FYI>Tees Valley Colleges:Foundation Skills

The official Tees ValleyFurther Education CollegesE-Bulletin & Fact Sheet

The Tees Valley Colleges offer courses to assist the development of skills enabling the individual to progress in education, training and also to retrain for employment.

Tees Valley General Further Education Colleges

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.

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 their clients and customers and provide a sustainable environment for learning and skills.

www.ccad.ac.uk01642 288000

Green LaneLinthorpeMiddlesbroughTS5 7RJ

Contact:Amanda Smith

www.darlington.ac.uk01325 503267

Central Park Haughton Road Darlington DL1 1DR Contact:Tim Humphries

www.hartlepoolfe.ac.uk01429 295111

Stockton StreetHartlepoolCounty DurhamTS24 7NT

Contact:Jane Steel

Hartlepool Collegeof Further Education

www.mbro.ac.uk01642 333333Dock StreetMiddlesbroughTS2 1AD

Contact:Andy Williams

www.stockton.ac.uk01642 865548

Harvard AvenueStockton-On-TeesTS17 6FB

Contact:Anthony Horne

www.cleveland.ac.uk01642 473132

Corporation RoadRedcarTS10 1EZ

Contact:Emma Stephenson

Issue 4

Entry level courses can offer units on job search; sustainable employment skills; general preparation for the world of work; literacy and numeracy.

The courses aim to help individuals deal effectively in society, culture as well as with the demands of adult life. The individuals’ skills and confidence are developed with help to improve reading, writing, spelling, punctuation, form filling, letter writing, number skills, using a computer and planning effectively.

Foundation Studies courses can also cover areas such as:-

Induction to Citizenship

Managing money

Information Technology

Health & Safety

Customer Service

Working together

>Success Story:A foundation for your future from Stockton Riverside College STOCKTON RIVERSIDE COllEgE

Statistics show pupils who leave school with few or no qualifications are likely to be NEET (Not in Employment, Education or Training) after a year and that one in four jobless young people are classed as long term unemployed and are more likely to be living on benefits in later life.

To avoid becoming a statistic, enrol on one of Stockton Riverside College’s foundation skills courses, which help people with low grades at GCSE, or no qualifications, to kick start their careers.

The College has entry level courses for those with no qualifications to help them gain the skills they need to progress, as well as Level 1 NVQ courses for those who have basic qualifications or low grades at GCSE.

Courses cover a wide range of subjects from construction, public services, caring for children, health and social care to hospitality, travel and tourism, sport and active leisure, food and beverage service, professional cookery, beauty therapy, performing arts, art and design, ITQ and more.

To find out more about the courses available at SRC go to the websitewww.stockton.ac.uk or call 01642 678634.

At Middlesbrough, we think that as well as providing individuals with a first-class education, we can help them grow and be prepared for the working world.

To help improve communication skills, confidence and prepare individuals for the work environment, we have arranged for our E2 group to have work experience. This comprises of a work placement 1 day a week for 2 hours in departments across the College, namely Reception, Estates and the Gym. We have also started a new partnership with MFCiC at the Riverside Stadium.

Our E2 group also has strong links with the College’s Sports department, and on several occasions, there have been joint Foundation Learning and Sports classes. At these classes, Foundation and Sports students work together, undertaking activities which have been prepared by the Sports students. Such an approach is proving beneficial to all involved!

>Success Story:Welcome to the world of work at Middlesbrough College! MIDDlESBROugh COllEgE

Above: Students get to work in SRC’s construction centre

A Teesside teenager has been inspired to follow in his father’s footsteps following his experiences on an innovative college course.

Ryan Cooke, 16, from North Skelton, enrolled on Redcar & Cleveland College’s Training and Skills for Work course in a bid to boost his prospects.

“We study maths, English and employability skills, but one day a week we do a vocational course,” said Ryan.

“I’m doing joinery as I want to follow in my dad’s footsteps and become a joiner. In September I’m starting a full-time joinery course.”

