Buzz Magazine October Edition by Ayr College

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sults ... Nations Cup ... Re am Ex ... y sit er iv Un to g p ... Goin News ... Reviews ... Nightsto ... Job Vacancies ... Sustainability ... Flying High & Much, Much More!

Copy at www.ayrcoll.ac.uk... Follow us on Twitter @AyrCollege... Download Your Digital Copy at www.ayrcoll.ac.uk...

Team

he magazine

Editorial: Shelagh McLachlan If you would like to submit any articles for the magazine or would be interested in a work experience placement please e-mail s.mclachlan@ayrcoll.ac.uk

IN THIS ISSUE Sustainability

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Photographer: Colin Nixon If you have any images you would like us to consider for the magazine please e-mail them as a .jpeg or .tiff to c.nixon@ayrcoll.ac.uk Designer: Colin Nixon Editor for October is Shelagh McLachlan, Admissions & Marketing Manager at Ayr College.

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;I hope you have enjoyed your first few weeks at college and are now beginning to settle in to your course. In this edition of Buzz you can view some of the best photos from Freshers Fair, get the latest advice about applying to Uni through UCAS as well as meeting some of our newest students who have just arrived from the other side of the world!

Contents Freshers Fair University Guide Nightstop International Sustainability School Programme My Story Make Your Mark 2009 Volunteering Help Back to Work Hospitality Flying High Adopt an Apprentice The Future of Thrash Music review Jobs Board The Big Monthly Quiz

Ayr College is a charity registered in Scotland, charity number SC 021177.

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Freshers’ Fair C

ongratulations to our Students Association for organising another successful Freshers Fair helping the 2009/10 session get off to an exciting start with Bucking Broncos and Gladiator Jousting! The most popular stands were of course the ones offering the best freebies such as “Beanscene” who offered free Smoothies and muffins on the day and coffee vouchers for students when they visit. Vision Express carried out quick eye tests for students in the college and offered a £250 voucher prize draw towards spectacles, this was won by Emma Ross. The Fire Service came along to promote fire safety in the home and offered free home assessments. Children 1st were looking for students to volunteer as Child Befrienders and were delighted with the number of people who have volunteered over the two days they were here. The Students Association would like to thank all organisations for their support with Freshers Fair.

Emma Ross Receiving her prize from Vision Express Store Manager Andrew McCullough.

Full Slideshow available through Twitter!

University Application Guide OA NE

pply as early as possible to allow time to complete the form and for your lecturer to add in your reference

TD WO

on’t copy other people’s Personal Statement, very important as UCAS have sophisticated software that can detect this

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HREE esearch you choice of course and University carefully

OUR ttend University Open Days – see the “Events” page on our website for dates

Key Dates for Submitting your application

UCAS Application Procedure

Veterinary, Medicine, Dentistry, Oxford and Cambridge 15/10/09.

Go to UCAS website www.ucas.com Buzzword ayrcoll10 this will attach your application to Ayr College.

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ttend the Higher Education Fair in Ayr College on Wednesday 21st October in the main reception 10:00am – 4:00pm

SB SU IX

ook a Guidance Interview at our main reception

EVEN se the College Library it has a plethora of information about UCAS, University Prospectuses etc.

All other UCAS applications 15/01/10. Art and Design courses 24/03/10. 30/06/10 is the last date for immediate consideration after this you will be included in clearing. These dates are deadlines so your forms should be submitted well before the date to ensure safe arrival.

Attach your application to the group you are in at college, these have all been set up. Apply for up to 5 courses on one form, 4 for medicine and dentistry You will need the course code and the institution code – found on UCAS website. £9 for one course £19 for two or more, pay by credit/debit card.

Key Points Personal Statement 2010 Points to consider when writing your personal statement

Explain why you want to study the course you are applying for. If you mention your personal interests and hobbies, try to link them to the skills and experience required for the course. This may be your only written work that the course tutor sees before making a decision: make sure it is organised

and literate. Get the grammar, spelling and punctuation right. A statement filled with errors will give a negative impression of your skills and the effort you have put in to being accepted. Your statement must be written in English . Writing about yourself is probably not something you do very often, so you might need to practise writing in this particular style. It is a good idea to list your hobbies and achievements, and then you can decide which ones demonstrate your strongest skills and personality.

