Pulse Spring 2014

Spring 14

In this issue... > Student success! > Students mean business > Q&A with Denys Shortt > Graduation Day > Festive floristry > Farriers flock to Moreton > And much, much more...

Warwickshire College news

Award success for students Warwickshire College students have been picking up awards and wins at local, regional and national ceremonies and competitions.

Luca Frondella picked up a prestigious prize at the Association of Colleges Student of the Year awards in Birmingham.

Engineer Georgina Oag won the Coventry Freemen’s Guild Apprentice of the Year award.

Horticulture apprentice Jade Goodwin was named ‘Westland Star of the Future’ at the national Garden Retail Awards.

Hanna De Angeli was named winner of the Samsung Young Achiever of the Year Award

at The Prince’s Trust & Samsung Celebrate Success Awards.

Jan Waterston, furniture crafts student, won the prestigious Alan Peters Award for Excellence at the Cheltenham Celebration of Craftsmanship and Design.

Read more about their successes inside

Florist Zoe named ‘Best in the UK’ at The Skills Show Zoe Rowlinson, 19, from Warwickshire College was named the ‘Best in the UK’ in floristry after winning Gold at the WorldSkills UK National Competitions at The Skills Show.

Zoe said, “I was nervous in the lead up to the competition but also excited. I was over the moon and completely surprised when my name was called out as the gold medal winner – and my family were really proud and happy The competitions are the highlight of The Skills for me.”

Show, the UK’s largest skills and careers event, which took place at the NEC Birmingham.

Jane Benefield, floristry lecturer at Warwickshire College said, “What an amazing Floristry Level 3 student, Zoe, won a regional event, a showcase for so many skills and great heat to claim her place in the final, where she to have floristry in the spotlight. I am delighted had to demonstrate a range of skills over three for Zoe - she worked so hard during the days of competition, including knowledge competition under intense pressure and of principles of design and colour harmony, what a fantastic achievement to win a gold.” originality, wiring and wiring techniques.

Warwickshire College - inspiring a new generation

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Keith Smith, Director, The Skills Funding Agency and UK Official Delegate to WorldSkills International said: “I offer my congratulations to Zoe. It takes hard work, determination and a high level of skill to compete against the UK’s most talented apprentices and learners.”

Read more about the Skills Show on page 6

Warwickshire College news

Spring 14

Student successes Luca picks up prize at prestigious Student of the Year awards Luca Frondella, 19, scooped second place at the national Association of Colleges Student of the Year award in November.

Luca said: “It’s been great to meet the other finalists and find out their stories. Dyslexia really held me back at school because it’s a different way of learning, but at college – and now university – I’ve found it helps me to be creative in a way, because I have to look for ways to solve problems.”

The award seeks to celebrate the successes of college students from across the country and places particular emphasis on students whose achievements are truly remarkable and deserve recognition on a national stage.

Luca, who studied 3D Design, was one of only three finalists in the awards, and he picked up the award and a £650 prize.

Mariane Cavalli, Principal and CEO of Warwickshire College said, “We are absolutely delighted and extremely proud with Luca’s success in winning second place in the AoC Student of the Year awards. His achievements have been spectacular - achieving the highest

Luca overcame dyslexia to become a D*D*D* student (the highest grade possible in the BTEC extended diploma) and is now at Coventry University studying a BA/MDes in Product Design.

grade possible in his qualification, while at the same time impressing industry experts with his product designs and gaining experience working on live projects.

“As a Gazelle college, Luca is a fantastic example of what we want all our students to aspire to – achieving more than a qualification, gaining real work experience and developing employability skills to enable them to become a success in their chosen careers.

“We look forward to following Luca’s career and wish him every success for his future.”

Jade wins horticulture star of the future award Jade Goodwin, a horticulture apprentice from Pershore College was named as ‘Westland Star of the Future’ at the national Garden Retail Awards during a special ceremony on London’s Park Lane.

Jade is an apprentice at Sudbury Garden Centre, part of The Garden Centre Group. As part of their unique apprenticeship scheme which focuses on garden centre employment, Jade trains at Pershore College for two days every month. The college trains apprentices for around 60 of the Group’s centres.

She said, “I am thrilled to have won the Westland Star of the Future award. It’s a real achievement.”

Tamsin Jones, Acting Principal at Pershore College said, “Everyone at Pershore College is extremely proud of Jade for winning this award. It’s an amazing achievement and a credit to her hard work and dedication. I hope her story will inspire other young people to consider a career in horticulture – there are so many opportunities out there.”

Mark Diggines, Regional Apprentice Manager for The Garden Centre Group, said, “We are absolutely delighted that Jade has won this award.

“In the eighteen months since Jade started the apprenticeship at Sudbury Garden Centre she has developed into an integral member of the team. She has worked across all aspects of the Garden Centre, demonstrating her adaptability for the centre and its needs.”

