Talent Newsletter - August 2012

for Walsall College to celebrate the fantasticachievements our students have achieved onvocational courses. These exceptional studentsare real life examples of students who haveexcelled through vocational learning and are areal inspiration to others.”

For the latest news and course information log on to www.walsallcollege.ac.uk

BBC Apprentice finalist, Nick Holzherrjoined students at Walsall Collegeon Wednesday 4th July at theirprestigious V6 Awards Dinner, tocelebrate the success andachievements of the College’sV6 students.

During the evening, outstanding students werepresented with Student of the Year Awards forachieving excellence in their area of study, alongwith an additional award for overall V6 Studentof the Year, which was awarded to Engineeringstudent, Darren Cooper. 19-year-old Darren hasreceived distinctions on all 18 units he has takenover the last two years and has won a four-yearscholarship, sponsored by a constructioncompany, to attend Loughborough University.

Nick Holzherr, who was a finalist on BBC TVshow, The Apprentice this year, was the guestspeaker at the event. Nick studied InternationalBusiness at Aston University and was voted

TALENT @ Walsall College August 2012 1

Birmingham Young Personality of the Year 2011for entrepreneurship, after successfullylaunching his own coffee business. During hisspeech, Nick congratulated the award winners,giving them inspiration to continue their hardwork and achieve career success in the future.

Walsall College’s V6 is a sixth formwith a difference, providingstudents with the vocationaltraining to become WalsallCollege Graduates; skilled,professional and enterprising.

The VIP glittering ceremony alsoincluded a pre-drinks reception, afour course meal prepared byhospitality and catering studentsand live entertainment.

Jatinder Sharma, Principal andChief Executive of WalsallCollege said: “The V6 AwardsDinner was an ideal opportunity

ISSUE No. 15Students • Parents • Partners • Stakeholders • Employers

TALENT

NICK HOLZHERR with V6 Award Winners

Apprentice Finalist HelpsCollege Celebrate V6 Success

DARREN COOPER V6 Overall Student of the Year

Students at Walsall College stagedtheir dazzling annual CatwalkShow to showcase their creativetalents on Friday 22nd June.

The atrium area of the College’s WisemoreCampus was transformed with an elevatedcatwalk and came alive for the show, withan artistic collaboration between fashion,hair and beauty, performing arts, danceand music students.

During the show, a range of stunningcollections that Fashion students haveworked hard on throughout the year wereunveiled with themes including architecture,organic forms and artificial beauty.

The catwalk models had their hair, makeupand body art extravagantly styled bytalented Hair and Beauty students, whilethe evening was also hosted by PerformingArts students and filmed by Media students.

Christine Taylor, Curriculum Manager forFashion at Walsall College commented:“The Catwalk Show featured garmentscreated by all levels of Fashion studentsand showcased the creativity of the Hairand Beauty students. It is an idealopportunity for the students to exhibit theircreative talents to an external audience.

“It was fantastic seeing students fromacross the College working together tomake sure it was an unforgettable eveningthat celebrated the talent and achievementof our students.”

ProjectCatwalk!

STUDENTS model designs

2 TALENT @ Walsall College August 2012

Two Walsall College staff membershad the honour of carrying theOlympic Torch when the official torchrelay travelled through the region onroute to London in June.

Walsall College NVQ Assessor, Ravendar KumarBangar was selected for being an inspiration toothers through his work in the education sectorand carried the flame through Willenhall.Ravendar has been at Walsall College for 10years, during which time he has successfullysupported many students and employersthrough apprenticeships and work basedtraining courses, helping them to realise theirpotential and gain recognised qualifications.

Kim Clark, Walsall College’s Further EducationSports Co-ordinator, was one of 55 exceptionalcommunity sports leaders chosen as atorchbearer through Coca-Cola’s Future Flamescampaign. Kim’s role at the College involvesleading initiatives that encourage all students to

College Staff HelpKick-Off Olympics

keep fit through physical activity andenrichment programmes.

Kim, who carried the flame through Newtown,is also a volunteer with sports charity,StreetGames, and runs a number of schemeshelping disadvantaged young people in Walsallto get involved in physical activities.

Kim said: “Over the last couple of years I’vebeen promoting the games as a greatopportunity for people to get active, so to beinvolved in the relay was a great honour.”