What to include Interests, experiences and abilities that can be included in your statement. Below are some suggestions of what to include in your personal statement. These are guidelines only so don’t worry if some of the suggestions do not apply to you. •

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•

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why you have chosen the course(s) - this is particularly important when you’re applying for a subject that you have not studied before the reasons why that subject area interests you evidence that you understand what is required to study the course, e.g. if applying for psychology courses, show that you know how scientific the subject is how your current or previous studies relate to the course(s) that you have chosen any activities that demonstrate your interest in the course(s) why you want to go to university or college details of jobs, placements, work experience or voluntary work, particularly if it’s relevant to your chosen course(s)

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details of non-accredited skills and achievement which you have gained through activities ASDAN (Award Scheme Development and Accreditation Network) awards, for example, Universities Award Diploma of Achievement Duke of Edinburgh Award Millennium Volunteers Scheme v 50Hour Award WorldWide Volunteering Certificate of Volunteering Achievement Young Enterprise details of accreditation achieved for any activities in preparation for higher education, for example through the ASDAN Aim higher Certificate of Personal Effectiveness (CoPE qualification) any other achievements that you are proud of, e.g. reaching grade three piano or being selected for the county cricket team positions of responsibility that you hold / have held both in and out of school, e.g. form prefect or representative for a local charity attributes that make you interesting, special or unique

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whether you have any future plans of how you want to use the knowledge and experience that you gain. if you are an international student, also give your answers to these questions: why do you want to study in the UK? what evidence do you have to show that you can successfully complete a higher education course that is taught in English? Please say if some of your studies have been assessed in English. have you had a position of authority or used your communication skills in any activity?

econnecting Families Reconnecting Communities South Ayrshire Nightstop provides services to young people 16 to 25 who are in acute housing need or are vulnerably housed and or isolated. Nightstop in South Ayrshire has been operating since 2007 and is the second Nightstop service in Scotland with over 50 Nightstop’s throughout the UK.

The core service which is registered with the Care Commission is an adult placement service offering young people who are in acute housing need, a safe and secure place to stay. The young people are matched and placed with one of our volunteer host families for 1 to 3 nights. Longer term placements are also available if needed. Host Family said “We do so little and get such great rewards. ”Nightstop believe in reconnecting families and reconnecting communities and giving young people a safe place to stay offers them a real choice, and time to think about their housing options and possibly a return home. The Adult Placement service also works closely with the Youth Mediation team to help facilitate relationship building between young people and their families. Young person said” The nightstop team have helped me through my bad times when I had nowhere to go”. In the last year, Nightstop services across the UK offered in excess of 5800 nights of accommodation utilising the hospitality of over 300

hosting households. Over 81,000 volunteering hours were donated to local Nightstop services. Getting Connected South Ayrshire Nightstop also have a new service called connect2gether which aims to match young people who are vulnerably housed and or isolated with volunteer social networkers to support more choices and more chances. The service is offered to put a young person in touch with someone who wants to volunteer some time, to share their skills and experience of life with them and to encourage and develop skills and interests within the communities they share. Making a House a Home Nightstop are also looking to help young people make a house a home with the Newstart Capsule. The capsule is full of essential household items loaned to young people to support them when moving into their own homes. All young people who are in the Homeless system when offered mainstream accommodation must accept the first offer given to them and must move in straight away or face mounting debts. There-

fore most young people move into their new homes with nothing until they can receive financial help which can take up to 8 to 12 weeks. The Newstart Capsule aims to make moving into to your own home a positive experience and to support young people during the first stages of making their house a home. Nightstop are looking for financial support to develop the Newstart Capsule scheme further and want to offer 8 capsules to the communities and young people we serve. These 8 capsules on average will help support and sustain 35 new tenancies over the first year and help prevent homelessness.

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Susan found herself in ac ute housing and was refe need rred to the p lacement se April this ye rvice in ar. Susan sta yed with on families for e of our 2 nights unti l more appro accommoda priate tion was sec ured for her. Susan is now living in Tem porary Furn accommoda ished tion in Ayr a nd is curren lege in Glasg tl y at Colow studying along with v teering for N olunightstop as our Young P Information erso Worker and Peer Evaluato n’s is now takin r. Susan g an active ro le in shaping developing and the service’s Nightstop p young peop rovide to le along wit h gaining ne and increasi w skills ng her emp loyability. When asked : “Was Nights top helpful? replied, “Yes, ”, Susan in supportin g me and le gain more in tt ing me dependence without pre ssure.”

Anybody can volunteer for Nightstop. authority and a cocktail of other However Nightstop need Volunteering can be a very positive A7 1funders. XA ol.com K a r @ y p A to t e ts e h funds experience ande:can change arns Stryour life ail:santoigoperate and expand the Offic 8 B 7970 739 183 - em g service and the and the lives of others. .or - 0 Volunteering pconnect2gether 2 271000 ww.ayrshirenightsto rt your Nightstop 29great 1 0 : n o newstart capsule. is also a way to increase your o s w p u Contact Visit Us @ yournightstop and suprity No.Sco35824 / ha n employability. twitter.com top is a registered C the Care Commissio n o s u w o l ts h h it Fo l ig w N d e Please support Nightstop and help istere rshir South Ay e Nightstop is reg rshir Nightstop’s core service is supported prevent homelessness in your comSouth Ay munities. and partially funded by the local

International: Nep

As we welcome over 60 international students this term to Ayr College we have recruited our first couples! Dilip (22) and Shirjana Thapa (19) and Anupa Rana (22) and Rabin Gurung (26). Dilip and Anupa were born within two days of each other, they have remained firm friends ever since and have just travelled to the other side of the world to realise their dreams of studying in Scotland. Both students are studying Hospitality Management but took some time out to talk to “Buzz” and share

their remarkable story!