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Warwickshire College news

Spring 14

Jan wins major award at prestigious furniture crafts exhibition Jan Waterston, who studied furniture crafts at Warwickshire College, won the prestigious Alan Peters Award for Excellence at the Cheltenham Celebration of Craftsmanship and Design.

Jan’s entry into the competition, a cabinet called “By Nickel and Space”, formed part of his portfolio of work at the college. The judges commented: “The piece exhibits crisp and tight craftsmanship and attention to detail and it was agreed that this is an exceptional piece for a young maker, showing a real feel for design – making a piece Alan Peters himself would have been impressed with.”

Jan was also one of only two exhibitors to be awarded “Highly Commended” for his cabinet from The Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers – a great achievement considering he was up against some of the best professional furniture makers in the country.

Jan said: “I’m absolutely delighted to win the Alan Peters Award – I know how important he was in the furniture industry, so it’s a real honour and inspiration. It was a real privilege to have the opportunity to exhibit at the event, see the other exhibitors work and network with them. I want to thank everyone at Warwickshire College for their support over the past two years.”

Jan is now at Rycotewood Furniture Centre continuing his studies at degree level. His tutor, Jamie Ward, said: “We are very proud of all that Jan has achieved – his success is well-deserved and down to his incredible hard work and dedication. We wish him every success for his future as a furniture maker.”

Hanna’s inspiring success story wins at royal awards ceremony Hanna De Angeli, who turned her life around with help from The Prince’s Trust programme at Warwickshire College, has been honoured at the youth charity’s annual ceremony, winning the Samsung Young Achiever of the Year Award.

Warwickshire College, which builds the skills and confidence of unemployed young people, and is now training to become a paramedic.

Hanna said: “I’m really delighted to have won the award. There were times when I thought I’d never achieve my dreams but The Prince’s Trust Team programme helped me to see things differently and gain the experience I needed to move forward. I’ve got so much to look forward to and I’m proud of how far I’ve come.”

Four years in hospital impacted heavily on Hanna’s childhood and education. When she left hospital she had very little confidence and felt alienated from her peers. She joined The Prince’s Trust Team programme at

Andy Griffiths, Managing Director, Samsung Electronics UK & Ireland, said: “Huge congratulations to Hanna for proving that it is possible to succeed against all the odds. I would like to congratulate her on behalf of all at Samsung for winning this prestigious award.”

Clare Smith, Prince’s Trust Team Leader at Warwickshire College said, “We are absolutely delighted that Hanna has won this award – it is an amazing achievement. Her story is inspirational and shows what can be achieved by hard work, passion and dedication, and it’s wonderful to hear that her experience with the Prince’s Trust helped her on her journey.”

Success at the Coventry Apprenticeship Awards Warwickshire College apprentices dominated the Coventry Freemen’s Guild Apprenticeship Awards with engineering apprentice Georgina Oag picking up the Apprentice of the Year title.

Georgina has completed a level 3 BTEC in engineering with distinctions in all subjects and is currently working towards a level 4 HNC in general engineering with the Manufacturing Technology Centre in Ansty.

The Endeavour Award was won by Jaguar Land Rover apprentice Daniel Harvey with apparel apprentice Roisin McCloskey and engineering apprentice Matthew Foster also making their mark as finalists in the awards.

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Warwickshire College news

Spring 14

Students mean business Champion eventer visits college

Taylor’s artwork takes the top prize

Equine degree students at Warwickshire College pulled off a coup by securing champion eventer Laura Collett to give a lecture and demonstration at the college.

A Warwickshire College student’s artwork was chosen by a local design agency to feature on their Christmas card.

As a Gazelle college, Warwickshire College encourages students to be entrepreneurial and to gain ‘real world’ experience, so as part of their course, the college’s first year degree students organised and promoted the entire event.

Taylor Brooker, a Higher Education Visual Communication student from the college’s Leamington centre, won a commission from Vital in Leamington Spa to design their Christmas ‘card’ for their clients. The card is actually an envelope which can be used to recycle Christmas cards after the festive period.

Craig Spivey, Executive Creative Director of Vital is currently an industry advisor for the course, and selected the winning entry with his colleagues. He said “We really liked Taylor’s left field take on our ‘something Christmassy and tree-themed brief’. We were delighted to present her with £200 and look forward to welcoming her to the agency next year for a paid work placement.”

Festive Floristry for Moreton Morrell church A team of students from Warwickshire College’s floristry course decorated The Church of the Holy Cross in Moreton Morrell for the festive season.

Taylor, who is from Banbury, said, “I am so pleased that Vital chose my design – it was quite a difficult brief but I really enjoyed the challenge. I’m going to put the money towards buying a car, but the best bit is the work placement at the agency, which will be a great experience and fantastic for my CV.” Jesse Lyons, HE Visual Communication course leader said “We’d really like to thank Vital for giving this project to our students.

