A number of activities are taking place in Waveney from 17-23 May as part of Adult Learners’ Week.

The activities have been organised by the Waveney Learning Community as a way of showing adults in the area the range of opportunities that are available to them. During the week there are IT taster sessions and staff will be on hand at a number of venues to answer any questions and offer advice courses or learning opportunities available.

IT taster sessions and information will be available on the 4 Towns bus which will visit the following between 10am and 3pm:

19 May, Rainbow Supermarket car park, Bungay
20 May, Tesco Car Park, Beccles
21 May, Angel Hotel Car Park, Halesworth
22 May, outside the United Reform Church, High Street, Southwold
23 May, Field Lane layby, Kessingland.

There will also be an IT taster sessions at Whitton Life on 22 May, Mutford post office on 20 may and a Silver Surfers day at The Aspire centre in Lowestoft all from 10-3pm.

In addition there will be information from the mobile units of Lowestoft College and Adult and Community Education outside British Home Stores in Lowestoft on Saturday 17 and Monday 19th May and at JobCentrePlus throughout the week.

A booklet and bookmark called “Never too Late to Learn” is also being launched which will be available throughout the week at all locations and will give you all the learning that is on offer in Waveney

In the rural areas there will be
Scrapbooking taster sessions – Bungay Community Education Centre – Tuesday 20th May – 1-3pm and Halesworth Community Education Centre – Friday 23rd May - 10-12noon.

Indian Head Massage – Friends’ Meeting House, Smallgate, Beccles – Wednesday 21st May – 1-3pm

If you are unable to make any of the sessions or activities listed here and would like to know more about the learning opportunities in the area contact the Waveney Learning Community on 01502 539711.

Read >>

Holistic Therapy Students from Lowestoft College have been learning about the benefits of treatments for mental health by teaming up with MIND.

In October and March the Level 2 students decided to hold special fundraising drop-in sessions giving people the chance to make a donation to charity in return for holistic treatments. The sessions raised a total of £100 and the students chose to donate the money to MIND, the National Association for Mental Health in the UK.

As a result of their fundraising for the organisation, the students invited members of MIND in to Lowestoft College to try the treatments out for themselves. A total of eight people from MIND including a volunteer, resource centre worker and service users came into the college for their treatments. After a thorough consultation the group enjoyed tasters of Indian Head Massage, Holistic Facial, Hand and Arm Aromatherapy, Zone Therapy on the feet and Swedish Back Massage. The students also provided aftercare for their clients.

Students involved in the session said: “It was nice to give them a papering day – they seemed to really appreciate it and it was really rewarding for us too.”

As a result of the links forged with MIND, there are plans to work together for the Holistic Therapy Foundation Degree, a course starting in September which is being offered through University Campus Suffolk Lowestoft, located at the site of Lowestoft College. This partnership will mean that students on the course will give treatments to service users of Saxmundham MIND.

Read >>

Lowestoft College’s Sports and Leisure Industries students have been putting some of the skills they have learnt into practice by running sessions at Waterlane Leisure Centre.

Eighteen year olds Francis Knights, Hannah Gallagher and Ben Smith and 17 year olds Mark Drysdale and Nathan Mulhern, organised and assisted with various sessions and activities including football tournaments, badminton, roller skating, cricket and squash.

The five impressed the team at the leisure centre especially duty managers Donna Cooper and Stuart Bridges who were both former Lowestoft College students themselves. As a result of their time at the centre, Francis was offered a job as a lifeguard and the group was asked back to complete more voluntary sessions. They were also invited to complete the Mountain Climbing Supervisor Award at the leisure centre.

Read >>

Boatbuilding students from Lowestoft College will be taking on a challenge with a difference when they instruct novices in the specialist skill of lofting.

The students who are all in the first year of their course will be teaming up with students from Tresham Institute, Corby for the challenge which will see them drawing up full scale plans for a boat. To make the task more difficult the students from Lowestoft, who have been learning the skill since September, will not be allowed to draw during the competition and are only allowed to tell the rest of their team what needs doing.

