Edinburgh College is delighted to be hosting #FIRSTLEGOLEAGUE at Sighthill Campus in December.
This is a wonderful occasion for teams of young people to represent their schools and take part in a highly interactive challenge, designed to develop their coding and programming skills.
Engage your team about designing creative solutions to tackle real-world problems by programming a robot in this year’s #FIRSTLEGOLEAGUE #CARGOCONNECT season.
For more information, visit:
Four Edinburgh College students have qualified for national WorldSkills UK finals having triumphed in a series of qualifying heats in their respective fields of study.
Damian Tchorzewski and Liam Ward have qualified for the Automotive Technology final, while Ben Nicolson and Corrie Kettrick have qualified for the Stonemasonry final.
Automotive Technology
Damian, who recently studied Electric/Hybrid Vehicle System Repair and Replacement, and Liam, who studies Light Vehicle Repair and Maintenance Principles, reached the finals following a qualifying process.
Stage one saw the duo sit a test that consisted of 30 questions in 30 minutes. The highest scorers from regions across the UK then progressed to stage two where they were tasked with completing five challenges on a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) program, under timed conditions.
Damian and Liam were among the six best performers in this qualifier and will compete in the national final taking place at Cardiff and Vale College on Friday 19th November.
Stonemasonry
This year’s Stonemasonry qualifiers – SkillBuild – did not take place due to COVID-19, however Ben and Corrie will have the chance to experience competition as they have been selected to participate in the national final.
The duo, who study at the College’s Forthside Construction facility, will travel to the National Construction College in Norfolk on 16-18 November where they will complete a set of stone-cutting challenges in competition with two Stonemasons students from Bath College.
Scott Warden, Head of the Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment at Edinburgh College, said: “Congratulations to Damian, Liam, Ben and Corrie on qualifying for their WorldSkills finals – it is an outstanding achievement.
“WorldSkills UK, and skills competitions in general, are a fantastic way for our students and apprentices to network with peers from across the country, to test their skills in a new and challenging environment, and to boost their confidence.
“We’re delighted that four of our students will experience that this year and have the opportunity to be named among the best in the UK in their field. We wish them the best of luck.”
Would you like to come along to find out more about SHE Scotland’s mentoring programme?
Come along to our SHE office to have a blether and a cuppa. Lynn McCraw from @edinburghcoll will be there too
Mon 6th Sept & Mon 13th Sept at 9.30am. 525 Ferry Road, Edinburgh, EH5 2FF
The city council is seeking views on a proposal for Edinburgh to be short term let control area.
A public consultation approved by the Planning Committee on 11 August, will run from Friday 3 September for nine weeks, until 5 November 2021.
If, following the public consultation, the Council gives the go ahead and the proposal is approved by the Scottish Government, the new powers would mean all residential properties, which are not an owner’s principle home, being let as STLs in their totality throughout the local authority area would require approval of a ‘change of use’ to a STL from Planning.
The ‘Choices’ consultation responses for our next local development plan, ‘City Plan 2030’, also showed overwhelming support for the council to look at control areas in the Capital.
Around a third of STLs in Scotland are in Edinburgh. At the moment, in addition to planning applications made for STLs, to establish whether or not planning permission is required for properties where this is disputed, the Council’s enforcement team looks at each case individually, which is a very lengthy and time consuming process.
The introduction of powers to make a control area, follows the Council calling for new legislation to tighten up the control of STLs to help manage high concentrations of secondary letting where it affects the availability of residential housing or the character of a neighbourhood.
Also, it will help to restrict or prevent STLs in places or types of buildings where they are not appropriate as well as making sure homes are used to best effect in their areas.
Generally renting out a room/s in your house or letting your property whilst on holiday would also still be allowed if Edinburgh became a STL control zone.
The Scottish Government is currently consulting on legislation to introduce a new licensing regime next year, which the Council also called for, to address the issues of safety, anti-social behaviour and noise. These issues have all had a detrimental effect on communities as the number of STLs has greatly increased across the city in recent years.
The proposal is that all Scottish councils will have to adopt a STL licensing system by October 2022. In terms of the Government’s proposed new licensing regime, if Edinburgh becomes a control area it will be a mandatory condition of any licensing application to have made a planning application or to have planning permission already when providing accommodation that requires it.
Councillor Neil Gardiner, Planning Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “We’ve worked hard calling for greater controls for short term lets and so it’s great we’re now asking for your views on the whole city becoming a control area.
“This is a positive step forward as Edinburgh has almost a third of all STLs in Scotland and so we need to take action. They’re putting pressure on house prices and rents and taking houses out of supply as well as causing issues such as anti-social behaviour and the hollowing out of communities.
“We’re really keen to hear views from residents in all communities across the city and the industry and we’ll carefully consider all of the feedback you give us before the proposal is finalised as the impact of STLs can be felt in communities across Edinburgh.”
