Edinburgh College – Page 34 – The NEN

Lecture celebrates the life of Scottish arts champion

Community council salutes arts legend

Edinburgh-born artist and colossus of the Scottish arts scene Professor Richard Demarco is giving a lecture at Edinburgh College this week at an event celebrating his contribution to cultural life. The Portobello Demarco Lecture on Thursday night (11 September) is being held by Portobello Community Council to honour one of the area’s most famous figures.

The free lecture will take place at the CRE:8 auditorium at Edinburgh College’s Milton Road Campus on Thursday at 7.30pm.

Edinburgh-born Demarco will talk about his remarkable life and achievements within the Scottish and international art worlds, of which he has been a crucial figure for more than 50 years.

Throughout this time, the 84-year-old Traverse Theatre co-founder has organised scores of plays, exhibitions and events, including a long-standing association with the Official Edinburgh Festival. His work has earned him a number of national and international honours. Earlier this year, Demarco was presented with the annual Edinburgh Award, which honours people who have made major contributions to the city. This followed his European Citizen of the Year 2013 Prize last August, given by the European Parliament for his exceptional achievements.

Professor Demarco said: “My lecture in Portobello will focus on how the history of art and science in the decades which followed the Second World War must consider the future of education so that art is not divorced from such a history.”

Jon Buglass, head of the Centre for Creative Industries at Edinburgh College, said: “We’re delighted to host the lecture and play our part in honouring one of our cultural greats, someone who has arguably done more to promote the arts in this country than anyone else in recent times.

“Professor Demarco is an inspirational figure whose influence on our country’s artists and the way that we present art is enormous. I’d urge our students and anyone else with an interest in arts to learn from his vision. Without his commitment to supporting our country’s talent our cultural landscape would be very different and far worse off.”

Geoff Lynn, chair of Portobello Community Council, said: “Portobello Community Council is delighted to be able to play host to such a venerated and colourful figure as Richard Demarco. His early life growing up in Portobello, his dedication to the artistic and cultural life of this city and beyond. It should be a great evening.”

The event is free but booking is essential. Tickets can be booked here.

Still looking for the right course?

Edinburgh College is holding a Recruitment Day at Granton Campus tomorrow (Wednesday 3 September) when anyone wanting to sign up for a course can apply and have a fast-track interview.

The event will take place at the college’s Granton Campus from 3 – 7.30pm. Recruitment advisors and lecturers will be on hand to provide information about courses beginning this autumn, help with applications, and carry out interviews and auditions.

The college has places available on courses in:

• Business
• Computing
• Construction and Building Crafts
• Creative Industries
• Engineering
• English for speakers of other Languages
• Events
• Retail
• Tourism and Hospitality
• Hair and Beauty
• Health
• Languages.

Courses range from access to degree level, including vocational training and professional accredited qualifications. Successful applicants can begin some courses immediately.

Edinburgh College vice-principal (Education Leadership) Ray McCowan said: “This is a great opportunity to go through the whole application process in one go and get a place on a course that’s going to open up new employment or study opportunities.

“Anyone undecided about what they want to do can talk through course options with our teaching staff, find out what the best course for them is, get support with their application and have an interview on the same day. This will make the journey from applying to confirming their place faster. We’re looking forward to welcoming future students and their families, and helping them make the best choices for their educational journey.”

Anyone who cannot make the Recruitment Day can still apply online at

www.edinburghcollege.ac.uk/applynow

or by calling 0131 660 1010

You’ll find Edinburgh College Granton Campus at 350 West Granton Road, EH5 1QE.

Building for the future

Pilot programme helps young people get into home building

The first students of a new programme designed to help unemployed young people into careers in the home building industry celebrated their graduation yesterday.

Fourteen young people have been participating in the five week pilot Get into Home Building course at Edinburgh College, developing skills across a variety of trade disciplines (including carpentry, plastering, brickwork and painting and decorating) and gaining hands-on experience with some of Scotland’s leading home builders.

In addition to acquiring valuable site knowledge, the students also achieved CSCS site safety cards and received wider training to help improve communication, reliability, teamwork and CV/interview skills.

With all students having successfully completed the scheme, its positive impact is already being felt as seven have already secured jobs or full apprenticeships and others are still working with programme partners or considering their choices in light of their new found experience.

19 year old Aaron Orr is one of those with an apprenticeship lined up and said:

“I’ve really enjoyed the course and being given the chance to get a taster of so many different trades. It’s quite unique to get the opportunity to try out painting and decorating, carpentry, joinery, plastering and brickwork all in five weeks, and it’s been good to find out what I’m interested in and what I’m good at.

