Tag Archives: qualifications

Newcastle College launches Higher Apprenticeship to support wind energy and marine careers

Posted on January 11, 2013 | Leave a comment

Higher Apprenticeship

Newcastle College has launched a new Higher Apprenticeship to support the development of skilled personnel for the energy sector.

Devised by the College’s School of Applied Science and Technology, the Higher Apprenticeship focus on the key growth areas in the energy sector supply chain, Wind Generation and Marine, which will require a substantial skilled and competent workforce in the near and long-term future.

The College, which is a member of energy sector business development organisation, NOF Energy, will work with industry employers to help create the next generation of skilled engineers.

Businesses interested in adding Higher Apprenticeships to their skills development strategies are encouraged to engage with the College, which will deliver the mix of high quality workplace and college-based learning.

Suitable for new employees and existing technicians looking to develop their skills set, the two-year Higher Apprenticeship is aimed at individuals with A Levels, Engineering Diplomas, Advanced Apprenticeships or have worked in industry to Level 3 standard.

The majority of the Apprenticeship training is achieved through workplace learning, which is assessed by the employer and the College.  In addition, Apprentices spend one day a week at Newcastle College working towards a number of the programme’s qualifications.

Delivered as part of the SEMTA Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship, the Wind Generation and Marine apprenticeships share key qualifications including NVQ Extended diploma in Engineering Leadership and Essential Skills in Maths, English and ICT.

Wind Generation Apprentices will also undertake a Foundation Degree in Renewable Energy Technologies while Marine Apprentices will work towards a Foundation Degree in Subsea Engineering.

Upon completing the apprenticeship, participants can go onto study for a degree qualification and work towards ‘Incorporated Engineer’ professional status.

Helen Craig, Project Manager at Newcastle College’s School of Applied Science & Technology, said: “The College has been developing Higher Apprenticeships in all engineering disciplines, but the offshore industries, particularly in the emerging renewables sector, will have a particular requirement for skilled engineers when activity in the industry gains pace.

“Supply chain companies will be planning their operations to serve the expansion of the industry, which will include the development of apprentices, which needs to include both Advanced and Higher levels to meet the technological demands of the sector.  The Higher Apprenticeship will arm employees with the skills and competencies expected by the sector, which will make them valuable members of the workforce.”

Caroline Lofthouse, Business Development Manager at NOF Energy, said: “The North East has an impressive cluster of energy sector supply chain companies that would benefit from the programmes being developed by Newcastle College.

“As the supply chain gears up for the growth in offshore renewables activities creating a highly-skilled workforce is essential.  Not only will the sector require engineers for the next 10 to 15 years to support the construction of Round 2.5 and Round 3 offshore wind farms, there will be the on-going requirement for personnel that can manage the operation and maintenance of current and future wind farms.”

For more information about the Higher Apprenticeship contact Helen Craig on 0191 226 7550 or email helen.craig@ncl-coll.ac.uk

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Posted in Applied Sciences and Technology, Apprenticeships

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New Principal prepares for the opening of world class Newcastle Sixth Form College

Posted on October 3, 2012 | Leave a comment

School pupils looking to continue their education will be able to take advantage of the latest in educational and environmental technology when Newcastle’s new city centre sixth form college opens its doors in the spring.

Steve Gibson, newly-appointed Principal of Newcastle Sixth Form College, has taken over at the helm just months before the opening of a multi-million pound building, boasting 150 classrooms, fully-equipped ICT and language labs, debating chamber and lecture theatre.

The new college, which is the only purpose-built sixth form college in the city, is on schedule to be completed in February, with doors opening to students in July.

Designed to meet the latest best practice in sustainable development, the roof will be covered with a variety of indigenous plants that will flower in summer to attract wildlife.

And showcasing a raft of unique design concepts, the outer northern wall will include gold cladding made of copper and aluminium, while the atrium will boast an impressive feature staircase and stylish floating classroom, which will form the centrepiece to the college reception and will be known as The Hive.

Steve said: “Very exciting times lie ahead for Newcastle Sixth Form College as we prepare to move into the new building. I am delighted to have been appointed Principal at such a pivotal time.

