Education and Skills
From cooking for stars to dressing skiers for the Alps, Bootcamp gives businesses a boost A caterer to the stars and the creator of a worldwide clothing brand were among the Coventry businesses present at an event to show off their success after completing a business bootcamp. More than 21 businesses who took training provider PET-Xi’s Self-Employed Bootcamp, funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), showcased their products and services at Metropolis Restaurant in Coventry at a Christmas Bazaar.
Farrier urges more young people to consider careers in the industry
A 22-year-old farrier has encouraged more young people to consider a career in the skilled craft after being one of four Moreton Morrell College apprentices celebrated in a graduation ceremony. Lewis Sutor, was presented with the David Llewellyn Prize by the Worshipful Company of Farriers and graduated with DipWCF after completing his apprenticeship. The David Llewellyn Prize is awarded for the best written diploma paper and came after Lewis achieved 88 per cent in his spring exams.
The bootcamp enables learners to develop a business plan, learn the basics of marketing, cyber security and risk management, and apply for a grant of up to £300 to help start their business. It also includes one-to-one mentoring after they complete the bootcamp. Manpreet Kaur, a creative caterer who founded Official Brunch Bae, has seen incredible initial success after completing the bootcamp and building the business’s profile on Instagram, TikTok and other platforms – and even providing catering to a private event for high profile rapper 50 Cent’s The Final Lap Tour, which also featured Busta Rhymes and Jeremih. She said: “I started the business in the middle of the pandemic as I could do it from my kitchen – I’ve always been a foodie, so it was a natural move for me. However, I wasn’t sure of the best way of actually growing my business. Attending PET-Xi’s bootcamp was great as I was surrounded by people in the same boat as me. I really needed that guidance as I needed more support with structuring the business.
“What’s been incredible is my recent success – I was approached by an American event planner out of the blue for a private party via Official Brunch Bae’s Instagram page for 50 Cent’s tour in Birmingham. We supplied the event with all sorts of food, but the Hennessy wings and American biscuits really went down a treat.” Keith Morron, from Stretton-on-Dunsmore, set up his snowboarding and outdoor lifestyle clothing company Rockpool Clothing after winning a battle with alcoholism and turning his life around. He said: “This business and PET-Xi’s support has been a genuine lifesaver for me – my drinking had taken me to a dark place before I was able to pick myself back up again. “I couldn’t get onto the slopes myself because of how ill I was when I was first recovering, but I had this idea to perhaps
“The tutors at the college were really helpful during my time there and helped me gain the skills to start a career as a farrier. “We are very proud of farriery apprenticeship course at Moreton Morrell College and the reputation the course has across the country. This was another very strong year of results for apprentices training with us.”
WCG offers a wide range of apprenticeships in a variety of industries. For more information visit www.wcg.ac.uk/apprenticeships
40
Around 70 learners have completed bootcamps since April, with another 40 signed up to take part in the next one. Becky Jones, Business Mentor at PET-Xi, said: “All our entrepreneurs have their own stories, but what’s common among them is while they have superb ideas, they need support in not only the practical side of getting the business set up with advice and grant funding, but also their confidence.”
dedication to their students’ motivation and progression into industry by ensuring all opportunities are open to them by means of continued communication with Ragdale Hall Spa. Each year we visit the students at college to carry out a career presentation, workshop and evaluate the skills of those who are interested in work placement with us – a valuable opportunity to experience one of the UK's busiest and most highly regarded spa beauty environments, hopefully leading to their employment at the end of their course.”
A total of four apprentices from Moreton Morrell College, part of college group WCG (Warwickshire College Group), were presented with medals on the day.
He said: “I went to a farming school when I was younger and that was where I was introduced to work in the forge. We had horses at home, I enjoyed the forging and decided then that I wanted to be a farrier.
“From there, it just snowballed. We’re now selling stock all across the UK, the Alps, as well as the US and Canada, and have tapped into the hiking and climbing community too. PET-Xi’s support throughout has been amazing, and really gave me the confidence to pursue my goals.”
College students and staff celebrate platinum status
The Worshipful Company of Farriers was founded in 1605 and is one of the livery companies of the City of London. The celebration ceremony began with a service at the Church of St Martin, followed by a procession to Apothecaries’ Hall.
Lewis completed his four-year apprenticeship with the college and approved training farrier Paul Horner. He has continued to work for Paul Horner since completing his apprenticeship.
see people on the slopes in the kind of clothes I like. That’s how Rockpool began.
Staff and students at North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College (NWSLC) are celebrating after being awarded Platinum College of Excellence status as part of a training scheme. All at the college were delighted to hear the news that they have been awarded the status as part of a programme to support training run by wellness specialists Ragdale Hall Spa. The college, which has seven campuses located across Leicestershire and Warwickshire, achieved the accolade by consistently providing to the spa qualified professional therapist candidates, who have gone on to successfully secure employment after completing their studies with NWSLC. Success in the scheme enables students to benefit from work experience, workshops in facial and massage techniques, and
provides access to professional development opportunities for college tutors. Rachel Atkins, Beauty Therapy Tutor at NWSLC said: “Our students regularly perform well in trade tests to secure work placements at Ragdale Hall Spa and demonstrate that they have the skills and the confidence to make the leap into a professional, commercial setting. We have also been successful in the Student of Excellence competitions, in which previous students have secured top places.” Five further students from the college have been offered a week’s work experience at Ragdale Hall after successfully completing a trade test and interview. Lynne-Marie Benzie, Training and Development Supervisor at Ragdale Hall Spa said: “NWSLC has been awarded Platinum College of Excellence status due to the tutors’
Ragdale Hall Spa delivered a career presentation for all Level 3 Beauty Therapy students and offered work experience to students who are interested in pursuing a career with the organisation once they are qualified. Five former students from the college are currently employed at Ragdale Hall in a variety of roles. Emily Adlam, a previous excellence award winner, has recently moved on to the London Wellness Academy. Marion Plant, OBE FCGI, Principal and Chief Executive of NWSLC said: “This excellent relationship between the college and Ragdale Hall Spa is a prime example of how we directly supply businesses with the skilled individuals that they need. We welcome approaches from local, regional, and national employers of all sizes and look forward to helping them to find the right candidates. Credit is due to our beauty team for maintaining a high-profile status within this scheme over many years.” To find out more about opportunities with the college, see https://www.nwslc.ac.uk/ course/beauty-college-courses
www.cw-chamber.co.uk
