NWSLC Express October 2022

EXPRESS

October 2022

WELCOME TO OUR

ALUMNI SHORTLISTED

COLLEGE

“Now that the autumn term is well underway, I am delighted to welcome all of our new and returning students to NWSLC. Our youngest students are just 14 and age is no limit to taking part in lifelong learning thanks to our flexible options which include apprenticeships and T Levels, full-time and part-time college courses, online and distance learning, professional qualifications, and the chance to perfect a new hobby.

FOR LEICESTERSHIRE BUSINESS AWARD

Marion Plant

“With 8,000 students enrolled last year, NWSLC has seven campuses in Leicestershire and Warwickshire including the MIRA Technology Institute (MTI) which focuses on automotive skills and our new Centre for Logistics Education and Research (CLEAR) in Lutterworth. We are a WorldSkills UK Centre of Excellence and 19 of our students are through to the national finals of WorldSkills UK this year.

“We value our employees and are signed up to the Department for Education Charter, the Living Wage Foundation, and the Disability Confident Employer scheme. The Association of Colleges has recognised our ‘emerging college’ status based on our sustainability goals.

“Whether you are interested in learning with us, or joining our team, we hope that the news below will provide a taste of what NWSLC is all about.”

Marion Plant, OBE FCGI, Principal and Chief Executive, NWSLC

INTERACTIVE VEHICLE

NETWORKING DEMO UNVEILED AT MTI An automotive networking and data systems provider is showcasing an interactive demonstration at the MIRA Technology Institute (MTI) to support awareness and understanding of the latest skills driving the electric car revolution.

Intrepid Control Systems, based at the MIRA Technology Park, is keen to show how it is helping car manufacturers to develop prototypes more efficiently using a simulation that can control the instrument cluster of any vehicle.

For more information visit www.mti.ac.uk

COLLEGE OPEN EVENINGS

A Leicester-based apprentice and social media supremo is celebrating after reaching the shortlist of a regional awards scheme. Leah Nelson, who works as a digital marketing executive at design agency Creative62, has been shortlisted in the Apprentice of the Year category of the East Midlands Chamber Leicestershire Business Awards and will compete for the top prize later this year alongside peers from local businesses.

Leah, from Wigston, joined Creative62 in August 2021 as a Digital Marketing Apprentice and successfully completed her apprenticeship ahead of time in April having already achieved a media qualification at NWSLC’s Wigston Campus with Distinction star grades. Leah’s talent for digital marketing has grown since she set up her own fashion and beauty social media channels at the age of 12, growing her audience to over 120,000 followers in the years that followed. Good luck for the finals, Leah!

Leah Nelson

Come and see us in action this November.

Register at www.nwslc.ac.uk/events

FORMER APPRENTICE DONATES HIGH-TECH TOOLS FOR

STUDENTS

A former apprentice technician who rose to become CEO of the company he trained with, has donated hundreds of precision tools to NWSLC. Peter Lillicrapp from Europa Tool in Nuneaton returned to the college’s engineering workshops to present engineering cutting tools worth £17,000 for students to use as part of their study programmes.

Peter followed his engineering technician apprenticeship at NWSLC’s Nuneaton Campus between 1977 and 1982 and progressed to gain higher level qualifications. He is now CEO of Europa Tool based at Kingfisher Court, which is part of a global conglomerate with 31 manufacturing plants around the world, 5,000 employees and a head office in Seoul, South Korea.

For more on our engineering course visit www.nwslc.ac.uk

LANDS AoC SPORT WEST MID HAMPIONS! FOOTBALL LEAGUE C

COLLEGE FOOTBALL ACADEMY SEALS PARTNERSHIP WITH

HOLMES PARK

NWSLC Students have been celebrating the news that the base for it’s new Football Academy will be the prestigious Leicester and Rutland County Football Association Holmes Park venue in Whetstone. This September marked the launch of the NWSLC Football Academy, which is led

by UEFA-qualified coaches and offers talented football players who enrol on college courses the chance to refine their football skills, compete in college league matches, and take advantage of links with football clubs.

Students that join our Football Academy can look forward to visiting the home of England football at St George’s Park, as well as live sessions with guests from professional clubs. The NWSLC football team won the AoC Sport West Midlands Football League last season.