“In the spring, we will have the very best facilities at our disposal in surroundings that have been designed and developed to the highest standards to create a dynamic world class learning environment.

“With an outstanding teaching staff, we are already in the top five percent of colleges nationally for learners progressing on to Higher Education. However, with the addition of the new building opening in 2013, we believe there are no limits to what our students and we as a college can achieve.

“And it’s not too late to join our A Level students, who will be moving into the new college. We are still taking applications because, as with university, some students often feel, just as they start their new courses, that they have made the wrong subject choices or chosen the wrong place to study.”

Newcastle Sixth Form College is rated among the top performing sixth form colleges in the region, and has more than 40 A Level courses to choose from – more than any other in the region.

It has more students doing A Levels this year than any other school or college in the north east and in August saw a record number of students receive offers to study at Russell Group Universities across the UK, which are considered the most prestigious and include Oxford, Cambridge, Durham, Edinburgh and Westminster.

Steve added: “We are extremely proud of our reputation as a leading centre of excellence for further education and believe our new facilities will only enhance the achievements of our students as we move into a new era.

“We very much look forward to welcoming students into the new building and helping them to realise their ambitions.”

* People can find out more about the new sixth form building and the courses available this year at an open evening at Parsons Building on the campus on Wednesday (October 3), from 4.30pm to 7pm. Tutors will be available to offer advice and guidance to prospective students on a range of subjects and qualifications.

To find out more, visit the website at www.newcastlecollege.co.uk or contact 0191 200 4000.

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Advice lined up for GCSE results day 23 August 2012

Posted on August 21, 2012 | Leave a comment

Newcastle College is offering support and guidance to all students receiving their GCSE results this week, with a dedicated telephone Advice Line.

Whether students have studied at Newcastle College or not, the GCSE Advice Line is there to help and will operate between 10am and 4pm on Thursday 23 and Friday 24 August. Telephone number is 0191 200 4516.

Face to face advice will also be offered at the Sports Hall, Rye Hill Campus between 10am – 7pm on Thursday and 10am – 4pm on Friday.   

The GCSE Advice Line is available to any student, their parents and guardians and has been extremely well received since its launch eight years ago.

Sharon Walker, Schools Liaison Co-ordinator at Newcastle College, manages the Advice Line and has given support and guidance to thousands of people over the past years.

She said: “The GCSE Advice Line was developed to give those who are unsure about the options available to them once they have received their results. Every year we get calls from parents, guardians and young people who are worried that they did not get their predicted grades or are just unsure about what they now want to do. It may be that they have achieved better results than they expected and are looking for something a bit more challenging.

“The key thing I say to everyone is not to panic. There are many options available, some of which you may not have considered yet. The important thing is to find out what the individual wants to achieve, their interests and aspirations and then identify the realistic options available to help them reach their goal.”

Sharon added: “We get lots of calls from students who are unsure if they want to go down the traditional academic route. This is such an important time in a young person’s life and it is vital that they choose the path that is right for them.  Newcastle College offers a full range of vocational qualifications, including National Diplomas. Apprenticeships are also on offer, which allow you to combine employment and training in a range of vocational areas.

‘Apprenticeship frameworks are developed in partnership with employers and provide the skills that businesses really need. A Higher Apprenticeship is the equivalent to a Higher Education qualification and is great for those who are looking to progress in their career.

‘Through Newcastle Sixth Form College we also offer traditional A and AS level subjects and alternatives such as the International Baccalaureate, which combine A Level subjects with enrichment activities, such as voluntary work”.

Some students are worried about fees and Newcastle College can help. To assist students with the increase in Higher Education tuition fees, Newcastle College has kept its HE fees at £5,800, way below the £9,000 that many universities charge.

The college has also introduced the Newcastle College Maintenance Allowance (NCMA) scheme, which can provide eligible 16 -18 year olds with £1200 over two years to help towards the cost of books and travel.

