Deeside College Head of Finance, Gareth Jones has returned to Denbighshire after running up a huge total of money for Cancer Research UK.

Gareth, who lives in Denbigh, recently completed the London 2012 Marathon on behalf of the Deeside College adopted charity of the year, raising an impressive £4500, for the cause.

This was the first ever full marathon that Gareth has run.  He completed the 26 miles in 5 hours and 21 minutes.   He now has plans to continue his fundraising with the Great North Run.

Alongside his strict fitness training in preparation for the marathon, Gareth also spent a huge amount of time working with the students and other staff at the four Deeside College Group of Colleges sites to raise the impressive total.

Cancer Research UK is the world’s leading cancer charity dedicated to saving lives through research. Their ground-breaking work into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer has seen survival rates double in the last 40 years. But more than one in three of us will still get cancer at some point in our lives. Their research, entirely funded by the public, is critical to ensuring more people beat the disease.

Gareth Jones said:

“It has been an amazing and very surreal experience.  I feel honoured to have been given the opportunity to raise this amount of money for such a worthy cause.  The atmosphere created by the supporters during the race is electric and really helps you to carry on.  I will never forget the experience.”

A group of Industrial Modern Apprentices (IMAs) from Deeside College are only just recovering after taking on, and successfully completing, an epic challenge in aid of the college’s chosen charity Cancer Research UK.

Touched by an informative talk they received from a Cancer Research UK representative during a tutorial session, the group decided that they wanted to help add to the impressive £40,000 already raised by students and staff from all Deeside College sites.

A number of different ideas were put forward, but the group opted to tackle probably the hardest challenge when they chose to cycle from Deeside College to Snowdon, climb to the highest point in Wales before re-mounting and heading back to Deeside College. All this over three consecutive days!

After weeks of planning, the group set off in horrendous weather conditions. Despite battling through rain, wind, sleet and even snow the team made it safely the National Mountaineering Centre in Snowdonia where they stayed the night.

On day two, weather conditions worsened and the decision was reluctantly taken to call off the climb of Snowdon on health and safety grounds. Not wishing to shy away from the challenge, the group travelled to Betws-y-Coed to take on a shorter and safer trek.

The third and final day of the challenge saw the apprentices head back to Deeside College. However, their route home along the coastal path was impeded and made more difficult as a result of the beached ship at Colwyn Bay.

Speaking after arriving back at Deeside College, UPM Shotton IMA Will Thrift from Broughton said:

“As a group, we all knew someone who had been touched in some way by Cancer and we wanted to do something to help raise funds.”

“The challenge was already difficult and was made even more challenging by the horrendous weather conditions and the beached tanker in Colwyn Bay. But we all pulled together and helped each other through. It was a real team effort.”

“We’d like to thank our employers for supporting us on this challenge and donating generously to the challenge fund, which at present is around the £4,000 mark.”

The group’s tutor, Colum Phillips, who along with two other Deeside College staff members took on the challenge, added:

“The apprentices have been a credit to themselves, their employers and Deeside College. They organised the challenge exceptionally well and have raised a huge amount for what is a very worthy charity in Cancer Research UK.”

IMAs from the following companies took part in the Ride for Life Challenge: UPM Shotton, DRB Group, UV Maintenance, SCA Hygiene Products, Lift Teknic, Catering Engineers

Image shows the group who were involved in the organising and taking part in the challenge

Two Assembly Members were the special guests at a Learner Parliament held last week at Deeside College.

Assembly Members Sandy Mewies and Aled Roberts each took a seat in the first “Learner Voice” Parliament, which involved students from all the college sites.  In all, the session was attended by over 70 students representing courses from Coleg Llysfasi, Deeside College, Northop College and Wrexham Training.

The Parliament marked the first year that the students of the college have had an official representative body and operational strategy.

Since its development, the student representative body has shown great influence, working closely with staff and managers across all four sites to improve the experience that students get at college.

The Parliament allowed the review of these operations and also gave the body the opportunity to question the two Assembly Members about wider educational issues, such as college transport and changes in the education system.

