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Issue 85 • FE Means Business Update Moving Forward Newsletter The latest edition of the Moving Forward Newsletter on the Further Education Means Business programme is now available online. ANIC Equality Newsletter The latest edition of the ANIC Equality News is now available online. North East Institute Hosts BBC ‘Health Minds' Campaign Students, staff and the local community congregated at the Antrim Campus of the North East Institute and joined in the BBC Northern Ireland's ‘Healthy Minds' campaign in a live broadcast. The Alan Simpson show proved to be an outstanding success and a variety of activities provided by partnerships were on offer during the event. They included some healthy food cookery demonstrations, complementary therapies, exercise classes, stress management, life coaching sessions and reading and writing workshops. The Institute has close links with the Health Promotion Agency, members of which sit on its Health Promotion Working Group. This allows the Institute to tap into sector-wide health initiatives. Sessions on stress management have been delivered to staff by Action Mental Health, and this academic year has seen the delivery of a staff and student awareness raising programme on Mental Health by the Learning Support Unit, as part of the Institute's Mental Health Policy.
Upper Bann Institute held a series of highly successful open days over three consecutive Wednesdays in March. The first occurred on the Banbridge campus, the second on Lurgan campus and the final open day was at the Portadown Campus. Each open day was attended by many local school goers, their parents and friends and footfall was reported as 'the best ever'.
Well known TV personality Julian Simmons was welcomed to Upper Bann Institute's Banbridge Campus recently by Anne Cromie Head of Faculty, Cate Toman Campus Co-ordinator and Lecturers Lynne Swain and Colette Doherty. He was accompanied by Doreen McKenzie, Proprietor of Knock Travel, Belfast . Although Julian is best known as a continuity announcer for UTV, he is also well known in travel circles given that he started his career with Air Canada before moving to British Airways.
Armagh College ‘A' Level student Sinead O'Sullivan is reaping the rewards of her hard work and determination as she heads to one of Europe 's leading chemical manufacturing plants for a year in industry. Sinead who is studying Maths, Physics, French and Law will be travelling to Liverpool in September to commence her placement with INEOS Chlor. INEOS Chlor, part of the INEOS network of companies, is one of the major chlor-alkali producers in Europe and a global leader in chlorine derivatives. Their position as an industry leader is built on their ability to recognise trends and opportunities in world market demands and to respond to and exceed their customers' needs. Sinead will also be utilising her French language with a six month contract in the French INEOS Chlor plant.
Armagh College students attended a workshop to raise awareness of slavery and the bicentenary of its abolition. This topic which is incorporated into the college curriculum through the Good Relations Programme was facilitated by Trademark. The Good Relations Programme at the College is designed to deal with highly complex and sensitive issues (e.g. racism, sectarianism, homophobia etc) in a safe environment. It encourages participants to critically reflect upon and challenge their own prejudices and stereotypes. Armagh College was the first further education college in Northern Ireland to have a nationally accredited Good Relations Curriculum which commenced in February 2005.
The last meeting for groups funded and supported by the Community Relations Council recently took place in Armagh College . The topic was on Murals and Memorials and the guest speaker was Bill Rolston from the University of Ulster . These meetings are an opportunity for European Peace funded and CRC Core funded groups to meet and share information and concerns on the topic of the day. The guest speaker gave a presentation depicting murals and memorials, highlighting their emergence, transformation and modification over the years. A discussion ensued incorporating the Re-Imaging Programme (funded through the Shared Services Communities Consortium) that is currently underway within Northern Ireland . Groundwork Northern Ireland is keen to support groups and provide 'Technical Assistance to Ensure the Effective Delivery of the Re-imaging Programme.' For further information contact Robert Lee at RobertLee@groundworkni.co.uk
Representatives from City & Guilds visited East Antrim Institute to film a new promotional DVD to market their Call Centre Techniques qualifications. The film crew used Newtownabbey Campus's new state-of-the-art adult training facilities as a backdrop for the film which will be used to promote City & Guilds Qualifications around the UK. East Antrim Institute has been a key training provider for local companies wishing to improve their employee's Contact Centre Skills and has won a number of awards for its bespoke training programmes for business. EAI Students Visit Stormont Students on East Antrim Institute's ‘Route 2 Work' course were recently invited to Parliament Buildings at Stormont. Students learnt about the workings of the Northern Ireland Assembly and topical issues such as local election procedures and proportional representation. They also took part in a mini mock election and used the Assembly Chamber to debate whether the legal age for voting should be lowered to 16. Lecturer Sarah Dixon said, “I would like to thank everyone who made our trip possible. It was a fantastic experience for the students especially in such an historic month for the Assembly.”
East Tyrone College held their annual Information Day at their Dungannon campus on Thursday 29 th March. The event was attended by a high number of prospective students and their parents who were eager to find out about the extensive range of full-time courses on offer at the college and the three full-time courses in Performing Arts, ADAN and NVQ Level 2 Instructing Exercise and Fitness Instructing that will be new at Cookstown campus for September 2008. Throughout the event, staff were available to offer advice, information and support on all courses and future career opportunities available to students. Those in attendance also had the opportunity to view the college facilities, many of whom were impressed with the new college building which was finally completed at the end of 2006. A record number of applications were received higher than any previous Information Day held at the college indicating that the day is continuing to go from strength to strength.
UK and Ireland 's most gifted young chefs cooked up at storm at the college on Tuesday 27th March 2007 as the college played host to the
The Student Welfare/Lifestyle Day which took place on Monday 2nd April 2007 in the central hall of Dungannon campus proved to be a success! The event which was organised by the student services team was attended by a large number of students who attend the college on both a full and part-time basis.