Sharon continued, “Results day can be very stressful and it is important to have the opportunity to speak to someone who understands the concerns and issues that you may have. Not getting the grades that you expected may feel like the end of the world, but there are many options. We see many people every year in the same situation who still go on to achieve their ambitions. My advice would be that if you have any worries or concerns give us a ring. We are here to listen and to work through the options available, be that continuing your education, moving into employment or combining the two”.

Newcastle College offers a range of courses from entry level to Masters Degree. For more information visit www.newcastlecollege.co.uk.

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Newcastle students are top of the class

Posted on August 16, 2012 | Leave a comment

Newcastle Sixth Form College students are celebrating after achieving outstanding A-level results today.

Director of Newcastle Sixth Form College, Steve Gibson said: “I’d like to say congratulations to all of our students who have opened their results today.

“They have had some remarkable results which are testament to their two years of hard work and the fantastic support of the staff at Newcastle Sixth Form College.”

Kelly-Leigh Cooper, 18, was among hundreds of students that received their results this morning. She is delighted after achieving two A’s and a B.

The former Hebburn Comprehensive School student from Hebburn has won a place at Edinburgh University to study literature and history and hopes to become a journalist.

Kelly-Leigh said: “I am really pleased with my results. I couldn’t have asked for more and I’m so happy to be going to university.

“It’s great to know that all of my hard work has finally paid off.”

The college, which has been ranked among the top nationally for students progressing onto Higher Education, has a record number of more than 80 students going to prestigious Russell Group universities this year.

Daniel Hind, 18, from Hebburn, is looking forward to starting his course in Photography, Video and Digital Imaging at University after achieving A* and two A’s in his results. He eventually wants to study a Masters and a PhD to become a university lecturer.

He said: “I am really happy with my results and I can’t wait to start my degree.

“It feels great knowing that I got into my first choice of university.”

As well as having lots of students going off to university, Newcastle College also has a record number of students staying at the college to study Foundation Degrees.

These degrees are created in partnership with employers to ensure that students gain the appropriate skills and qualifications relevant to their chosen careers. They are also designed as a stepping-stone to an Honours Degree or employment.

Director of the Sixth Form College Steve Gibson added: “It’s always great to see students doing well and achieving. We aim to prepare and equip students with the skills and knowledge to enable them to progress into their chosen careers, whether that is to continue their studies here or at university, or enter the world of work.”

Newcastle Sixth Form College opens in its new state-of-the-art facilities in 2013, the City’s first dedicated sixth form college.

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Sign up for a new start with Newcastle College

Posted on August 7, 2012 | Leave a comment

Newcastle College is hoping to buck the region’s record high unemployment figures by helping people enrol on courses that could get them a career.

Specialist course advice will be available during enrolment held at the college’s Rye Hill campus, starting on Wednesday August 8 and running until Saturday September 1. The college’s new careers coach will also be visiting various locations around the region: including Newcastle city centre, Whitley Bay town centre, Tynemouth sea front, Gateshead MetroCentre, Manor Walks in Cramlington and a number of Morrison and Sainsbury supermarkets.

As well as course advice, enrolment advisors can also offer guidance on what help is available with finance, childcare and information about what specialist learning support can be accessed.

Carole Kitching, Deputy Principal at Newcastle College said: “There is no denying that times are tough for many young and older job seekers, but gaining relevant qualifications can really help to enhance career prospects. As enrolment for courses beginning in the new term start this week, now is the perfect time for people to think about taking positive action to help get the future they want.

“At Newcastle College we have the widest range of course choices anywhere in the north east offering traditional A levels and the International Baccalaureate as well as many specialist vocational courses, so whatever career someone has in mind we can help put them on the right track.”

Courses for 16-18 year olds at Newcastle College are free, and eligible young people can also access the college’s unique maintenance allowance, which offers £1,200 of financial support over two years. Full details can be found at www.newcastlecollege.co.uk/schoolleavers

In addition, eligible learners can also benefit from discounted travel and course equipment costs.

Many adult full-time and part-time courses are free as well as giving a real boost to people’s employment prospects.

Newcastle Sixth Form College due to open in 2013 will be the city’s first specialist facility. Students within Newcastle Sixth Form College will also have access to a comprehensive reward scheme, which offers a wide range of incentives and discounts.