Ravendar said: “I’ve been a huge fan of theOlympics from a young age and I’m reallyexcited that I was chosen to play a small role insuch a historic event.”

Ravendar and Kim joined 8,000 otherinspirational torchbearers who were selectedacross the county, as the nation counted downto the start of the games.

Walsall College welcomed theOlympic torch when the relaypassed through Walsall in June, andhosted a variety of family themedactivities throughout the day.

Visitors had the unique opportunity to havetheir photos taken standing on an Olympicwinner’s podium, as a 24 foot, 3D chalkdrawing created by PGCE placement student,Lee Bourke and Walsall College Art studentswas produced in the courtyard of theCollege’s Wisemore Campus.

Principal and Chief Executive, Jatinder Sharmasaid: “We are delighted that the Olympictorch relay came through Walsall. It was onethe most exciting events to take place inWalsall and it was a great opportunity for thelocal community to come together.”

This summer the nation wasovercome with Olympic fever, butat the end of the last term, WalsallCollege Sports students were ableto put their questions to OlympicHeptathlon champion, DeniseLewis, at the VIP launch of theHoliday Inn Walsall.

Denise Lewis OBE, who was a guest ofhonour at the Olympic themed event,won gold in the heptathlon at the 2000Sydney Olympics.

The students had a question and answersession with Denise, where they asked forher advice on their training regimes, diet andnutrition and her experiences at their age.The athlete also spoke to students abouttheir aspirations for the future and wasimpressed by the fact they kept training diaries.

Denise said: “It is important to focus on yourpassion and be determined to reach yourgoals. I never imagined what I wouldachieve, but I always had the self-belief that Icould do it.

“The main advice that I would give to thestudents is to seize every opportunity thatcomes their way, be disciplined and workextremely hard.”

Student, Jessica Rayner said: “It was amazingto meet Denise Lewis, as she’s someone Ireally admire. She's represented her countryat the highest level and achieved so much inher career. She gave us a lot of great adviceand was truly inspiring.”

Curriculum Manager for Sport at WalsallCollege, Rayna Jones commented: “This wasa once in a lifetime experience which willstay with the students for a very long time.”

GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY Sports students spurred on by Denise Lewis

Golden Opportunity for

Rising Sports Stars

Photo Finish for

Olympic Torch

LEE BOURKE draws inspiration

TORCH BEARER Kim Clark and Ravendar Kumar Bangar

VISITORS take souvenir snaps

Academy Health ClubOur Health Club membership includes access to a large gymnasium, cardiovascularequipment, a specialised free weight area and an aerobics studio. 01922 651157 [email protected]

accredited skills for industry (asfi), theCollege’s awarding organisation,recently celebrated the success of 24students who have successfully achievedthe organisation’s first full qualificationin digital print, during an awardsceremony in Jerome’s Restaurant.

asfi is dedicated to creating bespokequalifications in conjunction with industry andemployers, providing training and qualificationsthat are tailored to employer demands.

The asfi ‘Award in Basic Principles of LargeFormat Digital Printing’ course is the first fullqualification the organisation has accredited andmeets specific training needs within thesignmaking industry. Created in conjunctionwith global wide format printer manufacturer,Roland DG (UK), the new course aims to promotequality digital print and professional and safeconduct within the digital print environment.

Carl Jordan, Director of asfi said: “We aredelighted to be celebrating the success of

students on our first full qualification. asfi workswith businesses to create recognised trainingthrough units and qualifications that aretailored to meet specific employer and industryskill needs.”

Amongst the 24 successful candidates includeda group of Walsall College Graphic Designstudents, who took the course to experience theproduction and reprographics side of design firsthand, and begin to understand what it takes torealise and produce their creative ideas.

Graphics tutor at Walsall College, Kevin Mylersaid: “In today’s competitive job market, theneed to obtain as many design relatedqualifications and first-hand experience isessential, to maximise their employabilityprospects. Future employers want to see realdesire and ambition in anybody they take on,and we feel this makes a step in this direction.This qualification is part of new initiatives withinthe department of Graphic Design that aim toengage the learners with employers and industrystandard resources.”

asfi Designs QualificationsThat Meet Industry Demand

A group of exceptional Walsall CollegeDance students were selected by theBirmingham Opera Company toperform in the world premiere of‘Wednesday from Light’, as part of theLondon 2012 Cultural Olympiad.