As a Gazelle college, our students are encouraged to take on ‘real-life’ projects to enhance their employability skills at the same time as gaining their qualification so this was a great opportunity. We’re really proud of Taylor and her achievements.”

The project was an assessed piece which counts towards the students’ qualification.

The six students created a variety of floral decorations, including the feature archway, wreath, screen, window displays and topiary trees, all featuring silver birch twigs and leaves.

The vicar, John Parker, said “Congratulations and many thanks to all the students for their creativity and hard work in completing this project.”

Construction students get hands-on experience Currently undertaking a multi-million pound refurbishment scheme at the college’s Leamington centre, Speller Metcalfe and course leaders have been taking construction trainees on regular site tours of a live site to gain some real-life experience and help them progress into apprenticeships.

Students clean-up for charity Vehicle Maintenance students at Trident presented Cancer Research UK with a cheque for £280 after raising money during Global Entrepreneurship Week.

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The students ran a car valet and minor dent service undertaking all the business roles including organising resources, costing and customer service as well as the practical elements of valeting and repair.

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Warwickshire College news

Spring 14

Q&A Student presentation is a hit at health Jaymee Powell, 17, from Southam, was one of the students who worked on the conference project. She said, “I’d never done anything like this before, so it was quite a hard project Visual Communication students at Warwickshire College’s Leamington centre worked with the local NHS and stroke patients to produce a memorable and moving presentation for a local health conference.

The BTEC Visual Communications students worked with patients at Warwick Hospital, the Feldon Rehab centre, and with patients in their own homes. Through this, they were able to portray the pathway that the stroke patients follow - from acute care, to rehab, to returning home.

but I really enjoyed it – it will be a great addition to my portfolio. I especially enjoyed listening to Elizabeth’s story – it was very inspirational.”

Jane Murray, Head of Photography, added, “This is a really brilliant example of collaboration between the NHS and the college, with both organisations benefiting.

We know our students can’t learn everything in the classroom, that’s why learning on a ‘live’ job like this is so valuable for their future career prospects. We’re really proud of what they have achieved.”

Catherine’s got it covered When local author Tony Beck was looking for a special cover design for his new children’s book, he turned to Warwickshire College’s Visual Communications students for help.

Students and staff have adopted the CRY charity (Cardiac Risk in the Young) following the sudden death of Adam Middleton, a fitness student, who died in 2011 from a cardiac arrest. 200 students and local people were screened by CRY at the event in February.

Students at our Henley-in-Arden centre raised over £900 to help put on a heart screening event at the college.

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Warwickshire College Enterprise Co-ordinator Antony Adams met up with local businessman and entrepreneur Denys Shortt OBE. Since starting in 1994 Denys has sold over £1.5 billion with his companies DCS, Enable Software and DealTrack, creating hundreds of jobs in the region.

Q: What does your average work day consist of?

A: I usually get up at 6.30am and aim to be at the office by 8am. I look at yesterday’s sales reports, the stocks and the targets we have set for the month - I also get a daily cashflow report. Cashflow is king in any business and with sales as high as DCS gets it is vital that everything is in balance. Then the rest of the day is often taken up by meeting with suppliers and customers. I get quite a few entrepreneurs coming to see me for mentoring and to discuss their business ideas. I also help run a local group called Stratford Vision and there is always something locally I am involved in.

Q: Where does your philosophy come from?

A: Too many of us set ourselves low targets and ones that are easy to achieve. I believe if you set yourself a high target you might just reach it. If you believe you can do something and you really go for it you just might get there. Sometimes you have to be a little cheeky to get something, you always have to be determined, and you must focus on your target with a laser-like focus.

Thus….. what you believe ... you create.

Q: What advice would you offer young entrepreneurs?

Catherine Thomson’s design for The Quest of Millie Blackbeard fitted Tony’s brief perfectly – he said, “All the designs were great so it was a difficult choice – the students are so talented and creative. I finally chose Catherine’s because it was my granddaughter’s favourite!”

Students get screened in memory of Adam

with Denys Shortt entrepreneur

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A: Being an entrepreneur is the best career choice you can make. You will never regret it. Being your own boss, the master of your own destiny, has to be the most satisfying thing you can do. Following your passion is not something everyone can do, unless you are an entrepreneur. You can set your targets and go for them.

Q: What qualities do you look for in a candidate A: I am looking for people who have gone out there and done things. People who lead local groups, people who do a sport - people who are involved.

Are you tech savvy? Computer skills are of high importance, as is social networking. What does your social profile say about you? This is very important.

Use contacts. Make connections. Visit companies.

Do not be afraid of using friends and family to make business contacts and get some work experience.

Your CV is everything and it starts at age 12!

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Warwickshire College news

Spring 14

News round-up...