The learners made the most of having the Assembly Members in the hot seat, also gaining advice on the role of representing others and taking tips on different ways of communicating and giving feedback.

Deeside College Learner Parliament representative Ricki Hewitt said:

“Today has been a very beneficial experience, being able to discuss issues that concern the students of the Deeside College Group of Colleges with our local Assembly Members.  We have made a great amount of progress as a representative body and now have a very good relationship with the senior managers of the college.”

Sandy Mewies AM said:

“I was very pleased to be part of the first Deeside College Group of Colleges Learner Voice Parliament.  The Learner Representative Body provides the students with an excellent opportunity for having their voice heard and I am sure it will go on to provide them with many opportunities for doing so in the future.”

Aled Roberts AM said:

“It was encouraging to see students getting the opportunity to influence how their education is provided. That in itself is an excellent educational exercise in democratic behaviour. I would like to congratulate Deeside College Group of Colleges for setting up the Learner Voice Parliament and all the students for taking part.”

Image shows Sandy Mewies AM with Aled Roberts AM and Deeside College Vice Principal Ian Dickson in the Learner Parliament sessions.

Despite transferring between College sites mid-way through the year, two of the newest arrivals at Coleg Llysfasi, are settling in and proving to be a big hit with the students.

Golden Guernsey Goats, Rhys and Dafydd have transferred to the Coleg Llysfasi Animal Centre from the Northop College Rare Breeds Centre to help expand the range of animals that the Llysfasi students work and train with.

The goats quickly settled into the newly built pens on the Ruthin site, and have been a favourite with many of the animal carers since their arrival.

The pair, join an ever expanding range of animals at the Coleg Llysfasi animal centre, which he also recently welcomed Mudskippers, a Yemen Chameleon and Rosa Bourke Parakeets.

Coleg Llysfasi Head of Programmes, Andy Read said:

“We are committed to continuously expanding the range of animals available for our students to train with.  Ensuring that they learn to care for numerous different breeds and species puts them in the best position for progressing onto higher education and finding jobs.

“We were able to relocate the Golden Guernsey Goats from Northop College, who along with Coleg Llysfasi, are part of the Deeside College Group of Colleges.  This is just one example of how we are able to share resources across our sites to benefit our students the greatest extent.”

Image shows Guernsey Goats, Rhys and Dafydd with students Alan Walkup and David Malcolm Jones.

Keep an eye out for the new Part-time Course Guide from the Deeside College Group of Colleges.

It lists over 200 part-time courses that start from September 2012 from the vocational to the recreational and explains how you can get information and advice to help you make the right choice.

Whether you are looking to learn a new language before you go away on holiday, brush up your IT skills or find your creative side at an Art class, there really is something for everyone, whatever your age.

The wide range of courses includes new 10 week DIY courses taught by specialists in the College’s state-of-the-art Construction Centre, developing basic techniques in bricklaying, home maintenance and decorating which aim to help save tradesmen’s rates in this economic climate.

For local adults looking to kick-start their career, pursue their passion, get noticed in their current profession, or build a brighter future, their progression can be helped with Deeside College’s Employer Engagement department, Acquire Training with a range of professional qualifications with many accredited by bodies such as CIM for Marketing and ILM for Management.

Some students who have taken part-time courses in the past to develop their hobbies have gone onto earn money after their studies.  Sugarcraft tutor, Alison Curtis, said: “People often enrol on the sugarcraft course just as a hobby to get them out of the house for a couple of hours a week but end up with the skills to decorate cakes for friends and family and in the process earn a few pounds.”

Jane Watkins, Community Learning Co-ordinator added: “As well as allowing adult students to benefit from the great resources enjoyed by our full-time learners we are also able to take the college into the local community.  We appreciate that returning to learning can be daunting but we encourage everyone to reach their full potential. Our tutors and staff are on hand to discuss whether a programme is right for you and what support you need to turn your dreams into reality.  You can come along to Northop College for our Family Fun Day on Sunday 20^th May which is an ideal time to chat to our tutors and decide on your next steps.”

The new part-time guides are available from all four Deeside College sites, from libraries, careers wales offices and jobcentres. They have also been distributed across the local area in the free papers.