For more information visit the Football Academy page on the NWSLC website.

Carpentry student Sam Abbott with tutor Jason Harlock

COLLEGE STUDENTS REACH

NATIONAL WORLDSKILLS UK FINALS

Nineteen talented students from NWSLC will travel to Scotland and Wales after reaching the national finals of WorldSkills UK. The students will compete for gold, silver, and bronze medals and the chance to join Team UK on an international stage at the ‘Skills Olympics’ in France in 2024. The results will be announced by presenter Steph McGovern in a special event live from her ‘Packed Lunch’ studio on Friday 25 November 2022.

NWLC is proud to have more students than any other college competing in the foundation skills competitions.

Designed for those with special educational needs and disabilities, these were first started by NWSLC. Finalists include Hattie Parnham, an apprentice with Ashby Decorator Centre in Ashby-de-la-Zouch who will try her skills in painting and decoration, and Briony Hancox who will compete in the foundation floristry competition. Sam Hurst, Lucy Gill, and Harry Forbes are due to compete in the foundation catering competition.

Evan Ashburner and Alexandru Dinca will test their skills in the foundation motor vehicle skills competition. The foundation hairdressing skills of Emmie Pearce, Grace Bird and Hemali Bordekar will also be put to the test.

Nine students have qualified to compete in the media skills competition: Meshach Ngabesong, Nathan Smith, Pavan Mandalia, Amber Stuart, Evie Smith, Kameela Tuitt, Jamie Smallwood, and Kiefer Day.

Come and Shop at the ‘NWSLC Supermarket’ 17th November 5-7pm at the Wigston Campus as part of Leicester Business Festival.

Get the latest offers at at www.nwslc.ac.uk/events

COLLEGE MARKS STUDENT AND ALUMNI SUCCESS AT

SPECIAL EVENT A choreographer, a fashion buyer for Next, an electric car technician and apprentices from the Coventry City of Culture Trust were amongst those whose achievements are being celebrated at a special event for students and alumni from NWSLC. In addition, former performing arts and business students are celebrating their success in a national awards scheme.

Francesca Tomlinson, who excelled in performing arts, and business student Ellis Percival learned that they had both achieved Silver BTEC awards. The BTEC Awards, now in its 12th year, is an annual event that recognises and celebrates the hard work and dedication of BTEC learners, educators, and providers from all around the globe.

Also joining the celebrations was Bushra Khan from Coventry who started an apprenticeship with the college after leaving school during the Covid pandemic lockdown. Bushra wants to become a corporate commercial lawyer in the future and took the opportunity to join the Coventry City of Culture Trust where she learned about contracts and stakeholder management.

Completing an apprenticeship in fund-raising with the Coventry City of Culture Trust saw Oumar Diallo engaging with stakeholders with whom he learned how to secure donations for this high-profile project. Former business student Oumar was keen to learn about fund-raising to support his future career ambitions in filmmaking.

Former fashion and textiles student Emily Olner was inspired to follow her career after she joined the audience at an NWSLC fashion show. Having always loved fashion, Emily said that she knew instantly from that moment that she would like to study fashion after leaving school. Now working for Next in Leicester, Emily researches and locates the latest product ideas as part of her role in the sourcing team.

Bushra Khan

Business studies alumni Connall Pugh, who studied at the college’s Wigston Campus, changed direction after a rugby injury and decided not to go to university. He enjoyed learning about all aspects of business from accounting to management and developed a talent for marketing. Now working as a campaign co-ordinator for Cromwell Tools.

Former performing arts student Ryan Perry had always enjoyed singing, dancing, and acting and was keen to further develop his professional skills. After qualifying at the college’s creative arts campus in Hinckley, Ryan is now a freelance dance teacher and choreographer based at FootwrX Dance Company in Nuneaton.

Sophia Booth, from Bedworth, completed A Levels while helping her mechanic father to keep their neighbours’ cars on the road. A keen motocross enthusiast since the age of 14, Sophia was delighted to secure an automotive apprenticeship with electric car brand Polestar. She is working hard in the workshop now and enjoying all aspects of the vehicle build.