Boatbuilding tutor Andrew Barratt said: “The students from Corby are currently enrolled on a boat fitting course but are learning very different skills to the students from at Lowestoft College. While ours are developing more traditional skills and work with wooden craft, to cater for local industry students from Corby fit out GRP yachts so lofting is something they have never tried.”

The groups will have four hours to complete their designs and each team will begin the challenge with 40 points. The aim is to hold on to as many points as possible and produce drawings which demonstrate fairness of lines, neatness and accuracy. Points will be deducted if teams do not finish in the allocated time and if any of the students from Lowestoft College pick up a pencil to work on the designs. After they have completed the challenge, the members from Corby will be asked a number of questions relating to the challenge to see how much they have learnt -If they fail to answer correctly they will be disqualified and the next team will be in with a chance of winning.

The competition is part of an ongoing exercise which sees the two colleges sharing examples of good practice and expertise with one another. As part of this the students from Lowestoft College will travel to Corby to visit the boat factory used by Tresham Institute.

Read >>

Lowestoft College welcomed some visitors with a difference to its campus - a Passive Dog Unit from Suffolk Constabulary.

The Unit was invited in by the College as a way to reinforce its anti-drugs policy and the exercise was a joint operation between the Lowestoft North Safer Neighbourhood Team, Waveney District Support Team and the Dog Unit.

Only a few key members of staff from Lowestoft College were aware the exercise was scheduled so that the results were a true reflection of an ordinary day at the College.

Many areas of the campus were patrolled including car parks, walkways and buildings. The dog identified 15 people during the day who were searched and no evidence of drugs found on them.

Head of Student Services Jennifer Langeskov said: “We felt that the initiative was a success. While fifteen individuals were stopped and searched, none had drugs on their person. This would indicate that both staff and students are aware of the zero tolerance of drugs in College and are acting in accordance with the rules.

“We felt this was a useful preventative measure to ensure that students remain aware of the robust stance that is taken. The comments received from staff and students all indicate a positive response to the action taken, which again encourages us in our work to ensure that the College is a safe environment for all,” she continued.

Other colleges both in the region and nationally have also used dog searches as a way to help ensure drugs are not brought in to their campuses.

Read >>

BA (Hons) Design Crafts students from University Campus Suffolk (UCS) Lowestoft located at the site of Lowestoft College have impressed judges with their entries in the prestigious Bradford Textile Society Student Awards.

The competition is held annually and receives entries from colleges and universities from across Gt Britain and this is the fifth year students from Lowestoft have gained acclaim in the awards. In the category Knitted Fabric for Fashion 38-year-old Louisa James from Gorleston won 2nd prize and 32-year-old Katy Hunt from Lowestoft won 3rd prize. Both students achieved commendations for their 2nd entry in other knit categories. Louisa produced some very beautiful felted fabrics and Katy some innovative elasticated fabrics based on old fashioned bathing costumes.

Students from UCS Lowestoft also received praise for their entries by picking up commendations - Jenny Fern for Innovative Design for Fashion, Katy Hunt for Knitted Fabric for Womenswear and Louisa James for Knitted Fabric for Interiors. Danielle Wade also scooped commendations for her entries in the Print Design and Innovative Design for Interiors categories.

Lecturer Liz Clark said: “This is the fifth year we have entered this competition and every year we do very well. Even the organisers of the competition comment on our performance and the fact that we are the smallest course up against the might of these major universities. After five years we are very confident that our students are consistently producing nationally recognised design work.”

The students and staff will travel to Bradford on May 9 to receive their awards at the National Media Museum.

Read >>

A series of events organised by Working in Travel Students from Lowestoft College has raised over £450 for CAMFED, a charity which aims to eradicate poverty and AIDS in rural Africa.

The students organised various fundraising activities including a sponsored walk to Somerleyton, car wash, cake stall, common room party and a collection in the town centre.

When they began planning the week of activities, the group set themselves a target of £400 which would be enough to send one girl through school for a year (including equipment, food and uniform). Now they have exceeded the target the group hopes the extra £50 will be used to provide a bicycle for a teacher in Africa or a small business loan to a budding entrepreneur.

