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SMILE and E-FEAR Come to an End The ANIC Smile and E-Fear projects have now drawn to a close. For information on Smile click here and for the E-Fear project click here. Irish Bioenergy Association Visit East Down Institute Members of the Irish Bioenergy association held a meeting at the East Down Institute's Downpatrick campus recently to discuss the rapid developments of the sector as oil prices and global warming concerns increase further. The overall aim of the Irish Bioenergy Association is to promote biomass as an environmentally, economically and socially sustainable indigenous energy resource, and also to promote its non-energy related benefits. Thus the association is involved in the promotion of policy development of in areas relating to wood heating (wood chip and pellet), the generation of electricity and heat from the anaerobic breakdown of waste, and the production of liquid fuels from agricultural crops.
On Tuesday 26th September, a celebration to mark the European Day of Languages was held in the main hall at North Down and Ards Institute's Bangor Campus. The Global Village Festival was funded by Amicus the Union and in partnership with the Ulster Community & Hospitals Trust, Worldwide Women, North Down & Ards Institute and North Down Borough Council.
Knott's of Newtownards, a successful family owned business, gained recognition for their ongoing contribution to staff training after recently being awarded the SMILE Project Perpetual Award at the North Down & Ards Institute (NDAI) Graduation ceremony held in the Waterfront Hall, Belfast . From a total of almost 300 companies trained through the Business Support Unit at NDAI, Knott's Bakery were selected to receive the Award – for Best Contribution to Staff Training, as part of the NDAI Graduation Ceremony on the 4 th September. Some of Knotts' success can be attributed to the organisation understanding the importance of investing in staff training which improves customer care skills, and ultimately leads to a high quality service. The SMILE (Small & Medium Innovative Learning Enterprises) Project at NDAI initially made contact with the business over a year ago, and since then Knott's have undergone bespoke customer service training for the management team, and front of house counter staff. The company has also invested in team building training allowing the company to improve overall efficiency by adopting a more structured approach to staff management. The NDAI Business Support Unit worked alongside Knott's Bakery to identify specific training needs, and provide tailored solutions allowing the company more flexibility than traditional training options.
Two students at the North East Institute's Business studies Department have been congratulated for their achievements in gaining top marks in the Competitive Business Environment AVCE. Both Roisin O'Neill and Richard Gregg both scored an incredible 100 per cent in this national examination. In a further celebration Roisin also gained 100 per cent also in her Business Law AVCE.
North East Institute, Causeway and East Antrim Institutes have successfully been awarded the Northern Health & Social Services Board (NHSSB) ICT training contract. Working in partnership was one of the keys to the success of the tender and it demonstrates that businesses and organisations recognise the quality provision, expertise and support provided by the FE sector in meeting and solving their specific training needs. In a series of planned training sessions based over a thirty week period, seventy NHSSB staff from Antrim, Ballymena, Cullybackey, Maghera, Magherafelt and Portglenone, will benefit from ECDL (European Computer Driving Licence) at the North East Institute. Staff including GP's and Health Centre employees will benefit from the training which will ensure that they have the latest up-to-date IT skills. Training will also be provided by NEI's partners in their own areas at Whiteabbey, Newtownabbey , Carrickfergus, Coleraine and Ballymoney. Staff and students from the Performing Arts section of North West Institute organised a Coffee Morning at NWIFHE's Drama Theatre recently, in an effort to raise funds and awareness for Cancer Research. Sticky Buns and large mugs of coffee were the order of the day, and the event was open to the general public as well as NWIFHE staff and students. This fun event formed part of the World's Largest Coffee Morning, organised by Cancer Research throughout the United Kingdom .
Basketball legend Magic Johnson once said; “Ask not what your team-mates can do for you. Ask what you can do for your team-mates”. Never a truer word spoken – and it is this kind of sportsmanship that Upper Bann Institute Sports Students will be taught through the newly opened Coaching Academy at the Kitchen Hill premises. The Sports Coaching Academy is being run by Upper Bann Institute in associate with The Southern Sports Partnership and it aims to deliver a quality programme of certified sports specific training courses for young people aged 16 and over. 15 sports related units in total will be covered including; how to coach sports safely; child protection; and sports first aid. Once students have completed the units through the Academy they will be fully qualified and recognised sports coaches. Upper Bann Institute is heavily committed to the development of their sports facilities and courses – in fact this year sees the first intake of students on the HND Sport and Leisure Management. In order to ensure that their sports students have all the necessary equipment needed to complete their course, UBI are investing in the development of an exercise testing centre and fitness training resource on their Lurgan campus.
