Alumni December 2013

Alumni NEWSLETTER FOR

INFORMATION FOR PAST STUDENTS OF BOURNVILLE COLLEGE

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Issue 2 December 2013

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Welcome…

To the latest edition of the Bournville College Alumni Newsletter. We hope that you have had an enjoyable year and are looking forward to Christmas and New Year. In this edition, you will be able to find out more on one of our past students, Rhiannon Spiers, who now works at the Library of Birmingham and how Bournville College celebrated its Centennial year in style.

In the first edition, you may have read about the competition to name our alumni newsletter. Unfortunately, we’ve still not managed to find our winning name, however we now have a shortlist and would like you to cast a vote.

A - Legacy B - Alumnews C - B-remembered

To cast your vote please email marketing@bournville.ac.uk.

Alumni role models

The Careers Team are keen to promote aspiration amongst our students and this can mean challenging stereotypes and assumptions about what career to choose. One of the most effective ways is to promote role models or examples of past students who “have made it”.

Students usually react positively to people who have studied the same qualification as them and where they can see a progression route.

This can also help them focus on their studies to ensure that they gain their qualification successfully so that they too can be like the role model.

Activities include: • A panel of experts. Groups of students interested in certain careers or sectors would be invited to hear from past students. Alumni

would be asked to introduce their selves, a brief overview of current job role and take part in a question and answer session on what

they do, any obstacles faced and any advice to give to students.

• Photos and descriptions of alumni to use on the web site, publicity and classrooms as positive images.

• Mock job interviews.

• Specific skills promotion. Asking alumni to talk about and offer group sessions on specific skills such as sales or negotiating.

• Visits to alumni workplace and work shadowing

CAN YOU BE OUR ROLE MODEL?

For more information please contact Mark Pickering, Careers Advisor on 0121 477 1309 or mark.pickering@bournville.ac.uk

BHired – helping Alumni into employment...

BHired is a new employment service for all current and former Bournville College students. The BHired team will support you in creating a digital portfolio of your skills and experience, including an optional introduction video. Employers can then view the profile and contact you if they have job opportunities for you.

Recently, BHired worked with the new Sainsbury’s store situated in Longbridge to provide candidates with interviews, with four students gaining employment.

If you would like more information, please contact the BHired team on 0121 477 1953 or email bhired@bournville.ac.uk.

Reunion Meeting...

If you are interested in our facilities, networking with previous students and would like a tour to see our campus, why not register for our REUNION MEETING ON: Thursday 16th January 11am-2pm. Take this opportunity to contact former classmates and invite them along, a buffet will be provided in Urban Flavours restaurant.

Places are limited; if you would like to book your space please email marketing@bournville.ac.uk.

Bournville College celebrates its centennial birthday

Over 400 guests including senior officials, local government delegates, members of the local community and visitors from across the world joined Bournville College in a spectacular event to celebrate its centennial birthday. The event showcased the impressive history of the College but also marked a new era for Bournville College, unveiling its plans for the next decade.

Roger Cadbury and Sir Albert Bore delivered speeches, praising the College on its achievements over the century, contributions to the wealth of the local community as well as kick-starting the regeneration of Longbridge. Mr Cadbury commented: “My family recognises the importance of Bournville College and is proud to be associated with the College. I wish every success to the college for the next hundred years.”

Sir Albert added: “I was delighted to be able to celebrate the College’s centenary in Longbridge. The original concept of Bournville College established by George Cadbury evolved around his commitment to community which is still the ethos of the College today.

Bournville College is an institution with rich heritage and I praise it for all its work.”

Norman Cave, Bournville College Principal thanked all stakeholders from the UK and across the globe for their continuous support and in honour of the guests, unveiled a map outlining the College’s international reach.

Mr Cave summarised: “In 1913 Bournville College began. One hundred years later Bournville College has remained true to its values.

The foundations laid by George Cadbury will continue to permeate through this college in the future as it grows locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.”

The event also served as a platform to launch the Longbridge Public Art Project which enabled guests to experience lighting installations

by Fête des Lumières from Lyon and local artists. The guests were impressed with the project which promises to be, in partnership with the Arts Council, Birmingham City Council and Fête des Lumières, an annual lighting festival in Longbridge. A gallery of photos depicting the history of the College was created and was a nostalgic reminder of the College’s past. To celebrate the new era for the College, the event concluded with a breath-taking fireworks display.

Where are they now?

Name: Rhiannon Spiers

Age: 22

From: Bournville

Course(s) completed at Bournville College:

A Level Law, A Level Media & A Level Communications & Culture Do you feel your course at college helped?

My time at Bournville College helped me to understand my own aspirations and my tutors encouraged me to choose further education. I would recommend Bournville College as not only did it provide me with a good education but also with a supportive network of tutors and peers.

After Bournville College:

2:1 BSc (Hons) Business Management, Canterbury Christ Church University Current job:

Commercial Room Hire Assistant and Internal Communications Administrator, Library of Birmingham.

My role in Commercial events is working as part of a team to manage and process all commercial room and space hire queries and bookings and any associated catering or service requests. This also includes delivery support during the event. My role in communications involves distributing daily newsletters and the team I work in is responsible for creating reports for the management team. We also completed a series of customer testing days in preparation for the opening of the new Library.

Can you be the next student featured in this section? Please email us on marketing@ bournville.ac.uk with an outline of your career journey.

Stay local…

choose Higher Education at Bournville College Courses starting September 2014: • Foundation Degree in Business • Foundation Degree in Contemporary Arts Practice (subject to approval) • Foundation Degree in Film and Television Production Technology • Foundation Degree in Health & Social Care • Foundation Degree in Early Years • HND in Applied Computing • HND in Public Services • HND in Sports, Coaching & Development • HND in Travel & Tourism • Online HND in Business

To find out more, visit our HigHer ed uCation open eve ning on Thursda y 27th Februa ry, 6-8pm

Why choose Bournville College: • Affordable fees and financial support • Our state-of-the-art £66 million campus is equipped with outstanding learning facilities and Wi-Fi access • Close personal support, regular one-to-one tutorials and smaller learning groups • Specialist facilities for higher education students • Discounted rates at the College’s recreational facilities including hair and beauty salons, 100 reasons to choose Bournville College... restaurant, garage, fitness centre and No. 24: Get an opportunity to participate in an conference centre international study trip to India, South Korea or Malaysia • Excellent location, with good transport links Terms and conditions apply #bournville100 and parking

Talk. 0121 477 1300 | Write. info@bournville.ac.uk | See. bournville.ac.uk/higher-education Visit. 1 Longbridge Lane, Longbridge, Birmingham B31 2AJ | Sat Nav Ref. B31 2TW