Chamber Manufacturing Forum visit

Thanks to Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce for organising a Manufacturing Forum visit to check out NULC's fantastic facilities.

Guests from companies such as Orbital Gas Systems, Dunelm Supplies, Steelite and JWA Components heard how NULC offers training, qualifications, apprenticeships and recruitment to employers. The companies visited our engineering laboratory to see the 3D laser printer and laser cutter in action and our £6 million Skills and Technology Centre to see engineering students operating milling machines and lathes and apprentices training on our virtual welding machine.

Naomi Ledgar of Orbital Gas Systems whose company works with NULC to train its apprentices said: "Future talent is always hard to recruit. We have great communications with the college and our apprentices come out the other end with real skills and real experience. They are the people who will take the company forward in the future."

For further information please click on the links for courses or our support for employers.

 

NULC apprentices sweep the boards at awards celebration

Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) apprentices have won almost a quarter of all the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Local Enterprise Partnership Apprenticeship Recognition Awards.

Three NULC apprentices were recognised for their achievement in the run up to National Apprenticeships Week which started on 9th March. A total of 13 awards were presented at a ceremony in front of employers at the Kingston Centre in Stafford.
Dean Reddin, 22, of Caverswall who attended Rodbaston College, was nominated by his employer JCB. He is studying for a Level 3 NVQ Extended Diploma in Electrical and Electronic Engineering at NULC.
Dean has worked for JCB since August 2011 and has had 100% attendance and never been late for work in the last three and a half years. His performance was deemed outstanding as he'd made improvements to wire harnessing in one product which saved time and money, was a great JCB ambassador with customers and was trusted to write service help pages for a new model.
Kate Broome, Technical Excellence – Apprentice Advisor at JCB said: "Dean has always shown a great commitment to JCB Landpower and his apprenticeship. He continually puts in extra. He is an impressive role model to others in the team."
Mike Jones, 30, of Normacot was awarded a Level 3 certificate in Providing Financial Services at NULC. He has worked for Ageas Retail Partnerships of Trentham Lakes for eight years and has recently been appointed to a managerial role.
Said Mike's apprentice assessor Penny Bickley: "Mike has specifically helped with the retention of customers by offering first class service and leading the way with his approach. His product knowledge is second to none, aided by his ongoing endeavour to gain his insurance qualifications."
Mitchell Hill, 18, of Hanford, photographed above, who previously attended Trentham High School, works for Transairvac International of Newcastle-under-Lyme. Mitchell is studying for a Level 3 NVQ Extended Diploma in Engineering. His award nomination highlighted that he took responsibility for designing and fitting the racking for his company's new warehouse.
Said his tutor Colin Alaimo: "Mitchell works well in a team and can also be trusted to work on his own. He has also suggested different ways of doing some work processes which shows he's growing in confidence and becoming a good asset to his company."
Young people wanting to find out more about apprenticeships can visit the College's 12th March open day between 5:30 and 8pm and chat with leading employers about training, support and vacancies. To register in advance please go to: www.nulc.ac.uk/events.
Said NULC's head of employer training Vicky Boulton-Clarke: "The College has outstanding apprenticeship success rates, with results generally 10% higher than the  national average. I am delighted our apprentices - and effectively their far-sighted employers - have been recognised among the best in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent."

For further information on what NULC can do for business including recruitment, training and apprenticeships, please visit: www.nulc.ac.uk/nulc-for-business.

NULC students learn employability skills

Students studying health and social care, IT and engineering attended an employability event hosted at Staffordshire University.

NULC took 120 students from level 3 courses in health and social care, IT and engineering to take part in a national initiative the Splash programme which is ran by Working Knowledge.

During the day students worked on their employability skills meeting with local employers and taking part in workshops and employer carousels.

The event covered topics including business idea ,operational, sales, marketing and finance. As well as local business experts providing students will a ‘real-world’ perspective on the business environment.

Click here to view a film from the event. 

To find out more about courses at NULC visit www.nulc.ac.uk or contact the Information Point on 01782 254254 or info@nulc.ac.uk.

NULC Celebration Event 2012

NULC hosted it's first Celebration Event on Wednesday 27 June.  The event brought together a wide range of learners from across the College in order to celebrate their achievements over the past academic year. 

Awards were given in 11 different categories which recognised academic achievement, personal achievement, services to the College and the community as well as sporting success. 

Award winners from the Faculty of Technology and Enterprise

Award winners from the Faculty of Technology and Enterprise pictured with Head of Faculty Dominic Whittaker (centre). 

• Learner Endeavour: Alex Higgins – Level 2 Practical Engineering

• Services to College: Damien Coady – L2 Apprentice in Painting and Decorating

• Apprentice of the year: Adam Heath – AAT level 4 Diploma WBL

• Young Achiever: Keiran Weller – Level 3 year 2 Business

• Adult Achiever: Michael Jones – Level 4 AAT

• Work experience / placement; Ryan Leadbetter – Level 2 Diploma in Practical Engineering 

• Return to Learning: Jill Trueman – L1 Diploma in Bench Joinery

Each award winner received a unique trophy designed by a team of learners from our art and design courses and was made on College premises in the Engineering department. Award winners were joined by parents and guests to celebrate their achievements.     