Mr Bill Gatt, art lecturer at Armagh College, will be displaying his exhibition entitled ‘The Championship' in the Emer Gallery in Belfast on September 28th. The show is a collection of gaelic football paintings by Bill.
Former Armagh College student, Chloe Walkingshaw, was awarded the Junior Girl Sports Personality of the Year Award at a recent gala ceremony hosted by Craigavon Borough Council. Armagh College launched Ireland 's only Volleyball Academy in September 2003. It combines full time education with a training package, which allows the students to play the sport they love at an excellent standard, whilst gaining academic qualifications.
Majella Gregory, former student of Armagh College has been selected by Axios Systems as one of the top female Information and Communication Technology students in England , Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland. The Axios 'A' Star Awards were launched in 2001 to address the gender imbalance in the IT industry and encourage young women to pursue a career in IT.
At the recent Jobscene employment fair, Belfast Institute proved themselves ahead of the game by winning the award for most innovative stand. Throughout the course of the two days, visitors to the stand were treated to a varied array of music by some of the students from the college's music department. The young musicians proved to be a very popular draw for the college and the event provided an excellent showcase for the talented musicians.
Family Learning Week is a national campaign that will run from 7 – 15 October 2006 to raise awareness of the importance and scope of family learning. The Department for Employment and Learning has launched a new helpline number to help people with literacy and numeracy difficulties. By dialing 0800 660800, individuals can speak to an adviser seven days a week about the free literacy and numeracy courses which best suits their needs and to discuss any fears or concerns they may have. People can also text “Press” to 60900 to receive details of available essential skills courses.
Carry On Regardless with NICVA
The Network Publishing Northern Ireland Conference will take place on 29 November 2006 at the Comfort Hotel, Antrim from 10.00am to 3.30pm. This free event will enable you to find out more about flexible learning as a training solution for Northern Ireland . There will also be a chance to meet with college practitioners who are currently delivering Network Publishing programmes, as well as representatives from CCEA and NCFE. The event will provide information on funding and delivery of flexible learning programmes, along with presentations from ANIC about employers' views and flexible learning from an FE sector perspective. There will also be an opportunity to view a wide range of flexible learning materials and to participate in discussion regarding the current need to up-skill the workforce within Northern Ireland. To book contact Claire Knaggs on 01904 550110 or e-mail claire.knaggs@tribalgroup.co.uk
Opportunity Europe highlights Northern Ireland 's European links to help you find out about working, studying, volunteering and travelling in Europe . This free fair and exhibition will be held in St. George's Market on the 3 rd -4 th October from 10am-4pm. You can also find out how languages can enhance your life - for work and for leisure. This unique event will bring a taste of Europe to Belfast with food, music, dance, language tasters and useful information. For workshop bookings contact the British Council on 028 9024 8220 ext 248; for general enquiries contact the Belfast City Council European Unit on 028 9027 From 2 – 9 October Channel 4's IDEAS FACTORY and Belfast City Council are offering a series of free masterclasses for those passionate to develop a career in the creative industries. From TV Presenting to TV Documentary-Making, Games Production, Graphic Design, Print and Online Journalism and Radio, the week will combine seminars on specific roles within the industry, paths to jobs and funding options, and insider tips from top industry professionals. For further information contact Maud Hand mhand@channel4.co.uk Mobile : 07968 082 673; Landline: 020 7306 5590.
Children in Northern Ireland (CiNI) is setting up a Participation Portal through its website to assist in the development of children and young people's participation in Northern Ireland . Click here to find out more about participation and the other services it provides. The aim of the CiNI website and E-brief is to meet child policy information needs and CiNI welcomes any feedback on the service. Please send your comments to robyn@ci-ni.org.uk
British Council is looking for applicants to take part in the CEDEFOP Study Visits programme in the first half of 2007. There are 31 visits to choose from focusing on various vocational education and training topics including “Developing entrepreneurship among young people”, “Competence development of older workers” and “Needs of low-skilled and disadvantaged groups”. Study Visits are open to anyone working in the field of vocational training and for further information on CEDEFOP and the application process, contact Andrea Duenschede on Tel: 020 7389 4340 or click here. If you have anything you would like included in the FE Zine,
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