Councillor Maureen Child, Planning Vice-Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “If we do proceed with this approach and it’s approved by the Scottish Government, we’ll be better able to manage the number of STLs in the city.
“Many properties being let out in a control area would automatically require to have ‘change of use’ planning permission in place and I’m pleased the Scottish Government is also proposing that when people apply for a licence we can ask for evidence of that.”
To have your say in the consultation visit www.edinburgh.gov.uk/stlcontrol
Edinburgh College has launched a new Skills Boost for Data Science course which promises to equip attendees with vital Data Science skills which are becoming even more in demand with employers.
Data Science is becoming an essential part of how we all live, learn and work. It is about how we get actions from insights – and now more and more employers are searching for Data Science skills among candidates for jobs.
Data Science combines Digital and Data skills, specific knowledge about a particular topic or subject area, and numeracy skills to extract insights and knowledge from data. The ability to identify the problem to solve, the correct data to use, carry out the analysis and then implement the outcome requires all three areas to be brought together.
The new five-week course provides students with the essential knowledge and analytical skills needed for a Data Science role as well as providing a pathway to further learning within the industry.
The course is fully funded, which means students do not have to apply for funding, and it is open to candidates of all ages and capabilities.
The first Skills Boost for Data Science cohort will begin the course on Monday 28 June 2021, with applications for places open now.
Upon completion of the five-week course, students will gain a National Progression Award in Data Science – a SCQF level 4 qualification.
Curriculum manager David Hiddleston said: “We’re thrilled to be launching this new Data Science course which will see students at beginner level learn and develop the basic skills they need to enter the world of Data Science.
“The course is open to applicants at any stage of their career journey – those leaving school, or completing an existing college course, and those simply thinking of learning something new, or considering a career change.
“The short programme has been designed to give students a taster of the skills and tasks involved when working with Data Science, and can act as a springboard to a new career or further study within the Data Science arena.”
To find out more, and to apply visit the Edinburgh College website.
Leading Scottish based events company, 21CC Group recently unveiled the output of months of planning with a new project delivered in partnership with The City of Edinburgh Council and Edinburgh College.
The creative lighting design company were appointed to transform the iconic gasholder tower into one of Scotland’s biggest works of art, while providing opportunities for students at Edinburgh College to work on a live creative project.
Commenting on the success and long-term objectives of the installation, Geoff Crow, Director of 21CC Group explained: “We are immensely proud to have been appointed for this project, and of the results achieved by our technical production company, 21CC Productions.
“For us, it’s about giving Edinburgh a new landmark and students hands-on experience with cutting edge equipment, that will enable them to leave school, college or university with the practical skills and head start in some of the key sectors for industry growth across Scotland.
“Over the course of the next 2 years, we are also planning to work alongside Edinburgh College to further support the students with their practical experience on the ground, introducing them to some of the newest technology available and creating a platform for them to learn more about its practical application.”
Through providing students at the college with direct access to this equipment, it is hoped that the innovative lighting project will support the enablement of skills and create an opportunity for students to turn theory into reality across key industry sectors including theatre, media, marketing, lighting design, sound production.
Lead lighting designer on the project – and former pupil of Edinburgh College – Neill Fleming, Lighting Technician for 21CC Group, said: “As a former student of Edinburgh College myself, who has moved into a permanent role within the industry, I am so aware of the importance of real-life experience in creating true understanding and passion for the industry.
“This is an opportunity like no other, and our installation will enable existing students the opportunity to work alongside a leading team of professionals.”
The spectacular launch – including Edinburgh Castle-style chases around the structure – showcased the brand-new lighting displays at Granton Gasholder in all its glory.
The tower has been an important fixture of Edinburgh’s Waterfront for over a century, and the launch itself marked the beginning of a vital regeneration project undertaken by The City of Edinburgh Council, with the display proudly illuminating the skyline for a period of up to two years.
Geoff Crow, Director of 21CC Group concludes, “In a year where the event industry as a whole suffered greatly due the significant economic and social impact of Covid, this collaboration is significant on so many different levels, and a true symbol of hope at such a critical time.
“We are really looking forward to supporting the college further by taking some of these students and working to immerse them in some of our larger events later on in the year too.”
Edinburgh College HND Photography students will showcase their unique talents in an exhibition culminating their two years of training in Professional photography.
Exposed 2021 is taking place at Edinburgh’s Out of The Blue Drill Hall from Wednesday 2 to Thursday 10 June 2021, excluding Sunday (6 June).
Entry to the exhibition is free of charge and there is no need to book. COVID-19 health and safety will be in place to keep those in attendance safe.
The College’s Photography department has been running its annual exhibition show since the mid-1990s, and this year 70 students from the HND and BA courses will be showing over 150 images covering a variety of genres including photojournalism, documentary, fashion, advertising and the environment.
