Way2Go June 2011

ThE YEAR ThAT WAS...

1999

WhAT WAS GOING ON IN ThIS YEAR?...

SEE pAGE 11

YOUNG DERESCIAL! pRETENETIN CEShIp Sp AN AppR

ISSUE 10 JUNE 2011

LIvE/LEARN/ ASpIRE/AChIEvE p10

LEAh FINDS ThE RIGhT ROUTE

p12 p18

ThE UpSTREAM MODERN AppRENTICEhIp SChEME

hOW DOES ThE GARDEN FACTORY GROW?

pLAYTIME REvIEWS

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INTRODUCTION

WELCOME TO ISSUE 10: The summer break is nearly upon us! – sunshine and lazy days will soon be a reality (we hope!) – if you are working towards final examinations in 2011 or finding your way in a new environment, Way2Go will be with you along the journey.

LEAh FINDS ThE RIGhT ROUTE

In this edition of Way2Go we open up the world of apprenticeships. We have several articles expressing the importance of apprentices within the workplace. We advise you Regular feature Playtime has the W2G team taking a look at the movie Rango, the DVD’s review is The Sorcerers Apprentice, while Glee is featured in the Music section and in the Game section we take a look at Demon Souls.

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Get your story published – get your pictures in print.

If you would like us to feature your school or college email the production manager and our creative director will work with you to produce a double page spread in your own words and pictures.

Enjoy the read – here at Way2Go we are always pleased to hear from you on any topic.

ThE UpSTREAM MODERN AppRENTICEhIp SChEME hOW DOES ThE GARDEN FACTORY GROW?

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LIvE/LEARN/ASpIRE/AChIEvE

CONTENTS W2G MAGAZINE 10 06. pLAYTIME 10. LEAh FINDS ThE RIGhT ROUTE 11. ThE YEAR ThAT WAS...1999 12. OIL AND GAS MODERN ApRENTICEShIp - OpITO 14. IT’S ExAM TIME AGAIN! - SQA 16. GOvERNMENT ThROWS SUpORT bEhIND ApRENTICEShIpS pROGRAMME 18. hOW DOES ThE GARDEN FACTORY GROW? 19. pD pORTS INvESTS IN ThE FUTURE - pD pORTS 20. TIME2COOK 21. STUDENTS pROvE ThEY ARE Up TO ThE ChALENGE 22. ROCK ThE bOAT, bAbY 23. AppRENTICEShIp EvENT FOR YEAR 10S & 11S 24. SKILLS ACADEMY FOR hEALTh 25. WAY2FAShION

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26. LUCKY SIx START WORK pLACEMENT WITh MORRISON pLC 28. ThE GAp YEAR - A MUST FOR ANY SELF-RESpECTING 30. TOMY bASTOW & FRANKO SpONSORED bY NOOKA

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bY ThE

MILLER

RANGO

MOvIES...

In the town called Dirt, the only thing with any liquid content is the tobacco spit of parched varmints. Water is so precious, it’s kept in a bank vault, except for the stash hoarded by the mayor. This town needs a hero, and it gets one in the stranger who calls himself Rango. Assuming the part of a lifetime, Rango feigns gunslinger grit and nabs himself the job of sheriff tasked with returning water to the thirsty citizenryóa heroic mission.

The characters look very good though at times they are a little creepy, especially the bunny rabbits and Jake the Snake, one of the town’s main villains, a sssslithering and ssssneaky character if I ever did see one.

Rango, like the character, has no lack of enthusiasm and inventive style. Its strong suit is visual panache. It’s too bad that consistent comedy and emotional resonance get lost amid the dust and cacti.

For as much as it is an animated comedy, Rango bears many of the hallmarks of a classic Western, as well as some interesting elements of surrealism, and countless references to earlier films, including a fantastic blink-and-you’ll-miss-it cameo from one of Depp’s earlier works. A slightly darker twist than your usual ‘Pixar’ films and once again Johnny Depp steals the show.

5

RATING ★★★★★

IF YOU LIKED THIS I RECOMMEND YOU SEE: n Up n Wall-E n Monsters Inc

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“A SLIGhTLY DARKER TWIST ThAN YOUR USUAL ‘pIxAR’ FILMS ”

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.

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. . .

S ’ DvD ThE SORCERER’S AppRENTICE

“...A NEW MAGICAL hOLLYWOOD FILM FRANChISE ON ThE hORIZON”

A man with a tangled mop of hair and a large overcoat tells a boy that he has a special power that he never knew about. No, this isn't Harry Potter, although the conclusion to The Sorcerer's Apprentice leaves us with the hint of a new magical Hollywood film franchise on the horizon. The film presents itself as an adventure/comedy, but is held back from surpassing preceding wizard themed films by a contrived premise and a below standard script.

This modern day fantasy is supported by competent performances, but the real drawcards are the dynamic action sequences, strengthened by spectacular special effects and digital animation, which include a colourful Chinatown street parade, complete with a particularly ferocious dragon.