“I’ve now managed to get a painting and decorating apprenticeship with Miller Homes. It’s going to last for four years and I know it’ll be a brilliant opportunity. If it wasn’t for this course, and the hands-on work experience on site, I would never have gotten this opportunity.”

Among those on hand to congratulate the students was Housing & Welfare Minister Margaret Burgess who said:

“Housing is, and will remain, a priority for this Government which is why I am delighted to see the success of this pilot project and I congratulate everyone involved, especially the students on their graduation today.

“I hope they are now encouraged to go on and have a fulfilling career in the home building industry. Increasing skills provision is one of the ways that can help us build the homes Scotland needs. This initiative is an important step in that direction.”

Sandy Adam, Chair of trade body Homes for Scotland, which has been leading the scheme with The Prince’s Trust, said:

“Home building is a major employer with each home built estimated to directly support two jobs and every nine homes built one apprenticeship. However, skill shortages are proving a major barrier to the industry’s ability to increase production as the economy and housing market recover.

“Given the success of this pilot programme, it has the potential to be rolled out across the country and help attract the young people our industry requires to develop skills and deliver the many thousands of homes Scotland needs.”

Carpentry, decorating and plumbing programme manager at Edinburgh College, Keith Swann, said:

“The group’s progress over the last five weeks has been outstanding, with the quality of their work at a consistently high level. It has been a privilege to watch the students becoming more confident in their abilities and in themselves, and I know that each of them has a bright future ahead of them.

“Through unique partnerships like this with Homes for Scotland, the Prince’s Trust and the Construction Industry Training Board, we are giving young and unemployed people the chance to change their lives and take steps to get into employment. Our students are equipped with the skills and knowledge the industry needs, making them ready for the workplace and providing the industry with a committed long-term workforce.”

Allan Watt, Director of The Prince’s Trust Scotland, said:

“The Prince’s Trust and HSBC’s recent Skills Crunch report showed that nearly two thirds of Scottish businesses think a skills crisis will hit their organisations within the next three years. It revealed that employers across Scotland are struggling to fill vacancies despite there being thousands of unemployed young people who are desperate for work.

“Our partnership with Homes for Scotland and Edinburgh College is helping us to equip young people with the skills they need for a career in the home building industry. This prevents the bubbling skills crisis from boiling over while enabling young people to make the most of their talents and create a brighter future for themselves.”

Call for volunteers to to end immigrants’ isolation

Edinburgh College is recruiting a small army of volunteers to teach English in people’s homes, as part of a scheme to support people who cannot get to a classroom.

Predominantly used by refugees, immigrants and asylum seekers, the Edinburgh College Home Learning Scheme supports those who would like a better grasp of the English language and UK culture. This includes mothers with young children or members of the community who are unable to attend college for other reasons, such as ill health or unsociable working hours.

With almost one million immigrants living in the UK who do not speak a basic level of English, the Learning Scheme can provide vital language skills to allow people to have a better quality of life.

Before taking on the role as an English tutor, volunteers receive hands-on training from specialist English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) staff at Edinburgh College. This includes practical teaching tips, intercultural communication and awareness of cultural sensitivities. Throughout the course, volunteers are supported by a lecturer and attend regular training days.

Rose McKendry, a volunteer at the Edinburgh College Home Learning Scheme, said: “Teaching students from other countries and nationalities has given me an insight into how different life is and how strange it must be for people when they first come here. I now have a deeper sympathy and understanding for people who do not speak the language or understand our customs.”

Jean Howat, ESOL lecturer at Edinburgh College, said: “We are very excited to be recruiting our next round of dedicated volunteers. We are looking for volunteers from all walks of life who would like to use their communication skills to help those who are most in need of tuition. Previous volunteers have included students from university and college, retired teachers and those who simply want to give back to the community and meet new and interesting people.

“Teaching immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers can have many benefits. Volunteers can open themselves up to a new culture and way of life, and learn what it’s like to integrate into Scottish society. For many of our students, learning English can help them to go about their daily lives, such as learning how to fill out doctor’s forms and filling out application forms for a job. It can also help people to integrate within their local community and put an end to feelings of isolation.”

Top student Martin’s a health and safety gem!

An Edinburgh College student has beaten more than 1,300 others to be named one of the country’s top occupational health and safety students.

Martin Diamond received the National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health’s (NEBOSH) Phil Hughes Award, which is presented annually to the best candidate in Unit A of the Diploma. Martin, who studied the National Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety, received his accolade at Warwick University, where the international NEBOSH graduation ceremony was held.

