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• ANIC Activities Industrial Action in Colleges of Further and Higher Education Commenting on the latest industrial action by FE college lecturers, John D'Arcy, Chief Executive of the Association of Northern Ireland Colleges said: “College employers continue to impress upon government the need for an immediate resolution to address the current industrial action by FE lecturers. College employers remain committed to the improvement of pay for lecturers, which has been agreed by the employers and unions.” The final meeting of the NICIS Project Board was held recently which officially brought the implementation of the project to a close. The draw was made for the portable DVD player, sponsored by BT, for all responses to the quality questionnaire and it was won by Ruth Forrester, Curriculum Manager from Castlereagh College . Institution of Civil Engineers Visits North West Institute David Orr, Vice President of Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), visited North West Institute recently to outline details of proposed roads schemes for the Northwest of Northern Ireland. Interest and proposed investment has never been so high in the region with many proposals in the pipeline and a number of schemes under consideration. The event was one of a number of events planned to take place at North West Institute over the coming months through its Centre of Excellence in Civil Engineering and the Built Environment.
North West Institute has launched details of its Inaugural Rugby Schools Cup. The competition, which provides a level of competition currently lacking in the North West , will see Schools and Colleges taking part in a Premier Division and First Division at Under 18 level.
Renowned artist Lesley Wendyl recently visited the Lurgan campus of UBI to speak to students in the Art and Design disciplines about the current project she is undertaking at the Lough Neagh Discovery Centre in Craigavon. Lesley is known for her large scale constructions principally using branches and twigs. Lesley's current project sees her developing large scale artistic pieces for the Lough Neagh Discovery Centre. As well as explaining the complexities of the project to students, she was also asking for volunteers to get involved in helping her create her masterpieces. A number of students from the various art and design specialities were extremely keen and have signed up to assist this celebrated artist.
Upper Bann Institute's catering department has reason to celebrate following the results of the NVQ Level 2 Catering students at the Portadown Campus who have yet again excelled with a class pass rate of 100%. NVQ's in catering are an excellent means of gaining the skills necessary for the industry and the teaching at UBI is exemplary, reflected in the high pass rate of the learners in this particular class. NVQ Level 3 student Darryl Russell says of the course; “I chose to complete the NVQ Level 3 because it means that I will have a much better chance of securing employment. It also means I won't have to start at the bottom peeling potatoes – I get to start working as an actual Chef.”
A world wide day of remembrance for road crash victims was held on Sunday 19 th November. As part of the Driving Kills Campaign, Upper Bann Institute lecturer and founder of the campaign Ursula Quinn would like to remind everyone that this is the day when people throughout the world remember the many millions killed and injured in road crashes. Ursula who recently walked from Lurgan to Portlaiose to raise awareness of the Hidden Victims of Road Death has personally experienced the tragic loss that comes through road death as her daughter Shauna was killed in September 2002 in a road traffic accident in Portlaiose. Ursula set up the Driving Kills Campaign to highlight the lifelong pain and suffering caused by daily road carnage and to raise funds which will be used to promote public awareness and help provide counselling for the bereaved. During the walk, Ursula received support from such celebrities as James Nesbitt, Barry McGuigan and Majella O'Donnell, wife of Daniel O'Donnell. The campaign has also seen some large business names come on board, most recently the Northern Ireland Post Office. The World Day of Remembrance is about remembering both those who we have tragically lost their lives on the roads and their loved ones who have been left behind. People are asked to place a poster at the spot on the road at which they lost of someone to remind others driving on the roads of the dangers of getting behind the wheel. Posters can be obtained from sub post offices across the province. For more information on the Driving Kills campaign click here.
Armagh College recently joined forces with other economic providers in the City and District to celebrate Enterprise Week. The purpose of the event was to provide businesses with the opportunity to learn of all the services available to them in order to improve their business. Sharon Williamson , Business Development Manager at the College presented on economic development and the promotion of the recently developed Edge Programme.
Students and staff from Armagh College recently featured on UTV's L8 and Live current affairs programme. The topic of the programme was promoting road safety among youth. The college wanted to inform the public that over the last two years the college has aimed to raise awareness through the educative process and enrichment programme. The ‘Right to Drive Right to Life Campaign' focuses on promoting road safety across the Further Education sector. The programme focused on the partnership between the College, the PSNI, AXA insurance and the SELB in providing students with a range of enrichment programmes including, driving lessons, Preparation for Driving and road shows. Feedback from the UTV is that the programme had a huge response and it is clearly something that still needs further coverage in order to ensure young drivers are aware of the how to be safe on the roads. Armagh College students raised money for Children in Need through a series of activities throughout the day on Friday. Nathan Woods and Steven Graham, both sports student, were among the bravest of fund raisers by volunteering to have their legs waxed in order to raise money. Michael McCormick an ICT student and Jenna Marshall, a sports student, volunteered to have their heads coloured and shaved to create pink Mohicans for this worthy cause. Thirty students had also organised a table quiz which took place during the live linkup in Armagh .
