24TH JUNE 2009 has been denoted Vocational Qualification Day, and since Wirral Metropolitan College has over 16,000 students every year who achieve vocational qualifications there is much to celebrate on Wirral.
These qualifications focus on the assessment of practical skills and knowledge and lead to opportunities for you to develop your skills in a whole range of new and exciting careers.
If you want to develop your potential and make the most of your career chances and choices, get in touch with Wirral Met College and see one of our Student Advisers, who are based at our Conway Park Campus throughout the Summer, to help you succeed!
Millions of people will gain a vocational qualification this year that will be the stepping stone to a brighter future, be that further vocational study, University, a better job or enhanced skills.
Join us in our celebration of our learners’ achievements – WHO KNOWS IT COULD BE YOU THIS TIME NEXT YEAR!
DRIVING UP STANDARDS FOR OUR LOCAL TAXI SERVICE
Over 400 local taxi drivers have now received their NVQ Level 2 in Passenger Transport with Wirral Metropolitan College.
Several have moved on to do an Assessor qualification and some are pursuing a teaching qualification. The courses started in August 2008 and have proved to be extremely popular and successful. For some people this is the first time they have studied in over 30 years, whilst others had qualifications in a variety of subjects but no formal recognition of their current job skills.
Local taxi driver Ronnie Quirk said “The course has exceeded my expectations. Being supported by experienced taxi drivers was a great benefit and I would recommend any driver to do the course here”.
The training involves sessions including a specially devised ‘wheelchair access’ demonstration which we believe is unique.
Project manager Rhian Pennington said “I have been extremely impressed with the course. Vocational qualifications can really open doors for people”.
A presentation ceremony is planned during the coming weeks to celebrate the Drivers‘ achievements with Unite General Secretary Tony Woodley and Chair of the Commons Transport Select Committee and local MP Louise Ellman, presenting the certificates.
Dave McLeod, one of the tutors said “I can’t believe how far we have come in such a short space of time, the enthusiasm is infectious. We sometimes have queues outside the office waiting to sign up for the next course”.
To date, Wirral Metropolitan College’s Trade Union Education Unit has supported hundreds of local taxi drivers with 400 already achieving their qualification.
DANIELLE MAYO, A REAL INSPIRATION
Danielle Mayo, is a highly talented young artist studying the BA Fine Arts Degree at Twelve Quays campus.
Danielle started at Wirral Met over five years ago, working her way up through a range of art qualifications. Living in Wales Danielle faces a long daily commute, but she specifically chose Wirral Met to continue her study to degree level.
Because Danielle is deaf she works with a qualified member of Wirral Met’s learning support staff who help her to communicate by interpreting, using BSL (British Sign Language). “To start with it was quite hard, coming to college,”
Danielle explained. “I think I was quite shy, and some other students weren’t sure how to deal with a deaf person. The staff at college are always really good and understood how to help me, and over the last few years I think I’ve been able to help other students understand how to talk to deaf people”.
Promoting British Sign Language by encouraging hearing learners to improve their communication has been an asset to breaking down the barriers that deaf people face in everyday life. Danielle aspires to qualify as a teacher and hopes that her study will inspire others to follow in her footsteps.
LUCY PRICE, CHILDHOOD STUDIES STUDENT RECEIVES CITIZENSHIP AWARD
Eight students from across Merseyside received awards in recognition of their outstanding voluntary activities and community support. The students were presented with trophies and certificates at the Further Education and Sixth-Form Colleges Citizenship Awards held by Liverpool John Moore’s University (LJMU).
From Wirral Met, Childhood Studies student, Lucy Price was selected as Citizenship Award winner for 2009 at a ceremony in Rodney Street by Lord Alton, Director of the Foundation for Citizenship, and Professor Michael Brown, Vice Chancellor of LJMU.
The students who received awards were nominated by their college for a range of heart-warming actions.
Lucy is currently enrolled on a Childhood Studies course, and her tutor comments that she is a valuable member of the class and is willing to become involved in many college activities, particularly in fundraising for Comic Relief.