The NEBOSH National Diploma qualification is recognised globally by professional bodies such as the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health for professional membership.

Martin, who is 35 years old and studied the part-time qualification while working as an environmental health officer at West Lothian Council, said: “I didn’t expect to win the best candidate award so it was a big surprise. I felt very proud of my achievements, to have obtained the top mark from more than 1,300 candidates. The graduation was a great day and meant I could celebrate my success with my tutor and my family.”

Martin added: “The most interesting part of the course was finding out about major catastrophes such as Piper Alpha and Chernobyl. We learned why accidents like these occur and how to prevent them happening again in the future.

“I also enjoyed the teaching style at the college, with a mixture of lectures, quizzes, class competitions and practical demonstrations, which made the course a lot more interesting. In particular, the lab sessions with the exploding custard tin and burning jelly babies was lots of fun whilst also teaching us practical skills.”

NEBOSH chief executive Teresa Budworth said: “We congratulate Martin on being the top candidate for Unit A this year. This is a massive achievement, which will have taken a great deal of hard work and dedication to achieve.”

With this extra qualification under his belt as well as the NEBOSH Best Candidate Award, Martin plans to take his newly acquired skills and knowledge back to West Lothian Council, where he assists local businesses with occupational health and safety as environmental health officer.

A diamond geezer, indeed!

PEP celebrates quarter century

How do you pack twenty-five years of history into a two hour time slot – and leave time for lunch too? It was a Herculean task for for Pilton Equalities Project, but like so many challenges they’ve faced in the past the local project passed the test with flying colours!

Staff past and present, volunteers, service users, friends and community colleagues celebrated PEP’s 25th anniversary at Edinburgh College Granton Campus on Friday.

Introduced by PEP chairperson Joan Turner, health professionals Jane Jones and Christa Wynn-Williams, former PEP worker and community activist Roberta Blaikie and current manager Helen Tait took their guests on a whistle-stop tour: from the beginnings in Royston Wardieburn and The Health Hut as Pilton Elderly Project right on to the present day as the multi-faceted Pilton Equalities Project – quite a journey!

As well as speakers there were displays of PEP memorabilia and photographs and guests also had the opportunity to renew auld acquantances and reminisce over a buffet lunch.

Many happy returns PEP – and here’s to the next 25 years!

and here’s 25 pictures … well, nearly!

Simply the best! Students’ union scoops top award

Edinburgh College Students’ Association is best in UK

Edinburgh College Students’ Association (ECSA) has won the Further Education Students’ Union of the Year Award 2014, beating off competition from across the UK.

Up against some of the best students’ unions and associations across the country, ECSA came out on top in the National Union of Students (NUS) annual awards. It was the only Scottish college students’ association to be nominated in any category at the awards.

ECSA trumped category rivals from English and Welsh counterparts, including Sheffield College Students’ Union, South Eastern Regional College Students’ Union, Burton and South Derbyshire College Students’ Union and Coleg Gwent in Wales.

Kelly Parry, ECSA president for 2013/14, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to win the NUS FE Students’ Union of the Year Award. It’s a huge credit to the work ethic, dedication and enthusiasm of everyone involved in making ECSA a success – students, student officers and staff – and it’s proof that college students’ associations can make a real and positive difference to the lives of thousands of students.

“Over the last year, Edinburgh College Students’ Association and Edinburgh College have been doing some fantastic work to empower students to give them the best possible learning experiences. Winning this award has been a brilliant note to end on as president and I’m very confident that the new president and student officers will be able to build on our successes in the next coming year.”

ECSA provides a strong and independent voice for students at the college, which has 26,000 student enrolments, and works closely with the college to ensure that all students have a life-changing educational experience.

The judging panel from the NUS – which recognises students and students’ unions who do incredible things for their colleges and universities – was impressed with several of the association’s initiatives. The judges were particularly impressed with ECSA’s efforts to ensure that the college is reaching, representing and supporting under-represented groups. For example, ECSA was praised for its support of students from care backgrounds, with an event to showcase the hard work and determination of young people in and leaving care and the great challenges they face.

ECSA was also recognised for successfully lobbying the Scottish Parliament on behalf of the student body. One of ECSA’s major achievements was getting MSP Kezia Dugdale to raise the question of discrepancies of further education childcare funding in the Scottish Parliament, ensuring that student support and funding is at the forefront of the political agenda. The ECSA president also met with MSP Mike Russell, cabinet secretary for education and lifelong learning, to discuss this issue, and he subsequently committed to reviewing childcare funding for students.