The fundraising became a college-wide effort with many members of staff and students lending their support and expertise including help with the cake stall, a collage depicting and African scene and a mapped route for the walk to Somerleyton.

Travel and Tourism Lecturer Judith Williams said: “The students are working towards an Advanced National Diploma in Travel and Tourism and have to complete an events Unit so these activities were perfect. It was hard work keeping it all together but well worth it. I am really proud of all my students and they have all learnt the benefits of teamwork, commitment and initiative.”

Read >>

A Charity Dog Show organised by Lowestoft College’s Animal Care students is taking place on Saturday 3 May at the Oulton Broad and Beccles Riding Club Show Field, Hall Lane, Camps Heath in Oulton Broad.

Members of the Level 3 course have taken on the organisation of the show as part of their course work and this is the fifth year students from the college have planned the day.

Mr Chris Kemp (Pawsabull) takes on the role of judge for the day and will begin with the Pedigree Class which starts at 10am. At 12noon the Lowestoft Agility Display Team takes centre stage for a demonstration before the fun classes - including dog jumping and dog gymkhana - begin. Registration for all classes takes place on the day with Pedigree classes costing £2.50 and Fun Classes and Jumping just £1.

All money raised from the day will be divided between the Born Free Foundation, Dogs for the Disabled, Country Cat Shelter and the Gambia Horse and Donkey Trust.

For information about the day ring Rebecca Sannick on 07879400113.

Read >>

Members of the Prince’s Trust volunteer’s team successfully dived 2 miles to raise money for charity, quite a feat when none of them have ever dived before!

The nine volunteers from Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft Teams raised an amazing £519.64 for the Premature Baby Unit at James Paget Hospital and Smart Kids OK by scuba diving underwater for 130 lengths of the Waveney Sports Centre pool, which took 1 hour and 40 minutes to achieve.

Team Leader Tracie Cousins from Lowestoft College said “I am very proud of each and everyone who took part in this team challenge; they worked well as a team and achieved their goals, and supported each other throughout the event.”

Tracie and the Prince’s Trust Team would like to say a special thank you to Lowestoft Sub Aqua Club for providing all the diving equipment, Kings Water Sports, FR Scaffolding of Hales, Waveney Sports Centre and 103.4 The Beach.

The team said that although scuba diving is not normally something they would do, it was awesome to have a chance to take part in this type of activity.

Recruitment for the next team which starts on 6 May is currently under way, anyone interested can contact Lowestoft College on 0800 854695.

Read >>

Nearly 50 apprentices at Lowestoft College are getting a technological boost to help achieve their qualifications.

They have each been presented with a personal data assistant (PDA) in a new initiative to smooth their way towards gaining NVQs electronically.

The handheld computers let them bypass much of the paperwork usually associated with their work – a timely boost in last week’s National Apprenticeship Week.

And instead of having to take along laptops or even ring-binders to record some of their work-based learning, the budding engineers and electricians can simply tap into the MoleNet PDAs as they go along.

One of them, Jamie Girling, said it even meant he could do his work during a half hour bus journey into work each morning.

The gadgets can be used for word documents or to upload photos, diagrams or drawings as evidence for their portfolios.

They can also be used to access the internet and to transfer material for online NVQ assessment as part of the college’s Quickstep system, funded by the Learning Skills Council through its Learning Skills Network.

“The PDAs are the perfect portable tool for the apprentices and we’re sure they will enjoy using them,” said Ian McLean, the college’s Head of School for International and Commercial Services.

“It’s a pro-active way to help interest and motivate the apprentices and make the work less of a chore.

“A lot of NVQ paperwork is often left till the last moment and then the apprentices have to scrap around to get it all on the system. Through this mobile learning system, they can keep up to date as they go.

“We need to help progress the apprentices. The college wants to see that that is happening and so do employers – and the students themselves can access their own data to see where they are.”

Employers are being invited into the college for a demonstration of the new technology and to show them how it can raise the achievements of their staff.