To see the full gallery of images from the day visit our Facebook Page here.

VQ Day celebrations with Haroon Ali

Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) supported VQ Day by celebrating the success of its vocational students.

VQ Day, held on Wednesday 20 June 2012, was marked by a special celebration event at the College’s £60 million Knutton Lane campus. Students studying a Level 3 vocational qualification who have achieved triple distinction (equivalent to three As at A Level) will be recognised for their success along with a number of students who have achieved the new triple distinction star grade, which is equivalent to 3 A*’s at A Level.

At NULC, success rates on vocational courses are high across all areas of study. This year, over 100 students on BTEC National Diplomas are on target to achieve the top triple distinction grade (DDD) - equivalent to three grade As at A Level. In 2011, 313 students studying Level 3 Vocational qualifications and Apprenticeships progressed to higher education.

Haroon Ali, aged 18 from Birches Head, will this year complete a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Engineering at the College and is one of over 150 students on track to achieve the top triple distinction grade (DDD). 

Haroon joined NULC in 2010 from Clayton Hall Business and Language College.  During his time at NULC Haroon has shown determination to succeed and applied for an internship with MKS Instruments Ltd., who design and manufacture a vast range of engineering components. 

Haroon researched the company and provided them with a high quality CV, which resulted in an interview.  The company were clearly impressed with Haroon and as a result he has been offered the internship. The company will also be sponsoring him to study for a degree in mechanical engineering at Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU).  

Haroon said: “I’ve really enjoyed my time at NULC and have worked hard to pursue a career in Engineering.  I’m delighted to have received an internship with such a recognised company and can’t wait to get stuck in with my degree.”

To find out more about studying Engineering at NULC click here or contact the Information Point on 01782 254254 or info@nulc.ac.uk. 

I'm an engineer, Get me out of Here!

NULC Engineering students have been involved with a pilot project called 'I'm an engineer, Get me out of Here!'. 

I’m an Engineer, Get me out of Here! is running for the first time in March 2012, during National Science and Engineering Week. It aims to get students talking to real engineers, online, like its sister project I’m a Scientist, Get me out of Here!

Alex Carter, Curriculum Leader in Construction & Engineering, explains the project: “It’s an online event where you get to meet and interact with real engineers.  It's in the form of an X-factor style competition between the engineers.” 

She continued: ‘Using computers the students submit questions and the engineers answer them.  I also booked an online chat with them so the students could get into interesting conversations and then vote for the engineer that they wanted to win.”

Alex took the time to research Engineers that she felt her students would benefit from chatting to most. She said: “I chose the engineers in the high performance zone and there were five engineers whose daily jobs take them to new heights and push engineering boundaries, as I felt they would appeal to the students most and provide them with aspirations.”

The project has proved popular with both students and the expert engineers taking part.  Alex commented: “One of the engineers said he'd had the most awesome chat with my students that they clearly enjoyed, and got a lot out of it.”

To find out more about 'I'm an engineer, Get me out of Here!' click here.

If you’re interested in studying Engineering at NULC click here or contact the Information Point on 01782 254254 or info@nulc.ac.uk.

Newcastle Greenpower Partnership launched

Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) has joined forces with Wolstanton High School and Martec Training to help inspire the engineers of the future.

The three organisations have formed the ‘Newcastle Greenpower Partnership’ to help raise interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) subjects within schools and further education.

The Partnership launch event took place on Tuesday 27 March at NULC, where staff and students from the three organisations will come together for a day of activities including presentations and workshops.

Students were also treated to a special talk from 17-year-old Formula BMW racing driver Jake Dalton, a current student at NULC.

Paula Rowland, Curriculum Manager for Construction and Engineering at NULC said: “Through the project we want to make engineering inspirational, motivational and fun. We aim to demonstrate the importance of engineering in industry and associated STEM subjects to solve everyday problems.”

Paula continued: “The students involved will gain an improved understanding of engineering and how it can be a relevant and dynamic career choice.”

The project will last approximately 12 months during which the three organisations will work collaboratively to design, develop and manufacture an electric Greenpower racing car; a challenge that once completed will see the Newcastle Greenpower Team compete against other schools and colleges in racing events across the UK.

 The designing and development of the car will be carried out at Wolstanton High School using Science, Technology and Maths to present concepts and ideas involving aerodynamics, material properties, sizes and acceleration.

The fabrication of components will be engineered at NULC’s dedicated Skills and Technology Centre by engineering students. The final assembly of the car will be completed at MARTEC training by motor vehicle apprentices.

To find out more about the range of Engineering courses available at NULC click here or contact the Information Point on 01782 254254 or info@nulc.ac.uk.