If you love the Harry Potter films this will be right up your street....magic!

4

RATING ★★★★★

IF YOU LIKED THIS I RECOMMEND YOU SEE: n The Last Airbender n Clash Of The Titans n Inkheart

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. . .

C I S U M

GLEE: ThE MUSIC vOL 4 Don’t let the title fool you, Vol. 4 is actually the eighth release from Glee’s inexhaustible catalog of show tunes and revised pop songs.

But Vol. 4 has a few aces up its sleeve, including a trio of songs from the spot-on Britney/Brittany. Overstreet and Dianna Agron find their footing with Jason Mraz’s Lucky, a laid-back duet that may be Agron’s best vocal performance to date. The album’s true highlight, though, is an a cappella version of Katy Perry’s “Teenage Dream”, performed by Criss with backup from Tufts University group the Beelzebubs. The first Glee single to ever hit number one, and perhaps the first a cappella tune since Bobby McFerrin’s “Donít Worry, Be Happy” to hold that honor, as well - and it’s proof that Glee hasn’t run out of inventive ideas.

A lot of these songs stick closer to uninspired karaoke arrangements, though, and Auto-Tune still runs rampant on several tracks, even rearing its ugly head during the aforementioned a cappella number.

3

RATING ★★★★★

IF YOU LIKED THIS I RECOMMEND LISTEN TOO: n Justin Bieber n Katy Perry n Grease

“vOL. 4 hAS A FEW ACES Up ITS SLEEvE”

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GAMES...

DEMON SOULS

Although countless dungeon crawlers have been released throughout videogame history, there has never been anything quite like Demon’s Souls. Amid a thick fog, Demons have descended to claim the souls of the living, and it is up to players to walk a path between spectral and corporeal planes of existence, slaying these beasts and restoring the world to its former, peaceful state. This will take place across five distinct locales, each guarded by up to four major demons (bosses) and a multitude of less epic foes, all of which are unique to the areas that they inhabit.

This action RPG uses sprawling, atmospheric worlds, haunting game concepts and mechanics, an unconventional control scheme, and formidable difficulty to envelop players in an experience that is easily one of the best of the year. There’s no second chances, no way to put off the inevitable.

You will die in this game.

4

RATING ★★★★★

IF YOU LIKED THIS I RECOMMEND YOU SEE: n Ninja Gaiden n Monster Hunter n Dragon Age

“ThERE’S NO SECOND ChANCES, NO WAY TO pUT OFF ThE INEvITAbLE. YOU WILL DIE IN ThIS GAME.”

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E E RIGhT ROUT LEAh FINDSlivesTh in peterlee, is on course to fulfil her Leah Turner, who is 19 and career ambitions thanks to taking a Modern Apprenticeship.

After leaving Shotton Hall School Leah went to Durham 6th Form, but after a year felt that the traditional A level route was not for her.

Leah explains: “I had originally thought I wanted to do A Levels and a degree, ultimately training to become a dentist, but I realised 7 plus years of study was not for me.

“Whist I was at 6th Form I volunteered at Gilesgate Primary in Durham, helping out with the children that had special educational needs. I then knew I wanted to work with children.

“I wanted to start working, get some hands on experience, but still get some qualifications and a friend suggested trying an Apprenticeship.”

So Leah started on a Level 3 Modern Apprenticeship in Supporting Teaching and Learning with East Durham College and they found her employment as part of the Apprenticeship at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School in Murton.

Carolyn Tempest, a Tutor and Placement Officer in the Work Based Learning Team at the College, said: “Leah has done fantastic and achieved her Level 2 Apprenticeship ahead of time and progressed on to the Advanced Apprenticeship.

“She has proven herself to be a real asset to the St Joseph’s, now supporting teaching staff throughout the school, working with groups of children across Key Stages 1 and 2. She has also taken on a oneto-one supporting role for a child with additional needs.”

St Joseph’s Teacher Catherine Farrell added: “Leah’s passion for helping children learn and develop is evident and can be seen in the strong and positive relationships she has made with the children and staff throughout the school community.

“Her professionalism and attention to detail has been pivotal to her work being recognised around the school and to her increased responsibilities.

“Leah’s ability to support and promote children’s learning is an absolute asset to the school, and of course the families we serve.”

Leah now intends to progress on to the Foundation Degree in Education and Care in order to build upon her rapidly developing knowledge and skills.

Leah said: “My long term goal is to become a primary school teacher, a role in which I believe I can flourish. The Apprenticeship has been a great route for me to make massive steps towards achieving this dream.”

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ThE YEAR ThAT WAS...

1999

JAN 1 Euro is established FEb 11 Pluto moves along its eccentric orbit further from the Sun than Neptune.

It had been nearer than Neptune since 1979, and will become again in 2231.

MAR 21 The 71st Academy Awards are held at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles, California with Shakespeare in Love winning Best Picture.

