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Issue 61
The latest edition of the ANIC Equality News is now available online. Click here to download.
Published in June, ‘FE Means Business - A Programme for Implementation', confirms the government's vision for Further Education in Northern Ireland. Click here to download. To coincide with this, DEL and ANIC have produced “Moving Forward”, the newsletter of the FE Means Business Programme. To download the second edition of Moving Forward click here. Plans for a new package of Professional and Technical Training Provision, putting the needs of the individual first, were unveiled over the summer. A consultation on the new proposals, which will replace the existing Jobskills programme, was announced by Employment and Learning Minister, Maria Eagle, during a visit to Bombardier's Skills Centre at the Interpoint Building in Belfast . For further information click here.
Armagh College recently welcomed Mr Allan Wilson MSP, Deputy Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning, Scottish Executive, as part of his official three day fact-finding visit to Northern Ireland . The purpose of the visit to Armagh was to showcase the College's best practice work in the area of Good Relations/Cultural Diversity, Rural and Economic Development and Community Engagement. More
Armagh College ‘A' level results were higher than both the Northern Ireland and National average. 98.5% of Armagh College students passed their ‘A' Levels in comparison to the Northern Ireland average of 97.7% and 96.6% nationally. There was a 100% pass rate in the BTEC National Diploma in Sport & Exercise Sciences, AVCE Construction, Electrical Installation, AVCE ICT, Catering, Hairdressing and E-media. Andrew McCreary gained 95% in the externally examined unit ‘How Organisations Use ICT' as part of the Applied GCE in ICT. This was one of the highest results in the country. Meanwhile seven students from the E-media course obtained unconditional offers onto the second year course at Napier University , Edinburgh .
Sir Bernard O'Connell, former principal of the European award winning Runshaw College , paid his fourth visit to Armagh College as keynote speaker at the annual staff conference. He addressed various initiatives from last year under the theme ‘Creating an Outstanding College '. Following on from last year's staff conference, Sir Bernard challenged, inspired and commended the staff on the journey which they had travelled in the past year in building on the reputation of Armagh College as an Outstanding College for its learners. Sir Bernard was impressed to learn that Armagh College 's enrolment figures have risen from 4,218 in 2000/01 to 7,791 in 2004/05 and that the college offers over 300 programmes. He also commended the college on consistently being among the top three most successful colleges in the sector since 2001. Sir Bernard's input was part of a structured leadership management programme which involves input from the Centre of Excellence in Leadership, Lancaster University and LSDA NI.
Belfast Institute has launched a new international website aimed at its current and prospective international student population. To view the site click here.
Belfast Institute's Gerald Moag Campus was recently a hive of activity, as nearly 1,500 school leavers and adult returners attended the ‘WHICH WAY NOW?' information and advice days. Throughout the two days, those concerned about their future after GCSE and ‘A' Level results, in addition to adults wishing to return to study or join a course for the first time, were able to take full advantage of the Institute's extensive advisory services to help them map out their future career.
A new partnership between the Belfast Institute and East Belfast Community Education Centre to enhance community provision in the east of the city was officially launched on Monday 4 th September 2006 at Bloomfield House on the Newtownards Road , Belfast . Bloomfield House will be a user-friendly drop-in / signposting centre that will provide a crèche to support learners, along with education, training and IT facilities for everyone regardless of age and ability. Staff in the new centre have been highly trained and have been successful over a number of years in supporting people of all ages to obtain qualifications that have changed their lives.
Castlereagh College Higher Awards Graduation Ceremony will take place in the Stormont Hotel at 7pm on Friday 22 September 2006.
This new academic year sees Causeway Institute continuing to extend its full-time provision to include Hairdressing and Beauty Courses in response to local demand at its Ballymoney campus. More
East Antrim Institute is to receive a £7.2 million investment package to relocate its training facilities at Felden to its main Newtownabbey campus. Announcing the funding, Employment and Learning Minister Maria Eagle said the new training facilities at the college would help to provide an improved service for its community and economy. More
The East Down Institute Centenary events programme culminated with a Charity Golf event which took place at the Downpatrick Golf Club during June. The event was attended by Institute staff and guests, including staff from other colleges.
Congratulations to East Down Institute staff member Hugh Gilgunn, who was awarded an MBE in the Queens Birthday Honours. Hugh has been employed at the Institute as a Carpentry and Joinery technician for the past 25 years.
East Tyrone College 's part-time prospectus is now available online. Click here to download.
AVCE Art and Design students were celebrating recently when news filtered through that over half the students on this course had received the top grade (AA). More
Limavady College is celebrating a 100% pass rate in a range of its National Diplomas. More
Lisburn Institute's Graduation and FE and Training Awards will take place next Wednesday 13th September in the Lagan Valley Island . Graduation is at 12noon and the Awards at 7.00pm.
Over 20 students recently achieved Grade A in GCE AS Level Photography at North Down and Ards Institute. The A2 Level class was also celebrating as half the class received As. More
Almost 400 students graduated today at North Down and Ards Institute's Graduation Ceremony held at the Waterfront Hall, Belfast . Students graduated from a wide range of programmes including Business Management, Music, Art, Sports Studies, Child Care, Public Services, Engineering, IT, Computing and CAD, ranging in levels from HND to Degree and Post-Graduate courses. More
Two students at North East Institute's Business Studies Department have gained top marks in their Competitive Business Environment AVCE. Roisin O'Neill and Richard Gregg both scored an incredible 100% in this national examination. In fact, studious Roisin also gained 100% in her Business Law AVCE. Roisin has chosen to continue her success by undertaking a HND course at the Ballymena Campus of NEI leading to a University of Ulster degree. Richard has used his AVCE in Business to gain a place on the BA Business and Psychology degree course at the University of Ulster at Coleraine.