Unfortunately, last year all end of year shows had to be cancelled due to the pandemic, and so students who graduated then were not able to show their work. Now they will have the opportunity to show it by exhibiting alongside this year’s HND students.
The exhibition will be a celebration of Scottish Photography and the achievements of Edinburgh College students and it will be biggest student graduate photography show held in the country.
The youngest of this year’s exhibition cohort, George Norris, is 19 years of age, while the eldest, Lorna Fleming, is 67, with all ages represented in-between. The HND is a practical course which encourages students to work on live client briefs to strict deadlines, so preparing them for the world of work.
Graham McGirk HND Photography course leader said: “Having this platform to physically show their work is a big deal, after students have worked under such incredibly difficult circumstances over the last 18 months.
“This is the first step back to normality and we’re really looking forward to seeing the work hanging up at the Drill Hall and hope people will enjoy coming to see it.”
Jon Lee BA Photography course leader said: “The quality of work this year has been outstanding and we’re confident this show will be our best yet.
“It will be a superb showcase for our students and we look forward to seeing them flourish in their future careers.”
HND student Lorna Fleming, 67, from near Kelso said, “Completing the HND in Photography has proved to me that it is indeed true that you are never too old to learn.
“Photography has changed since I was a junior member of my local camera club aged 16 and at times I have struggled with technology but being part of a wide age range has been a brilliant experience.”
HND student George Norris, 19, from Musselburgh, said: “It’s been difficult with the challenges covid has brought, but I’m really proud of my achievements and I’m feeling positive about the future. I hope to take my education further in photography by entering the BA degree course.”
The BA degree in Professional Photography is unique in Scotland as it is accredited by the British Institute of Professional Photography as well as endorsed by the Association of Photographers.
More information and updates on the Exposed 21 exhibition can be found on Facebook.
The College’s annual Glow Festival, taking place from 7-18 June, will also feature work from across all of the creative courses run by Edinburgh College when it goes live on 7 June.
MAIN PICTURE: Fabio Scalici Photography
Hidden Door Festival 2021 is heading to Granton Gasworks, with the festival taking place in the shadow of the historic gas holder. The site at West Shore Road will be transformed into an outdoor celebration of music, visual art, theatre, dance and spoken word from 15 – 19 September 2021.
Organisers plan on building two stages for music performances, lighting up the gas holder to create a dramatic backdrop, with sculptures displayed throughout the site.
The large, open space will allow Hidden Door 2021 to be flexible, adapting to comply with the coronavirus restrictions in place at the time.
Over five days, the event will showcase the work of at least 30 graduates, four site artists, eight dance groups and two theatre companies, highlighting some of the best emerging talent in Scotland.
David Martin, Creative Director of Hidden Door, said: “Taking on the site of the Granton Gasworks is an exciting opportunity for Hidden Door to adapt, as we need to, in order to start bringing live events back to the city. We are used to working in the nooks and crannies of disused buildings, so moving to a big open site like this is really liberating!
“We are designing the event so that there will be enough space for everyone to be safe and to be able to accommodate social distancing if we still need to work with those restrictions, but the epic nature of the site, with the incredible gas tower landmark looming over us, means we will be able to create a spectacle and an atmosphere, and bring about the wow-factor that our audience expects from a Hidden Door venue.
“We can’t wait to get on site and start turning it into a creative and joyful showcase of Scotland’s emerging talent. Early career artists and performers have been so badly affected by the pandemic, so they are front and centre for this event, and we are looking forward to showing how much talent there is to celebrate.”
Edinburgh College, who occupy the area close to the Gasworks where the festival will be held, are enthusiastically welcoming the festival on to the site. As well as opening the gates to Hidden Door, they hope to use the festival as a training opportunity for students on a number of courses.
Jakki Jeffery, Head of Creative Industries at Edinburgh College, said: “It’s fantastic that Hidden Door have chosen this site close to the iconic Granton Gasworks to host their 2021 festival.
“It will be wonderful to see the space transformed to showcase creative talent which we hope our students can play a part in, and take inspiration and experience from to boost their future careers.”
Tickets
Tickets are available via www.hiddendoorblog.org/tickets or from Citizen Ticket. Once the full programme is announced, ticket holders will be able to select which days they would like to attend.
PIC: Fabio Scalici Photography
The sky above Edinburgh has been illuminated by the Granton gasholder with creative light shows designed by students from Edinburgh College working in partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council.
Granton’s iconic waterfront gasometer is now a beacon of light on the Edinburgh skyline thanks to the partnership project which provided students from the college with an invaluable opportunity to expand their knowledge and develop their skills working on a live creative project.