ApR 8 Bill Gates personal fortune exceeds $100 Billion dollars, due to the increased value of Microsoft stockned

MAY 19 Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace is released in theaters. It becomes the highest grossing Star Wars film

JUN 12 Texas Governor George W. Bush announces he will seek the Republican Party nomination for President of the United States

JUL 22 The first version of MSN Messenger is released by Microsoft AUG 31 Apple Computer releases the Power Macintosh G4 SEp 28 Muse sell their first studio album Showbiz OCT 12 World population reaches 6 billion people, as the 6 billionth person

(according to the UN) is born in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

NOv 12 A 7.2-magnitude earthquake strikes Duzce and northwestern Turkey, killing 845 and injuring 4,948

DEC 3 NASA loses radio contact with the Mars Polar Lander, moments before the spacecraft enters the Martian atmosphere

TOp 10 GAMES...

TOp 10 MOvIES...

TOp 10 SONGS...

Final Fantasy VIII Silent Hill Counter-Strike Oddworld: Abe’s Exoddus Half-Life: Opposing Force Resident Evil 3: Nemesis Unreal Tournament RollerCoaster Tycoon Age of Empires II Donkey Kong 64

10 Things I Hate About You Magnolia Toy Story 2 The Blair Witch Project Idle Hands Fight Club Mystery Men The Iron Giant The Matrix Sleepy Hollow

American Woman - Lenny Kravitz Blue (Da Ba Dee) - Eiffel 65 Genie in a Bottle - Christina Aguilera Pretty Fly (For a White Guy) - The Offspring Learn to Fly - Foo Fighters Beautiful Stranger - Madonna Livin’ la Vida Loca - Ricky Martin What’s My Age Again? - Blink-182 Scar Tissue - Red Hot Chili Peppers My Name Is - Emineml

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OIL AND GAS MODERN AppRENTICEShIp SChEME

EvEN IN 2011 ThE pROSpECT OF WORKING WIThIN ThE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY STILL CONJURES Up IMAGES OF MEN CARRYING OUT hEAvY DUTY MANUAL WORK IN REMOTE LOCATIONS MILES FROM hOME. So it’ll come as no surprise that the sector traditionally holds more appeal for men than women.

In Britain we’re slowly starting to see a shift in the demographics of the sector.

Currently female workers make up just 21% of the oil and gas workforce in the UK, compared with nearly half of the total workforce across all other industries.

One such testament to this change in culture is OPITO Modern Apprentice of the Year winner Sarah Coull. She is gearing up for a career in the highly rewarding oil and gas industry.

These statistics are reflected across the globe. In Canada, only 24% of the oil and gas workforce is female, and in Norway the number of women employed in the industry is even lower at 20%.

The 18-year-old college student from the Morayshire town of Buckie, 46 miles north of Europe’s energy capital Aberdeen, recently came out on top of the class after winning the prestigious oil and gas award from OPITO.

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She is the first female recipient of the award which recognises and acknowledges outstanding ability and attitude during the two year college phase of the four year apprenticeship scheme.

candidates being exceptional but Sarah is a worthy winner who strives to do her best at every opportunity.

Sarah is currently training to become an instrument technician through full-time study at Jewel & Esk College in Edinburgh, one of four industry-appointed colleges in the UK.

“We are delighted to see an increasing number of female apprentices going into technical-orientated careers in the oil and gas industry, an area that has traditionally been more male dominated and we wish Sarah all the best for the second phase of her studies.

She faced stiff competition from apprentice technicians across Scotland, studying disciplines including mechanical, electrical, instrumentation and process.

“I have no doubt she will help to inspire some of her peers to at least consider a career in the oil and gas sector which is extremely positive.”

To mark her achievement, Sarah was presented with a shield and a cash prize. The runners up were Aberdeen College student Vincent Jones and Gordon Hunter of Forth Valley College.

Now she’s got her sights set on climbing the career ladder through the oil and gas sector.

“It’s fantastic to win such an award and I have thoroughly enjoyed my course so far which will no doubt stand me in good stead for a future role in the oil and gas industry,” said Sarah.

“Winning a recognised award from OPITO can only help in my career development and I’m thrilled to have won as I was up against some very highly skilled technicians.

“It was very satisfying to come out on top and it has just made me even more determined to carve out a career in the oil and gas sector.”

John Fraser, Modern Apprenticeship Scheme manager at OPITO, is convinced Sarah’s success can act as a catalyst for others to follow in her footsteps. He said: “Sarah should be very proud of her achievement, it was a very hard decision for the judges, with all three

The Upstream Oil and Gas Industry Technician Training Scheme is managed by OPITO in partnership with the Engineering and Construction Industry Training Board.

Around 100 trainee positions are available annually on the scheme which is open to anyone aged 16 or over and boasts one of the best retention rates in the country with an impressive 93% of apprentices completing the course and going on to find employment compared to the national average of 55%.

In the 11 years the programme has been running it has seen more than 1,000 apprentices take their new-found talents into the workforce, creating a grassroots solution to the industry-wide skills shortage.