Dilip begins, “We come from the beautiful country of Nepal where we live in Kathmandu in a big city house. It is a small country with no political stability and it’s a developing country. My father is a business man and owns his own clothing business. My mother is a housewife which is typically what married woman expect to do in our country. That is

changing with the younger generation now; my wife who has travelled to Scotland with me is looking for a job here but in the meantime is cooking and looking after our home.”

Anupa continues, “Dilip and I went to nursery at age two and then began school together when we were five. The days were long beginning at 9am and finishing at 6pm. It was a very good school teaching us the usual subjects of Maths and Science and English. All the classes were taught in English and we had to learn this language otherwise we were punished – the headteacher would beat us. Although hard at the time, we appreciate it now as we can speak fluently and achieved high scores in our IELTS test.” “When we were not at school we loved to meet up with our friends watch movies and go camping and long walks in the countryside.” Dilip says, “At sixteen we left school and went to college, I studied for BA Hospitality Management and Anupa did Sociology. We were there for three years but did not complete our course as we were offered a place in Ayr College which was a much more valuable qualification to us. Why? Because the course here is of such a

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high standard and the content is up to date. In Nepal they teach in schools and colleges using the same methods and teaching materials year after year, it is very old fashioned. At Ayr College you use Smart White boards, you interact with English speaking lecturers, the classes are very practical and the facilities are great. We are really enjoying the course and finding it so interesting.” “After we complete our HND course we may go on to university and do a degree we have not quite decided yet. My dream is to work in a very good hotel restaurant as the Manager of course and Anupa wants to own her own restaurant cooking Nepalese food. We are used to eating very spicy food such as Momo; a spicy meatball covered in dumplings. We find the food here very sweet, especially your potatoes.” Anupa says, “We are all very excited to be here and love all the new things we are experiencing. The best part so far is the beach and the sea and the beautiful sunsets we can see from our bedrooms. We do not have beaches in Nepal so it’s very exciting. The most surprising thing about Ayr is how cold it is - it is not yet winter. It is also very clean. We share a two bedroom flat and I think the prices of food and

Anupa Rana

and Rabin G

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rent will be OK for us provided we can get a job – then we can afford the lifestyle. On Nepal wages it would be expensive. Our partners are looking for work but meantime they are taking English language classes to improve their skills. We are happy to be here and looking forward to all the new experiences especially the Scottish dancing, I’m going to love that!”

Y IT L I B A N I A T S U S W

e hope you enjoyed the exhibition promoting sustainable outcomes in education which was displayed in the college throughout August. All curricular areas of Ayr College displayed sustainable outcomes and resources of taught programmes delivered within the College during session 2008-9. The Curriculum Managers & Leaders have worked hard to ensure a lively, vibrant exhibition graced our exhibition space during this period when so many new students were passing through the College. Commenting on the exhibition Fiona Hughes, Creative Industries Director said “It has been great to see how much thought and preparation has gone into contemporary curriculum design. I hope the students have been inspired by the work that has been created and I am keen to hear of any student ideas on sustainability. You can join the college Eco group or you can find out what we have been up to on our Eco Group Website on the Intranet/Ayr College website. Join our forums – here is an example of what you can find there:

11.

Log onto the Ayrshire Red Squirrel web site www.ayrshireredsquirrels.org.uk and fill out the appropriate form.(For sightings in Dumfries and Galloway and the Borders you can report sightings to Red Squirrels in South Scotland at www.redsquirrels.org.uk.) 2. Pick up one of the Ayrshire Red Squirrel Sightings postcards which will be distributed throughout South Ayrshire. 3. Email sightings@ayrshireredsquirrels.org.uk.

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If you are out for a walk or enjoying the garden and spot a squirrel or unfortunately notice a road kill please take the time to register your sighting, it will not take long and every reported sighting really does help. The reason that we need this data is due to the declining numbers of red squirrels in Scotland and that while we still have red squirrels in South Ayrshire their numbers are also diminishing. One of the main reasons is due to the “pushy” nature of the grey squirrel which invades territory, it is not a selective eater and so does much better. In addition the grey carries the pox virus which is fatal to the native red.