Alternatively you can telephone 01244 831531 to request your copy or it can be viewed or downloaded here on the college’s website.

Image shows the Students Services Team at Deeside College, who will be giving advice about part time course offerings.

A group of tutors from Deeside College have embarked on a language course aimed at improving the skills and confidence of those who wish to teach, lecture or train wholly or partially through the medium of Welsh or bilingually.

The National Sabbatical Scheme has been developed for those who have Welsh language skills at spoken fluency level, either as first language speakers or fluent learners, but lack the confidence to use their language skills in a professional context.

Sponsored by the Welsh Government and delivered by Bangor University’s Canolfan Bedwyr, the scheme has been specially tailored to a twelve week period to enable more Further Education tutors to get involved.

Tryfan Jones an Information Technology tutor at Deeside College who is one of the tutors taking part in the scheme, said: “Deeside College really promote the use of the Welsh language and I’m delighted to have been presented with the opportunity to take part in this scheme.”

“This is the second consecutive year that the course has been delivered at Deeside College,” said Dr. Llion Jones, Director of Canolfan Bedwyr. “In the context of the increasing emphasis on improving continuity and progression in students’ Welsh language development, we’re pleased to be able to help the tutors prepare themselves to answer that need. We get a great deal of satisfaction from seeing their language skills improve and their confidence grow. This current cohort is also working towards a new qualification – Welsh for Teaching Practitioners – which is being offered this year for the first time.”

Deeside College Principal Mr David Jones, himself a fluent Welsh speaker, met up with the group during their first session and added: “Deeside College are committed to supporting the Welsh Government’s vision of increasing the availability of post 16 bilingual learning. We have a number of staff across our sites that have already completed the National Sabbatical Scheme and are currently delivering their courses in Welsh. The scheme is a superb way of giving staff the confidence to use their Welsh language skills in a classroom or assessing context and we will continue to support and encourage more staff each year to undertake the course.”

Image shows the group who undertook the Welsh language scheme with David Jones and tutor Siân Esmor from Canolfan Bedwyr.

Deeside College Hospitality and Catering students have been sampling some of the finest cuisine in the region as part of a special selection of master class sessions.

The Pathways to Apprenticeship students have been watching chefs from top restaurants and hotels prepare signature dishes taking notes and asking questions, to help improve their own skills.

The master class sessions have allowed the students to look at the ‘Science of Gastronomy’ with Thornton Hall Hotel, Executive Chef David Gillmore and also gain tips on making the perfect chowder with Soughton Hall Executive Head Chef, Mark Jones.

The students got to grips with the mixture of chemistry and food with the Thornton Hall Chef, learning the science behind parsley pearls and chocolate and banana foam among other modern treats.

The Soughton Hall Chef gave away insider tips and special techniques of creating the perfect fresh fish chowder.  Explaining how to prepare and cook each individual ingredient perfectly.

Deeside College Catering and Hospitality Lecturer Mark Robertson said:

“These two master class sessions will be followed by a number of others in the coming weeks.  They provide our students with an excellent opportunity to see first-hand how professionals at the top of the industry work, getting insider guides not only to different techniques but also to how the industry works.”

Thornton Hall Hotel Executive Chef David Gillmore said:

“I feel it is important for college students to be taught the modern cooking techniques alongside traditional methods to give them the best opportunity out in the workplace.”

Children in the Toy Box Nursery at Deeside College were last week visited by a very special guest. As part of the Flintshire’s sixth annual Welsh on Tour Week, children’s character Sali Mali popped in to say hello.

The main purpose of the Welsh on Tour Week is to promote the Welsh language in schools, communities and workplaces across the county. During her time at the Toy Box, Sali Mail read a story and taught the children to dance, all using the Welsh language.

Speaking after the visit, Ann Johnson, Toy Box Nursery Manager, said: “As a Nursery we are committed to promoting the Welsh language. Throughout the year the children learn to sing, count and read in Welsh. We’re involved in the Welsh on Tour Week every year and I’d like to thank Menter Iaith Sir y Fflint for including us.”