Lucy also does voluntary work at St Peter’s Church, Rock Ferry, where she helps run a club for 2-4 year old children, and one for primary school children aged 6-9. In addition, Lucy works in a voluntary capacity for a youth group, on Saturdays, as well as volunteering to help in summer clubs to support the community.
Last year, Lucy abseiled down Leasowe Lighthouse for an organisation supporting children with Leukemia and their families.
JOHN HOLLYWOOD, RESTAURANT CONSULTANT, PANORAMIC RESTAURANT, LIVERPOOL
Whilst studying HND in Hospitality Management at Wirral Metropolitan College, John’s first taste of the catering industry was at the Crowne Plaza, Liverpool. After leaving college he applied to the eponymous 5 starred Cliveden in Berkshire as a Boardroom Co-ordinator. Banqueting and conferences were interesting but the Dining Room is where he always wanted to be. Within 6 months he was Restaurant Manager of the Michelin Starred ‘Waldos’ at Cliveden, the youngest in the industry at the time, where he stayed for two years and developed the restaurant with the Executive Chef.
John was then asked to be a part of the opening team of ‘30 St Mary Axe’ aka ‘The Gherkin’ in London as Restaurant and Private Dining Rooms Manager, where he opened the building’s famous restaurant and Dining Rooms with Richard Corrigan. Within the first year, he was promoted to Operations Manager where he oversaw the building operations for the catering. This included the Restaurant, Private Dining Rooms, Bars, Private Functions, Events etc.
Whilst in London, John won the Academy of Culinary Arts Awards for Service in 2006 and was also asked to serve Her Majesty the Queen for her 80th birthday celebrations.
In 2008 John returned to his native Merseyside and became General Manager of ‘The Bluecoat, Liverpool’ for the grand opening during the Capital of Culture 2008. Having opened the building, fine dining called him back to the restaurant scene where he is currently the Restaurant Consultant at the Panoramic, Liverpool, (the UKs tallest restaurant) where he is working closely with Chris Marshall and the Beetham Organisation in creating the premiere dining destination in the North of England. John is a fine example of how vocational skills can help you achieve success.
KELLY ASPINALL, NORTH WEST FURTHER EDUCATION LEARNER OF THE YEAR
Kelly Aspinall has had a varied working career, a young Mum, now aged 37, Kelly has had several career choices;
Holiday Rep and Hairdresser being just two of them. Now she is undertaking work placement, training as a Front of House Manager in a local hotel. The hotel has over 130 weddings booked in for Summer 2009, Kelly will be assisting in the event management of the weddings as well as carrying out many other front of house duties.
Kelly completed NVQ 2 Front Office at Wirral Metropolitan College last year, when she won the Wirral Tourism Awards, eighth annual Wirral Tourism Awards for Excellence, in the category ‘Student/Apprentice of the Year’. Kelly received her award after being nominated by Wirral residents, visitors and employers who were invited to nominate people who helped make a stay or a day out in Wirral extra special. The awards are for those who demonstrate excellent customer service, whether they are staff at a favourite café or restaurant, or someone working in one of Wirral’s tourist attractions.
In May 2009 Kelly was awarded the prestigious title of North West Further Education Learner of the Year. After winning the local award Kelly was chosen as the overall winner for the whole North West Region.
Kelly Is pictured, centre, with Mike Potter CBE, Principal and June MacDonald, Tutor.
Well done Kelly we are all very proud of you!
PAUL CHAPMAN, MOST COMMENDED STUDENT NORTH-WEST APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR 2009
Paul Chapman is enjoying an exciting start to his engineering career. Having just returned from Greece, where he was implementing a project that he had designed for AHN Refractories Europe, a world-class manufacturer and seller of refractory products, Paul was nominated for North West Apprentice of the Year and was awarded the prestigious title of most commended student.
Paul is keen to become a role model for other young students, he recently accompanied the College’s Engineering students to Disneyland Paris, to provide support to students to help them understand technical lectures, given by the engineers from Disney. “I feel my achievements at work and the proven ability to identify areas where I can save my company a substantial amount of money in times of economic depression is something that I can look back on in future years and be extremely proud of. Gaining this award is something that will inspire young people and hopefully help focus attention on the quality of engineering training carried out at Wirral Met College”.