This is a plea for help! We need people to record their sightings of squirrels in South Ayrshire – red or grey, dead or alive, does not matter we need as much data as possible to assist in developing a current picture of the distribution of squirrels within the district. There will be further information in the local press and you can log your sighting in a number of different ways:10

Ayrshire Red Squirrel Group is working closely with the Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels (SSRS), a three-year project to protect existing red squirrel populations run by Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT), Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS), and the Scottish Rural Property and Business Association (SRPBA). The project aims to protect the reds and your assistance in recording sightings would be invaluable.

AYR COLLEGE’S SCHOOL PROGRAMME GETS AN “A” FOR HIGHER EXAM RESULTS

yr College’s Schools Partnership Courses have received impressive results from their 2008/9 Higher courses, beating the national average. This year has witnessed encouraging exam results across a number of departments with a rise in overall pass rates and increase in grades achieved.

lighted with the results of the Highers achieved this year. The fact that the courses were delivered within the college helps to provide a neutral territory for students and encourages them to take an adult approach to their learning. It is always great to beat the national average and we intend on working together with our students and staff to continue this standard of work”

Ayr College runs School Partnership Courses with South Ayrshire, East AyrThe Psychology shire and Dumfries department had a & Galloway, with significant rise in courses running at examination marks Ayr College’s main this year, with an building, Carrick Patricia Murray School Liaison Officer overall pass rate Buildings in Girvan and at Cumnock Community College. of eighty four per cent, of which over half were grade B or higher. These Their wide range of Higher subjects grades were mirrored in the Higher include Sociology, Forensic Science and Maths, which were delivered this Drama class, where eighty one percent of students passed. The results year from within the college. show a progression on last year and a Patricia Murray, School Liaison Officer boost for Ayr College’s Schools Partnership Courses. for Ayr College, states; “We are de-

Everyone has a story. What’s yours? My Story is a new BBC project to gather the Nation’s true stories and publish them online. It was launched on the 7th September 2009 on The One Show. The BBC wants to hear from everyone.

The website also features ideas for activities and workshop for practitioners in the formal and informal learning sector. Downloadable documents can be found on the partners’ area of the site at bbc.co.uk/rawpartners

Next year, 15 of the best stories will be made into TV programmes for BBC One.

My Story roadshows will go to six cities across the UK in the autumn targeting harder to inspire audiences to tell their stories. These events will bring together many parts of the BBC to entertain and inspire people to write their stories.

Well-known and trusted faces from the BBC, including Kirsty Young and George Alagiah, will promote the campaign and meet the people in the story for a series of five prime-time television programmes, for BBC One next summer. True stories have inspired some of the most successful books and films of all time; by offering the chance to follow in their footsteps, My Story hopes to inspire the whole Nation with reading and writing. My Story wants to hear from audiences who lack confidence with literacy. The BBC have approached colleges and universities around the country hoping that we will integrate My Story into our plans for the autumn and encourage staff and students to participate. The My Story website will gather and show stories from members of the public and feature celebrities own real-life stories, along with inspiring famous true stories. The site will feature videos and interactive tools to help people plan and structure their stories as well as tips on writing styles and skills. In addition, short videos presented by Nina Wadia, from Eastender’s and Lenny Henry (returning to the part of Deakus) will show audiences how easy it is to get started and explore simple ideas to get the creative juices flowing. There are also cameo appearances from Peter Duncan, Tara Palmer Tomkinson, Stephen K Amos and Roland Rivron.

A free BBC My Story magazine filled with inspiring reallife stories, top tips and advice on how to write your own story are available around the college. Stories should be no longer than 1500 words and accompanied by a short description. Stories should be sent online and received by 16th December 2009. Stories may be posted but these cannot be published online. For further information contact: http://www. bbc.co.uk/ mystory/

he Scottish Government’s strategy for enterprise in education, (More information on Determined to Succeed can be found at www.ltscotland.org. uk/enterpriseineducation) will be holding a series of events and activities throughout November 2009 as part of our Celebration of Scotland’s Enterprising Young People, which aims to raise the profile of enterprise education in Scotland.

One of the biggest enterprise events happening in November is the Make Your Mark Challenge. The Challenge is a free, one-day enterprise competition for schools and colleges across the UK, run by the Make Your Mark organisation but managed by Determined to Succeed in Scotland. Students are challenged to come up with new ideas for products and services in response to a secret brief. The competition aims to improve their enterprise capability, communication and planning skills. This year’s theme is ‘Don’t be a Carbon Copy’, however the full brief will not be released until Monday 16 November. Now in its fourth year, the Make Your Mark Challenge is seen as a great chance for students to exercise their level of employability by incorporating the skills they have learned at college into a real life scenario.