Operators and major contractors have invested more than £70 million of industry money directly into the MA scheme, making it one of the most relevant in terms of equipping the next generation of workers with the range of skills and experience employers need.

More information on the upstream oil and gas industry technician training scheme and OPITO can be found at www.opito.com or www.oilandgas4u.com

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IT’S ExAM TIME AGAIN! WhAT YOU NEED TO KNOW, NEED TO DO AND WhAT hAppENS NExT If you’ve taken SQA exams before, you’ll know what to expect, but if this is your first time, don’t worry, stay calm, and do your best. The exams are held to find out how well you understand the subjects you’ve been studying, and how well you can apply the knowledge and skills you’ve gathered.

Be as well prepared for each exam as you can be. If you do your best before and during the exams, no-one can ask more of you.

Look at your copy of ‘Your Exams’ – available from your school or college, this brochure is issued by SQA and full of advice hints and tips about what you need to do to be prepared.

Receiving your Results

All candidates will receive their results by post on Thursday 4 August 2011. And if you register for MySQA, you can also receive your results by text or e-mail.

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It takes the anxiety out of waiting for the post. And of course if you’re on holiday or away from home you can access your results without having to ask someone else to open the envelope for you.

And the benefits of registration stay with you. MySQA offers you secure and unique access to all your SQA results – so you can log on and look at your results wherever suits you.

Registration is simple. You’ll need your Scottish Candidate Number (SCN) and a unique e-mail address. Once you’ve confirmed we have your correct home address, we will send a letter to that address with your activation code, which you use to access your account online.

You must register before Thursday 14 July and activate your account

by Friday 22 July.

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WhENEvER AND WhEREvER SUITS YOU If you registered for MySQA last year, then there’s no need to re-register.

You will receive your results again as you chose last year, unless you go onto the site and change your preferences. You should check the address details we hold for you though.

Registration for MySQA is now open. Find out how to activate your account by logging onto www.mysqa.info.

Support at results time

If you don’t understand your results, or if you think something is wrong or missing contact your school or college immediately. If there is a problem they will contact us to sort it out.

SQA will also run a telephone advice line open from Thursday 4 August to Saturday 6 August. You can ring this for advice about the content and layout of your certificate – or look on the SQA website for more information.

SQA operates an appeals system – the person in your school or college who is responsible for SQA exams can provide information about this.

Appeals can only be made by the school or college that entered you for the exam.

For more information about your exams visit www.sqa.org.uk

New! MyStudy plan App

Create your own study plan on iPod Touch and iPhone with our new MyStudyPlan application. This great service lets you import your exam schedule and use it to generate your study plan.

You can also add in your own subjects, prioritise how much time you want to spend on each and schedule the amount of time you want to study. The service will then build your custom study plan, which you can view or print out.

The application is now available from the App store.

SQA Timetable App

SQA’s new and improved timetable builder is now available for most mobile phones (Java based), Google Android, iPhone and iPod Touch.

The application lets you build your personal exam timetable and also provides key information relating to sitting your exams, including study guides and links to MySQA and other useful websites.

Save 25% on past papers!

Everyone who registers for MySQA will receive a 25% discount of all past papers from Bright Red publishing. Visit www.mysqa.info for more detail and terms and conditions.

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15 23/5/11 15:17:10

Government throws support behind apprenticeships programme

For employers, apprenticeships present the perfect opportunity to find the next generation of young workers.

What’s more, taking part in the programme is something actively supported by Government ministers like Business Secretary Vince Cable and Skills Minister John Hayes.

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23/5/11 15:17:15

SKILLS MINISTER JOhN hAYES

Both politicians recently reiterated the Government’s commitment to increase the budget for Apprenticeships to more than £1,400 million in 2011-12 while highlighting schemes such as British Airways successful engineering apprenticeship scheme, which will take on 120 students this year.

The Ministers also praised UK British Gas, Superdrug, BT and Procter and Gamble, which between them will create thousands of new apprenticeship places this year. Car manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover will create 1,200 new Apprenticeship places and 12,000 apprentices will complete their training at supermarket operator Morrison‘s this year.

Dr Cable said that the Government wanted to work with business to deliver 100,000 more apprentices by 2014.

He said: “I want to reinforce the message to business and young people that apprenticeships are a first-class way to start a career.

“Some of the most prestigious companies in England – large and small, public and private – employ apprentices and benefit from doing so. More than 30% of Rolls-Royce apprentices have progressed to senior management roles within the company. And 80% of those who employ apprentices agree that they make the workplace more productive. I’m calling on more businesses to follow this lead.”

Skills Minister Mr Hayes launched the new national skills strategy in November last year and said apprentices were at its heart and that

bUSINESS SECRETARY vINCE CAbLE

they had the chance to progress to higher stages of learning through the apprenticeships programme, including to university.

Under the recent changes, Level 2 (GCSE level equivalent) apprenticeships will now be known as Intermediate Level Apprenticeships. Level 3 (A level equivalent) will become Advanced Level Apprenticeships and Higher Apprenticeships will remain unchanged.