‘Wednesday from Light’ is the final opera fromKarlheinz Stockhausen’s monumental operacycle, ‘Light’ and was on at the Argyle Works inBirmingham from Wednesday 22nd - Saturday25th August. This was the first time that all sixparts of this opera, featuring two choirs, flyingsolo instrumentalists, live electronic andacoustics music and a string quartet streamedlive from four flying helicopters, was fully staged.

Stockhausen is recognised worldwide as one ofthe most important composers of the twentiethcentury. He created innovative musicalcomposition, which attracted new audiences toopera and was the first significant composer toput electronic music on the map.

Walsall College students, Aaron Watkinson,Mario Simek, Charlotte Harper and NolaMardenborough were amongst a cast of 150performers in the five-hour production.

The students were auditioned for the parts byRon Howell, Choreographer and MovementDirector at the Birmingham Opera Company,during a series of workshops that were deliveredat the College. He said: “The students showedimmense creativity and technical ability in theirmovement during the sessions, and I amdelighted to have had them on board for theshow.”

Dance Lecturer, Michelle Stokes commented:“Our students showed their dedication andprofessionalism by committing their own timeover the summer to meet the demandingrehearsal schedule. We were all very proudwhen we saw them on stage.”

Student, Mario Simek said: “Working with a castof professional performers was very inspiringand has just confirmed my desire to make it as aprofessional dancer. It was also incredible to beinvolved in such a huge production in celebrationof the London Olympics, which probably won’thappen again in the UK in my lifetime.”

Students Performin Opera Epic

Walsall College's Cheerleadingsquad, ‘The Cheer Stars’, won thefirst prize in their division at the UKCheerleading Association (UKCA)National Schools' Championships,held at the Manchester Velodromeon Sunday 24th June.

The Supported Learning students entered thecompetition's disability division event andimpressed judges with their dazzling routines.

The UKCA National Schools' Championships,now in its 9th year, is the UK's biggestCheerleading competition for school andcollege students, and this year’s eventmarked the first time disabled students overthe age of 16 have had the opportunity totake part.

The Cheerleading team was formed throughan Us Girls sports project set up by sportscharity, StreetGames, which runs a numberof projects helping disadvantaged anddisengaged young people in Walsall to get

involved in physical activities. It is also one ofthe 21 projects being funded by Sport Englandto boost women’s participation in sport.

The students, aged between 17 and 25, havevarious learning disabilities and are allstudying entry level courses at Walsall College.

Further Education Sports Coordinator atWalsall College and StreetGames ProjectLeader, Kim Clark said: “We are very proudof the team in winning their division and it’stestament to the hard work and hours ofpractice they put in during rehearsals. We arealso delighted that the UK CheerleadingAssociation recognised the need to include adisability category in the competition thisyear, and it’s a great honour for our studentsto be crowned as the first winners.”

Student, Jodie Hollier said: “I really enjoyedtaking part in the national competition. Itwas one of the best days of my life so far as Ijust had so much fun. Lifting a winners’trophy felt great.”

asfi QUALIFICATIONS Designed for success

TALENT @ Walsall College August 2012 3

College Cheerleaders

Take First Prize

STUDENTS star in World opera Premiere

THE CHEER STARS National Champions

DREAMACHIEVERS

DREAMACHIEVERS

DREAMACHIEVERS

awar

ding

org

anis

atio

n

To find out more about asfi and what we can offer you pleasecall 01922 657054 or email [email protected]

A senior stylist at Walsall College'sGraduate Academy hair salon hasqualified as a Wella MasterColour Expert.

Natalie Lake has recently completed an intenseWella Master Colour course and gained ahighly recognised, leading industry qualification.

A former Hairdressing student at the College,Natalie joined the salon as a stylist in 2003after finishing her NVQ Level 3 course. Nataliesaid: “I enrolled on the one-year Wellaprogramme to develop my skills in hair colouring.The course was a great learning experienceand I've been able to expand my knowledge ofcolouring hair and gain new techniques, whichI can apply in the Graduate Academy.

“I'm very passionate about providing the bestpossible hairdressing service and now I amfully qualified to offer advice to clients whowant to change their hair colour.”

