecturer Joanna Hodgson and Curriculum Leader Michelle Williams to develop her skills in bridal updos. She has been learning different techniques in plaiting such as French, Dutch and fishtail, as well as styling hair with accessories to create a finished bridal hair design.

A relative newcomer to hairdressing, Saffron’s creative skills were noticed immediately by Jo and Michelle, who have both encouraged and mentored her throughout the WorldSkills training process.

Evelyn is hoping to follow in the footsteps of previous Hospitality and Catering alumni who have reached the finals including Jack Lewis (who has returned to College to mentor Evelyn, under the expert eye of instructor/lecturer Nicola Rees), Ryan Kenyon, Scott Mears, Trixie Belle-Ewing, Collette Gorvett,  Paulina Skoczek, Paige Jones, Ruben Johnston and Connor Trehar.

For the competition, Evelyn had to perfect a wide variety of skills including carving and serving a side of smoked salmon, decanting red wine, spiralling and flambéing pineapple, and carving and serving duck breast.

Under the guidance of Curriculum Leader and WorldSkills Trainer Steve Williams, the Electronic Engineering department has a similarly strong track record when it comes to skills competition success. Last year Tarran Spooner and Faroz Shahrokh, now both studying HE at Gower College Swansea, took the Gold and Silver respectively.

To prep for Manchester, Kane and Bradley have been working hard on mastering their electronic skill set from soldering complex circuits to building robotic vehicles and coding them to function independently. Both students have trained at every opportunity, in extra sessions at College and at home.

Gower College Swansea benefits from having embedded WorldSkills standards into its curriculum so the wider electronics cohort are always working towards vocational excellence.

The WorldSkills UK Competitions are seen as an integral part of the post-16 education and training calendar and attract over 6,000 registrations from across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland annually.  The competition-based training programmes are designed by industry experts and help young people grow personally and professionally by developing their technical and employability skills.  

Ben Blackledge, Chief Executive, WorldSkills UK said: “Huge congratulations to this year’s National Finalists. We wish them the best of luck in their training as they prepare for the WorldSkills UK Finals.

“We look forward to working with our host venues and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority to welcome students and apprentices from all over the UK to showcase excellence in technical skills and drive forward the development of world-class skills for all young people.”

“Our four competitors have worked incredibly hard to reach the UK National Finals, even coming into College on their days off to perfect their skills,” says Jenny Hill, Gower College Swansea’s Director of Skills Development and Schools Partnership.

“We are so proud of our young learners and wish them all the best for Manchester. What a fantastic experience to take part in this prestigious showcase event, to benefit from the guidance and expertise of our exceptional teaching and mentoring staff, and to represent the College on a national stage!”

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About WorldSkills UK 
WorldSkills UK is a world-class skills network focused on raising standards, championing future skills and empowering young people from all backgrounds. worldskillsuk.org 

The WorldSkills UK National Finals will take place at the following venues:  Bolton College, Manchester College, The University of Manchester, Oldham College, Rochdale Training, Tameside College, Trafford and Stockport College Group and Wigan & Leigh College. 

Stoke on Trent College Brick Lecturer Robert Harrison has been crowned Construction Apprenticeship Tutor/Lecturer of the Year at the Construction Apprenticeship Awards 2024.

The awards ceremony, took place at Castlefield Rooms in Manchester, and saw Further Education providers and students past and present compete for 11 awards.

Former Stoke on Trent College student Robbie Fereday, was also shortlisted for the Level 2 Construction Apprentice of the Year.

Antoinette Lythgoe, Chief Financial Officer and Interim CEO at Stoke on Trent College said:

“We’re absolutely delighted to hear about Rob winning this prestigious award from the Construction Apprenticeship Awards.

“Rob is a long-serving member of staff, who has a real passion for working with apprentices and has helped countless students secure apprenticeships in the bricklaying industry. This commendation is richly deserved.”

