Thursday, April 24, 2008

Mature student attracted back in to education by Art & Design courses at Dunstable College

Art & Design courses at Dunstable College are attracting mature students who have been out of education for some time, and providing a route for them to return to study in their chosen subject. Jan Drury enrolled on the part-time Foundation Diploma in Art & Design course, and cannot believe the difference it has made to her life.

Jan comments, “In 2006 after completing several art based evening classes, I applied for a place on the Foundation Diploma in Art and Design. I have been attending the course on a part time basis and ‘love’ it. The reason for my applying for the course was that I had reached a stage in my life when I wanted to do something for myself and having always had an interest in artistic ventures I decided to take the plunge and really stretch myself. Dunstable was always my first choice of college and I have not been disappointed. The level of tuition and support is superb and I will be sorry to leave the course. I had never been to a gallery before and did not know any artists. Now I have become an ‘art bore’ constantly going on about artists and techniques. The trip to Berlin was the highlight of the course, so far.

I was apprehensive at first returning to learning as a mature student but needn’t have worried. All the students young and old learn from each other and I think enhance each other’s work”.

Course Team Leader, Lee Birkett adds, “This course has proven to be very popular and has given a real boost to the students’ confidence. Students gain a variety of skills and the opportunity to sample a wide range of art and design areas, including fine art, graphics, 3D and textiles. They go onto focus these skills in their strongest area, working towards progression onto an appropriate degree programme, or employment. It is ideal for those who have sampled art and design at some stage in their life, but for whatever reason were unable to take this interest further at the time”.

For further information on the part-time courses available at Dunstable College please call 0845 355 2525, or visit www.dunstable.ac.uk

Dunstable College provides clear progression routes for students

Dunstable College is providing students with a clear progression route within their chosen subject, enabling students to study at the College for up to five years and gain an Honours degree.

Students are able enter the College to study for a Further Education course then continue their studies on one of the College’s extensive Foundation Degree schemes, with the option to then complete a one year top Honours degree here at Dunstable College or at a University of their choice.

One of the newest subjects to be offered by the College is the National Diploma in Graphics, this forms an integral part of the strong Art & Design department within the College. Course Team Leader, Stuart Dall commented “The National Diploma in Graphics is an exciting new course that has a strong computer led focus. The aim is to encourage the students to remain at the College throughout their studying career. This provides students with the opportunity to work with actual clients within the industry, therefore gaining excellent work based experiences.”

For further information on the National Diploma in Graphics or any other courses please contact Dunstable College on 0845 355 2525, www.dunstable.ac.uk

SKF (U.K.) Limited Joins Chiltern Business Training to Provide Young People with Apprenticeship Opportunities

Local Luton based company, SKF (U.K.) Limited, recognises the benefits apprenticeship training can bring to their organisation. As a successful engineering company producing SKF Explorer spherical roller bearings and CARB toroidal roller bearings, it is becoming increasingly difficult to recruit skilled workers with the relevant industry experience. The Apprenticeship programme will support them in recruiting and training young people within the company to their own high standards and allow them to tailor the training, making it relevant to their business. With new apprentices taken on each year it will allow succession planning across the workforce.

SKF (U.K.) Limited has worked alongside Chiltern Business Training to design a programme, advertise and recruit apprentices with the first intake being this summer. Mr S. Gunston, Factory Manager, SKF (U.K.) Limited "SKF recognises the importance that Advanced Engineering apprenticeships have in filling the ever growing skill gap in UK manufacturing. They will also show young people that manufacturing, in progressive companies, can provide a rewarding and challenging career for those that choose this path.”

Chiltern Business Training is the business development department of Dunstable College. They have been working alongside employers in South Bedfordshire to provide a range of business training solutions for over 15 years. New and long established businesses alike are aware of the need for succession planning and investment of training into their workforce. Apprenticeships are a proven solution, with a wealth of benefits to the employer and employees. Apprenticeships offer employed young people the opportunity to work towards a portfolio of qualifications through on and off the job training, giving them industry relevant and nationally recognised qualifications.

For more information contact Chiltern Business Training on 01582 861607.

Sport Relief

Dunstable College students on the Pathways and Townsend Centre courses did their bit for Sport Relief, when they walked a mile together, getting people to sponsor their efforts.

To date about £70 has been raised, with more money due in.

As these students have learning difficulties and/or disabilities, this was a huge achievement for them.

The group marched through Houghton Regis, with banners held high, and in spite of the cold they all enjoyed their walk.

Dunstable College attracts international football star

On Friday 11th April Dunstable College students had the opportunity to speak to former Tottenham and Republic of Ireland international Tony Galvin. Having won two FA cup winners medals and one European Winners medal, Tony had vast experience to pass on to the students studying the sports courses based at the Kingsland Skills Institute Campus.

Now working as a Quality Manager for the LSC, Tony was able to speak to the students about some of the highlights of his career, but also the importance of gaining good qualifications. This included him achieving his degree before he became a professional footballer, which has provided him with a solid grounding for a career after football.

Some of the questions students asked included:

Best player you’ve ever played against? Rudd Gullit

Best player you’ve played with? Glenn Hoddle

Best team you’ve played against? Liverpool in the 1980’s

Head of Sport, Gary Lee commented, “being new to the College, I think it’s fantastic that we are attracting sports stars to the College. They are able to see the great facilities available to our students, and provide students with an ideal opportunity to learn from professional sport stars”.

For further information about the Sports courses available at Dunstable College please call 0845 355 2525 or visit www.dunstable.ac.uk

Dunstable College sports students delivering multi-sport activities to local schools

Students on the Football Development programme at Dunstable College are delivering multi-sport activities to local school children. Dunstable College has set up a relationship with Hawthorn Lower School, whereby the students deliver sporting activities to their students in years 1 to 6. This includes multi-sport lunchtime activities and curriculum based activities.

This scheme is attracting external trainers who are keen to develop coaching skills within the community. On Friday 4th April the students received a masterclass from Daniel Walker who runs Brazilian Soccer Schools. This masterclass enabled the students to learn from the best, and to deliver improved coaching to local children. The excellent skills shown by the students has led to one of the Higher Education students being offered a job working for Daniel; and two of the Further Education students currently completing trials to gain employment.

Football Development Manager, Colin Sharpe commented, “the relationship we’ve developed with Hawthorns Lower school provides the school children with a variety of sporting activities, and enables our students to gain practical coaching experience”.

Dunstable College students visit Lloret de Mar in Spain

Travel and Tourism students from Dunstable College recently enjoyed a study break to Lloret de Mar in Spain. Departing from Luton airport on a cold Monday morning, the trip proved to be very educational for the 38 students who attended, enabling the students to gain further information on the hospitality industry.

The students experienced a mix of educational visits and free time during their trip. This included a behind the scenes tour of their hotel and a visit to a traditional flamenco show called ‘La Masia’ in Tordera, a province in Barcelona.

Second year student Aimee Aslam commented, “I thought that the study visit was extremely successful. Everyone had a great time and it was a brilliant opportunity”.

Travel and Tourism tutor, Maggie parsons added, “The study trips provide a good opportunity for students to transfer a lot of the information they have learnt in the classroom to a real life environment. Both staff and students enjoyed the experience, and we’re looking forward to next year’s trip”.