Commercial Academy Manager at WalsallCollege, Laura Ratcliffe commented:“We support all our stylists in their careerdevelopment and value the importance ofkeeping up to date with industry changes.We are delighted for Natalie in successfullycompleting her course; she is a credit tothe Graduate Academy and our ambitiousaspirations.

“As part of the Hairdressing course at WalsallCollege, students shadow qualified andexperienced stylists in the salon and thereforealso take benefit from the new skills staffacquire.”

Walsall College Dance studentsshowcased their vocational talents atthe annual VQ Day event, held atBAFTA in London on Wednesday20th June.

VQ Day is a national celebration of vocationalqualifications for students, teachers andemployers. Launched in 2008 to raise the statusof practical and vocational learning andcelebrate achievement, it shines a light on andrecognises the millions of talented and skilledpeople throughout the UK who are awarded VQs.

The students displayed their skills in theperforming arts interactive zone at the show,which was attended by key opinion formers andstakeholders. The event culminated with the VQLeaner of the Year Awards ceremony.

The group was selected following a nationalapplication process and performed a rendition of‘Sweet Reality’, a colourful and dynamicadaption of Matthew Bourne’s ‘The Nutcracker’.

The choreography was created following astudent project in association with dancecompanies, New Adventures and DanceXchange, and has also been performed at theBirmingham Hippodrome and the Royal OperaHouse in London.

Principal and Chief Executive of Walsall College,Jatinder Sharma said: “Vocational qualificationshave never been more important; they deliverthe trained and talented employees businessesare looking for and ensure young people havethe skills needed to succeed in education andwork.

“Walsall College is proudly vocational and ourstudents on level three V6 courses, are placedamong the top achievers in the UK for theirsuccess rates.”

National showcase events took place throughoutthe UK to champion practical, vocational andtechnical courses during VQ Day. Walsall Collegeheld its open day on Wednesday 20th June tocoincide with VQ Day and had a number of skillson display to showcase the practical coursesavailable to prospective students.

Dance Studentsin the Spotlight

Stylist Graded in

Colour SkillsDREAMACHIEVER

WALSALL DANCE on the national stage

NATALIE LAKE Wella Master Colour Expert

DREAMACHIEVERS

Walsall College Business student,Katie Farman was announced as thewinner in the Outstanding Businessand Enterprise category at theNational BTEC Awards 2012, held inLondon on Thursday 5th July.

Now in their second year, the National BTECAwards recognise vocational excellence andare designed to reward outstandingindividuals and centres for their achievements.

Katie was honoured for her excellentperformance on her BTEC Extended Diplomain Business Management course, during theawards ceremony hosted by Radio 1 DJReggie Yates. She is a dedicated student whohas received distinctions on all herassignments throughout the course, alongwith winning a Walsall College Adult Learnerof the Year Award at a recent ceremony.

Katie, who will be progressing on to auniversity degree after completing her course,commented: “I’m delighted to have won thisaward. Studying a BTEC course has helpedme to develop a deeper understanding ofbusiness and enterprise. It has also given memore self-confidence as well as thedetermination, motivation and the desire toachieve my ambition of going to university,and one day starting my own business.”

Walsall College Business Lecturer, JeremyBridgman added: “Katie is an outstandingstudent and the judges were particularlyimpressed with her creativity and strongleadership qualities, both of which willserve her well as she progresses on tohigher education.”

Rod Bristow, President of Pearson UK whoown Edexcel (the awarding body for BTECqualifications) said: “In a modern economywith complex and rapidly shifting skills needs,we need practitioners who understand thetheory, and academics who can put thingsinto practice. BTECs aims to give studentsaccess to a rounded education.

“More and more universities and employersare telling us that they value this roundedapproach. Every year, thousands of BTECstudents go on to further study and good jobsthat really value their skills. They achieve greatthings in a wide variety of industries vital tothe economy, ranging from business andengineering to ICT and healthcare.

“It is vital to support and celebrate the hardwork and achievements of outstanding BTECstudents and their teachers. The judges wereimpressed by the quality and number ofnominations we received, but Katie reallystood out as a truly exceptional learner.”