Newry Institute's School of Hospitality and Tourism have the 'Best Junior Chef in Ireland' – Sinead Boyle is a 2nd year NVQ Level 2 Professional Cookery student and she was award this title after competing in the 3 day Catex Salon Culinaire in Dublin which attract entries from across Ireland and the UK. Sinead also won a Gold Medal and Best in Class in the Junior Chicken competition. She is a former pupil of St. Josephs, Crossmaglen and works in Garvey's Restaurant. The 11 students won a total of 18 Medals and Awards - 2 Golds, 3 Silvers, 5 Bronze, 4 Cert of Merit, 4 Best in Class. Keen cake decorator Sheila Gray won a Bronze for her celebration cake and a cert of merit for her display of sugar flowers in petal paste. Barry Smyth lecturer at Newry Institute and previously of the Michelin Star restaurant ‘The Oriel' was also a judge at the event.
Newry Institute has over 30 different nationalities currently studying there and the Chef courses have become an international ‘melting pot' for many of the students. The Institute encourages cultural diversity and this has proven to be an exceptional experience for both students and staff. The foreign students are in Newry to gain knowledge and skills in European and Irish cookery, and to help improve their English language and literacy. They are also working in the local catering industry. Hospitality & Tourism is the single biggest industry in the world and a qualification in the Chef courses at Newry Institute is now a passport to employment anywhere in the world.
Newry Institute's Business Club has almost 50 members since its launch in January and aims to grow even further. On Friday last, over 50 representatives from the local business community attended the “Standing out from the Crowd” Business Club event at Newry Institute. Guest speaker, Catherine McGinn from Mac Public Relations gave advice on how companies could stand out from their competitors, key advertising & marketing tips, how to benefit from public relations and advice on how to prepare mail shots. NDAI Students Rule the Airwaves Media students at North Down and Ards Institute once again took to the airwaves recently for their annual STAR FM radio broadcast. Covering Bangor and other parts of North Down, the students produced and presented a broad range of programmes, with music and features for all tastes. This year STAR FM was also streamed live on the internet, reaching a wider audience who requested dedications and greetings via phone, text and email. The radio stations provides the media students with real life experience of what it's like to run a radio station. Before the launch, students were busy writing, recording and editing audio packages for inclusion in their shows. Topics ranged from careers information and PSNI Drive Safe advice to speaking to a visiting American student and advice on fake tanning. The BTEC National Certificate first and second year Media students worked really hard on the content and quality of their shows and were rewarded with the buzz and excitement of live radio.
Former North Down & Ards Institute (NDAI) student, Anne Davis, has received the first “International Student of the Year Award” sponsored by South African firm, Megapak. Anne graduated with a First Class BA (Hons) Business Studies degree after studying at the college on a part-time basis. Lecturer Jim Hunter presented the award on behalf of Megapak, having spent three months working at its plastics moulding plant in Olifontsfontein, Johannesburg . The placement was facilitated through the “Lecturers into Industry Scheme” organised by the Learning Skills Development Agency (LSDA).
The Education and Training Inspectorate hosted a new initiative to share good practice identified in recent inspection reports in colleges, schools, and playgroups. Several organizations which received excellent inspection reports recently met in the Clandeboye Lodge Hotel Bangor to exchange examples of good practice. North Down and Ards Institute staff who participated in the event were highly complimentary of the Education and Training Inspectorate's initiative and welcomed the endorsement of NDAI as a college which was making significant contributions to economic development and social cohesion in the local communities. The Acting Director and Chief Executive, Mr Albert Coulter, claimed that “the celebration of success was yet another good example of the increasing supportive role being offered by the Education and Training Inspectorate to colleges, schools, and playgroups.” He further added that “the recent excellent inspection reports have given the college a vote of confidence going into the merger with Lisburn and East Down Colleges in August this year.” Back to top
Women in Construction Conference A unique half day seminar entitled Women in Construction and Non Traditional Sectors will take place on Wednesday 25 April at the Comfort Hotel Antrim from 10am – 2pm. This seminar is aimed at women already working in construction and for those studying or training for a career in the industry. To register contact Siobhan Daly at CITB on 028 9082 4217 or email women-in-construction@twnonline.com Silver Surfers' Day 2007 This year's Silver Surfers Day will be held on Friday 25 May 2007. ANIC Forthcoming Events 2007 ANIC Conference 2007 will take place from 18-19 June at the Slieve Donard Hotel, Newcastle, Co Down. Details to follow. ANIC LIFE Awards will take place on Monday 21 May at 6pm in the Lagan Valley Island, Lisburn. FSB and ANIC Future Students of Business Awards will take place on Friday 8 June in Parliament Buildings, Stormont, Belfast.
This year's LSDA Annual Conference will take place on Tuesday 24 April 2007 from 9.00 am – 4.15 pm at the Galgorm Manor, Ballymena. The conference is entitled Delivering Public Value and will facilitate discussion framework to help organisations deliver a performance that accommodates client satisfaction and social outcomes. Tel: 02890 447700.
BBC Northern Ireland is currently advertising to recruit
Broadcast Technology Assistants.
This role is part of a wider BBC Broadcast Technology Assistant trainee scheme and the BBC is particularly keen to hear from students from FE colleges throughout Northern Ireland who might have the right skills for this exciting opportunity. The closing date for applications is 22 April 2007. NESTA FameLab
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