Julia Ssengooba is described as a “Model student” by her Curriculum Team Manager, Shepard Chishato, who nominated her for a prize in Adult Learners’ Week 2013 which will be held between 18th and 24th May 2013. Julia is well established on her Level 3 Health and Social Care course at Bexley College and is due to attend an Adult Learners’ Week Awards Ceremony to receive her Certificate of Achievement.

Julia, who lives in Woolwich with her husband and three children, was nominated for her skills and dedication to her area of study and also her exceptional organisation skills and ability to balance being a wife, mother and student. She said of her nomination, “At the time, I was a bit surprised as I didn’t feel like I was worthy of a nomination but when I was told the reasons I thought, ‘Oh yeah, I do those things.’ Now I’m excited that someone has recognised that I’m doing well. It has made me even more determined to get something out of it as someone recognising your achievements makes it all worthwhile.” She is due to finish her course at the end of this academic year, in July, and will use her qualification to secure a career for herself now that her children are all in school.

Bexley College offer a wide array of subject areas to study at various levels and are proud of the achievements made by our diverse range of students. For more information on the courses we offer or enrolment dates, please visit www.bexley.ac.uk or call our course hotline on 01322 404000.

For further information on Bexley College please contact Bexley College Marketing Department on:
01322 442331 or marcomms@bexley.ac.uk or visit www.bexley.ac.uk

Christopher Davies representing Lewisham College was awarded first place in the senior category, followed by Alfred Ofori Thompson from Hackney Community College in second position and Matthew Davey from East Kent College in third. In the junior category, Oliver Robert Camp representing Mid Kent College – Maidstone Campus took first place followed by Jake Cattemull from the College of North West London in second and in third, Michael Bolton of Barking & Dagenham College. Andrew Cainen, President of the Guild along with Danny Ridgeway, Principal of Bexley College were on site to present the awards to these deserving candidates.

Seven senior and eight junior competitors entered from ten colleges or training centres within the London Region for the chance to move forward to the National Guild Final held in June, gain recognition for their high standards of bricklaying and win prizes. For this heat, bricks were kindly donated by Wienerburger and Ward Homes with Ward Homes also contributing with special hi-vis jackets made especially for the day, an award which was won by Kerris Cashford for an outstanding contribution to the event plus a generous donation towards the running of the day. Trophies and medals were donated by Pantiles Trophies plus there were cash prizes and for the first place in each category, a laser level; one donated by Flahive Brickwork and the other purchased with sponsorship funds.

The competitors were required to follow technical drawings that were issued at the beginning of the day with accuracy and skill whilst adhering to health and safety policies. Points could be deducted for errors as well as dangerous workmanship or if the competitor needed too much guidance. The judges, Steve Barlow (Lead Judge) from the West Midlands Section, Dennis Westwood from the West Midlands Section and Chris Moore from the Southern Section followed a strict marking system in order to identify the winners amongst the exceptional bricklaying that was demonstrated throughout the competition. The organiser of the event from Bexley College, Steve Jenkins, was delighted with the way the day ran and heard many positive comments from visitors and staff.

Just to top off a fantastic day, many members of staff and visitors left with sparkling cars as the Bexley College Entry Level 3 Construction students had organised a car wash in aid of Red Nose Day which ran alongside the competition.

For further information about the National Guild of Bricklayers, visit www.guildofbricklayers.org.uk

For further information on Bexley College please contact Bexley College Marketing Department on:
01322 442331 or marcomms@bexley.ac.uk or visit www.bexley.ac.uk

Nick Baker is set to begin a permanent position as a Trainee Learning Resources Administrator leading to a Learning Resources Administrator within Bexley College in July 2013 following a successful experience on his supported internship. This pilot government programme is underway at 15 colleges around England aiming to provide intensive support for young people with special needs into paid employment.

After attaining a triple merit in his Media Production Course at Bexley College, Nick, who has cerebral palsy, was job hunting for a number of months before receiving a phone call about the opportunity to embark on the supported internship. Following an interview and trial, he was placed within Bexley College’s Learning Resource Centre.

The supported internship began in October 2012 and has allowed Nick to benefit from on-the-job training where he is becoming accomplished in answering the telephone, helping students with I.T. knowledge and reporting I.T. faults, processing newspapers and magazines amongst many other library and clerical duties along with classroom – based learning which incorporates topics on the use of formal and informal language as well as highlighting dangers within the workplace.