Katie Wins NationalBTEC Award

4 TALENT @ Walsall College August 2012

KATIE FARMAN Overall winner

The VenueIs host to shows, plays and musical extravagancies by our performing and creative artsstudents. It is available to local drama/dance groups who wish to hire ourprofessional dance studio and performance area.walsallcollege.ac.uk/events [email protected]

Graduate AcademyOpen 5 days a week including Saturdays and evenings, call in for a full range ofservices and treatments including fashion cutting and colouring, manicure, pedicureand facial treatments. 01922 [email protected]

TALENT @ Walsall College August 2012 5

The hard work and efforts of Art &Design, Fashion, Interior Design andGraphic Design students wasexhibited in the Walsall Collegeannual Art and Design Summer Show,which ran at the Wisemore Campusfrom Wednesday 20th - 27th June 2012.

The Art and Design Summer Show celebratesthe work of learners studying a wide range ofCreative Arts courses, and continues a longtradition of exhibitions at the College.

In addition, this year a gallery of students’ workalso went on display in two units in the OldSquare Shopping Centre in Walsall, givingshoppers a chance to see the imaginativeexhibitions. The stores, which opened onMonday 18th June, showcase the work oftalented Interior Design and Fine Art students.

Alan Tyler, Curriculum Manager for Art andDesign at Walsall College said: “We aredelighted people joined us in celebrating theachievements and high standards of work thatour students produce. They will soon be movingforward to apply their knowledge and skills onhigher level courses and in the creativeindustries, so this was a great chance toshowcase and celebrate their talent.

“Our programmes have challenged our studentsto direct their creative energies towardsindependence, originality, and innovation.Students have specialised in a number of areasincluding Fine Art, Photography, Textiles,Fashion, Interior Design, Graphic Design,Printmaking and 3D Design.

“It was an exciting and lively exhibition,showcasing a diverse range of disciplines. It is afitting culmination to the hard work, energy andcommitment from our students and staff.”

Cooking Upa Storm!A group of talented Walsall CollegeCatering students were given theamazing opportunity to spend theirSummer supporting cateringoperations during the London 2012Olympics, after being selected byofficial recruitment provider,Jubilee Hospitality.

The student chefs, Luke Symonds, RebeccaBillingham, Chris Cottam and ConnerCheetham provided high quality food, fromstreet grub to fine dining for athletes,diplomats, corporate clients, staff, volunteersand thousands of spectators during theGames in London.

They worked across a number of sitesincluding the Olympic Park, which housedthe iconic Olympic Stadium, Aquatics Centreand Velodrome, that hosted a range ofexciting events during the Games, includingathletics, swimming and cycling.

Luke Symonds said: “It was so exciting beingpart of such a prestigious event thatattracted people from all over the world.Providing food for thousands of people withdifferent tastes every day was a challenge,but great experience as I love cooking andhope to own my restaurant one day.”

Currently studying either a Professional ChefDiploma Level 2 or a NVQ ProfessionalCookery Level 3, the students brushed up

their culinary skills at Collegebefore living and working inLondon during the event,where they helped to prepare65,000 meals a day, covering arange of international cuisinesand flavours.

Commercial Chef and TrainerAssessor in Hospitality andCatering at Walsall College,Steve Biggs said: “Thestudents were nominated forthe roles as they showedexceptional skills in theCollege’s training kitchenlast year, so I knew theywould do a fantastic job. Itwas also a greatopportunity for them togain valuable workexperience and make aname for themselves in acompetitive industry.”

Nicholas Taylor, Director at Jubilee Hospitalitycommented: “We were extremely impressedwith the students’ attitudes and the trainingthe College provides is first class by industrystandards. We enjoyed working with them atthe Olympics and we are also looking todevelop a working partnership with WalsallCollege and explore other opportunitieswhere we can collaborate together.”

Summer of Art

ARAN HAYNES-BRADLEY showcasing his creative talent

DREAMACHIEVERS

“We are delighted people joined us in celebrating the achievements and high standards of work that our students produce.”

CHEFS OF THE FUTURE feeding the world

Jerome’s Restaurant & Coffee BarAn elegant but informal atmosphere is awaiting you at Jerome’s Restaurant &Coffee Bar, where all food is prepared and served by our talented hospitalityand catering students. 01922 657061 [email protected]

6 TALENT @ Walsall College August 2012

Walsall College Painting andDecorating apprentice, Lucy Porter hascome third in the coveted DuluxDecorator Centre’s Apprentice of theYear 2012 competition.