A foreman from SLP Engineering has also joined the initiative and will be able to log on and monitor his apprentice’s portfolio work.

The college’s training services liaison officers will also oversee how the system is working and ensure that all is going smoothly for the 46 students involved.

For further information contact Ian McLean, at Lowestoft College, on 01502 525177. News release prepared on behalf of Lowestoft College by Roy Strowger at TMS Media. Contact 01493 662929. CAPTION1 – Learning on the move (left to right) are: James Hutchinson (electrical supervisor), Luke Edwards, Jamie Girling, Nathan Palmer, Tommy Rudd, Michael Walpole and Mark Besford (electrical supervisor). CAPTION2 – MoleNet magic: The happy team are (back row, left to right) Jayne Hutchinson (training services liaison officer), Tommy Rudd, Nathan Palmer, Luke Edwards, Jamie Girling, Michael Walpole and Les Rudder (training services liaison officer); (front) James Hutchinson, electrical supervisor; Jackie Galley, HR and Training Officer; and Mark Besford, electrical supervisor.

Read >>

The sparks were flying at Lowestoft College as 13 trainee welders showed off their skills in the SkillWeld 2008 eastern regional competition.

After tests spanning four hours, it was 6ft 5in Shane Steward – also a boxer - who had battled his way into top spot.

But he didn’t prove to be head and shoulders above the rest. Adam Hottinger finished only three marks behind him in a dramatic finish.

Now they must wait to see if they will be among the 10 finalists chosen to compete for the national title and possibly even to represent the UK in the world skills competition to be held in Canada next year.

Ferlin Quantrill, Head of School for Engineering, Science and Technology, said “We were thrilled to host such an important event in our new welding workshop and to see it develop into such an exciting contest. The College recognises the importance of working with employers to provide the skills they require now and for the future. And competitions like this raise the profile of those necessary skills and motivate youngsters to be the best in their field.”

Twelve of the thirteen contestants were work-based learner apprentices studying at the College, but they were all pipped by Shane, who was representing Colchester Institute.

Runner-up Adam is an apprentice at Steel Services, Great Yarmouth, and third place went to Danny Saggers from SLP Engineering Lowestoft.

“It was a gruelling day for them all, with four practical welding tests to complete against the clock in various materials using three welding processes with industrial standard welding equipment,” said Mr Quantrill.

“Throughout the day all the competitors demonstrated real team spirit and camaraderie and our new workshop and equipment stood up well to the test too.”

Judges were John Pearsall and Les Ness who travelled from the Midlands for the event and will escort the UK’s best to Calgary next year.

A presentation to the winners was held in the College’s Astral Centre with awards handed out by college vice-principal Teresa Miller. Sponsors for the event were Elmdale Welding and Engineering Supplies and ESAB Group.

Full results were: 1 Shane Steward (Colchester Institute), 2 Adam Hottinger (Steel Services), 3 Danny Saggers (SLP Engineering), 4 Jay Collins (SLP Engineering), 5 Jamie Easy (Small and Co), 6 Craig Crisp (SLP Engineering).

Read >>

Foday Suso, a Gambian student on the GCSE English Course, gave a rhythmic presentation to Preparing for Employment Year 2. Foday spends his time working for the prison service, running a successful music school, making musical instruments as well as perfecting his English at college. All of the PfE students, including Foday were able to use the opportunity to gain evidence of speaking/listening for their coursework. Foday brought along his hand-crafted drum which he played for the group and at one point burst into song in his native tongue. All of the students, although initially shy and reluctant, ended up playing the drum and many found themselves sub-consciously tapping out rhythms on the table or with their feet.

Foday shared stories of how squirrels make a tasty casserole and how the drum in his homeland substitutes the mobile phone if a member of the family gets lost while collecting wood in the forest.

Read >>

Football lovers are being given the chance to extend their knowledge and train for a career in the sport thanks to a brand new course being offered in Lowestoft.