The Minister for the Department for Learning and Employment, Maria Eagle MP, recently launched the innovative ‘Homework Rules' project at the Belfast Institute. ‘Homework Rules' is an internet site that has been developed by ‘mallni', a specialised unit within the Belfast Institute that develops, writes, designs and produces rich media Broadband content and which is dedicated to the regeneration of the creative sector in Northern Ireland. The launch of the site is part of the Government's Renewing Communities drive and has been developed as a direct result of parents' request for assistance with their children's mathematics homework. Research has identified that the project should primarily target parents living within the Greater Shankill wards of Belfast and therefore ‘Homework Rules' will be piloted initially in this area.
Belfast Institute has announced when it will be holding its Information Days for 2007. The Royal Navy Visits Castlereagh College The Royal Navy visited Castlereagh College on Tuesday 14 November, arriving in a Sea King Helicopter at 9:30am. They touched down on the playing fields to a huge gathering of college staff and students.
The newly refurbished and extended Learning Resources Centre at Castlereagh College was officially launched on Monday 13 November 2006 at 10am. Tom Redmond, Head of Estates for Further Education Estates Branch, was the guest speaker at the event. Muriel Shankey, Principal and Chief Executive, officially opened the extended LRC. East Down Institute Excels in Leadership Five senior and middle managers from East Down Institute have completed the Leaders as Coaches Award with the Centre for Excellence in Leadership. The course which was delivered over nine months has helped to develop the managers' coaching skills. Using a solutions-focused model, the course participants practiced coaching under CEL supervision, received coaching to take forward personal work goals and have seen improvements in performance as a result of their use of coaching principles. The practical approach offered by the programme has been commended by the participants, who now look forward to extending this process throughout the Institute.
Two students from East Down Institute received prizes at the recent Down District Council Young Achiever Awards. The awards sponsored by Invest NI, Down Business Centre and East Down Institute were aimed at recognising individuals who have demonstrated the entrepreneurial spirit and determination required to achieve success. Catherine Rice who is studying OCR Administration at the Institute achieved the award for ‘Most Promising Enterprise Student'. Brian Cleland from BMC Motors received the ‘Most Promising New Business' award after completing the CCEA Certificate in Business Enterprise.
The Institute has been working closely with local businesses in the provision of Essential Skills programmes for migrant workers. One of these businesses is The Hastings Slieve Donard Hotel Newcastle where 27 polish students have studied at two levels for OCR qualifications. The Hastings group has fully supported the training by releasing staff during working hours.
Nicole Hurson, a second year hairdressing student at East Tyrone College, has been awarded second place for the best overall student performance at the Northern Ireland Championships for Hairdressing.
East Tyrone College 's Business Innovation Centre recently exhibited its range of business and innovation support services at a local conference designed to inspire ‘Fresh Thinking'. The aim of the conference, which was attended by over 140 delegates, was to provide practical case studies which would help local firms realise how they could improve existing products, services or processes. The conference also included a series of workshops on marketing, manufacturing and e-business. ‘Fresh Thinking' formed part of the Enterprise Week initiative which is a UK wide series of events specifically designed to inspire people to be more enterprising and start or improve their business.
Christopher Hobson, an engineering student at the college has been crowned Junior World Cup Champion in the 'Surf Kayak World Cup Championships' which took place at the end of October in Peniche, Western Portugal.
Chris Malseed who completed the National Diploma in Sports and Exercise Science at Limavady College in June 2006, has recently been signed to play for Stirling Albion based in Forthbank, Stirling . Chris who is currently undertaking a BA Hons in Sports Psychology at Napier University in Edinburgh was team captain for the Limavady College soccer team which won the Universities & Colleges league last year. Chris who also played for Finn Harps in the Eircom League, was looking for an opportunity to continue playing football when he progressed to University and is now hoping to be a part of Albion's push for promotion this season.
‘Skills for Nails' came to Newry Institute on 13th November 2006. This was the first of a series of four events throughout the UK over the next six months. Working together, City & Guilds, Habia, Scratch Magazine and Newry Institute hosted an event which highlighted how to raise the standards of training in this area and encouraging people to think about a career in Nails. New 'Flexi' Learning at Newry Institute Newry Institute is now offering new, innovative 'flexi' courses. Flexi courses offer you more choice in where and when you do your learning and reduced attendance requirements at the Institute. The Students' Union at North Down and Ards Institute will be raising money for Children in Need on Wednesday 22 nd November by holding a Pyjama Day. Students will also hold a raffle on the day for the charity.