This role compliments Nick’s desire to work in an office-based job and enabled him to put some of the skills he acquired on his Media Production course into practise, particularly those on the computer as there are many college systems to use as well as assisting others or producing posters. His job coach, Cheryl Weaver agrees and says “He came into an appropriate job for his skills.” She feels it is of utmost importance that the person is suitable for the job.

Nick has found the internship to be enjoyable and his confidence has grown in many areas, particularly with taking telephone calls. He works independently with a couple of minor adaptations to the equipment he uses to accommodate his disability for example, a headset for taking telephone calls, a trackball mouse for the computer and left-handed scissors. He has integrated well as a part of the team and said, “If there is anything I need to know, I’m not shy about asking.” Cheryl also adds, “The experience will leave him able to move on in the future if he wants to.” So all there is now for Nick to look forward to is receiving his first pay packet!

Bexley College to host the London Region Guild of Bricklayers Competition

Bexley College is pleased to announce that it will be hosting this year’s National Guild of Bricklayers competition for the London Region. The Guild of Bricklayers is an association founded in 1932 with the aims of promoting and maintaining the highest standards of craftsmanship in brickwork. Membership consist of journeymen and Master Members who have served an apprenticeship or an approved period of training, and have obtained the relevant qualifications and are practising bricklayers, site foremen, managers, clerks of works, lecturers, tutors or instructors on approved courses. Each year through its network of sections the Guild organise regional brickwork competitions which are sponsored by brick, mortar and tool manufacturers, attracting some 150 visitors.

The regional competitions form part of the National Building Craft competition scene, which will lead to the National Final competition to be held in June 2013.

The London Regional Competition will be hosted at Bexley College’s, Holly Hill Construction Campus on 27th March 2013.Sponsored by Ward Homes, Wienerberger, Pantiles Trophies and Flahive Brickwork the competition will feature up to 24 competitors, divided into two categories, Junior and Senior run simultaneously and judged on the day by a panel of professionally trained experts in the Brickwork industry.  Competitors will work from technical drawings provided on the day of the competition.

“Bexley College has a proud tradition of taking part in these very important skills competitions.  These competitions play a vital role in raising standards, esteem and participation in vocational training and apprenticeships. We know that once students see what they are capable of, their confidence grows and they want to achieve more and more.  It is a powerful way to celebrate the incredible talent and ability of our students.”Danny Ridgeway Principal and Chief Executive, Bexley College.

“We are delighted to host this year’s regional competition and are grateful for the support from all our staff and students from Bexley College and all our sponsors and employers”Graham Thwaites Construction Curriculum Team Manager at Bexley College.

For further information about the National Guild of Bricklayers, visit www.guildofbricklayers.org.uk

For further information on Bexley College please contact:

Bexley College Marketing Department on 01322 442331 or marcomms@bexley.ac.uk or visit www.bexley.ac.uk

Building a Better Future with Apprentices

Generating a talented, motivated pool of Apprentices to support local businesses is an important part of everyday work at Bexley College. “We are focussed on ensuring our students leave College not just with skills but the attributes to make a valuable contribution to the local workforce. We concentrate on careers, not just delivering courses,” said Danny Ridgeway, Principal at Bexley College.

Ward Homes recognises the important contribution that Apprentices can make to their workforce and typically employ directly 2 or 3 Apprentices a year across most of the construction trades including carpenters, bricklayers and electricians. Recently, one of these Apprentices has progressed right through from Level 2 Brickwork to a HNC in Building course within Bexley College and is now a Trainee Assistant Site Manager at Ward Homes. Other Apprentices have progressed to being fully qualified tradesmen within Ward Homes Sub Contractors.

John Reed, Construction Director commented on employing Apprentices “Ward Homes employ Apprentices, at our developments across Kent, as a way of investing in the youth of today and putting something back into the building industry. The Apprentices are twinned with a mentor and they are given appropriate work experience throughout the year to match the day release training they are completing at Bexley College. I meet with them once every 12 weeks to cover their site work, college work and ensure that the Apprentices do not have any problems with anti-social problems at work such as bullying. Apprentices record their ‘on the job’ training evidence in their online e-portfolios. The Apprentices attending College feel they get good training for their particular trades. This is a great way of improving the quality of tradesmen going into the sector which helps provide a positive image for all aspects of construction”.