The NUS FE Students’ Union of the Year award follows a recent partnership agreement with Edinburgh College, giving ECSA more influence over the college’s strategic direction. The partnership agreement – which strengthens ECSA’s ability to develop and meet students’ needs – breaks new ground for the further education sector in Scotland. Under the new agreement, ECSA will have a stronger voice at all decision-making levels of the college.

Pictured: Raphael Lehmann (ECSA Vice President Welfare and Activities) and Graham Smith (Student Liaison Officer).

Edinburgh College is top class!

Top accolade for Edinburgh College following inspection

Edinburgh College has achieved the highest possible rating in its Education Scotland inspection report published today.

Education Scotland’s overarching judgement on the college is that “Edinburgh College has in place effective arrangements to maintain and enhance the quality of its provision and outcomes for students and other stakeholders.” This is the highest rating a college can achieve in the review process.

This means that “in relation to quality assurance and enhancement, the college is led well, has sufficiently robust arrangements to address any identified minor weaknesses, and is likely to continue to improve the quality of its services for students and other stakeholders.”

Principal Mandy Exley welcomed the report: “I am delighted that we achieved the top rating in our recent inspection. I know we have all worked extremely hard since merger to create a college that meets the needs of students and industry. This has been demonstrated by our students’ excellence and success, but it is also important to receive such a strong inspection report, highlighting success and innovation across the organisation.

“We will continue to work with our industry partners and our students’ association to build on this success and to deliver even more opportunities that are relevant to the economic needs of Edinburgh and Scotland.”

Her Majesty’s inspectors spent a full week at the college in late April and early May conducting in-depth research, observations and interviews with staff, students and stakeholders to test the quality of the learning experience.

Looking at strategic direction, the regional chair, board and principal are praised as “working well together to provide clear direction for the college’s development” with strategies and operational plans providing a clear and comprehensive basis for its future.

The report comments widely on many aspects of the college’s operations. The curriculum is described as meeting the needs of students and industry well, while the report notes that the college has extensive and highly successful strategic links with key partners within the region and further afield.

Dr Allan Colquhoun, university liaison and emerging technologies manager at Selex ES and chair of the newly launched Edinburgh College Development Trust, supports the college’s work with industry, commenting: “Edinburgh College should congratulate itself on a positive report. Although “effective” is the highest rating, this wording does not truly reflect the college’s achievements. Edinburgh College has delivered education in depth and breadth from schools to degree level that has resulted in most students moving on to employment or to other studies. The college successfully prepares students for work and supports business through apprenticeship and CPD programmes.”

He continued: “It is clear that some of the good work done by the college has influenced the Wood Commission and will result in its good practice being shared across Scotland. The pioneering work on the Academies project, creating smooth pathways from school through college and onto university, will hopefully become the norm in the post-Wood landscape alongside the blending of academic and work-based learning as exemplified by the Graphic Design mentoring programme highlighted in the report.”

The inspectors recognised the college’s commitment to fully involving students at every level of decision making, noting that “the college works very effectively in partnership at a strategic level with Edinburgh College Students’ Association (ECSA) and the student voice is influential at Board, College committee and campus level. The college has ensured that the student voice has been a major influence as it progressed through merger to become one institution and has pioneered an approach to student representation at a strategic level.”

Student achievement and success is strong, with 94% of students whose destinations are known progressing successfully to further study, apprenticeships or employment. The report goes on to state that successful completion rates on FE and HE full time programmes were above the national sector performance level, while within the subject areas of art and design, care, engineering, hospitality, land-based and sport and leisure, the levels of student success rank amongst the best in the sector.

As part of the report, the inspectors also highlight initiatives which are sector-leading. They singled out the college’s effective partnership working in setting up the South East Scotland Academies Partnership in conjunction with Queen Margaret University, employers and schools – a programme which benefits both students and employers.

Karen Prophet, education manager at the City of Edinburgh Council added: “The City of Edinburgh Council wish to acknowledge the positive partnership working through effective school college partnership provision which was recognised as innovative practice in today’s Education Scotland report on Edinburgh College. We look forward to developing our successful collaboration further to jointly deliver improved outcomes for young people. I’d like to congratulate Edinburgh College on this very positive inspection report.”

Links with industry are also key to another highlighted sector-leading initiative, the college’s innovative and imaginative industry mentoring programme for HND Visual Communication Graphic Design students. The design industry links integral to this programme have resulted in students winning prestigious national awards and high numbers going on to further study or directly to successful careers in the industry.