Teams from the top ten entries in the 16-19 age group category will be chosen to present their ideas to a panel of judges at the Scottish final on 26 November in the Glasgow Science Centre. The winning team from Scotland will then be invited to the UK final in London in December. As I am sure you will agree this is a fantastic opportunity for students and I hope you can promote this information to your students through your magazine. Since this is a business and enterprise related event business students and business related societies may be interested in taking part. For further information on the Make Your Mark Challenge and to register a team to participate please go to: www.gew.org.uk/about/days_of_the_ week/make_your_mark_challenge Lorna Donnelly Determined to Succeed lorna.donnelly@scotland.gsi.gov.uk 0300 244 6707

Volunteering Helped me get my Dream Job

had worked for many years in the hospitality industry; I had the City and Guilds 705 qualification and latterly was a Catering Manager based in Fort William. I moved into Ayr but could not find a job I was happy with. I decided to go to college and improve my qualifications. I did not have much faith in myself and my confidence was low however I worked hard and did really well, I completed the HND Hospitality Management course and applied to university for a degree. I wanted to get accepted by a good university and so I applied to the University of Strathclyde Hotel School. If I achieved merit passes I could get into the second year of the course. I was so excited because no one in my family had ever been to university before. If successful there was an expectation that I would get a really good well paid job.

Four years later I emerged from university with an Honours degree in Industrial Relations and a Post Graduate Diploma in IT. I was on my way to my dream job. From June until December I applied for jobs all over Scotland and got nowhere – it was soul destroying. My self esteem disappeared, I had no structure to my day, I felt lost and really depressed.

by Marie Clark

volunteer with Ayr Action for Mental Health. By Easter my confidence levels had increased and now I had a reason to get up in the morning. I now had up to date references and experience and I began to get more interviews which led to a job as a Development Worker. I am now the Manager of the Volunteer Centre in Ayr and it’s a great job, I look forward to work every day and really enjoy what I do because it gives me great job satisfaction. The volunteer sector is the largest and fastest growing sector in Scotland and there are lots of opportunities for employment in well paid jobs. I am glad I started my journey at Ayr College it’s the right thing to do for mature students as it gave me the confidence I needed to progress to university. The skills and knowledge I gained here have helped me in the work I do, however I wish I had known then about the benefits of volunteering and I would have got involved. Using the skills you are

gaining at college to help others will give you real work experience and together with your qualifications make you more employable. Even if it’s just 2 hours a month it can make a difference. I came into Ayr College this month to speak to Business Students about volunteering opportunities where they could use administration or accounting skills. I was delighted with the response and look forward to working with these individuals. I am also back at the college as an evening class student learning about Bookkeeping and I am really enjoying it. I hope I have inspired you to get involved in volunteering. Pop in and see me at the Volunteer Centre

60 Kyle Street Ayr KA7 1RZ Tel: 01292 263626 Email: marie@volunteersouthayrshire.org.uk

In January, as I was walking by the Volunteer Centre in Kyle Street I noticed a sign in the window for people who would like to become mentors. I went in and asked them to find me something I could do. I trained as a mentor and also helped out in the office with administration. I also became a 15

A Rapid response Helps Alister Back to Work

Jobcentre Plus convinced Kilmarnock man Alister Denham to step back in time to prevent his career disappearing down the plughole! The former plumber worked as a process operator at a Newmilns factory for twelve years and it’s closure in May could have left him unemployed and facing an uncertain future; but thankfully for Alister, Jobcentre Plus was already on the case! Together with other local organisations, Jobcentre Plus visited the factory in January to discuss support available through their unique PACE partnership which helps people facing redundancy get back to work.

Discussing Alister’s previous employment history as a time served plumber, they suggested he make an application through rapid response service, a tailored client led service that offers funding to people who find themselves in a redundancy situation, enabling them to update their skills and gain certification. Alister was referred to JHP training in Ayr who completed a skills transfer analysis which suggested Alister should apply for a Gas Safety Certificate to enhance his employment prospects.

Jobcentre Plus and the Scottish Funding Council then jointly funded the two week training course delivered by Ayr College. Gaining the domestic gas certificate enabled Alister to apply for jobs in the plumbing trade and he started work at Burnawn Services Ltd

in June, less than a month after being made redundant! Delighted Alister said, “I cannot thank Linda at Jobcentre Plus and Ayr College enough for their help and would encourage anyone who finds themselves in a similar situation to ask about the support available. “I would still be unemployed and claiming Benefit if Jobcentre Plus hadn’t offered to assist me financially through rapid response service”

Burnawn Services Director Martin Sneddon is delighted with his new employee and says, “I first met Alister whilst working as a contractor in Vesuvius. Alister approached me to find out if I had any jobs available. I advised him that although he was a time served plumber he needed to get a gas safety certificate and update his skills but I would keep him in mind. “It turned out to be good timing, because, as soon as Alister achieved his certificate he got in touch and I had a few new contracts just starting so was able to offer him a job. He’s doing well and enjoying being back on the tools!”