The UK Commission for Employment and Skills is also working with Sector Skills Councils to develop more Higher Apprenticeships.

Mr Hayes, whose full brief covers Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning, said: “Our ultimate goal remains to see apprentices achieve equivalent esteem and status with university graduates, so that a place on an apprenticeship scheme is as valued as one at a university.”

Mr Hayes is also working with the Department for Work and Pensions to look at how people on unemployment benefits could be offered apprenticeship places.

And Prime Minister David Cameron said: “Apprenticeships offer a fantastic opportunity for people to gain the skills they need for the jobs of the future, equipping the country for our goal to build longterm sustainable growth.

“That is why despite some difficult decisions on spending; we are boosting the number of Apprenticeships. We think this is absolutely vital not just to help people into work for the short term but to make sure they can have successful long term careers.”

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hOW DOES ThE ?

W O R G Y R O T C A F N E D GAR vironmental and

En A group of students studying on an e chance th t go ly nt ce re a om pl Di s ie ud St Land-based e UK. th in s er ow gr o at m to t es rg la e th to visit one of The five learners from Washington, Biddick School Sports College and St Robert of Newminister RC Schools, who are taking the 2-year course at East Durham College’s Houghall Campus, spent the day at John Baarda Ltd in Billingham on Teesside.

The facility, which opened in 2006, was set up to grow tomatoes all year round and supplies the likes of Sainsbury’s and Morrisons. It has the capacity to grow in excess of 6m vines a year, producing over 2,000 metric tons of ‘Grade A’ salad quality mature tomatoes.

Dawn James, a Lecturer in Horticulture at the Houghall Campus arranged the visit to help the students with a unit of their course: Plants and Animals -Their Role in Society.

“This was a fantastic opportunity for the learners to see commercial food

production including growing, harvesting and packaging on a massive scale,” she said.

The students also got to quiz John Baarda Manager Michael Le Masurier on the social, economical and environmental impact of the business, as well as learning how the organisation balances their commercial, cultural and ethical responsibilities.

“It was an absolute pleasure to show the students around and answer all their questions. We’d be more than happy to offer the tour to Dawn’s students in the future,” he said.

East Durham College runs the course in partnership with Sunderland Futures enabling the students to study two half days at the College to complete the vocational qualification.

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pD pORTS INvESTS IN ThE FUTURE SINCE SEpTEMbER 2005, pD pORTS, ThE COMpANY WhICh OpERATES ThE pORTS OF TEES AND hARTLEpOOL, hAS TAKEN ON 31 AppRENTICES ACROSS ALL AREAS OF ITS OpERATIONS, ShOWING ITS DEDICATION TO IMpROvING ThE SKILLS

bASE OF ITS FUTURE WORKFORCE. One of those apprentices, Rob Scott, based at PD Ports’ facility at Howdendyke, was recently runner up in a prestigious national award for engineering apprentices. Rob was one of only 6 apprentices from around the country to be nominated by the Institute of Road Transport Engineers (IRTE) for this award. The nomination demonstrates his enthusiasm and commitment to the profession.

21 year old, Rob completed his service engineering apprenticeship in February after 3 years of study and is still employed by PD Ports where his current day to day role involves general site maintenance and repairing equipment including cranes, forklift trucks and static plant machinery.

Other PD Ports apprentices include Joe Howson and Gary Burton, who have each spent three years studying for their apprenticeships at the company’s operations in Hull. Joe who is studying Mechanical Engineering and Gary who is studying Electrical Engineering gained the praise of their manager and PD Ports’ Engineering Superintendant Steve Peat.

Steve, who himself started as an apprentice, said: “I am very pleased that the company is so committed to investing in these young trainees.

I have worked for larger organisations in the past, who haven’t invested in any apprenticeships, and this has always been disappointing, particularly knowing there is a skills gap in certain industries”.

To find out more about apprenticeship opportunities at PD Ports, please email enquiries@pdports.co.uk.

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K O O C 2 T ME

cook it!... to ve lo e w , so e or m en ev d od...an here at W2G we love our nfoand pull on that old oven glove. It’s... so tie on that apro

Macaroni cheese INGREDIENTS n n n n n n

cheese macaronni or pasta 30g of plain flour 30g of butter salt/pepper three quarters of a pint of milk.

METhOD...

1.

2.

3.

boil your pasta in hot water add a nob of butter to a pan and melt then add some flour then make to a paste gradually adding milk mix the the sauce until goes thick (white sauce)then add your cheese leaving some cheese for the top

4. top then under the grill on high for about 3 mins or preheat your oven once pasta is cooked pour into a dish then add your sauce cheese on when cooking and put it in the oven for about 10 mins

3

Serves:

COST: £0.80 pER SERvING pREp. TIME: 10 MINS COOKING TIME: 10 MINS

MORE ExCITING RECIpE’S FROM MARTY ThE MIT NExT TIME!!!

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t!...