Star student shines with national marketing award

An Edinburgh College student has been crowned Star Creative Student at the Marketing Society Star Awards, a competition that celebrates Scotland’s top marketeers.

HND Graphic Design student Andrew Palfreyman fought off strong competition from across the country to win the award for his outstanding advertising campaign for John Lewis.

This is the third consecutive year that an Edinburgh College student has scooped the prestigious Star Creative Student award, with Jonathan Walton taking the coveted award at last year’s competition.

The Marketing Society Star Awards is an annual celebration of Scotland’s marketing community and highlights the best people within the industry, from up-and-coming FE and HE design students to well-known graphic design agencies such as the Leith Agency and The Union, and major players such as Tesco Bank and Standard Life.

As part of the Marketing Society Star Awards, students from universities and colleges in Scotland were invited to submit a creative brief for the high-profile client John Lewis. The brief challenged students to devise a creative campaign that will establish an emotional connection with John Lewis’ consumers, to build upon the success of the high-street brand’s famous Christmas campaigns and adverts.

A delighted Andrew said: “I was really pleased to find out I had won Star Creative Student. It’s a bit of a hat-trick for the graphic design course as I’m the third student in a row to have been given the award. I think winning a competition like this will really help me when I graduate, and eventually become an art director, which is my ideal job.”

He added: “The idea for my John Lewis campaign was to lead on from the previous Bear and Hare national advert. My advert links into the Commonwealth Games and how the event will affect a British family, as seen through the eyes of a child. It encourages viewers to form an emotional connection with the child and by association the John Lewis brand.”

Andrew will now get the chance to work alongside industry-leading graphic designers at the John Lewis headquarters in London.

Helena Good, design lecturer at Edinburgh College, said: “This is the third year running that our students have won Creative Student of the Year at this national competition. We’re incredibly proud of Andrew for winning and we know he has a really exciting career ahead of him. His success is an illustration of the highly creative, motivated and employable students that we are dedicated to producing here at the college.”

For more information about the awards, visit stars14.marketingsocietyscotland.com/.

Picure: L – R Nick Noble of Sales Force, presenting the award on behalf of Gus Chalmers of The Union, HND Graphic Design student Andrew Palfreyman, and BBC presenter Edith Bowman.

Time traveller Karen calls in at college

Pictured: Performing arts programme leader Scott Johnston, David Robertson, Karen Gillan, Marlee Pearson and Kay McAllister.

Local lass (and soon to be Galactic superstar!) Karen Gillan returned to Edinburgh College Granton Campus – where she studied performing arts – to give students an insight into the life and career of a top actress.

Karen, who studied at the college’s Performing Arts Studio Scotland (PASS) from 2004 to 2005, met around 70 students during her visit, answering questions and posing for pictures.

She spent 45 minutes with the students from the NC and HND Acting and Performance courses at the waterfront campus, talking about the career that has taken her from the BBC’s Dr Who to Hollywood films and a starring role in an American sitcom. She discussed everything from the intricacies of working with the green screens used to add digital effects, making her way as a Scot in Hollywood and London’s media worlds, and how her college education has helped her progress in TV and film.

Karen visit came at a busy time – she’s never been in higher demand. She features in two major major films to be released this summer: the unsettling horror Oculus and the latest Marvel blockbuster Guardians of the Galaxy. In Guardians of the Galaxy, she will share the screen with the universe’s toughest talking raccoon and his walking tree creature friend, as her blue-skinned villain Nebula does battle with the heroic Guardians!

She also has a starring role in a new sitcom called Selfie on America’s NBC Network.

The visit to Edinburgh College was arranged by performing arts programme leader Scott Johnston, who taught Karen at the college and has stayed in touch with her since she left.

Karen said: “It was such an honour to be welcomed back into the college that taught me so much. It was great to see so many enthusiastic students. It made me nostalgic for my time spent studying with Scott and the things I learned.”

Scott said: “It was an absolute joy to have Karen back at the college. The students loved meeting her. They got the chance to ask her loads of questions and learned a lot about what it’s like to try and make it as an actor, so it was really valuable for them. After the Q&A she stayed behind to pose for selfies with the students so they were delighted. She’s a great actress and a lovely person, and we’re very proud of how she’s doing.

“We try to give our students as broad an understanding of the industry as possible to make sure they appreciate all aspects of it when they begin their careers, so we arrange regular visits by actors, writers, directors, agents and other roles. When it’s someone like Karen, who studied here on the same course they did, that can be incredibly inspiring. She’s a brilliant ambassador for the college and we hope our students can follow in her footsteps.”

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