Robert Harrison, Brick Lecturer at Stoke on Trent College said:

“I was very happy to be nominated and then to receive the award on the evening was amazing. I have been teaching in bricklaying for 28 years and seen many changes in the industry and have worked with my apprentices to make sure that they are successful in achieving their goals.

“I have a real life-long passion for my trade, and supporting my industry. Passing my skills and experience to the students is my way of leaving a lasting legacy for the next generation of bricklayers and tutors which I have hopefully inspired.

The Construction Apprenticeship Awards, is an esteemed platform that celebrates excellence and recognises the exceptional achievements of apprentices, providers, employers, suppliers and assessors in the UK construction apprenticeships sector.

The awards foster a sense of pride and motivation within the construction industry, as individuals continue to demonstrate excellence in their respective roles.

Find out more about the Construction Apprenticeship Awards here – https://constructionapprenticeshipawards.com/

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Notes to Editor

• 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  

Students, staff, governors and partners gathered at Stoke on Trent College’s Burslem campus on Monday 11 November 2024, to mark Armistice Day.

The College held its annual Remembrance event, which was led by students and Reverend Alison Thomas and included the reading of poems from learners studying English, Public Services and Electrical Studies.

A selection of wreathes made by learners from across both the Cauldon and Burslem Campuses were laid whilst wooden crosses crafted by Construction, Multi-Trade and Carpentry and Joinery students were displayed as part of the event.

The event was a neutral all faith/no-faith event and provided an opportunity to reflect and remember events that have impacted our lives and our future. The College Marketing team also live streamed the event on YouTube for those in the wider community to participate in watching live on Armistice Day.

Antoinette Lythgoe, Chief Financial Officer and Interim CEO at Stoke on Trent College said,

“Our annual Remembrance Event is a special date in the College calendar for students, staff, governors, partners and the wider community. Over the last half-term our students have been working on a wide range of materials for the service.

“Contributions to the event are College wide, with key moments including the parade by our Public Service students, poem preparation and readings and of course the crafting of the crosses and wreathes, which were laid at the Stoke on Trent College cenotaph during the ceremony.

“Health and Social Care students prepared a beautiful display of reflection whilst Media students also supported with video and photography to ensure that the service could be shared within our wider community.

“We take this opportunity to honour fallen war heroes – particularly previous students and members of staff and their family and friends who have served.”

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Notes to Editor

• 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  

The first cohort of learners have taken their places on Wales’s first fully funded Construction Degree Apprenticeships.

The students will spend two years at Coleg Cambria’s Bersham Road site in Wrexham before completing a final two years at Wrexham University.

Funded by Welsh Government, the qualifications will give them the opportunity to gain pivotal work experience while achieving a degree, opening-up a wide range of career opportunities in Construction Management, Building Surveying, Civil Engineering, and Quantity Surveying.

Welcoming the group, Karl Jackson, Site Lead at Coleg Cambria Bersham Road – which has undergone a multi-million pound transformation in past years – and Assistant Principal for the Institute of Technology, said: “The learners have already settled into the programme and are looking forward to mixing the theoretical and practical sides of the industry, to boost their skills, knowledge and confidence.

“The degree apprenticeships will develop their professional competence but also give them vital real-time, real-life training in a high-quality setting.

“We are delighted to collaborate with Wrexham University on this and look forward to seeing the partnership grow in the years ahead.”

Launching the degree apprenticeships over the summer, Professor Maria Hinfelaar, former Vice-Chancellor at Wrexham University, said: “As a university, we continuously review our portfolio and learning pathways across all levels?to meet the needs of learners and employers – and the Construction Degree Apprenticeships are a tremendous example of meeting those needs.

“From engagement with employers in the region, we know that they are excited that these are launching here in Wrexham.” 

The programmes are designed to meet the knowledge, skills and behaviours set out in the Welsh Government Framework, alongside the requirements of the professional bodies. ? 

The launch of the pathway was the result of strong co-operation and engagement relevant bodies and representatives in Wales including Welsh Government, The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), The Higher Education Funding Council Wales (HEFCW), The Joint Board of Moderators (JBM), The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), and The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

For more information, visit www.cambria.ac.uk and Home – Wrexham University. 

