Reaseheath praised for innovative online store

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The Reaseheath Online Store has been commended for its quality and innovation by being awarded the WPM ‘Most Innovative Use of the Online Store Award’ at its recent annual user conference. The award comes less than two years since Reaseheath introduced the online store function to the college and recognises the success it is bringing for both Reaseheath staff and students.

This fantastic achievement is due to the college wide support of the store by all departments.

In less than two years the annual use of the online store and payment gateways has gone from £0 to £500k in year one, to over £1 million in year two. The benefits for our customers are huge, with the system being easy to use and available 24/7 making it a simple and convenient way to make payments.

WPM are the largest supplier of online store/payment gateways within the education sector, working with over 170 HE and FE clients, approximately 2 million students in the UK and process around £4 million transactions with a value over £2 billion annually.

This award recognises outstanding examples of innovation across the sector specifically within the Online Store. Whilst every institution has typically found ways of adapting the functionality to cater for, and typically improve, their service offering and efficiency, the award is aimed at those which really stand out from the crowd and are worth highlighting and rewarding.

Reaseheath was recognised has having a varied and interesting online store ranging from automotive repair to student events. The inclusion of a parent guide and the success of selling over 90% of the summer ball tickets online and the majority outside of normal college working hours. It was also recognised that the college is working hard to drive staff and student engagement with the Online Store.

Reaseheath’s Head of Finance, Stuart Cooper, commented: “This award is recognition for all the hard work and dedication by everyone involved in the online store from its implementation to day to day running.  It’s been a successful journey so far and we intend to build on this success by continually looking for ways we can improve the online store with customer experience being a key driver.“

 

Top marks for Reaseheath at Skills North West

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Reaseheath College’s action packed exhibition was awarded ‘Best Interactive Stand’ at last week’s Skills North West event.

Reaseheath florists share their skills with visitors on the Spotlight Stage at Skills North West

Reaseheath florists share their skills with visitors on the Spotlight Stage at Skills North West

The college took top honours after judges gave it full marks for the enthusiasm of its staff and students and the diversity of ‘have a go’ activities it offered visitors. School groups from across the region enjoyed activities including riding the college’s mechanical horse, making jewellery from flowers, dissecting a rat (plastic!) and talking to stick insects.

Food students demonstrate chocolate making at Skills North West

Food students demonstrate chocolate making at Skills North West

Visitors also had the chance to taste chocolate prepared by our patisserie and bakery students and take part in interactive construction related games.

Throughout the two day showcase event staff and students from our food, floristry and animal management departments made several appearances on the ‘Spotlight Stage’, where they wowed visitors with live demonstrations and specialist talks.

Marketing Team Leader Stephanie Owen said: “This was a fantastic showcase for the college, particularly as for many of the schools who attended, this was the first time they had heard of Reaseheath.

“It was brilliant to see the enthusiasm from our staff and students who worked so hard to ensure the success of the event. Organisers were so impressed they have offered us extra exhibition space next year!”

 

Spotlight on FdSc Bakery and Patisserie Technology student Sharn Byng

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Ambition: New product developer

Lives: Leek

Age: 29

Sharn Byng working on her latest chocolate creation

Sharn Byng working on her latest chocolate creation

After working in the quality department of a food factory, Sharn was tempted by our new degree for bakery professionals and decided to change direction.

Despite previously specialising in dairy products, the mother-of-one is enjoying the chance to develop her artistic skills and is relishing learning about chocolate and surgarwork, a popular module in our professional bakery degree.

Sharn is no stranger to our food centre – she studied short, industry focused courses on food safety and food science with us as part of her previous job. She so enjoyed the experience that she returned on a full-time course as soon as opportunity arose.

She’s now well into her first year and is looking forward to work experience during her second year. After that she’s considering of topping up to a full BSc degree with a further year of study.

Putting the final touches to a cacao tree she made from chocolate with fellow student Sharnie Marsden, Sharn says: “This course will open so many doors for me, hopefully in the product development department of a major company. The whole course has been so interesting and I’ve done things in the food industry that I would never have considered before.”

Business minded Nina secures job at ITV

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Nina prepared for her degree level study by completing our Access to Higher Education programme before completing her degree in rural events management at Reaseheath. She’s now working in the finance department of the well known television network ITV Studios.

Nina Ashton FdSc Rural Events Management 2014 “I originally thought I would go directly into an events management role after graduating, however an opportunity with ITV’s finance department in Manchester came up, so I decided to go for it. My job, ‘SBA (Self Bill Agreement) Executive’ primarily involves overseeing the payments made to ITV talent and responding to VAT queries. I liaise with artists’ agents and management companies on a basis making sure the correct paperwork is signed and submitted in accordance to their contracts.