Non Lewis Edwards, Deeside College’s Welsh Language Co-ordinator, said, “The Welsh language is extremely important to Deeside College and we were delighted to host the event at the Toy Box. The college understands it has an important role to play in promoting the use of Welsh, not only within at our sites, but also throughout the Flintshire region.”

Rebecca Davies, Menter Iaith’s Language and Heritage Officer said: “It is fantastic that nurseries and educational establishments like Deeside College and the Toy Box are embracing bilingualism so enthusiastically. Introducing a second language at a young age gives children a real advantage as they absorb new words and phrases so easily when playing and having fun. Menter Iaith would like to thank Toy Box for letting Sali Mali drop by and make some new friends.”

Fabrication and Welding students from Deeside College are celebrating Europe Day (9th May), having just returned to Britain from German work placements, with a number of international qualifications and job offers.

A group of 14 students flew out to Arnsberg in Germany for two weeks, to experience life at a German engineering training centre and take a work internship at a local company.

The project was funded by the Leonardo DaVinci Mobility Project, offered through Deeside College and supported by Yale College.

During their visit to Germany, the students spent a week at the Arnsberg inter-company training centre, where they took practical training in the specialist engineering workshops with their German counterparts.  They then spent a week at a German SME, developing the skills that they have been learning on their college course.

The students impressed their German counterparts and employers so much that 3 of the group were given permanent job offers on completion of their course.

Charlie Parry (18) from Ruthin, Greg Homan-Russell (19) from Ellesmere Port and Nathan Jones (18) from Connah’s Quay have all been offered positions as Fabrication Welders on completion of their courses at firms Meatllbau and Almecon.

All three are now seriously looking into the possibility of moving across to Germany.  Greg Homan-Russell said:

“It was a slight shock, but a real honour to be offered a job by the organisation that we spent a week with.  The firm said that they were very impressed the high standard of work we produced and skills that we had shown.”

A number of the group also took full advantage of the opportunity to take assessments to gain the International Coding of one of the Highest Standards of Weld Procedures.  This will now allow them to apply for high end jobs in any country when they complete their qualification.

Deeside College Head of External Funding, Vicky Barwis said:

“We try wherever possible to offer our students international work experience.  In addition to the vocational training it can provide a huge boost to a student’s confidence and interpersonal skills.

“This is the latest of a number of overseas experiences planned for the students and staff this year. European funding is an excellent way of financing the trips and we are grateful to Yale College for their support.”

Image 1 shows the group return to Deeside College.

Image 2 shows Charlie Parry, Greg Homan-Russell and Nathan Jones with their job offers.

Staff at Northop College’s Rare Breeds Centre were delighted to announce that they have delivered their first lambs of the year.

The 3 new arrivals, who were born late on the nights of Tuesday 1^st May, and Wednesday 2^nd May are hoped to be the first of a number of new additions to the College’s Hill Radnor flock, which is currently on the Vulnerable Rare Breed Survival Trust list.

Both mother sheep and all 3 lambs are very healthy and making a big impression with students on the animal care course.  It is thought that the five remaining pregnant sheep at the centre will give birth over the coming weeks in time for the College’s Family Fun Day on May 20^th.

The Northop College Rare Breeds Centre also welcomed three baby goats in March after Bagot Goats Tammy and Sue gave birth to two Billy Goats and a Nanny Kid respectively.  Again the Bagot Goat is also on the Vulnerable Rare Breed Survival Trust list.

The Northop College Rare Breeds Centre was set up in 2009, as both a learning facility for the College’s students and also to support the breeding for rare breed species.  It is now home to more than 27 animals and includes four different rare breeds of sheep, Bagot goats, Kune kune pigs, and Dexter cows, with plans to add welsh breeds of poultry later this year.

Northop College Animal Centre Supervisor, Wendy Gacem said:

“We are extremely excited that our lambing season has begun, and hope to see a number of new arrivals over the coming weeks.

“Our rare breed facility is an excellent resource for students studying animal care, learning about breeding, the nurture of young animals and preservation of rare breeds.

“Our first lamb is settling in very well and the young goats have been a great addition to the centre, full of mischief and fun.

“We have a clear strategy to increase the numbers in our flocks and hope to see more new arrivals each year to these rare breeds.

