Excellent training
Preston College has become one of the first further education institutions in the North West to achieve the Training Quality Standard from the Learning and Skills Council. The standard is awarded only to organisations that can demonstrate the highest standards of training. Preston achieved excellent ratings for its retail and construction training.
Building approved
Bolton Community College and Bolton Sixth Form College have received the go-ahead for a Pounds 90 million building scheme that will see them sit side by side in the town’s innovation zone close to Bolton University. The project is due to be completed in September 2010.
The Learning and Skills Council has confirmed it will fund more than 80 per cent of the building and fitment costs associated with the community college’s Pounds 67m new building, which includes a hair and beauty salon, restaurant training facilities, a construction centre and performing arts studio.
The sixth form college’s Pounds 21m new campus will focus on the needs of 16- to 19-year-olds.
Olympics training
South Nottingham College is working with a security training firm to prepare stewards for the 2012 London Olympic Games. The college has teamed up with Repton Training in Derby to provide a level 2 national vocational qualification in security services and spectator safety for employees in the industry through the Train to Gain programme.
Tradesmen’s entrance
Leicester College is collaborating with the city council to run an eight- day women in construction taster course at its Freemen’s Park campus from April 6. Female tutors will run the course, introducing everything from laying bricks to changing door locks. Women keen on further training will get the chance to enrol on Leicester City Council’s apprenticeship scheme.
Cultural expansion
Kendal College is to run one of Britain’s oldest museums. From April 1, the college will look after the collections and manage the staff at Kendal Museum, which dates from 1796. The college’s involvement with the museum will provide educational opportunities for students on the cultural heritage programmes that it is developing with the University of Cumbria.