The Football Development and Coaching Foundation degree is being offered by University Campus Suffolk (UCS) Lowestoft, located at the site of Lowestoft College. Plans to offer the qualification came about when Mark Christie, Head of Higher Education at UCS Lowestoft, decided to look at ways of expanding the courses offered at the centre. He set his sights on giving people the chance to study for something they have a passion for and since being given the go ahead to develop the programme has been working hard to introduce the Football Development and Coaching qualification.

The course, due to start in September, has been developed with industry professionals such as Waveney District Council Sports Development and Leisure Services, Waveney Youth Football Association, Suffolk Sport, Suffolk Football Association, Ipswich Town Football In The Community, Lowestoft Town FC and Kirkley and Pakefield FC. During the Foundation degree, students will complete a number of core modules relating to the industry which should help equip them with many of the skills they will find useful in their future career.

Mark Christie said: “This course is an exciting opportunity for students and is one that I’m really pleased we’re developing. It will cover a broad range of subject areas including Coaching Principles, Fitness for Football, Introduction to Sports Development and professional coaching badges. We are hoping to invite guest speakers and industry professionals in to UCS Lowestoft to share their knowledge and experience of the industry with our students.”

The final details of the course are now being put in place but Mr Christie said: “Gary Bennett, Geoff Price and the team at Lowestoft Football Club are just one of many local and regional partners who are getting involved with UCS Lowestoft with respect to developing and, ultimately, delivering this new football degree programme.”

To find out more about the Football Development and Coaching Foundation degree contact Mark Christie on 01502 583521, and to apply contact UCS Admissions Team on 01473 296451.

Read >>

Working in Travel 3 students from Lowestoft College recently visited some of London’s top attractions as part of a fact finding mission for their course.

The students are all currently learning more about Sales and Promotions and during the day were able to find out how attractions market themselves in location - signposting, entrance signs, leaflets and merchandising.

Most of the group opted to visit the London Dungeon where they enjoyed rides with interactive special effects, actors and shows. While they were there the group was surprised to learn that even to toilets were themed and were decorated as coffins.

The group agreed the Dungeons were well worth a visit. “It was scary,” said Charlotte Cole, aged 16. “The rides were a gruesome experience,” said Louise Dale, also 16.

During the day the group also took in some of the capital’s world-famous landmarks including Tower Bridge, the Gherkin, the South Bank, HMS Belfast, The Tower of London and St Paul’s.

Tutors and students are currently planning their next visit and in the spring they will be visiting the new Costa Atlantica cruise ship for a VIP trip, when it is berthed at Harwich.

Read >>

Students from the Uniformed Services courses at Lowestoft College have been busy finding out more about life on the ocean wave with the Royal Navy.

The Level 1 and 2 students travelled to Portsmouth where they visited the HM Dockyard. During their visit the group also spent the night on board HMS Bristol and had a look around HMS Liverpool. They were also able to talk with serving crew to find out first hand more about a career with the Navy.

The Uniformed Services courses are for students who aspire to a career in one of the armed forces or the public services including fire brigade or police force. To help them develop some of the skills they may come to rely on in their chosen career, the students have also been working hard during the course and have recently been taking part in a range of activities including helicopter and bridge simulations as well as climbing.

Read >>

Congratulations to former Administration and Business student Katie Bullock who scooped the prestigious Suffolk Student of the Year Award. The 26-year-old, who is now studying Criminology and Criminal Justice in Blackpool, was selected by a panel of judges from the Learning and Skills Council for her dedication and aspiring to improve her future.

The principals from the four colleges in Suffolk each nominated one student to be considered for the award. A shocked Katie was presented with her award by BBC presenter Stuart White.

Read >>

The four colleges in Suffolk have joined forces with the East of England Learning and Skills Council (LSC) to promote further education in Suffolk.

Lowestoft, Otley, Suffolk New and West Suffolk College, have launched a website to promote an array of opportunities for students who are looking at the possibility of studying in this region.

www.collegesinsuffolk.co.uk - has links to all of the colleges in Suffolk. It also provides course information promoting the huge variety of study options available to learners.

From animal care to art, catering to childcare, hairdressing to horse studies and science to sport, there are many opportunities available for all.