For more information about studying at Newcastle College visit www.newcastlecollege.co.uk or call (0191) 200 4000

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Newcastle College ranked in top ten nationally

Posted on August 1, 2012 | Leave a comment

16-18 year olds attending Newcastle College are among the most likely in the country to further their studies – including progressing onto Higher Education according to newly released figures.

New Government league tables have placed Newcastle College in the top five per cent nationally of all General Further Education Colleges for 16-18-year-old students who took an A Level or equivalent qualification progressing onto further learning, cementing its position as one of the county’s top education providers. That puts Newcastle College in the top ten General Further Education Colleges out of more than 200 in the UK.

More learners from Newcastle College go onto study at University level than any other school or college in the region, according to the new figures released by the Department for Education and Department for Business Innovation and Skills, which show for the first time where youngsters go after studying A levels.

Robin Ghurbhurun, Deputy Principal at Newcastle College said: “Learners come to Newcastle College not just for a qualification but for a career and this capacity for progression demonstrates the excellent teaching and learning at Newcastle College.

“Our dedicated staff work closely with students to provide them with every opportunity to progress their learning to achieve their full potential and we are delighted that this hard work is being recognised. This kind of validation gives students and their parents every confidence that coming to Newcastle College can be a stepping stone to even higher attainment.”

This latest accolade follows on from Newcastle College earlier this year being ranked as the best performing General Further Education College in England for 16-18-year-old achievement for the third consecutive year in the Department for Education league tables. This confirmed that the college achieved the highest average point score per student of all General Further Education Colleges nationally and also scored higher than any state school in the Newcastle area.

For more information about studying at Newcastle College visit www.newcastlecollege.co.uk or call (0191) 200 4000

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Joe given sign of success

Posted on June 27, 2012 | 1 Comment

A career change has led to a Newcastle College employee being named North East Learner of the Year by a leading deaf charity for his commitment to helping students communicate in the classroom.

Joe Jones, 29 from Gateshead, has been given the title by Signature, a national charity which organizes the annual Signature Awards and promotes excellence in communication with deaf people.

Joe was initially employed in the college’s canteen, but knew he wanted to change career. He eventually found another job at the college working with learners with challenging behaviour. Here he first encountered Communication Support Workers in the classroom helping deaf students, and realised this was what he really wanted to do.

Concerned about his lack of formal qualifications he thought he would never achieve his goal, but was persuaded by a tutor to enroll onto the Signature Level 1 Award in British Sign Language Course, and then went on to progress to Level 2 and finally Level 3.

During his final year he unfortunately suffered a number of bereavements and began to struggle with his course. But with support he was eventually able to not only refocus himself but also go on to support his fellow classmates by arranging study sessions and visits to local deaf clubs, where he made many friends.

Joe eventually achieved his ambition of becoming a Communication Support Worker within the college’s Learning Support Service in 2009.

Joe said: “As I didn’t have any formal qualifications I never really thought that I would be able to have the career that I have today. I was fascinated by the Communication Support Workers I first met and it still amazes me that I now do what they do. But, I’m even more amazed that I now am also being recognised for doing the job that I love.”

As a regional winner Joe has been automatically shortlisted for the national Learner of the Year Award to be announced in November at the prestigious 2012 Signature Annual Awards Ceremony.

Julia Carr, Sign Language and Deaf Studies Tutor at Newcastle College nominated Joe for the Signature award.

Julia said: “The college is proud of its reputation for the additional support it offers students and the fact that Joe is being recognised for the hard work his personal contribution makes is fantastic. Joe had a goal to change his life and in turn he has also gone on to make a big difference to the lives of the students that he works with.”

Hosted by Signature, the annual awards aim to celebrate the individuals and organisations that are dedicated to improving communication and accessibility for the deaf community.

For more information about how to access learning support at Newcastle College Ground floor of Armstrong Building within the Rye Hill Campus,

Telephone:  0191 200 4189

Fax:                0191 2004698

Email:            learning.supportenquiries@ncl-coll.ac.uk

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Newcastle College celebrates Vocational Qualification day

Posted on June 20, 2012 | Leave a comment

Learners taking vocational qualifications at Newcastle College are preparing to celebrate their achievements during this year’s national Vocational Qualification Day (VQ Day).