The academic achievements of more than 270 University Centre graduates were acknowledged as part of a prestigious Graduation Ceremony at Wakefield Cathedral, on Wednesday 6^th November 2024.

Graduates marked the momentous occasion alongside their family and friends, as well as their tutors and support staff from the University Centre at the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group.

They were also joined by special guests including the Mayor of Wakefield, Councillor Darren Byford; Chris Nicholls, Area Director for the North East and Yorkshire & Humber at the Association of Colleges; and the Revd Canon Dr Philip Hobday of Wakefield Cathedral.

Representatives from the University Centre’s awarding bodies were also present at the ceremony including Professor James Woodall from Leeds Beckett University, Nichola Cooper from the University of Hull and Sarah Ahmed from the University of Huddersfield. 

Entrepreneur and motivational speaker, Claire Young, who was born and raised in Wakefield and is best known for her appearance on the BBC’s ‘The Apprentice’, delivered an inspirational speech to graduates – advising them to be kind and ambitious as they embark on their next steps.

Sharing her experience as a runner up on The Apprentice, which was watched by over 11 million people at the time, Claire encouraged the graduates to always work hard and believe in themselves.

Sam Wright, Principal and Chief Executive at the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group, also congratulated the graduates for their outstanding achievements, saying: “Graduation is always an incredibly special day as it’s the culmination of our students’ educational journeys, acknowledging the hard work, commitment and resilience they have demonstrated whilst gaining their qualifications. It’s an honour to be able to celebrate these remarkable achievements in the spectacular backdrop of Wakefield Cathedral, alongside our graduates’ loved ones, tutors and special guests.”

Claire’s motivational speech was followed by a breathtaking performance of two songs from West End musicals by BA (Hons) Performance Industries student, Natasha Deal.

Graduands were then invited up to the stage by Stephen Mulligan, Head of Higher Education at the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group to be presented with their certificates by Heart of Yorkshire Education Group’s Chair of Governors, Andrew McConnell OBE.

Amongst those graduating were twin sisters Linda and Maria Donnelly, who were both celebrating achieving a BA (Hons) Business Management qualification after completing their course together.

The graduates were awarded with a range of Foundation Degrees, Full Degrees, Higher National Certificates and Diplomas, Top-Up Degrees, Professional Qualifications and Teacher Training Qualifications.

Validated by some of the region’s most well-established universities, the programmes cover a wide range of subject areas including Animal Management, Art & Design, Business, Construction, Childhood Studies, Digital Technologies, Education, Engineering, Health & Wellbeing, Music, Performing Arts, Public Services, Social Science, Sport and more.

Results of the latest National Student Survey revealed that the University Centre placed significantly higher than the national average in a range of areas, including quality of teaching, learning opportunities, academic support and assessments.

Applications for the University Centre’s wide range of programmes are now open for September 2025.

Stoke on Trent College teams and individual staff members were recognised and celebrated as part of their annual College Accolades awards.

The ceremony, which took place in the Cauldon campus’ Lifestyle building, brought together over 180 staff from across both campuses with awards on offer in the following six different categories.

• The Partnership Excellence Award – focuses on working with colleagues, employers and external stakeholders, developing the college’s ever-increasing partnership network
• The Improving Learner Outcome Award – focuses on members of staff who have had a positive influence to the college environment, going above and beyond to enhance the learner journey
• The One Team Award – recognises the team that supports their colleagues, rises to challenges and improve cohesion amongst staff and learners across college
• The Innovation & Creativity Award – recognises an individual and team who have shown innovative use of digital to create impact in teaching and learning, creativity in delivery of services for greater impact or embedding English and Maths across the Curriculum.
• The Inspiration Award – recognises staff who’s personal or team endeavours to effect change for learners, teams or the community, in line with the College’s nurturing value.
• Judge’s Choice for Exceptional application – recognises an individual and a team selecting by judges as being well deserving of recognition and celebration.