The website has been supplemented by a radio and bus advertising campaign and students who visit and register on the website will be given the opportunity to win an iPod and a variety of other prizes in the future.

A spokesperson for the group, John Nice, said, “Historically all colleges have been seen to work individually, therefore this group is really proud of the fact that they have been able to successfully work together for the benefit of learners in this region.”

“We all have the same mission of providing a quality education that will benefit the local community not just today, but in the long term future as well.”

“Education can change people’s lives. It is early days for this group, but together we are hopeful that by working together, the colleges in Suffolk will positively contribute in making a difference to learners through high quality teaching and further education.”

“We also want to get the message out that further education is for everyone,” he added.

Read >>

A student from Lowestoft College has uncovered a piece of history – a newspaper from 1912 reporting on the sinking of the Titanic.

Sarah Hitcham, a student on the Travel and Tourism course discovered the Daily Mirror dated 17 April, at her home in Lowestoft. Sarah, who moved into the house in April 2006 said: “The newspaper was in the attic in a bag. I was clearing out for a car boot sale and thought I could use the bag for my college work. I was emptying the bag and it was then that I found the copy of the newspaper.”

The paper contains photographs of people as they boarded the Titanic, lists of survivors, details of the rescue efforts and photographs of people in England trying to find out news about loved ones.

Jo Hiller, course tutor, said: “I thought it was interesting and quite a coincidence that a student on the Travel and Tourism course found the paper – especially as one of the units we will be covering during the course is cruising. It’s a fascinating find and if Sarah agrees it would be great to frame it and display it in the college’s travel department.”

Read >>

Managers at Ivy House Farm in Oulton Broad have recognised the value of a well trained team and have been offering staff at the hotel the chance to improve their skills and qualifications at Lowestoft College.

A total of nine people signed up for the Train to Gain scheme at the college and spent the last nine months working towards a level 2 qualification in housekeeping, front office or food and drink service. The group are the first to complete Train to Gain courses at the college and have set a high standard for the future with everyone successfully achieving the qualification.

Bob Kells, Director of Faculty for Service to Business at Lowestoft College, said: “Ivy House Farm was one of a number of businesses in the area to recognise how an investment in their workforce can help to improve motivation and productivity. Train to Gain appeals to local businesses because it offers flexible training in Catering and Hospitality, Health and Social Care, Business and Administration, Customer Services, Skills for Life, Engineering and Construction. Other local employers to take up the Train to Gain courses include Adnams, Warner Holidays in Corton and Norfolk County Services.”

Train to Gain was introduced throughout England by the Learning and Skills Council as a way to help businesses access funded training for their workforce. The courses are available to private, public or voluntary organisations and, to benefit, employees must be over the age of 19 with no previous Level 2 qualification or the equivalent (5 GCSEs at A-C).

To find out whether your business qualifies or for more information about the Train to Gain courses offered at Lowestoft College ring the Astral Centre on 01502 525158 or email astral@lowestoft.ac.uk

Read >>

Students from Lowestoft College’s BA (Hons) Art and Design department have shown they are among the best in the country by gaining acclaim in the prestigious Bradford Textile Society Awards.

Four BA (Hons) Design Crafts students gained recognition for their entries in the annual competition and, two of those have been singled out to receive an all-expenses paid trip to Paris to attend PremiereVision, the World’s Premier Fabric Show.

22-year-old Gemma Orton from Attleborough, who is in the final year of the course picked up a coveted first prize for her design in the Innovative Textile Design for Fashion Fabrics category. Fellow final year student Amba Davison who is 21 received a third prize for her Fashion Knitwear entry and a Commendation for her Knitted Fabric for Women’s and Menswear design. 22-year-old Karla Beer and Corin Sutherland-Costen who are both from Lowestoft also gained praise for their entries by receiving Commendations with their entries in the Surface Pattern for Interior Textiles and Fashion Knitwear categories.

The students travelled to the National Media Museum in Bradford on Friday to collect their awards and it was then that Gemma and Karla discovered they had been singled out as two of only four students to receive the VIP treatment during a special visit to PremiereVision in September.