The fifth annual VQ Day takes place on Wednesday June 20 and will see those who have taken a variety of vocational courses, such as those in Beauty, Construction, Health and Care at the college, mark their successes and gain recognition for their qualification.

VQ Day was established in 2008 to celebrate the value of vocational qualifications as stepping stones into work, or onto higher education for many learners in just the same way as more traditional qualifications.

One Newcastle College student who has seen how vocational qualifications can be the key to continuing in education is Anna Adil.

Anna, 20, from Fenham, began at Newcastle College studying part-time for Level 2 qualifications in a range of beauty disciplines including manicure and pedicure, waxing, eye and facial treatments, skin care and make-up.

When she completed the course she continued studying at the college to take her VRQ Level 3 in Beauty Therapy.

Anna worked incredibly hard and maintained excellent attendance and attracted praise from her tutors for the standard of her assignments. This motivated her to consider progressing even further and she has now taken the next big step of applying for a full time Foundation Degree in Beauty and Spa Management at the college, starting in September.

Anna initially studied part-time because she helped out five days a week in her family’s business, but is now looking forward to being a full-time student at Newcastle College and achieving her ultimate goal of becoming a Spa Manager.

Anna said: “Studying full time will enable me to gain more salon experience and also to complete my course much faster. The Foundation Degree is my main priority now – It’s the best beauty therapy qualification I can get – and I want to complete it as quickly as I can.

“I am proof that taking vocational qualifications, even part-time, can be a real gateway to other achievements, including going onto higher education. I didn’t want to take A Levels as they would not have given me the practical skills I needed for the job I want to do. Having already studied beauty for two years, I feel that I’m more than prepared for starting to learn even more about my subject and developing higher level skills.”

Carole Kitching, Newcastle College Deputy Principal said: “Students taking conventional academic qualifications such as GCSEs and A Levels always receive a great deal of public recognition for their achievements, which is only right, but many taking vocational qualifications whose achievements are just as great, often don’t receive that same appreciation.

“Newcastle College wants to celebrate the attainment of all our learners’ goals regardless of the route they take, which is why we support VQ Day.

“In the current economic climate vocational qualifications have never been more important, producing employees with specific training and talent that businesses tell us they need.”

The celebrations represent a great chance to bring the local community together. Not just students and teachers but also employers, parents and prospective students.

Anyone interested in finding out more about the range of vocational qualifications available at Newcastle College can attend an early enrolment event on Wednesday July 4, at Rye Hill Campus, between 10am and 7pm. Alternatively, visit www.newcastlecollege.co.uk/schoolleavers or call (0191) 2004000.

VQ Day 2011 was a great success. Over 300 schools, colleges and work-based providers got involved across the UK

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Cheick Achieves English Goal

Posted on May 17, 2012 | 1 Comment

Newcastle United midfielder Cheick Tiote may be best known for some great passing on the pitch but he has also just achieved a great pass in the classroom with help from Newcastle College.

Tutor Vicki Frith, who has been teaching English courses at Newcastle College for the past ten years, has helped French-speaking Tiote, from the Ivory Coast, pass an English Language exam.

Tiote’s training schedules prevented him from coming into college classes, so Vicki arranged to visit him at the training ground or stadium for one-to-one coaching sessions.

Vicki said: “Sometimes I’d even teach Cheick in the evenings as this was the only spare time in the day due to his schedule. He did however have to come in to the college to take his exams.

“Cheick is a very motivated person in both his sport and his studies. It was really rewarding to work with him and he deserves this success.”

But Tiote is not the only footballer that Vicki has worked with. She also taught Turkish national and former Galatasaray star, Bulent Korkmaz, who was a student at Newcastle College.

Tiote said: “I’m really grateful to Vicki. Trying to do this without her support would have been so much more difficult. I’m really pleased to have passed and much more confident about my English as a result – I just need to work on my Geordie now!”