Belfast born, Donaghadee based composer, Brian Irvine has been short-listed for a British Composer Award for his opera The Tailor's Daughter . Brian is also the Performing Artist in Association at the North Down and Ards Institute in Bangor, whose music department he helped to set up 13 years ago. NEI Hosts Information Evening as part of Anti-Racism Week
The North East Institute is hoping that hairdressing student Simon Houston will demonstrate that he is a cut above the rest in a forthcoming hairdressing competition. Simon who studied hairdressing at NEI will be joining professionals such as Trevor Sorbie, Anthony Mascolo, John Frieda, Andrew Collinge, Nicky Clarke, Charles Worthington and current 2005 Champion Lisa Sherpard, when he takes his place at the 22 nd British Hairdresser of the Year Awards at The Grosvenor House Hotel, London on the 27 th of November. So strong is Simon's regard for his past tutors that he has invited two of them to join him at this star studded event. Julie McKernan and Deirdre Dean will travel with Simon and both agree that this is an excellent opportunity for them to bring back new techniques and future styles to the classrooms at NEI as well as supporting Simon at this prestigious competition.
A very special presentation ceremony took place at the North East Institute Magherafelt Campus to commend students who have participated in the Jobskills Access 1, 19+ programmes, Residential trips and other part-time programmes such as Essential Skills. Over a hundred and fifty guests attended the awards evening in recognition of the students who have a range of learning difficulties to celebrate their achievements. The special guest on the night was BBC Radio Ulster 's Hugo Duncan.
In order to help potential applicants with the application process for the National Training Awards, a number of free information seminars will be held during November 2006.
Click here to register.
St. Mary's University College, Belfast will be holding its second national literacy conference on Friday 1st December 2006. This exciting event is entitled 'Creating Writers'. The programme includes a range of speakers including Eve Bearne, Cambridge Univeristy; Carlo Gebler, award-winning author, film maker, producer; Trinka Messinheimer, Bowling Green State University , Ohio , USA ; David Park, renowned author. For details and information contact Donna Murray on d.murray@stmarys-belfast.ac.uk
NIACE will be holding a one day event on adult pre-entry curriculum framework training for literacy and numeracy. Building on the success of the one-day adult pre-entry Curriculum Framework courses delivered so far during 2006 and in response to continued demand, NIACE is pleased to notify that the offer of training is now being extended to Northern Ireland and will take place in Belfast 30 January 2007. The event aims to assist those whose teaching involves supporting learners at pre-entry level with their communication, literacy and numeracy skills in any post-16 context. To reserve a place and to view the programme for the event click here.
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 FE Colleges to Get Degree Awarding Powers Further education colleges are to be awarded powers to issue their own degrees for the first time, it was announced in the Queen's speech last week. The move breaks the universities' monopoly on degree awarding powers and the privy council is to have the discretion to allow colleges to devise and award their own foundation degrees. Universities and higher education institutions will continue to hold the reins in awarding full honours degrees. According to recent UCAS statistics, the number of undergraduates embarking on traditional honours degrees showed a decline this year, while the number signing up for foundation degrees rose by nearly 17% to 14,300. The gulf between the number doing the classic three-year degree and those taking the two-year variety is predicted to narrow over the next few years. At a time when more people are being encouraged to go to university and more students are considering staying local rather than leaving home, often for economic reasons, the prospect of doing a degree at the college on the doorstep will have considerable appeal.
Get young people involved in creative thematic projects! New grants are available for joint thematic activities in all curriculum areas, with or without a language element. Project themes are flexible and the fund is designed to encourage young people to explore topics of their choice in an international context. Grants cover project resources, joint activities and reciprocal partner visits. Call for Grundtvig 3 Professional Development Proposals The British Council is calling for applications, particularly from Northern Ireland, for Grundtvig 3 opportunities (Professional Development). The programme offers a grant of up to 1,500 Euro to adult educators to go on professional development courses, conferences, work shadowing/study visits of between two days and four weeks in duration. This grant generally covers all the costs involved (travel, subsistence, course fee – where relevant – preparation costs, etc). The average length of activity chosen tends to be five-six days. Potential applicants should contact Bridgette Laws email
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.
The Cinemagic Festival 2006 will take place this year from 17th November to 3rd December. To view the programme click here. If you have anything you would like included in the FE Zine,
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