Each year the organisers of the show come over from Paris to attend the Bradford Textile Society Awards and select the designs which best reflect the mood for the following Spring. During their three day visit to Paris, Gemma and Karla will stay in a top class hotel and will rub shoulders with people from some of the most renowned fashion houses in the world.

There is a chance to see pieces by these prize-winning students at the end of year degree show from 12 to 20 July. The show, which is being held in the college’s Sir Christopher Cockerell Centre will feature work by all of the design crafts and graphic design degree students.

Image - (left to right) Gemma Orton, Amba Davison, Corin Sutherland-Costen and Karla Beer.

Read >>

The first Solar Thermal Domestic Hot Water Course offered at Lowestoft College proved to be popular and even managed to attract two students from as far a field as Somerset.

The two day course, which is for plumbing and heating engineers, provides installers with a recognised certificate of competence to enter this growing market.

Generating hot water by collecting the sun’s abundant light is fast becoming one of the UK’s leading domestic renewable energy technologies. Around 10,000 solar thermal systems are installed in UK households every year and due to the sustained high price of fossil fuels and an ever increasing awareness of environmental issues the solar market showed an exceptional growth rate of 93% between 2005 and 2006.

Lee Osborn a plumbing and heating engineer from Templecombe travelled over 250 miles to attend the course said, “It’s been a very worthwhile two days of training, much of which was hands on practical work allowing me to develop my skills and understanding of solar systems – it was well worth the long journey!”

Solar thermal systems are typically designed to provide between 50-70% of annual energy for the domestic hot water demand of a typical UK household and Lowestoft College has installed a wide range of operational solar collectors, pumping stations and hot water storage cylinders to provide delegates on the course with an appreciation of what equipment is available to their customers.

The College is also offering a range of associated short courses through its Sustainable Energy Centre to ensure plumbers and heating engineers have the right qualifications under their belt including Energy Efficiency Part L, Unvented Hot Water Storage Systems and Water Regulations training.

Ian Pease of Lowestoft College said, “We are encouraged by the high take-up on this first series of courses and have scheduled further dates throughout the year for those interested in expanding the range of services they can offer to their customers.”

For further information about any of these courses email i.pease@lowestoft.ac.uk

Read >>

Students from Lowestoft College were out to make a big impact with their hair and make-up creations which were showcased during the end of year awards evening.

The evening featured a choreographed show based around the theme of Angels and Demons which was designed to test the creativity and demonstrate some of the skills the Level 2 and 3 Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy students had learned during the courses.

Black costumes with flashes of red and dramatic dark make-up and hair provided a stark contrast to the softer more romantic looks which had been created for the angels. The looks were shown off to their full potential thanks to choreography from Level 2 Hairdressing student Paul Rafferty.

Course tutor Jo Brooks said: “This was the first time we decided to include a segment like this in the awards evening to showcase the students’ skills and creativity. It was great that the audience could see for themselves the work of our students and just how dramatic hair and make-up can be.”

The show was followed by an awards ceremony with each student collecting certificates to mark their completion of the course. A number of special awards were also presented to students who had excelled throughout the year.

Images and further information about the event can be found HERE

Read >>

Students from Lowestoft College were in the limelight at the annual Celebration of Achievement Awards.

The awards, which were introduced six years ago, are held in honour of students at the college who have demonstrated ambition and commitment to their course and excelled in their studies.

Students are nominated for the awards by their tutors and for the first time in the history of the awards, apprentices from Lowestoft College were nominated by their employers. Principal Gwen Parsons had the difficult task of shortlisting just 20 students who were invited to attend the awards evening at the Hotel Victoria.

Each student received a certificate and gift vouchers to mark their success and a number of special presentations were also made during the evening. The Lowestoft and Waveney Chamber of Commerce President’s Award for entrepreneurial achievement went to barbering apprentice Paul Saunders. There was a double engineering success for former students Liam Humphrey and Lewis Brown who each received an alumnus award for their contribution to engineering. Since leaving college Liam carved out a career in the world of Civil Engineering and played a part in the Waveney Sunrise Scheme. Meanwhile, after completing his training, Lewis chose to return to Lowestoft College as a tutor and, over the years, has helped many students on their path to an engineering career.