Hospitality students to represent Scotland in Federation of Chefs’ Nations Cup A

yr College hospitality students will represent Scotland in Federation of Chefs’ Nations Cup. Two second year hospitality students from Ayr College will represent Scotland in the Federation of Chefs Nations Cup, an International Student Competition which will be held at Grand Rapids Community College, Michigan, USA in October this year. The Nations Cup allows students to experience new culinary methods, cutting edge international plate presentation, in addition to cultural interaction with students from all over the world. Every two years the Federation of Chefs works with industry partners to send two Scottish students on this

once in a lifetime cultural learning experience. Following their success at the Scottish Heats Final, students Iona Kan and Stuart Ritchie and Chef Norman Robertson will join a host of nations to compete for the coveted Nations Cup. The overall winner is decided by a team of international judges and will be announced at the end of October’s event. Judges are looking for specific criteria including, the team that interacts together best in the kitchen, superior culinary technique, clean neat flavourful food, and respectful to peers on the competition stage.

Principal of Ayr College, Diane Rawlinson states; “Ayr College has an award winning hospitality department and I am delighted Iona and Stuart will be representing Scotland in this prestigious award. We are very much looking forward to the Nations Cup and this tremendous success further demonstrates the talent of our staff and students at Ayr College” The Scottish Final Heats were held at Ayr College 8 September 2009 with competitors from South Lanarkshire and Forth Valley. The Nations Cup will take place in October and will see competitors from throughout the world including Canada, Mexico and the United States.

NEWS Flying High With Aircraft Apprentices All aircraft engineering apprentices in the Ayrshire region are taught at Ayr College as a result of a new association with the college and some of Britain’s top aircraft companies. Steering away from previously in-house training schemes, companies including Ryanair, Goodrich and Spirit Aerosystems are sending new engineer recruits to Ayr College to take advantage of their first class education facilities. The college currently offer courses from NC level through to HND level in Aircraft Engineering covering areas including Practical Aircraft Skills and Aerodynamics and currently has approximately 200 Aero students. It also has an international client base in India and Nepal. Apprenticeships are undertaken on a full-time basis with recruits studying at Ayr College five days per week in practical and theoretical areas of aircraft engineering. The courses are designed to give knowledge and hands-on skills to people in, or with an interest in, the aeronautical industry.

Alastair Heron, Curriculum Manager, Engineering, Mathematics and Science at Ayr College, said; “Here at Ayr College we are renowned for the high quality training and facilities we have on offer. The apprentices are given in-depth training from basic hand skills to riveting and working with composite materials. We have great relations with national aircraft organisations and it is great that they utilize our provisions and recognise the quality training that we offer.” Following the successful completion of the HNC, apprentices can go on to achieve their Aircraft license or complete the HND in Aircraft Engineering. Ayr College are also developing a BEng in Aircraft Engineering in affiliation with the University of West of Scotland due to be available next year. Plans are also underway for the creation a state-of the-art aeronautical engineering training centre for students studying aeronautical courses which will include a hangar space with an aircraft, composite, propulsion, avionics and engineering workshop areas.

Adopt an Apprentice Muirkirk teenager Ross Muir is delighted with the ‘joined up’ help he got from Jobcentre adviser Kaye Rowe! The 18-year-old apprentice joiner feared he wouldn’t find another employer willing to let him finish his apprenticeship after being paid off in February due to the recession. However, when Jobcentre recruitment adviser Kaye received a call from Mauchline based HM Builders looking for a semi-skilled joiner, she swung in to action. She told them about the new ‘adopt an apprentice scheme’ from Skills Development Scotland that provides grant of £2,000 to employers who are willing to take on an apprentice who has part completed their apprenticeship, enabling them to continue attending Cumnock Community College and complete their training. Ross then sailed through the HM Builders interview and completed a short work trial. Kaye was able to help out further by arranging Jobcentre Plus funding that ensured Ross could re-sit his driving test. Ross was delighted to be offered full time employment at the end of his work trial and he sat and duly passed his driving test on the same day he started work. Ross said: “The Jobcentre staff were absolutely brilliant in giving me this chance out

of the blue! I really enjoyed the week on Work Trial and getting the funding to re-sit my driving test was fantastic. I have only four weeks to complete at college and then I work towards my skills test. I’m delighted to be able to complete my apprenticeship. “Hugh Montgomery, from HM Builder’s has been brilliant too, as have the rest of the workers who have been very welcoming. It’s been great getting back on the tools, I feel I have got my life back on track!” Hugh Montgomery, Owner, HM Builders said: “The service from Kaye at the Jobcentre was very quick. It only took one phone call and then I interviewed and got the right person for the job the very next day!

were working and he found the boredom during the day to be monotonous. So when Hugh called to advertise the semi skilled joiner position, I knew Ross could be the right person for the job. I told Hugh about the ‘adopt an apprentice’ scheme and work trials, which helped smooth the way for Ross to start work”. Ross returned to college in September to complete his apprenticeship, so this is great news all round and I’m sure he has a bright future.”