THE RETURN OF EXAMS BRINGS GCSE

SUCCESS

This summer saw a significant improvement in the achievement rate for maths and English GCSEs at NWSLC. The proportion of students aged 16-18 achieving GCSE Maths Grades 9-4 increased by more than ten per cent since the last time public exams were taken before the pandemic. Amongst students who choose to be educated at home, more than half achieved higher grades for GCSE maths and English. Around

nine per cent more adults achieved GCSE Grades 9-4 than in 2019. Amongst students who choose to be educated at home, more than half achieved higher grades for maths and English. All of NWSLC GCSE achievement rates are above the national average.

Did you know we offer flexible degree level study? You can study part time or just a module at a time through our new HN Flex options. www.nwslc.ac.uk/higher-education

NWSLC Creative Arts team

Tom Hamilton-Dick and Marion Plant OBE FCGI, Gwyn Stubbings from GLP and James Wroath

NEW TRAINING CENTRE FOR LOGISTICS LAUNCHED

IN LEICESTERSHIRE

Industry leaders from the logistics and supply chain sector gathered in Lutterworth last month for the official launch of a new training centre based at the heart of Magna Park in Lutterworth.

James Wroath, CEO of Wincanton, Ian Howe, Director of Logistics for Screwfix, and Clare Bottle, CEO of the UK Warehousing Association (UKWA) were among the special guests at the launch of the Centre for Logistics Education and Research (CLEAR) on 30 September 2022 which is designed to help solve the sector’s skills challenges.

NWSLC is working in collaboration with supply chain partner Wincanton and leading logistics developer GLP to provide skills training and professional development across the spectrum of logistics and supply chain roles, enabling the sector to improve its agility and resilience.

For more information visit www.nwslc.ac.uk/thecentre-for-logistics-education-and-research-clear

ENERGETIC CELEBRATION FOR NUNEATON

BATON RELAY

A ‘Nuneaton’s Got Talent’ Battle of the Bands contest and a mass fitness class for Nuneaton school pupils were hosted by staff and students from NWSLC as part of the Queen’s Baton Relay ahead of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games this summer. The musical showcase saw competing performers come together from schools across Nuneaton at Riversley Park. Performers on the bandstand included NWSLC student band ‘The Ducks’ and solo singers Andrew Moores and Caitlin Smith. The Queen’s Baton paused at the bandstand before continuing its journey to the Pingles Athletics Stadium, the venue for a mass fitness session for nearly 900 primary school children who were put through their paces.

THUMBS UP

FOR COLLEGE EXPERIENCE FROM HIGHER EDUCATION STUDENTS

NWSLC continues to achieve satisfaction ratings from its higher education students that are above national average and put the college ahead of its local competitors. In the National Student Survey this year, the college was praised for its good teaching and helpful feedback. Students strongly agreed that their studies have given them plenty of opportunities to explore ideas in depth. Carrie-Anne Abdulai, Assistant Principal for Higher Education said, “Our students have worked hard this year to maintain a focus on their studies and our staff have consistently worked to support them, keeping them on track and helping them to complete their qualifications. We are very proud of the whole team that has worked so hard to maintain the learning experience for our HE students.”

To find out about our higher education course visit www.nwslc.ac.uk/courses/higher-education

COST OF LIVING BOOST WITH FREE COURSES FOR LEADERS AND MANAGERS

Adults in the West Midlands are set to benefit with the launch of a new online training ‘superstore’ from NWSLC where courses for leaders and managers can be followed up for free. The cost of the short courses, which lead to Chloe McIntosh accredited qualifications, is being covered by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) for people who live in Coventry, Birmingham, Solihull, Wolverhampton, Walsall, Sandwell, and Dudley.

On the shelves at the NWSLC superstore are 20 courses in subjects from health and safety, dealing with conflict, motivation, and performance to team-leading, dealing with change and digital skills. Students can simply browse the aisles online, add courses to their virtual shopping trolley and checkout for free*. *T&Cs apply, check website for details. www.nwslc.ac.uk/nwslc-superstore

COLLEGE OPEN EVENINGS

Come and see us in action this November.

Register at www.nwslc.ac.uk/events