Angela McLean, Head of Division for Education and Wellbeing at the College, said:

“We want to get our students working or continuing in further education, and we are achieving this by giving them a fully supportive environment.”

>Success Story:First hand experience meets learners’ needs DARlINgTON COllEgE

Preparing for the world of work is a vital part of the learning experience for Foundation students at Darlington College.

There is a wide range of work experience opportunities for learners where they can gain first-hand experience of training in and/or for work. In collaboration with employers, the college provides flexible programmes are designed to meet learner needs, goals and aspirations, helping to ensure a more independent lifestyle, work or progression to further education or training. The programmes are sensitively designed to meet students’ needs, and give learners opportunity to make small but independent steps throughout the term.

Foundation students do over 1,000 hours of volunteering through their time at college, and take part in in-house enterprise and charity work such as shoe box appeals, sponsored walks, carol singing, raffles and auctions. Some learners participate in a Keyfund Project, a voluntary activity in which students develop planning, communication and finance skills in the execution of small enterprise activities such as bidding for a pot of money to create their own polytunnel.

>Success Story:College course inspires Ryan to follow in father’s footsteps MIDDlESBROugh REDCAR & ClEVElAND COllEgE

Above: Ryan Cooke with Work Skills tutor Emma Stephenson

>Did you know that...?

Foundation Studies course enable students to obtain an introduction to a chosen career, to gain entry to the majority of these courses on offer there are no specific academic requirements.

Foundation Studies courses aim to develop the skills of the individual to enable them to learn in order to progress. Most of the courses involve practical work which often builds into a portfolio of evidence.

>Success Story:National Art & Design Saturday Club at CCAD ClEVElAND COllEgE OF ART & DESIgN

Cleveland College of Art and Design offers the opportunity for 14-16 year olds to participate in the National Art and Design Saturday Club (NADSC).

On offer are 30 weeks of inspiring art classes including sculpture, jewellery and digital art. The aim is to nurture young people’s talents, build their confidence and self-esteem, giving them an insight into college life.

In November 2011 our third year of members exhibited portraits at Somerset House, London.

Young people from over 13 schools attend the college; this year there has been a 50% increase from previous years.

Amanda Smith who runs the Saturday Club said: “It is a really fantastic opportunity for young people to work with professional artists, and international artists, using professional industry standard equipment. It is wonderful to see their confidence increase over the 30 weeks, with the finale being the summer exhibition at Somerset House.

Leon Zielinski is 23 years old and enrolled at Hartlepool College on the NOCN Diploma for Progression in September 2010.

His attitude towards all aspects of his studies is to be commended and his attendance and punctuality has been excellent. Leon has shown enthusiasm and commitment by attending College each week without fail even when he felt unwell. He participates in all aspects of College activities and has a talent for making people feel at ease. In fact, students have commented that Leon never complains and is always smiling. Although his enthusiasm and positive attitude may apply to most students, it is rare to see it in someone that has had to face many barriers.

Leon has a life threatening illness which can leave him feeling very ill and tired. He also has difficulty with his mobility. Every few weeks Leon attends hospital for a specific treatment that is necessary to ensure his wellbeing.

Leon attends the Sportability group for students who have learning difficulties and/or disabilities. Throughout the year, all students are actively encouraged to maximise their own sporting abilities and achieve what they had initially thought to be out of their reach. Although Leon has difficulty with his mobility, he still participates in all of the activities and encourages team members to join in. He recently received the Sporting Respect Award.

>Success Story:leon proves that no challenge is too great hARTlEpOOl COllEgE OF FuRThER EDuCATION

>Did you know that...?

The colleges offer support to assist prospective and current students to make informed choices about the course that will be suitable for them. Professionally qualified career specialists are able to offer information, advice and guidance to students and the public.

>Did you know that...?

For further information on Foundation Studies please contact the college staff identified on page 1 of the bulletin, who will be able to provide further details of the college’s offer for the start of the new academic year in September 2012.