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TV Dragon’s Academy to open in Preston
Following a successful 'Dragons Den' style pitch to Peter Jones' National Enterprise Academy, the College has won the chance to run dedicated entrepreneurship and enterprise qualifications at its Fulwood Campus.
The first of these courses, a BTEC in Enterprise and Entrepreneurship at level 3, is equivalent to two A Levels and will provide students with the opportunity to develop their business ideas and receive guidance from tutors as well as business leaders in guest seminars.
The National Enterprise Academy is the brainchild of entrepreneur and Dragons' Den star Peter Jones, CBE, who set up the academy to be a catalyst for cultural change in the UK, encouraging and stimulating more entrepreneurial activity.
Preston College is the first centre to deliver the courses in Lancashire, with the Academy's main hubs sited in Manchester, Sheffield and Amersham.
Students enrolling on the programme at Preston College will work on real-life business challenges, starting up their own legally recognised business and developing this through master classes, seminars, workshops and networking events.
Alison Humphreys, who will be managing the academy at Preston College, said : "It's a real honour to be chosen as the first Academy in Lancashire and we are looking forward to developing our first cohort of entrepreneurs and helping them to launch fledgling businesses.
"The Academy is not only a boost for the College but for Preston as a whole, it means our young entrepreneurs have some support and an outlet for getting all the advice and guidance they need from industry experts to give them the best chance of success.
"Being associated with Peter Jones, we are expecting there to be high demand for the programme from young people with bright minds."
Peter Jones said: "Young people play a major role in the future success of the economy. I passionately believe in their potential. The National Enterprise Academy aims to inspire and create the next generation of entrepreneurs, and equip young people with skills necessary to become successful business leaders.
"At the NEA, students work on real life business challenges led by experienced professionals and entrepreneurs, and learn the mindset and skills that modern businesses need to thrive and prosper.
"I am delighted that the National Enterprise Academy is opening in Preston College and that our cutting edge courses will be available there from September."
If you're an entrepreneurial young person, interested in joining the Academy, call 01772 22 55 22 to find out more.
*If you want to get your business involved with the Preston College Enterprise Academy through providing master classes or workshops please call Alison on 01772 225786 or email ahumphreys@preston.ac.uk
Catering students cooking up success
TWO STUDENTS from Preston College's Catering and Hospitality Academy celebrated making the finals of a national gastronomy competition, organised by the Academy of Food and Wine Service Skills.
James Green and Sophie White were chosen to represent the North West in the competition at Westminster Kingsway College in London and lost out narrowly to representatives of the London college in the final.
The competition saw James creating a two-course meal for a panel of judges as Sophie chose wines to complement the meal and explained her reasons, as well as serving the meals to the judges.
For James, the competition topped off a successful year that has seen him also undertake a period of work placement at top London hotel Claridge's, he said: "Just after the Easter break I went down to Claridge's with another student to get some experience of working in their kitchens and it was a brilliant experience.
"I'm trying to get as much experience of working in top restaurants and entering prestigious competitions such as the Future Stars of Gastronomy, so that I might get the opportunity to start working in a top kitchen when I finish my course."
Marc McCrone, head of catering at Preston College said: "I'd like to offer my congratulations to James and Sophie on their achievements.
"We've had some great success this year with students showcasing their talents at the UK Seafood Championships, the Future Stars of Gastronomy competition and work placements at top restaurants such as Claridge's and Rick Stein's in Padstow.
"Hopefully we can build on this success with those chefs and front of house students who are progressing into year two, as well as those joining us in September."
The Breakfast Forum: Apprenticeships
Preston College, in association with the National Apprenticeship Service, is hosting an Apprenticeship Breakfast Forum for local employers on Wednesday August 25 from 8am - 9.30am.
The event aims to inform employers of the latest developments involving Apprenticeships and give them the opportunity to share their thoughts and discuss how we can work together to shape the future of Apprenticeships in each sector.
If all that wasn't enough - everyone who attends will also receive FREE breakfast!
To reserve your place, please call 0161 261 0282 or email nicholas.grounds@apprenticeships.gov.uk
Employers shine at National Apprenticeship Awards
Two of the Employers, Hair 4 U and Rosy Apple Childcare, made it through to the regional finals held at the Midland Hotel, Manchester. Hair 4 U received a Highly Commended Award in the Small Employer category whilst Rosy Apple was put through to the National final as winners of the Medium Employers category for the second year running.
Following another strong year of achievement through apprenticeships, staff from Rosy Apple joined twenty four other finalists, picked from over 1300 entries. They attended a glitzy ceremony at the Park Plaza Hotel, Westminster, London on 15th July 2010.
Rosy Apple fought off strong competition on the night and we are pleased to announce them as winners of the National Medium Employer of the Year Award 2010.
Sandra Martland, Curriculum Manager for Apprenticeships commented "We are proud to be working with such great supporters of the Apprenticeship programme. Both Hair 4 U and Rosy Apple Childcare have done exceptionally well to get through to the regional finals and we are proud to work with them and share in their success. Preston College would also like to add extra congratulations to Rosy Apple Childcare on winning the National Medium Employer of the Year Award 2010."
Sharon Alexander, Managing Director, Rosy Apple Childcare said "Winning this award is a credit to our staff and illustrates our commitment to Apprenticeships and also our work to promote them to other businesses as a valuable recruitment option. We view our apprentices as one of our most valuable assets and the secret to our success. Through Apprenticeships we have benefited from increased productivity, improvements in the quality of work and employee satisfaction."
Simon is Student Governor of the Year!
Simon Lord, who is an A Level student at the College, was up against student governors from over 20 colleges across the country and was chosen as the winner of the award for his hard work, dedication and commitment to the learner voice at Preston College.
The Learner Voice allows students to have regular meetings to discuss issues in College and suggest ways in which these issues can be solved; it is then student governors such as Simon who pass this information to the Board of Governors.
Simon was among 20 winners recognised for their work in the event which reflects the different leadership roles vital to ensuring learners' views are accurately collected, listened to and acted upon in the sector.
As a student member of the Board of Governors at Preston College, Simon has helped to get the views of the students across to his fellow board members and to ensure decisions are taken in the best interests of the learners at the College.
His tireless campaigning has seen the re-introduction of the Students' Union at Preston College and he has worked to ensure this is a centrally accessible service for all students at all levels across the College.
Simon, who will leave Preston College to start University in September, has also been chosen for a place on The Global Fellowship, a national scheme that will see him travel to India to look at the impacts of globalisation on the lives of young people. On his return, Simon will be going in to schools and colleges to share his experience and talk about the impacts of globalisation.
Peter Fazackerly, teaching and learning and learner voice manager at Preston College, who nominated Simon, said: "During his time at college Simon has been an outstanding Student Governor. Additionally, he has been an excellent scholar managing to balance a very heavy study timetable with his duties as a Student Governor and still finding time to pursue his love of drama in amateur dramatic performances in the community.
"In the last few months Simon has been an excellent coach and mentor to his fellow learner voice members and peers giving them inspiration, encouragement and support as they prepare for the new academic year; a clear indication and testimony that Simon's first and only priority is students and the continued strength and presence of the learner voice in this college."
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