Now in its fifth year, the competition comprisesof seven regional heats and a national finalwhich test the applicants’ overall creativity;focusing on their practical skills in painting anddecorating, including wallpapering, stencillingand waterborne glosses.

Lucy overcame fourteen candidates in the WestMidlands heat to reach the final, which tookplace at Accrington and Rossendale Collegefrom 13th - 14th June. In the final she competedagainst eight other regional winners for theprestigious accolade.

Lucy said: “I’m very proud of myself and what Ihave achieved. Coming third in a national final isa great feeling and I’m also delighted that I canshow by example, that women can be successfulin a male dominated industry.”

Marketing Communications Manager at DuluxDecorator Centres, Beverley Whiteheadcommented: “We launched the Apprentice ofthe Year competition in 2008 to find the besttalent in the industry and encourage moreyoung people to enter the profession, so we aredelighted that Lucy’s achievements could

hopefully encourage more females to considerpainting and decorating as a career.

“Every year, without exception, the standard ofskills in the final gets higher, so Lucy should beextremely proud of her efforts.”

Walsall College Curriculum Manager, Barry Hillsaid: “Lucy’s done a fantastic job in winning herregional heat and finishing third overall.

“We encourage as many students as possible toenter competitions, as they are a greatopportunity for them to demonstrate their skillsand receive recognition in such a highlycompetitive industry.”

The competition is open to all apprenticesbetween the ages of 17 and 24, who are on arecognised painting and decorating course,studying an NVQ or SVQ level 2 or 3, alongsideworking in the industry.

Lucy Brushes Up in National Apprentice Final

LUCY PORTER third in national final

A group of business mindedstudents have been crownedwinners of the ‘ThePantrepreneur Challenge’ andawarded with a trip to India.

The national enterprise competition, run incollaboration with Gazelle and fair tradeunderwear brand, Pants to Poverty, tested thestudents’ entrepreneurial skills and tasked themwith designing, marketing and selling their ownrange of Olympic themed pants.

During the first stage of the challenge, Access toHE students competed against teams from FEColleges across the UK, before being selected to

pitch their designs and business models in thefinal to Ben Ramsden, founder of Pants toPoverty, and a panel of expert judges from theworlds of fashion and business.

The team can now look forward to a trip to Indiathis autumn, where they will get to meet theorganic cotton farmers that supply Pants toPoverty and understand the fair trade processfirst hand.

Student, Shaun Ashley Welch said: “We’re overthe moon to have won the PantrepreneurChallenge. The last two months have taught uswhat it’s like to be entrepreneurs - the latenights, the hard graft and the stress, but it’s all

been worth it and we can’t wait to travel to India.”

Fellow student, Donna Stevenson commented:"The competition was very intense as it involvedemploying a number of different business skills,but we worked well as a team to identify ourindividual strengths and complete the variouselements of the project.

“I am looking forward to visiting India andfinding out more about the work that Pants toPoverty does to support local farmers; it's afantastic, once in a lifetime opportunity."

Pants-tastic

Competition

DREAMACHIEVERS

DREAMACHIEVER

Graduate Design & PrintThe Roland DG Signmaking Academy can produce items ranging from personalised giftsand canvasses to car wrapping, van vinyls, large signs, banners and hoardings. 01922 688516graduatedesign&[email protected]

Bridge Transcriptions & British Sign Language Website ServicesBespoke note-taking and website translation service, transcribe standard documents,volumes of text into Braille, single page letters, leaflets & large books. 01922 [email protected]

THE PANTREPRENEURS win India trip

TALENT @ Walsall College August 2012 7

A new generation of schoolfor the next generation of engineers and scientists.

APPLY NOWFor Year 10 and 6th Form

entrants for September 2012

Open to applicants from the Black Country andsurrounding areas• Applications for Year 10 must go to your Local Education Authority as

soon as possible

• Applications for 6th form must go to Admissions, Black Country UTC,Vernon Way, Walsall, WS3 2PA

You can download a copy of the application forms from www.blackcountryutc.co.uk

For further information please call 01922 470763

Comedian, Lenny Henry recentlyheld a workshop with PerformingArts students at Walsall College, tohelp him finalise the script for hislatest play, ‘Soundclash’, whichwill be performed next year aspart of the National Theatre’sConnections festival.