STUDENTS pROvE ThEY ARE END AN NG LE AL Ch E Th TO Up A GROUp OF bRAvE COLLEGE STUDENTS GOT TO SpE ExCITING DAY TAKING pART IN A RANGE OF GRUELLING TEAM bUILDING ACTIvITIES AND FACING AN ARMY ASSAULT COURSE. The 15 first year students, on a Uniformed public Services course at East Durham College, in peterlee, spent the day being put through their paces with an Army Recruitment Team at Marne barracks in Catterick, North Yorkshire.

Gill Draper, a Lecturer in Uniformed public Services at the College, arranged the trip so her students could get the experience of taking on a challenging army assault course and then complete a number of command tasks.

“The command tasks are designed to get the students working together as teams, helping them to develop their thinking, reasoning and analytical skills.

The group had a great day and particularly enjoyed getting very wet and muddy completing the assault course,” explained Gill.

Student Natalie Willis, aged 16, from Seaham, added: “We had a mint day. It was very wet, cold and muddy going over the assault course but it was a real laugh.”

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Y b A ,b T A O b E h T K ROC A group of 36 college students are to perform at Ex-voto, a music fest which will feature an international line up of acts including bands from America and across Europe and peterlee!

The music and performing arts students from East Durham College will spend 2 days in Holland and perform at the prestigious music venue Ex Voto.

The bands perform in a range of styles from the classic rock sound of the ‘Revenge of Elmo’ to the high-energy skate punk sound of ‘Idiots on Holiday’ The trip is just another example of the College’s vibrant approach to learning.

Nathaniel Isebor, 20, who comes from London, but lives in Sunderland said: “its going to be so good! We are doing a performance on the boat, me and Shannon have choreographed a sick dance, it’s a mix between contemporary and street dance, we’re going to rock the boat!”

Shannon Blakemore, 16, from Easington also commented: “I’m really excited. I think its going to be a great experience for all of us all, not just the performances but watching some great bands from around the world”.

Students have to prepare promotional publicity material, risk assessments, websites, equipment lists, and much more for the trip - along with learning the repertoire they intend to perform.

William Nicholson, professional musician and lecturer at the College, is responsible for getting the three bands into shape, and loves getting to help nurture the talented students on such an exciting project.

“There is a lot of hard work involved and it is stressful pulling everything together in time for the gig. It’s also extremely exciting and a very real vocational experience for the students,” he said.

As part of the trip the students will also get to provided the entertainment to the passengers onboard the P&O ferry they are catching from Hull to Rotterdam.

The trip has been organised in conjunction with Live business, a leading West End theatrical agency, and it gives students the chance to perform in a real environment and see, quite literally, if they can do it on the big stage.

“I’m really excited. I think its going to be a great experience for all of us all, not just the performances but watching some great bands from around the world”

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23/5/11 15:17:45

AppRENTICEShIp EvENT FOR YEAR 10S & 11S

AN ExCITING AIM FOR AppRENTICEShIp EvENT WILL bE hELD AT ThE GLEbE CENTRE IN MURTON ON ThURSDAY 24Th MARCh. a wide range of local training providers, including: South West This event will provide a unique opportunity for local school pupils to meet , City of Sunderland College and JHP Training.

Durham Training Limited, East Durham College, New College Durham - 11.00am and 1.30pm – 2.30pm) Year 10 pupils from a number of During the day (Starts at 9.00am, photo opportunities between 10.00am offer them. can ceships local schools will learn about the exciting opportunities Apprenti talk to explain to pupils what Apprenticeships are and how they can Helen Williamson from the National Apprenticeship Service will give a provide a great route into a career or even higher education.

ICT/Business, Engineering, Hairdressing and Construction.

The pupils will then take part on a range of group workshops including route and the promise of increased cash to ensure places are available The Government have stressed the importance of the Apprenticeships for those wishing to access them, even in these difficult times. to it possible for interested Year 11 pupils and their parents to come along The event will also extend into the early evening (4pm till 6pm) to make . get information and discuss prospects with the range of training providers and East Durham Business Service.

The event is planned and supported by both Aimhigher County Durham

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23/5/11 15:17:50

L-R: Jill Appleby, haleema Yasin & Sarah hussain, Laura Linacre & Nunthorpe Oaks Care home

h and Social Care in Skills for health: STEpS run the Young Apprentice programme for healt .

Newcastle, Northumberland, North Tyneside, Gateshead and Tees valley STEPS provide work based learning for students who are studying Health and Social Care during years 10 and 11 and who take on the programme in addition to their other school commitments. The Young Apprentices must complete 50 days of work experience during their two years with STEPS across Health, Social Care & Early Years settings.

An interview with Jill Appleby, Manager of Nunthorpe Oaks Residential Care Home in Middlesbrough. Prior to our interview in August, Jill had been so impressed with two STEPS Young Apprentices (Haleema Yasin and Sarah Hussain – Acklam Grange School, Middlesbrough) she asked them to continue their blockweek placement for a further 4 weeks across the summer.