Farriers flock to Moreton Morrell Over 150 Approved Training Farriers visited the college’s Moreton Morrell centre for a training day to support them in training the next generation of farriers.

Warwickshire College is one of only three training providers for apprenticeships in farriery, and the event included workshops on safeguarding, health and safety, workplace welfare and a special workshop with world champion farrier, Grant Moon.

An enterprising appointment Marla Nelson has joined Warwickshire College as Director of Enterprise and Entrepreneurship.

Marla, who grew up in Warwickshire, brings a wealth of experience from previous roles within the enterprise arena, where she specialised in economic regeneration. As an entrepreneur herself, Marla is also listed in the “One World Action” Top 100 Women: The Unseen Powerful Women Who Change The World (Business & Entrepreneur Category).

Skills Show success Over 90,000 young people attended The Skills Show at the NEC with many trying out the activities on the Warwickshire College stands including 3D design, virtual reality Oculus Rift goggles, bandaging Jerry the dog, putting together a JLR brake system, nail art, glitter tattoos and photography.

And if that wasn’t enough, they could experience the spectacular jungle scene on the Gazelle stand, created by Josh Egan-Wyer and students and staff from Pershore. The theme was “I’m a budding entrepreneur, get me into a Gazelle college!”

She says, “I’m passionate about creating the conditions and opportunities for young people to become dynamic and innovative business leaders of the future; whether they become their own boss, or are working for somebody else.”

‘Botany Geek’ visits Pershore Pershore College was packed to see a talk from BBC presenter James Wong about why horticulture can be one of the most dynamic, creative & rewarding industries to work in.

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Students meet shadow cabinet members on college visit Warwickshire College students met Shadow Secretary of State for Education, Tristram Hunt MP and Shadow Education Minister Rushanara Ali MP. Deputy Principal, John Rees, took the guests to meet A Level chemistry and 3D design students at the college’s Leamington centre, before touring the Trident, Warwick centre which specialises in engineering and motor vehicle. Following the tour, Mr Hunt and Ms Ali also met with a group of Jaguar Land Rover advanced and higher apprentices.

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Warwickshire College news

Spring 14

Graduation for college students is a day to remember 200 proud Warwickshire College graduates received their higher education awards at a special graduation ceremony in Leamington Spa. From equine students to engineers, counsellors to computing, the graduands received their gowns, hats and multicoloured hoods at the Town Hall before moving with family and friends to their graduation ceremony at the Royal Spa Centre.

The students achieved a range of qualifications including Honours degrees, Foundation degrees, HNDs and HNCs, in subjects as diverse as veterinary nursing, equine science, counselling, mechanical engineering, digital film and video, early years and events management.

Guest of honour and speaker at the event was Ruth Amos, founder of StairSteady and former Young Engineer for Britain. Ruth is a Gazelle entrepreneur, which means she works with the leaders, tutors and students of the Gazelle Colleges Group, of which Warwickshire College is a founding member, to better connect education with entrepreneurship and help to ensure that students are equipped and prepared with a confident, ambitious, can-do attitude for success in employment. After giving an inspirational speech, Ruth presented the graduands with their certificates alongside Warwickshire College Principal and CEO, Mariane Cavalli.

Ann Cotterill, Director of Higher Education at Warwickshire College, said: “Graduation Day is my favourite day in the calendar. It is very special for me and my colleagues to be able to share this celebration with our graduands and their friends and family. It is very rewarding to see the celebration of friendship and the relationships that our students have built up over the years – for many it is the last time that they will be together.

“We wish our students all the best for the future in whatever career they choose. With a qualification from Warwickshire College they will be a real success.”

This story is continued on the back page...

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Warwickshire College news

Spring 14

James Goodwin, 21, from Rugby was collecting his HNC in General Engineering which he achieved while working as a trainee engineer at Innolas UK. “I’d studied for my BTEC in Engineering at Warwickshire College in Rugby, so it was great to come back to do my Higher National Certificate. It’s all thanks to my employers at Innolas UK who put me forward to do the HNC on day-release. I’m really happy today.”

Megan Turner, 22 from Luton, achieved a BA (Hons) in Equine Business Management at Warwickshire College’s Moreton Morrell centre. She said, “Today is a really exciting day for me. I had decided I wasn’t going to go to university, but after attending an open day at Moreton Morrell, I changed my mind – it felt like home! I’ve now got a job with a medical sales company, and my degree has definitely helped in getting that job.”

Jamie McKinnon, 22 from Coventry, was celebrating gaining a first in his BA (Hons) Business, Strategy and Management and gave the vote of thanks at the ceremony on behalf of all the graduands. Jamie, who works as a buyer at Aston Martin, studied part-time for his degree, and said, “It was a real honour to be on the stage today representing all the students - everyone has worked so hard, often juggling work with study. It’s a really proud day, but also a relief!”

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