Sheran Johnson, head of the Teaching Development Centre said: “At Newcastle College we aim to treat every student as an individual and support them whatever their particular circumstances.

“For Cheick we had to be particularly flexible and create a bespoke learning package for him, but it’s not unusual for our dedicated tutors like Vicki to often go that extra mile to help students achieve their personal goals.”

Tiote is just one of a number of successful adults gaining qualifications in a range of subjects at Newcastle College. The college is supporting Adult Learner’s Week this week (12th-18th May), the UK’s largest annual festival of learning; inspiring thousands of people each year to discover how learning can change their lives.

To find out about the wide range of courses on offer for adult learners visit www.newcastlecollege.co.uk or call 0191 200 4000.

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Modern apprentice learns traditional leatherwork

Posted on February 9, 2012 | 1 Comment

Much like an apprentice from a bygone era, a nineteen-year-old from Northumberland is learning the ancient art of leatherwork as part of a twenty first century apprenticeship scheme.

Nineteen-year-old Rob Ford from Allendale is being taught the traditional art of English leather work by craftsman Andy Bates who has been making bespoke, hand-stitched leather goods, sculptures and historical reconstructions for almost thirty years from his workshop in Hexham.

Back in 2010 Rob began helping out Andy on a voluntary basis, picking up a few simple skills along the way. But as time went on Andy, who has taught the craft for many years, decided to offer Rob a formal apprenticeship to fully learn the trade within his business.

Andy approached Newcastle College to support him in his aspiration to deliver an apprenticeship in leather goods from his Hexham workshop.  The college investigated the possibility of delivering the specialist apprenticeship through Sector Skills Council, Skillset, and awarding body, ABC.  

With help from Paul Skelton, manager of the College’s School of Creative Industries 3D section, Andy is now ready to progress Rob’s apprenticeship formally through Newcastle College. He is now also actively seeking to access government funding to help him support the creation of more apprenticeships within his businesses in the future and ensure that the business is preserved for generations to come.

Andy said: “My aim is to preserve traditional craft skills and to apply them in contemporary settings. By doing this and by passing on these skills, the craft of working with leather is kept alive and I am able to help people, whatever their age, to gain employment.

“Rob has already begun to pass on to others some of what he has learned. My dream of seeing my craft transmitted down the generations has begun to be realised. I have seen the value of teaching craft skills to people of all ages, from children to pensioners. It increases their sense of worth immeasurably and can draw out of them manual and intellectual abilities they had no idea they possessed. It is my desire to be able to do this for as many people as I can and it’s my intention that as my business continues to expand, I will be able to take on more apprentices and train them to the exacting standards required to create beautiful objects in leather for customers around the world.”

With guidance from Andy, Rob will be helping create a range of modern day accessories from bags and briefcases alongside reconstructions of historical artefacts, and art pieces.

Rob said: “I never thought when I started visiting Andy in his workshop that this would suddenly lead to a career and to me gaining new qualifications. People think it’s unusual that as a young man I am interested in learning a traditional craft, but it’s creative and challenging which makes it interesting.

“It’s not your average job; no two days are the same. And it really does feel like I am helping preserve a craft that could easily disappear in a world of mass commercialisation.”

Over the past twenty eight years Andy, 47, has fulfilled innumerable commissions, including ones as prestigious as those for the Turner Prize-winning potter, Grayson Perry. He has exhibited pieces in Durham Art Gallery and the Balman Gallery in Corbridge. He also recently received a nomination for the Heritage Craft Trainer of Year Award.

Geoff O’Neil, Senior Manager in the School of Creative Industries at Newcastle College who is working with Andy to get the leather goods pathway of the Fashion and Textiles Apprenticeship under way said: “We offer a wide range of apprenticeships at Newcastle College, but this is certainly one of the more niche areas that we deliver.

“Many of our students in the School of Creative Industries aspire to set up their own business or work alongside experienced artists and craftsmen to really learn their trade. Developing and honing this skill and business acumen is crucial to the future of our creative industries and the many opportunities it offers to young people just like Rob.”

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