Deeside College have announced a week of workshops and demonstrations at community learning centres across North East Wales allowing adults to gain a first-hand insight into a range of different subjects and specialisms and also having the opportunity to speak to trained professionals about their learning options.

Local adults are invited to embrace the spirit of Adult Learners Week 2012 by taking part in events that highlight the many different options and advantages of returning to learning and gaining new skills.

Richard Spear, director of NIACE Dysgu Cymru said: “Learning brings so many different advantages, not only better job prospects but health improvements, social rewards and improved quality of life. We believe there is a particular incentive for economically inactive people, those will low skills or those in social or residential care to grasp these opportunities to make life better through learning new things.”

Activities range from taster sessions in Sign Language and Floristry to learning Holiday Spanish and Digital Photography.  The week will commence with the ‘Adult Learners’ Week Sneak Preview’ event which is again taking place at Mold Market on Saturday 12^th May between 10am and 3pm.  This is your chance to find out what is happening during the week and to gain course advice, information and guidance as well as the opportunity of watching demonstrations in sugarcraft and cookery.

The week will conclude with the Northop College Family Fun Day which annually attracts hundreds of visitors to the Northop College site and again gives the opportunity to take part in taster sessions and explore the college site with live skills demonstrations in areas from woodcarving to construction and equine to horticulture.

Deeside College Adult and Community Learning Coordinator, Jane Watkins stated: “The events taking place over the week will hopefully provide the first step for adults looking to return to learning to change and build new careers at a later stage in their life or just provide a way of developing hobbies such as floristry for personal use.  We hope that these taster sessions will give an insight into the choice and support available at their local college.”

For more information regarding Deeside College’s activities taking place over Adult Learners’ Week visit their website on www.deeside.ac.uk or call 01978 790263.

Acquire Training, Deeside College’s employer engagement department have launched a new training framework which promises to improve the way businesses operate.

Businesses from across North East Wales are now being offered the opportunity to take advantage of the new Business Improvement Techniques (BIT) Framework, which helps organisations to improve operations, decrease costs, increase production and improve competitiveness.

Deeside College BIT Lecturer Steve Morris explains:

“BIT is very unique in the sense that right from the application of the programme, the organisation starts to see operational improvements.  The training focuses employees to identify opportunities for improvements and then provides the support to allow the implementation of the changes.

“The training works more like a consultancy service, working individually with an organisation to identify challenges and align objectives and strategies.  It also provides individual employees with nationally recognised qualifications.”

Deeside College are currently the only college in Wales offering the new framework.  Deeside Industrial Park based, Witter Towbars have become the first organisation in Wales to embark on the framework and are already seeing operational improvements.

The UK’s leading manufacturer of towbars begun on the framework just 7 months ago.  With 5 staff already achieving certification, and improvements in quality, cost and delivery identified and established, the organisation is positive about its experience of the programme.

Witter Towbars Operations Manager, Mark Jones said:

“I was immediately aware of the investment benefits of this course to Witter Towbars, and to the personal development of our staff.  The course content was ideal and tailored to our needs.

“I have found that the course develops key skills, empowering our staff to look at alternative, more efficient, manufacturing techniques and waste elimination exercises.

“We presently have 2 further courses running concurrently. The improvement ideas developed as part of these courses are extremely positive, and can be achieved by the teams themselves with their newfound skills sets.

In many cases BIT training can be accessed via different funding options offered by the Welsh Government.  For more information please contact Acquire Training at Deeside College on 01244 834545 or email acquire@deeside.ac.uk.

Image shows Witter Towbar employees who are in the process of BIT training.

Deeside College Heating and Ventilation Apprentice, Calvin Roberts is celebrating after being named as the Best in Wales.

Calvin, who is 20 and from Buckley, has been presented with the 3^rd year Heating and Ventilation Industrial and Commercial Apprentice of the Year award by Building Engineering Services Training Limited (BEST) at an awards ceremony that took place at the Millennium Centre in Cardiff.

The title has been awarded based on a portfolio of work that Calvin has built up during his apprenticeship training.   He will now automatically be entered into the UK wide competition, the winner of which will be announced later in the year.