JILL AppLEbY

WhAT DO YOU FELL ARE ThE bENEFITS FOR ‘NUNThORpE’

hOW LONG hAvE YOU WORKED AT NUNThORpE OAKS?

The residents love chatting to young people. Having Young Apprentices come into the home brings the outside in.

hOW LONG hAvE YOU WORKED WITh STEpS?

WhAT WOULD YOU SAY TO OThER MANAGERS WhO WERE CONSIDERING WORKING WITh STEpS?

Three Years

About a year

WERE YOU NERvOUS AT FIRST AbOUT ALLOWING YOUNG AppRENTICES TO COME ON pLACEMENT?

No not at all. I remember the benefits of my placements when I began my career in Social Care so it is up to us to help the students relax and gain the benefit from placement.

WhAT DO YOU FEEL ARE ThE bENEFITS FOR YOUNG pEOpLE ON ThE STEpS YOUNG AppRENTICEShIp?

There are many benefits. They get the opportunity to develop and improve their communication skills. They get an insight into what work is really like in the social care sector. They develop an understanding of old age as well as developing empathy with the service users, their family and the service providers.

Try it. The Young Apprentices are not just kids, they want to learn and experience the sector. Kids are stereotyped all the time but we have a duty to develop their understanding.

hOW hAvE YOUR STAFF RESpONDED TO ThE pRESENCE OF YOUNG AppRENTICES?

They love them. They make them feel really welcome and enjoy their presence in the home. They also enjoy the opportunity to play a part in the development of the young people.

hOW DO YOUR RESIDENTS RESpOND TO ThE pRESENCE OF YOUNG AppRENTICES?

They love them too. Obviously the Young Apprentices have to be confident to be able to speak to the service users but those who are will always be well received.

LAURA LINACRE, A STEpS YOUNG AppRENTICE REFLECTS ON hER TIME AT NUNThORpE OAKS CARE hOME

“When I first walked in the place looked big and confusing. After I had been showed around I thought the place was nice. At first I struggled to communicate with all the workers and also the residents but after a while it got easier and they all seemed very friendly. During my whole week I played bingo and did the tea trolley, gave out clothes from the laundrette, spoke to the residents and also made some beds. I had a really good experience because we always had something to do and everyone was nice.”

STEPS employer partners provide an invaluable service to the STEPS Young Apprenticeship Programme. Their continued support allows STEPS to provide varied and unique opportunities to young people that aid them in their qualifications and career choices in the future.

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STEPS are always keen to engage with new employers, if you would like more information about the work that we are involved with or would like to become an employer partner please contact 0191 280 4210.

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23/5/11 15:18:12

LUCKY SIx START WORK pLACEMENT WITh MORRISON pLC

Left to right: Front: Students Jason Ritson & Jordan Common. Back row: Ben Spenceley (Student), Martin Donnelly (Morrison’s HR Business Partner), Tony Proctor (Morrison’s Partnering Manager) Ian Scott (Morrison’s SHE Advisor) Ernie Robinson (Morrison’s Repairs Manager) and Students Mark Combey, Liam Wilkinson & James Jackson.

Six students from East Durham College’s new Technical Academy started on their work placement with repairs and maintenance service providers Morrison, in peterlee, earlier this week.

The students, who are all aged 17 to 19 and on the final year of their NvQ Level 2 in Gas Installation and Maintenance, will spend the next six weeks putting the skills they have learnt at the Academy into practice on real jobs.

The students will also undertake stringent health & Safety training with Morrison including areas such as working at heights, COShh (The control of substances hazardous to health) and asbestos identification.

Student Jordan Common, aged 19 and from Seaham, said: “I’m really looking forward to it. It will be great to work for Morrison and hopefully improve my skills.” barbara Archer, business Manager at The Technical Academy, added: “We are thrilled to be working with Morrison for the first time and hope this will develop into a really successful long term relationship between our organisations, helping to benefit even more of our students in the future.

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“We are working with some of the biggest names in the industry, such as Morrison, which is great for the aspirations of our students.”

The new placements were arranged with Martin Donnelly, hR business partner at Morrison, who explained: “The students will get to work alongside our Gas Services team, working in a number of domestic home settings. They will train in a range of installation and maintenance tasks such as inspecting, servicing, repairing or fitting new boilers and domestic heating systems.

“We are delighted to be able to help these local lads.

The placement will help them to gather important evidence for their NvQ portfolios, gain key skills and enhance their Cvs - hopefully giving the best chance of a job after they qualify.”

Neil Dixon, partnering Director for Morrison North East, said: “Morrison is committed to creating local employment opportunities and our relationship with East Durham College and its new Technical Academy offers us a great platform for achieving this aim. The training of new tradespeople is vital to the continued

success of the repairs and maintenance sector and we strongly believe employers must recognise that they have a key role to play in ensuring young trainees have the skills we need for the future.”

The Technical Academy which will be officially opened this Thursday by The Rt hon John Denham Mp, Shadow Secretary of State for business, Innovation and Skills, is located on the South West Industrial Estate in peterlee.