The workshop was organised by the NationalTheatre following the success of last year’sNew Connections Festival, where WalsallCollege students were only one of 10 groupsselected to perform, from 500 institutionsthat applied.

The workshop involved a series of focusgroups, where Lenny Henry, along with aproducer and movement coach from theNational Theatre, tested key ideas from theplay out on the students and asked for theirviews. Students also acted out some scenesand brought the script to life, to give theteam an insight into what worked.

The National Theatre chose Walsall Collegeas the only college to run this workshopafter the students’ performance in thefestival, received a 4 star review in theLondon Evening Standard last year.

Performing Arts Lecturer at Walsall College,Kerry Downing, said: “It’s a great privilege tohave hosted the workshop at WalsallCollege. We have developed an excellentworking relationship with the NationalTheatre, as a result of the hard work anddedication shown by students in theirperformance last year.

“It was an incredible and very rewardingopportunity for our students to work with anestablished artist like Lenny Henry, and toalso put their ideas forward for hisconsideration.”

Lenny Henry said: “The students were veryforthcoming in the workshop and it wasgreat to hear their opinions about the play,as well as the general issues affecting younger

people in today’s society.”

Student, Maggie Mbeka, whotook part in the workshop said:“I really enjoyed the groupsession and it was fantastic tobe involved in the script writingprocess. I can’t wait until theplay is finally written and onstage, so I can see if any of mysuggestions are used.”

Lenny Henry Looks toStudents for Inspiration

A new multi million pound UniversityTechnical College (UTC) for youngpeople in the West Midlands will openin September 2014, followingapproval of a bid by the Departmentfor Education.

Sponsored by CITB–ConstructionSkills (the leadsponsor), Walsall College and the University ofWolverhampton, the West MidlandsConstruction UTC will transform opportunitiesfor 14-19 year olds in the West Midlands toundertake full-time, practical, vocational andtechnical studies, in a wide range of specialistskills that will help prepare them for a career inthe construction industry.

With the active support of a number of highprofile construction industry partners, includingWilmott Dixon, Balfour Beattie, Morgan Sindalland Lovell, Hewden Stewart and BarhaleConstruction, the college will offer a curriculumbased upon construction and the builtenvironment, as well as the use of informationtechnology, sustainability and greentechnologies. It will be uniquely placed to delivera high quality curriculum that meets the need ofstudents and industry.

Nigel Donohue, Head of Business DevelopmentServices at CITB-ConstructionSkills said: “This isgreat news for the West Midlands. We made astrong bid to the Department for Education

which has clearly been recognised.Importantly, the UTC will offer theconstruction industry the opportunity tosupport learners through a curriculumwhich meets their current and futureneeds.”

Jatinder Sharma, Principal and ChiefExecutive of Walsall College said: “Weare all very excited about this decisionand Walsall College will be playing afull part in making sure that the UTCachieves its full potential. We willprovide leadership in educationaldevelopment, curriculum design andstaff development, to ensure that UTCstudents can progress into higher skilllevel employment or highereducation”.

Professor Sir Geoff Hampton, DeputyVice Chancellor of the University ofWolverhampton said: “We are thrilledto have got the go ahead. As the UTCstarts to operate, it will transform theprospects for numerous young peopleand have and provide a boost to theeconomy of the region. We will workto develop the UTC as an outstanding centre of excellence for construction education”.

New ConstructionCollege for the WestMidlands

WEST MIDLANDS CONSTRUCTION UTC will transform opportunities

LENNY HENRY and his team

8 TALENT @ Walsall College August 2012

For the latest news and course information log on to www.walsallcollege.ac.uk

Director of Wildlife at West MidlandsSafari Park, Bob Lawrence helpedWalsall College celebrate nationalAdult Learners’ Week and the successof its students, during its AdultLearners’ Awards Dinner on Monday14th May.

Bob, who is a firm believer in lifelong learning,having recently graduated from NottinghamTrent University, was guest speaker at the event,which was a celebration of the hard work andachievements of the College’s adult learners.During the evening, 20 outstanding studentswere presented with Student of the YearAwards for achieving excellence in their areaof study, along with an award for the OverallAdult Learner of the Year, won by GCSEEnglish student, Gary Moorcraft.

