NULC celebrates visit by His Royal Highness the Duke of York

Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) was delighted to welcome His Royal Highness The Duke of York to its campus.

The Duke of York visited NULC to help promote the work of colleges in providing high quality apprenticeships, work-based learning and business skills development.

After meeting local dignitaries in the College reception area, His Royal Highness was given a tour of the College by NULC Principal and Chief Executive Karen Dobson, accompanied by the Lord-Lieutenant of Staffordshire, Sir James Hawley.

The visit formed part of The Duke of York's work to encourage and inspire young people to develop the right skills, and to recognise and support the many apprenticeship schemes that are developing as a part of the Government's Skills and Innovation agenda.

He told students he hoped the College could help inspire them to "be more than you think you can be". The Duke of York added: "I can assure all of you young people that you have a great deal more potential than you probably realise or understand. Over the last 10 years I've been doing a huge amount for British business and I will continue to do so, because I believe in it, and I also believe you young people are the future of it."

His Royal Highness visited the College's £6 million Skills and Technology Centre and was given a tour of the mechanical engineering workshop by Paula Rowland, Curriculum Manager for Construction and Engineering.

He talked to apprentices from companies including: Michelin, Goodwins International, ABB, JCB, Ibstock Brick, EMD (Electro-Motive Diesel), Ham Baker and TT Pumps and was given a demonstration of the College's Lincoln Electric Vrtex virtual welding machine, the only one of its kind in the area.

The Duke of York then visited the construction workshops and awarded prizes to the winning team of bricklaying, joinery and painting and decorating students, who had been competing in the inaugural 'Barratt Challenge', in partnership with Britain's largest house builder Barratt Homes.

The final part of the tour saw His Royal Highness visit the College's bespoke University Centre, where he met Foundation degree course leader Richard Hunter and viewed 'live' work produced for local businesses by students from the College's graphics and digital media production courses.

The Duke of York then unveiled a plaque to commemorate his visit in the College's main reception area and addressed the assembled audience of college students, staff and dignitaries before leaving.

Principal Karen Dobson said: "I'm very pleased that the Duke's visit has shone a spotlight on the work that we are not necessarily well known for, in terms of our work for employers with apprenticeships and skills training."

"I am very proud of the staff that helped pulled everything together and of course all the students who have done themselves real credit."

Find out more about the wide range of courses available for students of all ages, interests and skill levels at NULC at

www.nulc.ac.uk, email info@nulc.ac.uk or call 01782 254254.

Prison officer recognised for outstanding achievement in apprentice awards

Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) apprentice Tanya Savage has been awarded a Personal Achievement Award in the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Apprenticeship Recognition Awards.

Tanya, aged 23 from Stoke-on-Trent, undertook a Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Custodial Care while working as a Prison Custody Officer at HMP Dovegate.  She was nominated by her Assessor Chris Love for showing outstanding commitment in her training.   

Pictured: NULC Assessors Ernie Machin and Chris Love with Tanya Savage

Chris said: “Tanya is an exemplary candidate who is driven and highly motivated but at the same time, is a very modest individual. She is a credit to her generation.”

The county-wide awards ceremony was held at the Kingston Centre in Stafford on the Friday 10 February, where Tanya was presented with a certificate and prize worth £50.

Ray Duckworth (pictured left), Director HMP Dovegate endorsed Tanya’s nomination and said: “Tanya is a dedicated and talented young PCO who has demonstrated a remarkable ability to learn and develop in her skills as an Officer.

“The role of a Prisoner Custody Officer is one of the most challenging careers, limited to special individuals who balance the needs of safety, security and care with extremely challenging individuals who society are unable to manage. She works with some of the most difficult prisoners in our population and has demonstrated aptitude, diligence and determination to succeed in achieving her Apprenticeship this year.”

NULC is currently delivering the Custodial Care Apprenticeship in three prisons – HMP Doncaster, HMP Dovegate and HMP Lowdham Grange.

Tanya said: “I feel really honoured to be recognised and receive an award.  I have really enjoyed my course and have worked really hard to complete my Apprenticeship.

“The support I have received from both HMP Dovegate and Newcastle-under-Lyme College has been fantastic; I really appreciate the time and effort everyone has put into my education.  I’m now looking forward to a successful career as a Prisoner Custody Officer.”

The Apprenticeship Recognition Awards are supported by Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), local employers and all partner organisations engaged in providing quality Apprenticeships to develop businesses and drive forward the local economy.

To find out more about becoming an apprentice at NULC visit www.nulc.ac.uk/apprenticeships or contact the information point on info@nulc.ac.uk or 01782 254254.

Employer recommends ‘outstanding’ college apprenticeship service

National Apprenticeship Week 2012 (6 – 10 February)

Businesses across North Staffordshire are being urged to consider taking on an apprentice from one of the area’s leading training providers during National Apprenticeship Week.

Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) currently provides apprenticeships in more than a dozen areas including Accounting, Business and Administration, Construction, Childcare, Electrical Installation, Engineering, Hairdressing, Health and Social Care, Retail and IT.

Last year the College reported a record increase in the number of people taking up an apprenticeship, resulting in a need for more employers to offer apprentice roles within their organisations.

Kerry Bonfiglio-Bains, Managing Director of Newcastle-based recruitment agency Appointments Personnel, is one of more than 400 local employers who have employed an apprentice through the College.

Kerry said: “I contacted various education and training providers regarding hiring an apprentice but I found NULC to be the most professional, efficient and thorough. They provided an outstanding service.

She continued: “I’d urge all local employers to consider hiring an apprentice, regardless of what sector they’re in. All the apprentices I have come in to contact with at NULC have been professional, dedicated and eager to learn.”

She added: “I was so impressed that I now regularly work with the College to provide talks and workshops to young people interested in business.”

Kerry’s apprentice is Max Powell, aged 18 from Newcastle. Max is undertaking an Apprenticeship in Business Administration whilst gaining valuable experience at the recruitment agency.

Max said: “When I first left school I wanted to study A Levels, but I soon decided that I wanted to be in a position where I could learn on the job.

“I completed the Network to Work course at NULC before starting the apprenticeship, which taught me valuable skills like interview training, networking and CV writing. It really helped my confidence and the workshops gave me a very useful insight into the business sector.”

He continued: “I thoroughly enjoy being apprentice; I get to earn money whilst I’m learning in a real workplace environment. The College and my employer Kerry have been really supportive and I’ve learnt so much about the business environment already. In the future I hope to be running my own business just like Kerry.”

With an apprentice salary starting at around £97 per week, employers can benefit from an extra member of staff and receive ongoing support from an experienced apprenticeship assessor who will visit the apprentice in the workplace to minimise disruption to the business.

Vicky Boulton-Clarke, Head of Employer Training at NULC said: “I’d urge any businesses who are interested in recruiting an apprentice or who want to train an existing employee through the apprenticeship scheme to get in touch with the College’s apprenticeships team.”

To find out more about Newcastle-under-Lyme College’s apprenticeships and other workplace training programmes visit www.nulc.ac.uk/employer or contact the Employer Training team on 01782 254376.