Two new awards were also introduced during the evening. The first, sponsored by Gt Yarmouth Company PSL Energy Services, recognised the achievements of Mechanical Engineering Apprentices with Thomas Smith collecting the first prize and Aidan Camilleri receiving the runner-up prize. The second new award for the evening was the Lowestoft College FE Student of the Year, sponsored by www.collegesinsuffolk.co.uk together with the Learning and Skills Council. Administration and Business student Katie Bullock claimed the title for her appetite for learning and ambition to change her life for the better.

The evening culminated in the announcement of the Lowestoft Journal Student of the Year which was presented to Gemma Orton, a final year student on the BA (Hons) Design Crafts course. Gemma’s talent and creativity were recently recognised when she won a coveted first prize at the Bradford Textile Society Awards, a competition entered by hundreds of students from across the country. As a result of her entry, Gemma was selected as one of only four students to receive an all-expenses VIP trip to Paris to attend PremiereVision, the world’s premier fabric show.

Read >>

The world beckons for nine Lowestoft College air cabin crew students who are beginning their careers with some highflying airlines.

19 year olds Eleanor Strowlger and Lacy Beare, who are both from Lowestoft, have already flown their first flight with GB Airlines, a franchise operator of BA Airways. The pair, who are based at Gatwick will be manning flights to various destinations including Europe, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia and Turkey. Europe is calling for Sunisa Chambers from Southwold, who begins work with KLMuk in July and will be flying to as many as 50 different destinations from Norwich Airport.

A total of six former students have been offered jobs as cabin crew with Ryanair. 18-year-old Amy Holmes and 19-year-old Claire Hill from Lowestoft, Jason Ambrose (20) from Ipswich and 19 year olds Tara Redington, Leanne Gregory and Chelsea Barnes from Gt Yarmouth will fly for the first time later this summer after they completing the airline’s own training programme to familiarise themselves with Ryanair’s regulations.

Course tutor Sue Woodward said: “It is always good to see students complete their training and successfully gain full-time employment in the industry and it is excellent that so many of this year’s students have already gained work so soon after finishing the course.

“Because the role of cabin crew is so varied we cover a great deal during the 30-week course. As well as learning about food and drink service and personal presentation, the students are taught first aid and are literally thrown in at the deep end with their sea survival training in the college’s training tank.”

Read >>

Uniformed Services and Sport and Leisure students from Lowestoft College spent an action-packed week testing a range of skills at a special activity centre in Surrey.

During the week the 21 students took part in a number of activities and exercises including abseiling, climbing, fencing, zip wire and the trapeze. The students also took part in initiative activities and a challenge course to test their strength, agility and ability to think on their feet. The activities, which were organised by the team at the PGL Marchants Hill Activity Centre, also challenged the students’ teamwork and communication skills while helping to improve their confidence and social awareness.

The week proved to be a major success with the students being invited back to complete work experience and, depending on how they take on the role, some of the students could find themselves spending a gap year working with PGL.

Read >>

Apprentices on the Mechanical Engineering Level 2 course at Lowestoft College have been receiving some extra training and picking up some new skills in welding.

The college decided to organise the additional training after a number of the apprentices’ employers got in touch to ask whether the trainees could be taught how to weld; something which isn’t usually covered in the mechanical engineering courses. Following the requests, the college agreed to make it a reality and provide a special eight week course.

Head of School for International and Commercial Services Ian McLean said: “The sessions were introduced following a request by employers and is an add-on to the course which has meant the apprentices have given up their own time to do it. It is good for the college to meet the needs of employers and their changing requirements for multi skilled workforce.”

To fit the training in, the apprentices had to attend college for three extra hours each week in addition to gaining on-the-job training with their employers and going to college for their engineering classes. During the short course, which was funded by the college’s Training Services Team, the apprentices were taught some the techniques of the trade including MIG and TIG welding by tutor John Forster.

Read >>