Brian Meacock, Consultant Engineer at Green Planet, Plumbing and Heating started his working life as an Apprentice. At school Brian knew his strengths were in the more vocational subjects of technical drawing, domestic science and woodwork and so decided to complete a Carpentry and Joinery Apprenticeship. He then went on to successfully launch his own business, but when the credit crunch first hit, Brian realised that people could go without furniture, but not hot water and heating and so decided to gain professional qualifications in plumbing. Brian told us “Gaining the qualifications has really helped my business as professional people use other professional people they can trust to complete work for them. I was fortunate in my life to have some key mentors to give me guidance on the skills needed to be successful which are over and above the qualification. Things like speaking to the customer to properly understand their requirements, respecting their environment in taking off your boots, turning up on time, pricing the job correctly and doing the job to their satisfaction are all things which you can only really learn on the job by watching others. You can’t learn these things from the internet which is the reason I now have a College student who comes with me out on jobs to gain work experience. A few key people gave me my opportunity, one of which was a brilliant mentor from Bexley College and now that I am successful, I want to pass this opportunity on to other students.”

Please contact Carol Smith, Head of Employer / Partnership Development on:

01322 444921 or carol.smith@bexley.ac.uk for any further details.

Bexley College has a wide range of full and part time vocational qualifications for school leavers and adults. Boasting the highest pass rates of any further education college in South East London, the college is committed to giving you the right skills to get to help you progress and improve your career prospects.

The college operates two campuses Tower Road and Holly Hill. Our Tower Road Campus offers the following courses: Art, Design & Photography, ICT & Computing, Hairdressing, Barbering & Beauty, Teacher Training, Childcare, Health & Social Care, Foundation Learning, Media Production, HR Practice, Learning & Development (CIPD), Law, Social Work, Nursing, Business, Building Studies and ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages).

There are Higher Education options available offering HNC’s, HND’s and Degree courses in Applied Professional Studies, Building Studies, Business Administration, Business & Professional Studies, Computing, Event Management, Health & Social Care (Early Years) Post Graduate Certificate in Education (Teaching)

Our Holly Hill campus is purpose built exclusively for practical construction education, apprenticeships and training, including; Bricklaying, Carpentry and Joinery, Heating & Ventilation, Electrical Installation and Plumbing.

For further information come along to one of our Open Days, call us on 01322 404000 or visit www.bexley.ac.uk

Open Days
Wednesday 6th March 2013, 3.30pm – 7pm
Holly Hill Construction Campus, Belvedere, Kent, DA17 6HF

Thursday 7th March 2013, 3.30 – 7pm
Tower Road Campus, Belvedere, Kent, DA17 6JA

Support for London’s colleges

Bexley College Principal Danny Ridgeway and Bexleyheath and Crayford MP David Evennett are pictured with Business Secretary Rt Hon Vince Cable MP at a House of Commons reception on Tuesday afternoon, 11 December.

They met at an Association of Colleges regional event which had been organised to celebrate the contribution made by London’s 50 Further Education, Sixth Form and Specialist Colleges to improving skills and the success of the city’s economy.

Guests included MPs from all parties and Principals of some Colleges. Mr Cable gave a speech in which he thanked Colleges for their work and spoke about the Government’s skills policies and the importance of the FE sector.

Mr Evennett said “Further education colleges make a real difference by equipping people with the skills that they need to find work and succeed. We are fortunate to have Bexley College in our Borough offering engaging courses, innovative teaching and an exciting vision for the future.”

Mr Ridegway said “Bexley College is a vocational college that understands the importance for its students not only to gain qualifications but crucially to develop their skills, confidence and work experience. This focus is helping increasing number of Bexley College students to gain apprenticeships and employment and that is why we are an increasingly successful college. This is a very exciting time for Bexley with the College’s new building due to start in January 2013 and due to be open in September 2014.”

Pictured: Danny Ridgeway, Rt Hon Vince Cable MP, David Evennett MP in Strangers Dining Room at the House of Commons.

For more information about the Association of Colleges, visit www.aoc.ac.uk/public-affairs.

For more information about Bexley College please visit contact Bexley College Marketing Department on 01322 442331 or marcomms@bexley.ac.uk

This is an event which is run by the Metropolitan Police service providing safety sessions aimed at children of 10/11 years of age from local primary schools in the Borough. The event is run for 2 weeks at Danson Youth Centre, Brampton Road, Bexleyheath.

Our involvement:

During the event, Bexley College Health and Social Care level 3 students assist over 800 children who attend the 2 week event.

This event is coordinated by PC Jeff Moorey of Bexley Police and staffed by our students. Outside agencies such as the Fire Brigade and Ambulance Service also attend the event subject to staff and resources available, but in the main, it is Bexley College students that carry the bulk of the work.

This event forms part of the students work experience and each student has the opportunity to tackle a range of roles required to run the event. This gives them the chance to showcase their strengths and skills and to develop their existing knowledge.