Students from across the College’s Creative Industries faculty, from Music and Sound Production to Art and Design, worked alongside 21CC Productions to create the lightshows and designs. They will illuminate the sky over Granton Waterfront for a period of up to two years starting in time for the summer festivals in whatever form they take this year.
The tower has long been an iconic fixture on Edinburgh’s Waterfront for more than a century dating back to 1903. The Council acquired the gasholder as part of the purchase of the wider gasworks site in 2018 and made the commitment to retain and restore it as a central feature within the ambitious £1.3bn regeneration of the Waterfront.
Edinburgh College head of faculty for Creative Industries Jakki Jeffery said: “We’re delighted to be involved in this partnership project working alongside the City of Edinburgh Council to illuminate the sky over Edinburgh.
“This project has provided a fantastic opportunity for students across our Creative Industries faculty to gain experience working on a live project and it’s great to see all their creative ideas come to life.”
Cammy Day, Depute Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council, and a local Forth ward councillor, said: “It’s great to see this iconic structure illuminated as it sits at the heart of our £1.3bn regeneration project for Granton Waterfront.
“It’s been a tough year for everyone and we’re all still living through very challenging times so I’d like to thank the students at Edinburgh College for being involved in this project to make the gasholder a beacon of light while development is going on in the area.
“It’s also created a hands on, practical learning opportunity for Edinburgh College’s Creative Industries students to participate in while celebrating the rich history and heritage within the community.”
Councillor Donald Wilson, Culture and Communities Convener said: “It is fantastic that the Council can contribute to the night time reimagining of a city landmark into one of Scotland’s biggest and most visible artworks.
“The illumination will provide a highly visible and beautiful installation at the heart of the Granton Waterfront regeneration. It has been an exciting project and in working with Edinburgh College, something truly special has been produced.”
Culture and Communities Vice Convener Councillor Amy McNeese-Mechan said: “The Granton gasholder is already a well-loved landmark on Edinburgh’s skyline and it will now become a prominent feature in our night-time skyscape as well thanks to this partnership project.
“I’m sure there will be quite a buzz on social media as people capture the newly lit-up structure and look towards Granton and its exciting future.”
A group of students from Edinburgh Napier’s Journalism department are to provide live coverage of the Scottish election results.
And they have already gained an exclusive interview with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
Third year Journalism BA student Steven Brown is editor for the event, which will be staged on Friday, May 7 as the results from the previous day’s election are revealed.
Around 20 students will take part in the Merchiston campus event, which will feature eight hours of live broadcasting on the Radio ENRG platform plus online support on the ENRG Debrief website.
Steven said: “We are really looking forward to the event. We have secured a number of interviews already, with virtually all of the party leaders in Scotland agreeing to talk to us. We aim to provide expert analysis too as the results happen.
“It will be a great experience. Radio ENRG and the Debrief website have established real credibility and are treated pretty much like other professional media.”
The event follows the hugely successful live coverage of the US elections back in November.
That ambitious enterprise caught the attention of the BBC’s North America Editor Jon Sopel, who tweeted his support, saying: “Have a great night. When I was a journalism student, it was me and Steve Richards (another well-known UK print and broadcast journalist) commenting on the Peckham by-election (of 1982). Glad to see you guys starting with the most consequential presidential election in decades.”
This time round, another top BBC journalist will be involved. Edinburgh Napier journalism graduate Nick Eardley, one of the corporation’s leading political commentators, will give his thoughts on the elections in an exclusive interview with ENRG.
Steven said: “It was fantastic to get support from Jon Sopel last time. It’s great to know that people like him started out in exactly the same way we are. And this time Nick Eardley will be helping us out. Just ten years ago he was himself a student in these same classrooms.”
Hours and hours of preparation – agreeing the broadcast and online schedules, sourcing story ideas, sorting out interviewees – will be done before even an article is published on the website or any audio hits the airwaves.
The live coverage itself will begin at 10am on Friday (May 7) on Radio ENRG and run through to 6pm, while the ENRG Debrief website has already begun publishing content.
Steven added: “These events are incredibly inspiring to work on and offer students a unique and invaluable opportunity to learn and gain knowledge and understanding of what it’s like to work as a journalist on huge events.
“To be able to publish our coverage in two mediums, on the radio and online, will give the event a true industry-like feel. It’s going to be an amazing experience.”
Students taking part come from all four years of the Journalism BA plus the Masters programme.
Radio ENRG is a student-led broadcasting platform, organised from Napier’s journalism department. Since its launch in 2014, it has gone from strength to strength, winning numerous national awards for the quality of its content.
Over the years, the ENRG family has grown to include three websites – Debrief, Sport, and Music & Arts – all of which are led by student editors and publish new content most days. More sites are due to come online in the next few months,
Tune in to Radio ENRG from 10am on Friday, May 7 to hear the live coverage at:
While the ENRG Debrief website can be found here:
