FYI>Tees Valley Colleges are aiming higher than ever before

The official Tees ValleyFurther Education CollegesE-Bulletin & Fact Sheet

Did you know that Further Education Colleges offer a wide range of Higher Education programmes? For example:

• in2010/11theTeesValleyCollegesoffered192HigherEducationprogrammes• that3,193learnerscompletedaHigherEducationprogrammeataFurtherEducationCollegein2010/11•asaresultof studyingataFurtherEducationCollege,1213learnersprogressedtoaregionalUniversitytocontinuetheirHigherEducationstudies;•787of theselearnerschoseTeessideUniversitytocontinuetheirstudies;•Nursing,engineeringandsportsrelatedprogrammeswerethemostpopularprogrammesin2010/11.

TheTeesValleyCollegesenjoyaneffectivepartnershipwithTeessideUniversitywhichenableslearnerstobepartof awidernetworkof businesspartners.Learnerenrolmentsfor2011/12arecurrentlyat3,591inthepartnershipandthisisexpectedtoincreaseasenrolmentcontinuesin2012.

HigherEducationlearnershaveaccesstoastateof theartlearningenvironmentwithexcellentfacilitieswhichhavebeenspecificallydevelopedtomeetlearner’sneeds.

Tees Valley General Further Education Colleges

Working collaboratively, the Colleges in the Tees Valley are integral to the Further Education and skills network, providing excellent learning and skills opportunities for learners, employers and the wider community.

Working together and through their relationships with key stakeholders the Colleges strive to seek a better deal for its clients and customers and provide a sustainable environment for learning and skills.

This E-bulletin provides the Tees Valley Colleges with an opportunity to inform key stakeholders of the potential career progression pathways that are available locally.

www.ccad.ac.uk01642 288888

GreenLaneLinthorpeMiddlesbroughTS57RJ

Contact:Christine Goult

www.darlington.ac.uk01325 503050

CentralParkHaughtonRoadDarlingtonDL11DRContact:Glenys Pashley

www.hartlepoolfe.ac.uk01429 295111

StocktonStreetHartlepoolCountyDurhamTS247NT

Contact:Darren Hankey

Hartlepool Collegeof Further Education

www.mbro.ac.uk01642 333333

DockStreetMiddlesbroughTS21AD

Contact:Paul Stone

www.stockton.ac.uk01642 865400

HarvardAvenueStockton-On-TeesTS176FB

Contact:Liz Boynton

www.cleveland.ac.uk01642 473132

CorporationRoadRedcarTS101EZ

Contact:Trevor Watson

Issue 1

>Success Story:Career is no pipe dream for Ruth REdCaR & ClEVEland CollEgE

A talented young woman is proving that she can make it in the male dominated world of engineering after successfully completing a higher-level qualification at Redcar & Cleveland College.

Ruth Atkinson-Leighton enrolled at Redcar & Cleveland College on the HNC course in Mechanical Engineering whilst also being employed at Jacobs Engineering. Ruth said “the HNC course has helped me to develop a better understanding of a lot of the theory that sits behind the practical studies.”

Barbara Gill, course tutor said: “Although the Mechanical Engineering course is predominantly made up of male students, Ruth has shown that it’s more than possible for young women to make a success of a career in the engineering industry. Ruth is now planning on going on to study on the B(Eng) Mechanical Engineering programme at Teesside University.

“The HNC course has inspired me to go on to further study and I’m already considering progressing onto a Masters course and there is always the possibility of a Phd after that. There aren’t too many women working in the engineering industry, so I hope that I can set an example for other women who are thinking about a career in the profession.”

>Success Story:anthony aims for the big leagues MIddlESBRough CollEgE

Anthony Carling enrolled at Middlesbrough College on the VTCT Level 3 Sports Massage and Therapy. Progressing onto the FdSc Fitness Instruction and Sports Massage programme.

Anthony displayed the commitment and motivation the programme demands. On completion of the course Anthony enrolled on the Level 6 Sport and Exercise Science top-up year at Teesside University graduating with a BSc Sport and Exercise Honours Degree. He is working for Guisborough Football Clubs as a Sports Therapist. Janis Leach tutor at the College said “Anthony was a fantastic student whilst at Middlesbrough College. He typified the type of personality needed to succeed at Higher Education.”

Stewart Hardy a mature student working as a Planner & co-ordinator at Seymour BCE (Civil Engineering) Ltd based in Hartlepool enrolled on the HNC Building Studies programme at Hartlepool College of Further Education.

Stewart demonstrated exceptional research skills throughout the two year programme producing thorough and professionally presented written reports and content for his assessments, meeting all course deadlines on time. His efforts recently won him the coveted “Building Services Student of the Year” award at the College’s annual Celebration of Achievement.

College staff commented that Stewart was always well organised, keen and motivated towards his studies. This commitment and hard work resulted in Stewart gaining nine Distinctions and one Merit grade across ten modules. Stewart is progressing to a degree in Management.

>Success Story:Stewart engineers a bright future

haRTlEpool CollEgE oF FuRThER EduCaTIon

>Success Story:Ken proves age is no barrier to learning SToCKTon RIVERSIdE CollEgE

Ken Milner proved that age is no barrier to learning success when he enrolled at Stockton Riverside College aged 50 after been made redundant.

Ken said “I had been a salesman for 30 years but the desire to do something else was prevalent in my mind. I had always been interested in physiotherapy, and I knew that for me, the pathway was an access course.”

Ken had reservations about returning to education namely his age and course demands, adding “I hadn’t written an essay in years but I was surprised by how quickly I developed those skills again.”

“Everyone in the college, especially the tutors, have been so supportive and have guided me through the course.”

Ken has since been offered a place at Teesside University on the BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy.

>Success Story:Susan’s example can teach everyone a thing or two daRlIngTon CollEgE

Higher education proved to be a route to success for Susan Spencer after she took her teaching skills to a new level.

Studying at Darlington College, Susan can now put her new-found skills to good use after landing a job at Darlington Education Village. The 34-year old from Newton Aycliffe, said: “I was a teaching assistant for a number of years but I really wanted to take it further and decided to do the Post Graduate Certificate in Education course at Darlington College.

The course covered essential teaching skills such as how to manage a classroom, behaviour management, lesson planning and planning for additional needs. Susan said “The tutors and mentors were brilliant and often shared their own experiences with us which helped us understand what it’s all about. “I am so pleased I did it because it has clearly helped me to get my new job. All my studying has really paid off.”

Susan is currently a curriculum reserve support worker and will soon be taking a new role in family and community learning.

a broad range of options an oVERVIEw oF SoME oF ThE Many EduCaTIon ChoICES aVaIlaBlE In ThE TEES VallEy REgIon

Higher Education

The Tees Valley Colleges offer a wide ranging Higher Education [HE] course programmes. Theses programmes have been verified by local Universities and qualifications on offer at the colleges range from Level 4 to 7. There are various different types of HE qualifications and these will be outlined below:-

Short Courses and Other Programmes

These qualifications offer the learner the opportunity to study in bite-size lessons at Level 4, across a number of different vocational areas and the majority of which are assessed by coursework. An example of this type of qualification is shown below:-

University Certificate: Information Technology

Higher National Certificates/Diplomas

These qualifications are an extension from the BTEC qualifications and focus on specialised vocational subjects but with a strong work-related emphasis. Assessment is predominantly carried out via coursework but a number of HNC/HND’s qualifications do have examinations as well. The Levels for these qualifications are 4 and 5. Examples of these qualifications are shown below:-

HNC Electrical and Electronic Engineering HNC Aeronautical Engineering HND Building StudiesHND Public Services

Foundation Degrees

A Foundation Degree covers Level 4 and 5 and last two years. The qualifications have been designed in consultation with employers and ensures that the demand for highly skilled employees is met. Learners are predominantly assessed by coursework. Examples of theses types of qualifications are shown below:-

FdA Sector Endorsed Early Years FdA Applied Arts FdA Journalism FdA Performance and Events Production

Honours Degree

This qualification is normally studied over three years and covers Levels 4 – 6. The qualifications tend to be academic and are assessed by coursework and examinations. An example of the type of qualification is shown below:-

BA Education Studies

Professional

These qualifications usually relate to areas such as Teaching and Accountancy. The qualifications are needed to enable career progression and assessment is by a variety of methods depending on the course programme that is followed. These qualifications range from Level 4 to 7. Examples of these types of qualifications are shown below:-

PGCE Lifelong Learning Sector CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants) Certificate Certificate in Education Executive Management Diploma Level 7

Above: LaurenGraingerwithherstunninghighstreetfestivedesignsforMarks&Spencer

>Christmas came early for a budding designer after her talents were spotted by a leading retail giant.

Cleveland College of Art and Design graduate in Textiles and Surface Design Lauren Grainger is celebrating after designing Christmas decorations for Marks and Spencer.

At college Lauren was chosen to attend the New Designers exhibition in London to showcase her creative talent and build connections with the industry.

Lauren said “Marks and Spencer officials came to talk to me and when I returned home, I got a call from them to ask if I would like to do a placement in their design studio in Bradford.”

As a result, Lauren was offered a freelance contract with the high street store.

CCAD tutor Claire Baker said: “Lauren fully deserves this success. She has always been very committed and passionate about her work. We are very proud of her.”

>Success Story:lauren has designs on the high Street

ClEVEland CollEgEoF aRT & dESIgn