The College Accolades provides an opportunity for staff to be recognised for their achievements and contributions over the academic year, those who have gone above and beyond to really live and breathe the College values and deliver for young people and adults across the city. A number of staff were also honoured for their long-service to the college.

Antoinette Lythgoe, Chief Financial Officer and Interim CEO at Stoke on Trent College said:

“The College Accolades are a fantastic occasion where we recognise the achievements from our academic and business support colleagues across the previous academic year.

“These awards show how our staff really embody the college’s values of being inclusive, collaborative, courageous, ambitious and nurturing and go the extra mile to create the best college experience for our learners and our partners across the community of Stoke-on-Trent.

“The atmosphere is always fantastic, and really reinforces that we are one team and every person’s contributions are important to our continued success and the achievement of our Skills Ready, Future Ready strategic priorities.”

Nova Abela, Chief People Officer at Stoke on Trent College said:

“I’d like to congratulate and thank all of our nominees and winners. Our college success is built on the significant contributions and achievements of all colleagues, through a vast array of important roles.

“As one team, we continue to recognise exceptional contribution, determination and professionalism of our people who further enhance our College as a great place to study and work.”

Winners of Stoke on Trent College’s College Accolades are as follows:

Judge’s Choice Award

Individual winner – Jillian Woolmer

Team winner – Katie Ashwood & Laura Bithell

The Partnership Excellence Award

Individual winner – Suzy Ball

Team winner – Sports & Public Services Team

The Improving Learner Outcome Award

Individual winner – Sarah Lee

Team winner – Julian Wood & Dave Lancaster

Innovation & Creativity Award

Individual winner – Chloe Snape

Team winner – Community Learning Team

One Team Award

Individual winner – Yvette Leese

Team winner – Maths & English Team

Inspiration Award

Individual winner – Caroline Proctor

Team winner – NEETs Team

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Notes to Editor

• 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  

To celebrate Number Confidence Week (4-8 November), Stoke on Trent College, in partnership with Stoke-on-Trent City Council, is encouraging adults across the city to access free numeracy courses which will help them stay in control of their finances this festive season.

Stoke by Numbers is part of the government’s national programme, Multiply, which is helping adults across Stoke-on-Trent improve their ability to understand and use maths in daily life.

Whilst the programme is open to all eligible adults across Stoke-on-Trent who want to improve their number confidence and numeracy skills for a variety of reasons, the focus this week is around the forthcoming festive season and the importance of knowing your numbers ahead the most expensive times of the year.

Cllr Sarah Jane Colclough, Stoke-on-Trent City Council cabinet member for education and anti-poverty said:

“The Stoke by Numbers programme, in partnership with Stoke on Trent College, helps give adults across the city more confidence in their numeracy skills. Whether it’s helping your children with their homework or, particularly at this time of year, managing budgets better, Stoke by Numbers can help. We know that adults across our city are already finding things difficult with the cost-of-living crisis. The costs around Christmas are going to amplify these financial challenges and put household budgets under even more pressure, making improving number confidence even more important.”

Antoinette Lythgoe, Interim Chief Executive of Stoke on Trent College said:  

 “Through free support and training, Stoke by Numbers aims to give adults across Stoke-on-Trent improved number confidence so they can manage budgets effectively, understand credit and store card charges and work out the savings they are making on Black Friday deals.  We would encourage Stokies to grasp this opportunity to access these free services ahead of the festive season.”

To learn more about Stoke by Numbers, the free support in place and to find a learning location near you, visit stokebynumbers.co.uk

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Notes to Editors

Stoke by Numbers, part of the government’s new £560 million national programme, Multiply, which aims to transform the lives of hundreds of thousands of adults across the UK.

The programme is being implemented across the city by Stoke on Trent College in partnership with Stoke-on-Trent City Council, with training courses being delivered by six learning partners across the city.

Partners include: Stoke on Trent College, Acacia Training, Acorn Training, Landau, Pathway Group and Potteries Moneywise.

