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.

Engineering Apprentices meet HRH 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.

During the tour His Royal Highness met with apprentices including Adam Hedges aged 23 from Kidsgrove.  Adam is studying an Advanced Apprenticeship in Engineering and works at Supermarine Aero Engineering in Burselm who restore and maintain the Ministry of Defence’s fleet of Second World War aeroplanes.  Adam said: “It was a real honour to meet the Duke, he took a real interest in the work we do as apprentice engineers.”

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.

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

NULC students invited to RAF Cosford

Following on from a two day workshop provided by the Royal Air Force (RAF) in November, Construction and Engineering students from NULC have been invited to RAF Cosford to take part in a range of activities.

On Thursday 23 February a number of students will travel to the Shropshire Air Base where they will have the opportunity to meet Sergeant Ian Pringle, from the RAF Motivational Outreach Team who has previously visited the College to provide workshops to Construction and Engineering students. 

Whilst at RAF Cosford the students will spend the morning on the Low Ropes facility followed by lunch in the Junior Ranks Mess.  During the afternoon the students will have time to tour the RAF Museum.

The RAF has been working with students to showcase the types of careers open to them once completing their studies at NULC.

Rob Sproson, lecturer in Construction at NULC said: “The students are very excited about the visit to RAF Cosford.  They’ve been provided with a kit list and are spending time preparing for the visit.”

He continued: “The RAF and in particular Sergeant Ian Pringle have been brilliant and have dedicated valuable time and resources to the students here at NULC, the students have found the sessions they have already attended very inspirational.”

Click here to find out more about Engineering and Construction courses at NULC.

To find out more about the range of careers available in the RAF click here.