Taking place during Adult Learners Week, anational celebration of vocational learning, theAdult Learners’ Awards Dinner provided a highprofile ceremony for outstanding adult learnersto shine.

Adult Learners' Week (12th-18th May) is acelebration of the energy and inspiration thatadults bring to their learning. It seeks to use theachievements of learners to inspire others tohave to go - whether it is learning a new skill,learning for fun, or catching up on learningmissed at school.

Jatinder Sharma, Principal and Chief Executiveof Walsall College said: “The Adult Learners’Awards Dinner was an ideal opportunity forWalsall College to celebrate the fantasticachievements our students have achieved.Holding the event during Adult Learners’ Weekis our way of supporting the initiative andshowing people how learning can change lives.These exceptional students are real life examplesof students who have excelled through vocationallearning and are an inspiration to others.”

Adult Learners’ Awarded

DREAMACHIEVERS

After winning a college competition, a group of talented Creative Artsstudents at Walsall College saw theirwork featured in the Power andBeauty exhibition at the New ArtGallery Walsall.

On display over the summer, Power and Beautywas inspired by the work of world renownedPhotographer, Mark Power, in his Black CountryStories exhibition, which was showcased at thegallery from 20th July - 15th September 2012.

Mark visited Walsall College in January to launchthe competition to Photography and Mediastudents from Walsall College and SandwellCollege, inviting them to submit their work foran opportunity to be part of the exhibition.

The brief was to create still images or shortdigital films that explore the social landscape ofthe Black Country and document everyday life inthe region, with a central theme of unseenbeauty. The competition attracted severalhundred entries, of which Mark Power selectedeight collections submitted by students fromeach College to feature in the display.

Photography Lecturer at Walsall College, IanMale said: “The final pieces were chosen as theychallenge expectations and raise questions aboutthe Black Country and notions of unseen beauty,in all its contradictions and manifestations,where you might not expect to find it.

“We are very grateful to Mark for inviting ourstudents to take part in this project. It’s a greathonour for them to have their talent showcasedin a public gallery and featured in a poignantexhibition that tells a story about local life.”

A member of international photographic agency,Magnum, Mark Power is a highly celebratedphotographer having won a number ofaccolades during his illustrative career, includingthe ‘2001 Year of the Artist’ Award, as voted forby the Arts Council of Great Britain.

Black Country Stories is a four-year projectcommissioned by Multistory, which invitesoutstanding artists to work in partnership withlocal community groups and individuals todocument and record life in the Black Country,to tell a multi-layered story of the region.

Students Reveal Black Country Through a Lens

CROWN WHARFSHOPPING CENTRE

POLICESTATION

LAWCOURTS

LEATHERMUSEUM

Staffo

rd Street

Blue Lane West

Day Street

Littleton Street

A4148

Green Lane

Blue Lane E

Short Acre St

Long Acre St

A

TESCO

SATURDAYONLY

OVERFLOW

STUDENTS

PARKING

P

P

P

GREENLANE

CAMPUS

WISEMORECAMPUS

B

Wisemore Campus (and Broadway Campus)*Littleton Street West,Walsall, WS2 8ESTel: 01922 657000Fax: 01922 657083Deaf Academy Minicom(For deaf users only): 01922 657064

Green Lane CampusLong Acre StreetWalsall, WS2 8HXTel: 01922 621511Fax: 01922 642748Deaf Academy Minicom(For deaf users only): 01922 657064

*Please note when entering Wisemore Campuspostcode into a Satellite Navigation Systemplease use the postcode WS2 8EQ

B

A

OPEN DAYS 2012/13• Wednesday 21st November 20124pm - 7pm

• Saturday 19th January 201310am - 2pm

• Wednesday 20th March 20134pm - 7pm

• Wednesday 1st May 20134pm - 7pm

• Saturday 22nd June 201310am - 2pm

GARY MOORCRAFT Overall Adult Learner of the Year

ADULT LEARNERS improve careers prospects

AWARDS DINNER at college’s Jerome’s Restaurant

WINNER’S enjoy drinks reception

POWER AND BEAUTY region inspires students

Adult courses19+