Stoke on Trent College serves up to 8000 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.

National Numeracy Day is an awareness day that was launched in 2018 by charity National Numeracy. The aim of the day is to get children and adults across the UK to think about their number skills so that they can feel empowered to reach their potential.

For more information, contact Claire Williams, Director of Marketing, PR and Communications at Stoke on Trent College: claire.williams@stokecoll.ac.uk

Novus Gower is proud to announce its first-ever Teaching and Learning Conference, celebrating the remarkable progress in education at HMP and YOI Parc since taking over the education and training contract in December 2022.

Novus Gower is a joint venture between not-for-profit social enterprise Novus, the UK’s largest provider of education, training and employability programmes to prisoners, and Gower College Swansea, one of the largest colleges in Wales.

The event was held at the Swansea.com Stadium, marking a significant milestone in the College’s development of educational practices within the prison environment.

This conference serves as a platform to recognise the hard work, dedication, and innovation of the teaching staff at HMP and YOI Parc, while providing them with further opportunities for professional development.

Since taking on the education contract, Novus Gower has transformed the curriculum with a strong focus on employability skills and teaching excellence, all with the goal of improving outcomes for learners and supporting their resettlement.

The Teaching and Learning Conference featured a range of dynamic workshops led by leading educational experts, designed to enhance classroom practices:

Dave Harris and Nina Jackson: Facilitating a workshop on Independent Thinking, Dave and Nina will offer strategies to ignite curiosity and build resilience among teachers in challenging settings.
Mike Gershon: A renowned expert in assessment for learning, Mike will share strategies that help teachers maximise their impact on learners by effectively assessing progress and understanding.
Rachel Clarke: Leading an important discussion on anti-racism in education, Rachel will guide participants on a journey toward promoting inclusivity and equality within the classroom at HMP and YOI Parc.

Novus Gower is committed to helping learners at HMP and YOI Parc develop their potential through quality education and targeted employability skills. The Teaching and Learning Conference aims to inspire teachers with new ideas and practical strategies they can implement to improve outcomes for learners and support them on their path to resettlement and release.

“We’ve seen fantastic outcomes at HMP Parc over the last year,” said Gower College Swansea’s Quality Development Manager, Louisa Walters. “This conference is a testament to the hard work of our dedicated educators, and we’re thrilled to provide them with opportunities to further develop their skills and share best practices.”

Sally Pearson, Head of Learning and Skills for Novus Gower said: “We are very excited to host our first annual Teaching and Learning conference. We know that by providing these CPD opportunities and reflection time for our teachers, we will be able to continue to improve the quality of teaching and learning at HMP and YOI Parc, supporting learners to succeed, reintegrate into society and gain and sustain meaningful employment or education on release.”

Speaking about the broader impact of the conference, Mark Jones, CEO of Gower College Swansea and Director of Novus Gower said: “Education has the power to transform lives, and at HMP and YOI Parc, we are witnessing this transformation every day. Our staff are the key to making this happen and by equipping them with innovative tools and strategies, we are strengthening their capacity to inspire and support their learners.

“Through our partnership, we are also able to draw on the wealth of expertise across the partners to ensure learners have access to a wider breadth of curriculum and progression opportunities. This conference is therefore a powerful step toward our commitment to quality education that extends beyond the prison walls and into the future of every learner.”

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Novus Gower is a joint venture between not-for-profit social enterprise Novus, the UK’s largest provider of education, training and employability programmes to prisoners, and Gower College Swansea, one of the largest colleges in Wales.

Novus have built a reputation as an innovator in rehabilitation and reducing re-offending by transforming people’s lives through learning and skills delivery across a diverse range of prisons spanning England and Wales. Novus is part of LTE group, the first integrated education and skills group of its kind.

Gower College Swansea offers a diverse curriculum portfolio of industry-led academic and vocational provision and has built an excellent reputation for the quality of its teaching and learning.

Through this unique partnership we will harness the wealth of cross-group expertise to ensure learners have access to a breadth of curriculum and progression opportunities.