“Ross fitted in well during his Work Trial and I am pleased that we were also able to get £2,000 funding from Skills Development Scotland to help him complete his apprenticeship.” Kaye concluded: “Ross was well motivated to work and had found being unemployed very difficult. He missed going out to work everyday, all his friends

Did You Know?

You can download your own copy of this magazine from the News section of the Ayr College website. 19

The Future of Thrash

by Shannon Black

“Daedalus have made quite a name for themselves throughout Ayrshire”

personal tastes the decision to play thrash metal music, as opposed to other styles, was made. Despite the style of music they have been grouped into, Daedalus have their own, very unique and very original approach to music and through this have captured the hearts of many loyal fans.

or the past five years the fairly well known ‘thrash metal’ band, Daedalus, have been an icon for all the metal loving fans in Ayrshire. This band, who were previously known as ‘Armageddon Hour’ up until about a year ago have made quite a name for themselves throughout Ayrshire during their time together having played their rather unique music at venues throughout Ayrshire and Glasgow such as the Ark, Soundhouse, Cathouse and Ivory Blacks . The band was started by Dan Moony, the current guitarist and vocalist and Jonathan Briceland, the former drummer. Kureys Aksu, the bassist and John King, the former vocalist and current drummer found their way into the band five years ago after hearing from friends that their was a new band looking for some new talented people to help them get started. Paul Moony, the second guitarist only joined the band roughly eight months ago but has found his experience in the band very fulfilling and had made a great contribution towards the band as a whole. The members of Daedalus were inspired by other bands such as Pantera, Children of Bodem and Dream Theatre and from their own

When asked where they saw themselves in five years time, all members had a similar response. “Hopefully by then we will be signed and making a proper living from out music.” There was a small turnout for a gig that they played alongside a solo artist called Lee McGilvary on Saturday 19th September at the Ark, but despite that the audience was immediately taken in like moths to a flame by their intoxicating and inspiring music. From the moment the first note was played, all ears and eyes were fixed intently on the band members as they filled the Ark with the extraordinary sound of their creations. Everything from their stage presence to their sense of humour that they showed off between songs was absolutely perfect and captured the attention of everyone in the room. Daedalus also awed the audience with a new song of theirs which was their first new song since the previous drummer, Jonathan had left. There was a definite thrill in the air all night long and even after Daedalus had finished their set and they remained the main attraction for the remainder of the night. If there is one thing that is for sure, it is that great things can be expected from these four young men who call themselves Daedalus. They possibly could be the future of thrash metal everywhere. If you want to hear them play for yourselves, their next gig is at the Ark in Ayr on Halloween at 7.30pm.

MUSIC REVIEW “Validates the authentic musician behind the gloss.”

album of potato-mashing doo-wop lunacy – rather, Brown’s largely-50s influence permeates each track with different approaches and to varying extents, creating an eclectic yet uniform collection of songs.

he debut album from VV Brown comes with the kind of albatrossround-the-neck pressure normally attached to a high-expectation sophomore effort. Already the subject of relentless tutting and tweeting from hordes of backseat A&R men, and having already been crafted her own pedestal as a style deity by the fashion press before most of them have even heard her sing a note, means there’s a sizeable, cynical gaze to contend with. It’s somewhat fortunate, then, that Travelling Like The Light boasts a rare kind of head-turning indie-pop magnificence more than capable of both remunerating anxious fans and silencing – if not fully converting – detractors. The chequered-floor locale of debut track Crying Blood provides a slightly more accurate indication of Travelling Like The Light than the darker, more contemporary riffage of big-money launch single Shark In The Water. That’s not to say we’re talking a solid

The Wurlitzer wonderment of Quick Fix and L.O.V.E. impart a refreshing demonstration of a pop simplicity lost on any number of electro-heavy buzz artists, a sentiment further echoed on the endearingly unpretentious Crazy Amazing. And still, the surprises come thick and fast. Tales of gut-wrenching misery are camouflaged as beaming, uptempo numbers; the titular ballad is stripped back to little more than a temperate heartbeat rhythm; and the aforementioned Crying Blood drops everything for a fleeting burst of 1-up bleepery. And yet, there’s no feeling of any kind of gimmickry in this. Travelling Like The Light, with all its quirks and foibles and cheeky winks, comes over as an honest representation of Brown’s form and talent. More than anything else, Travelling Like The Light tears through any hastily-assigned pigeonholes or fashion-focused stigma, and validates the authentic musician behind the gloss.

