Latest News from Norton Radstock College
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31/01/2012-Students speak out against hatred and visit Auschwitz Two engineering students from Norton Radstock College have been selected to visit Auschwitz in March. The trip to the Nazi era concentration camp in Poland forms part of an educational initiative to inform young people about genocide. Funded by College governors and the Rotary Club of Midsomer Norton, Level 3 Engineering Diploma students, Alex Demetriou and Cliff Edwards will join students from other schools and colleges in the South West. Cliff (17), from Frome said: “It’s the only time I will ever get to go and experience something like this and it’s a privilege to be selected to go on this trip. I think I’m expecting to moved more than I’ve ever been moved before, something I will never forget.” Alex (17), from Peasedown St John said: “I’ve always been interested in history and have always wanted to visit one of the camps. Meeting holocaust survivors first hand and hearing their stories will be something that I will always remember. I’m expecting it to be a very powerful and emotional experience and I don’t think everyone realises how awful people can be and have been in the past.” The visit follows up displays and events at the College on Holocaust Memorial Day, where the theme this year was Speak Up Speak Out, encouraging students to consider what you see and hear around you, and to use your voice to Speak Up against hatred and discrimination. |
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17/01/2012-Unemployed people invited to come along and ‘Have a Go’ Bath Southside Youth Hub, Friday 20th January, 1pm-3pm Unemployed people are invited to the ‘Have a GO Roadshow’ to try a wide range of free skills tasters over the next three weeks. The roadshow, which is organised by Connexions and Bath and North East Somerset Council and supported by Norton Radstock College, is part of the national World Skills campaign, and kicks off at the Council’s Southside Youth Hub in Whiteway, on Friday 20th January, 1pm-3pm. Have a Go organiser at Norton Radstock College, Becca Thurston, said: “The first Have a Go Roadshow will be really exciting as we’ve got organisations like Bath City Farm, the Princes Trust and the Natural Theatre Company there to make it as interactive as possible. All offer free short courses to help unemployed people within Bath & North East Somerset, many running from the Southside Hub. A high proportion of B&NES young people who are not in employment, education or training live within the Whiteway area and taking provision to them is an innovative way of tackling employment and engagement, without the support of the Council we would be unable to reach them. |
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16/12/2011-Women entrepreneurs share their stories A group of 15 women entrepreneurs recently took part in a workshop at Norton Radstock College to develop their marketing skills. Participants either already run or are planning to start a rural tourism business in areas such as accommodation, food and crafts. Gale Penny who markets a range of local arts and crafts at the 303 Gallery at Yandles in Martock, Somerset commented: “It was so good to meet others and discuss ideas for developing our businesses. I really enjoyed it! ” The workshop is part of a pilot training course to encourage women to develop their business skills. The next workshop will be a practical session on internet marketing and will be held at Radstock Skills Centre, which is part of the College. This forms part of the Women Entrepreneurs in Rural Tourism project, funded by the European Commission, which is also being piloted in Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Spain and the UK, with Norton Radstock College as co-ordinator. Rosaleen Courtney from the College added: “We encouraged participants to tell their stories of how they set up and run their businesses. We also showed a video from Cyprus in which Niki, the owner of a traditional sweets business, tells the story of how she set up her family business. Story telling can be a great source of inspiration and can help you to think clearly about future plans.” Norton Radstock College offers a range of support to start-up businesses. For more details, contact Lorraine Gillick at Radstock Skills Centre on 01761 420786. |
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06/12/2011-College to expand University Level Apprenticeship opportunities through £1.1m grant Norton Radstock College is one of five colleges in the South West to benefit from a share of a £1.1 million grant to establish Higher Apprenticeships, providing local young people and adults a means to gain a higher education qualification in the workplace. The bid, which brings together University of the West of England (UWE), City of Bristol College, Norton Radstock College, City of Bath, Filton and Weston Colleges, together with local employers, will be used to create nearly 600 Higher Apprenticeship opportunities by 2015. Higher Apprenticeships are work-based qualifications that allow students to achieve a degree level qualification whilst working and building on their industry experience. They are available to young people who are considering alternative routes into higher education and also adults who want to progress their careers. |
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06/12/2011-Employers Need Attitude What are employers looking for from potential employees? This was the topic for discussion at Norton Radstock College, when representatives from Colleges across five European countries met to share ideas and discuss common issues. Ian Bell, from Bath Chamber of Commerce came along to share his experiences and join in the discussion. Ian explained: “Attitude is the number one item that employers look for, along with the right skills. The eagerness to try to do well, trying hard to do better, being punctual, confident, fitting in with the team, choosing the right language and dressing appropriately all help to develop this attitude to work.” The meeting was part of the Life 2 project, funded by the European Commission, which aims to help young people develop skills which will make them more employable as part of their vocational learning at college. Based on research findings, a new Train the Trainer Pack is being developed for teachers. Norton Radstock College is the lead partner in the project, working with Bath Spa University and partner colleges in Denmark, Spain, Portugal and Romania. For more information, contact rosaleen.courtney@nortcoll.ac.uk |