‘You're never too late to learn!' That was the message from Susan McGillan, an 84 year-old great grandmother who achieved a remarkable Grade A in her recent GCSE Irish examination. Susan , from Strabane, undertook the course at North West Institute of Further & Higher Education and also managed to achieve a Grade C in her AS Level examination in the same subject. More
Omagh College recently launched three new Foundation Degrees in Event Management (Culture, Arts & Leisure), Architectural Technology, and Rural Sustainability. The primary purpose of these Foundation Degrees is to broaden access to Higher Education by providing a vocational programme that addresses the acknowledged requirement for employees with the knowledge and skills provided by an intermediate level qualification in Northern Ireland , Great Britain and elsewhere. These courses will also provide a route for potential employees to Honours Degree and post-graduate degree qualifications and to provide employees with the opportunity for educational advancement that will meet the needs of employers.
Upper Bann Institute's Portadown campus was the setting for a recent celebratory event held in honour of those students who successfully gained NEBOSH qualifications through the Institute. Eleven students graduated on the day with a qualification in the NEBOSH Construction Certificate with fifteen successfully gaining their NEBOSH General Certificate. More Marketing for Growth at Upper Bann Upper Bann Institute in conjunction with The Centre for Competitiveness have launched a new Marketing programme targeted specifically at small and medium sized enterprises. The six week course aptly entitled; ‘Marketing for Growth – Big Marketing for Small Companies', has been welcomed within the commercial marketplace and there are plans for expanding the course across other further education colleges. More
Upper Bann Institute is pleased to announce that it has been successful in gaining approval to run the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, Professional Development Scheme (PDS) from September 2006. The PDS is a Masters Level qualification in Human Resources and Upper Bann Institute is the only college in the locality which has been granted this privilege following an intensive and rigorous validation procedure by personnel from CIPD London. More Getting on in Business, Getting on with Learning with EGSA EGSA's conference - Getting on in Business, Getting on with Learning, being held on Friday 15 th September (9am-1pm) at W5, Odyssey Arena, Belfast will provide a focus for the presentation and discussion of key issues which will influence the successful delivery of a more competitive economy through a dynamic knowledge-based workforce. The conference will also consider issues relevant to those who may have much to contribute but who are still excluded from the workplace. Click here to download the booking form. Cost is £75.
British Council Northern Ireland will be holding an open evening on Thursday 21 st September from 4:30pm – 6pm. The education team will be on hand to talk about the wide range of international opportunities and initiatives which they are involved in. For further information contact Mark Bignell. Tel: 028 90 248 220.
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 0224.
ESOL teachers in Northern Ireland now have a great opportunity to find out all about the new language requirements for UK citizenship and receive a free pack of learning resources too. The Citizenship Materials for ESOL Learners pack has been modified for ESOL practitioners based in Northern Ireland . The pack was produced as part of a project managed by NIACE and LLU+ for the Home Office and the Department of Education and Skills in response to changes in the routes to naturalisation in the UK . Two workshops are now scheduled to familiarise practitioners in Northern Ireland with the contents of the revised pack. These will take place in Belfast on September 20 th and in Cookstown on September 27 th . Delegates attending the workshops will receive a free copy of the new pack. For further information and details of how to reserve a place click here.
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. More For further information contact Maud Hand mhand@channel4.co.uk Mobile : 07968 082 673; Landline: 020 7306 5590.
Adult Continuing Education (ACE) in association with National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA) and EBS Building Society are now calling on people and organisations to submit nominations across a range of categories for the ACE Awards. The awards are open to all those involved in adult basic education (ABE), which is the development of competence in adult skills such as literacy, numeracy, ICT and communications. These nominees may come from ABE organisations, the private sector, government, statutory bodies and non-government organisations. Closing date for nominations is 12 th October. To download a nomination form click here. The ACE Awards ceremony will take place in Dublin on the 11 th November.
To celebrate her Golden Jubilee, The Queen announced a new annual Award to recognise and reward excellence in voluntary activities carried out by groups in the community. The Award (formerly known as The Queen's Golden Jubilee Award) is given for outstanding achievement by groups of volunteers who regularly devote their time to helping others in the community, improve the quality of life and opportunity for others and provide an outstanding service. Nominations are open within the UK for groups that have been running for a minimum of three years (exceptions may be made for short-term projects). Closing date for nominations is 30 th September 2006. Winners will be announced 2 nd June 2007. For further information click here.
Recruitment for E2, the new Graduate Export Development Programme from Invest NI has begun. This Development Programme will consider graduates from any degree background, train and develop successful candidates to achieve great things in Export Development and then match them to a company ready to take their export plans to the next level. Opportunities are available both near and far. Click here to apply online today or contact the E2 team on 028 9026 0409 to find out more about the programme by booking into an information session.
The European Day of Languages celebrates language and cultural diversity and will be held on Tuesday 26 th September 2006 . CILT, the National Centre for Languages, produces resources to help participants make the most of the day. Click here for more information.
If you have anything you would like included in the FE Zine, please email kevin.fearon@anic.ac.uk
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