Calvin is now fully employed with Margden Heating, who are also based in Buckley, after completing his apprenticeship in December 2011 and this week gaining his Gas Safe Registered Certificates.  He is hoping that the success he has seen during the beginning of his career will one day help him to progress into a Heating Service Engineer with the company.

Deeside College Heating and Ventilation Lecturer, Paul Guest said:

“We are extremely proud of Calvin’s achievements.  He has shown a great deal of skill and professionalism throughout his training, which I am sure, is just the start of a very rewarding career.

“Calvin has taken advantage of the opportunity to undertake a number of additional professional training courses to ensure that he has the full range of skills that are needed when working on a site, which signal his own commitment to learning.”

John Roberts, Director of Margden Heating, Calvin’s employer said:

“Calvin’s’ greatest attribute is his appetite for improvement and his desire for knowledge.  Calvin is the type of person who will embrace the new technologies in our changing industry, making himself a tremendous asset.”

Calvin said:

“I never thought that I would be named as the best apprentice in my industry in Wales.  It was a very nice surprise.  I owe a huge amount to my Tutors and my employer for supporting me through my training.”

Image shows Calvin Roberts with Deeside College Heating Ventilation Lecturer, Paul Guest.

Deeside College Travel and Tourism student, Tara Wootten is sitting proud knowing that she has a job, in her dream career, waiting for her on completion of her college course.

Tara is in the enviable position of many youngsters across the country, who will soon be searching for jobs after completing education and training qualifications.

Tara was able to benefit from a strong relationship between her college and a major local employer.  She is now starting to work in a part-time position training for the role, alongside completing her qualification.

Tara’s new role is with holiday providers, Global Travel Group.  The role involves providing support to customers for all bookings which result in over bookings, on resort and complaint related issues. She will be responsible for addressing all over bookings and on resorts & agent enquiries.

Travel and Tourism student Tara Wootten said:
“I am really happy that I have found employment before the end of my course and my future is now settled.

“We have recently undertaken a lot of research with our tutor on how to gain employment in the industry as well as options available in Higher Education.

“I did apply for university and had been offered a place in Cardiff but my heart really wasn’t in it.   I am so pleased that I will be working in the travel industry as this has always been my dream. “

Deeside College Travel and Tourism Lecturer, Julia Jones said:

“We are working extremely hard to develop our links with local employers to provide our students with work placements, insider advice on different career options and industry contacts for the best possible chances of gaining employment in their chosen careers.

“I wish Tara the best of luck in this position and in her future.”

Deeside College Painting and Decorating Students are celebrating after two students from the departments specially set up competition team took both first and second place in the North West final of the Johnstonnes Young Painter of the Year competition.

Level 1 Diploma students, Kirilas Veitas and Dale Thompson took the first and second spot in the regional heats of one of the industries most highly regarded skills competitions, which was held last week at Hugh Baird College, in Liverpool.

Kirilas, 27, who is originally from Lithuania and now lives in Pentre will now go onto the UK final against 8 other regional winners in November.  Runner up Dale Thompson, 17, from Mold will be joined by the other members of the Deeside College Painting and Decorating Competition Team in supporting Kirilas in his bid to win the UK title.

During the Regional Heats competition, Kirilas and Dale battled against other painting and decorating trainees from across North Wales and North West England. Their challenge required them to follow a complex and intricate paint design.  The skill of both students shone through, with judges being impressed by their high level of ability.

Deeside College Painting and Decorating Tutor, Craig Whitehead said:

“We are extremely impressed with the success that Kirilas and Dale have seen in their first professional skills competition.

“Both students along with the other members of our competition team have put a huge amount of training into this cause, coming into College on their days off to meet with myself and other tutors to practice and develop their skills.

“These competitions are an excellent way for our students to gain the motivation to achieve to their highest potential.  They are also the perfect place for them to be showcasing their ability to future employers.”

Kirilas Veitas said:

“I was not expecting to win this competition, as it was only my first attempt.  I am however, very excited and looking forward to the UK finals in November.  I will be putting in lots of extra training.”