Al Fox 2009-07-08 www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/bh4h

N O I T A M R O F IN

g.uk ds.or n e i r .bf ww

I AC

Call:

0845 60

60 23 4

Position

Cook

Shop assistant

Sales assistant

Location

Kyle Hotel, Ayr

Keystore

Wrights Hardware, Ayr

Reference

AYY/14926

Ayy/14880

Ayy/14914

Hours

16hour per week 2 days over 7 11am- 9pm

16 Hours 4 days out of 7 between 7am – 10pm

18 Hours per week thurs & fri 10am – 4pm & sat 10am – 5.30Pm

Salary

Negotiable depending on exp

Meets national minimum wage

Details

Discussed Work Trials and Recruitment subsidy. Experience of working as a cook is essential. Must be flexible over days and hours of work, to cover for holidays, sickness and busy periods.

Retail experience is essential. Duties will include serving customers, cash handling, stock replenishment, keeping the shop clean and tidy and any associated tasks as required. Applicants should be able to produce 2 references. Employer may be interested in taking person on a work trial. Discussed recruitment subsidy.

Previous experience preferred but not essential as training will be provided. Duties will include stock replenishment, cash handling, serving customers and keeping the store clean and tidy. Will be required to lift goods weighing up to 25 kilograms. This vacancy is temporary with a view to permanency.

Position

Hairstylist

Accounts assistant

Test Centre Administrator

Location

Kilmacolm

Belcher food products, ayr

Ayr

Reference

POG 7049

Ayy/14944

AYY 14984

Hours

16 hrs

25 Hours per week mon – fri 9am – 2.30Pm

8+ hrs per month, Monday to Saturday between 7am - 7pm

Salary

Negotiable dependant on experience

Exceeds national minimum wage

£8.39 per hour

Details

Hair stylist required for busy smart salon in Kilmacolm. Must be experienced in colour and cutting in both ladies and gents styling. Normal hours will be Tuesday and Wednesday but hours will be increased up to 35 per week to cover holiday periods, therefore you must be flexible. Good transport links and free parking available and a bonus scheme is in operation.

Must have sales ledger experience and credit control experience. Duties to include processing all sales invoices, completion of reports, chasing outstanding money from clients and sales figures for the manager board.

A part-time Test Centre Administrator is required to have basic IT skills, administration experience and faceto-face customer exposure. Duties include working on the reception desk, ensuring all computers are ready for test delivery, invigilating a range of computer based tests and the day-today responsibilities of the test centre.

Bar Staff - Ayy 14927

Personal Assist/Carer - Ayy 15005

Kitchen Porter - Irv 30261

Kitchen Porter/ Cleaner - Irv 30262

Weekend Cleaner - Ayy 14954

Karaoke Presenter - Ayy 14929

Costa Coffee - Ayy 14995

Stock Room Assistant - Ayy 15020

Sales Consultant - Ayy 15019

Head Housekeeper - Ayy 15008

BIG

THE MONTHLY QUIZ e News swers on th Find the an llege co e th age of & Events p .uk or ac ww.ayrcoll. website w . et an tr in ge on the colle

1. In athletics, how is the â&#x20AC;&#x153;hop, step and jumpâ&#x20AC;? normally known? High jump Long jump Steeplechase Triple jump

2. In which event did American Al Oerter win gold at 4 Olympic Games? Discus Hammer Javelin Shot 3. Where were the World Outdoor Athletics Championships held in August 2005? Copenhagen Helsinki Oslo Stockholm 4. Which race did Paula Radcliffe win during 2005 in a time of 2 hrs 17 min 42 sec? Cumbrian cross-country championship London marathon Powderhall sprint Three peaks race 5. Which country won the 4x100m sprint relay gold medal at the Sydney Olympics? Cuba Great Britain Jamaica USA

we are on

6. Who set a world record of 8.90 metre for the long jump in 1968? Bob Beamon Lynn Davies Mike Powell Ralph Boston

7. In the 2005 World Athletics Championships, for which country did Rashid Ramzi run? Bahrain Kuwait Oman Qatar

8. What is the minimum length of runway at an international pole vault event? 10 metres 20 metres 30 metres 40 metres 9. Which British athlete won 2 track gold medals at the 2004 Olympics? Colin Jackson Iwan Thomas Kelly Holmes Linford Christie 10. Which is not included in a decathlon? javelin pole vault 200 metres 1500 metres