The Academy provides training in a range of construction trades including; Gas & Electrical Installation & Maintenance, Fitted Interiors (Kitchens & bathrooms), plastering, Wall & Floor Tiling and Roofing. It is also developing training in a number of renewable energy technologies.

For more details on The Technical Academy please visit www.eastdurham.ac.uk or call 0191 518 8222.

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27 23/5/11 15:18:19

HE GAP

YEAR n

MIND TH

ThE GAp YEAR - A MUST FOR ANY SELF-RESpECTING STUDENT Once the preserve of the rich and wellconnected whose parents could arrange a trek with Masai or a job in Mother Teresa’s Calcutta soup kitchen, gap years are now a must for any self-respecting student. They offer a chance to see the world, grow up and have colourful tales to tell during freshers’ week.

Despite tuition fees and student debt, almost a third, or 130,000 sixth-formers, set out from the UK each year on a gap-year adventure before heading off to university, according to Mintel, the market analyst.

Few who take a year out ever regret it and most say they have made far more of their time at university as a result. But experts urge young people to plan their trips carefully and be aware of the pitfalls before they embark on the journey of a lifetime.

Gap years are now big business with students spending an average £4,800. Dozens of firms have sprung up to get their slice of the money.

At the last count there were 76 operators in Britain and one gap-year company, i-to-i, was so successful it was bought for several million recently by the package holiday group First Choice.

These firms typically offer package trips combining flights, in-country transport, support and even language courses at an average cost of £4,000. However, it is their foray into charitable work that has provoked controversy. Students

are increasingly eager to get off the backpacker trail and see real life, so they want to take on some voluntary work during their travels.

The Year Out Group, a trade association made up of 35 different gap-year travel companies, says that 80 per cent of young people now opt for a trip with a volunteering element.

But the big overseas volunteering charities are furious that these companies are charging students to volunteer. The charities also say there is little evidence that the thousands of students, who have few skills and little experience, are benefiting local communities in Africa, Asia and Latin America when they swing through for a month or so.

Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO), one of the biggest charities, has even taken the unusual step of urging young people to lie on the beach rather than get caught up in “voluntourism”.

The companies have defended themselves, saying that not everyone has a year or more to devote to voluntary work but still want to make a contribution to the local community where they are travelling.

Companies that sell gap-year package deals with a stint as a volunteer will soon face a new code of conduct. Tourism Concern, a development charity, has begun work on a scheme that will give a quality mark to companies that offer up sustainable, long-term projects to customers.

E GA

Judith Brodie, director of VSO, warned students to ask plenty of awkward questions when signing up with a commercial company. “With the growth of the gap-year market, it is worth taking the time to do your homework before embarking on any trip. By asking the right questions you can ensure that the gap-year providers won’t be the only ones who benefit from those taking time out.”

She advises checking on whether the project already exists and has not just been created to satisfy customer demand. “If you are keen on making a sustainable difference, it is worth finding out how many people had been on the scheme before you, how successful the project has been and how the work is set to continue after you leave.

“Effective development projects work in partnership with the local community. Be clear on how your project works with the local community, and how the work you do will have a lasting impact.”

Brodie also urges students to ask how the cost of their trip breaks down. “A good organisation will be honest and upfront about where your money is going and why, as well as how much your flights and accommodation will be subsidised, if at all.”

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“WITh ThE GROWTh OF ThE GApYEAR MARKET, IT IS WORTh TAKING ThE TIME TO DO YOUR hOMEWORK bEFORE EMbARKING ON ANY TRIp”

GAP YEA R

n MIND

THE GAP

bY JOhN DEAN AND FRANCES GRISS DEANGRISS@bTINTERNET.COM

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23/5/11 15:18:34

TOMMY bASTOW & FRANKO SpONSORED

bY NOOKA TOMMY bASTOW, actor/singer, was spotted wearing Nooka watch on Friday 21st January 2011 whilst performing with his band FranKo London based band FranKo headlined Republic club night at East Durham College, with frontman bASTOW, who is best known for his part as the son in the bT adverts as well as his role as Dave the Laugh in the teen cult film Angus, Thongs and perfect Snogging.

New York fashion brand, Nooka Inc., has recently been spotted on big celebrities such as the black Eyed peas’s Apl.De.Ap, Justin bieber, Miley Cyrus, Cody Simpson and has appeared in known fashion magazines such as vogue, Marie Claire, Elle, and GQ. Karl Smith, Director of Tide Distribution, who is the distributor of Nooka within UK & Ireland says: ‘We picked out Tommy and his band FranKo to sponsor because they are very talented! The bands are great musicians and we know they will be big in no time.’

Richard (on the left) is the guitarist in the band, and is also known for his solo material and award winning. he won the paul Waters Guitar Award in 2010.

bastow is set to star in the 2010 Spanish horror film Exorcismus, which is produced by Filmax. he is currently appearing in a recurring role in teen drama The Cut, a bbC Switch program, playing Greg Cranborne.

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23/5/11 15:19:26

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