“I picked up a host of transferable skills from studying at Reaseheath including time management, computer skills and most importantly learning to deliver on time for deadlines. The finance modules have also proved to be extremely helpful. Another great opportunity was the chance to complete a work placement with a corporate events management company. Treated as one of team I had to think on my feet right from the first shift!

After graduating in 2014 Nina continued in education by topping up her degree to a full BSc (Hons) in International Business and Finance at the University of Derby before securing her job at ITV Studios in May 2015.

“Getting the job at ITV has been incredibly rewarding, it’s such an interesting and varied job role. I love make up as a hobby and had the chance to visit the Emmerdale set in Leeds and worked with the make-up department for a day, which was amazing!

 Nina’s Top tip for students…

If you’re interested in a finance role then obviously the finance modules are vital and it’s so important to put the time and effort into these lessons and the coursework involved for them. My current job role is quite niche as there aren’t many talent payment roles outside of the production industry so as a general rule I’d say it is important to have good customer service skills and prepare well for any interview you get!

Floristry students ‘deck the halls’ for Christmas Extravaganza

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The floristry department  were delighted to be asked once again to use their floral skills to help decorate Arley Hall for their annual Christmas Floral Extravaganza.

The Floral Extravaganza, held 5th-10th December, saw Arley Hall decorated with thousands of fresh flowers by local florists, Reaseheath florists and other floristry college students.

It is the job of the team of the florists to create stunning displays to suit the grandeur of the halls interior to complete the Extravaganza. The various experts are charged with looking after one room or areas of the building and transforming it with blooms, garlands and striking decorative pieces.

Our students were tasked with decorating the gallery room. An initial site visit took place in November to allow the students to generate ideas for their displays. At this time the gallery was being used to film the ‘Peaky Blinders’ TV series, so nothing in the room was how it was going to be for the exhibition, including the colour of the walls, making the design process a little more difficult. However, with the aid of photographs and a little imagination the students rose to the challenge of working out where to place designs to achieve greatest impact.

After several weeks of planning, designing and prepping back at college, both Level  2 and Level  3 floristry groups went to Arley Hall to set up the exhibit over 2 days.

There has been some fantastic feedback  from Arley Hall and the general public. Helen Begent, Marketing Officer from Arley said: “The public reception to your room has been outstanding , visitors described the exhibit as ‘stunning’.”

It was a fantastic opportunity for students to be involved in the logistics of planning, designing and executing an actual event.

Reaseheath’s Hoofstock Society spread Christmas spirit

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Members of Reaseheath’s Hoofstock Society spread Christmas spirit by making festive outfits for some of the college’s paddock animals, then taking them for a charity walk round campus.

The students, three ponies and two donkeys visited departments across the college to collect donations for two favourite charities, The Donkey Sanctuary and the Horse and Pony Protection Association (HAPPA). The team, who had also made Christmas cookies, raised a total of £84.

Keeper Kerri Robson, who launched the Hoofstock Society, said: “Our walk round college has become a tradition and this year the members have made a big effort to make it bigger and better. It’s a really nice way to spread some cheer and get the animals and students involved”.

We decided to raise money for the Donkey Sanctuary as they need to raise £600,000 for a new donkey hospital. The members also felt they would like to make a donation to HAPPA and were delighted with the generous donations they received.”

 

Top picture caption: Lined up for the camera: Hoofstock members Nicole Hatcher, Sarah Eastwood, Victoria Copson, Daisy Kemp, Celia Gould, Charlotte Elwood, Danielle Wharton, Ben Fitzcosta and Jess Sellwood with ponies Frankie, Cassie and Jasmine  and donkeys Percy and Bertie            

 And here’s a pic of FD ADW undergraduate Nicole Hatcher, who made this smart Christmas outfit for miniature Shetland pony ‘Frankie’

Nicole Hatcher with miniature Shetland pony ‘Frankie’

Nicole Hatcher with miniature Shetland pony ‘Frankie’

Job opportunities at Reaseheath College

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We are currently advertising the following job vacancies at Reaseheath College:

  • Lecturer/Course Manager in Animal Management

 

 

Reaseheath Training seek new tutor assessors

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Reaseheath Training is the work based learning arm of Reaseheath College and is seeking to appoint new Tutor Assessors to the Apprenticeship Team to tutor and assess a caseload of apprentices at levels 2 and 3 working in a variety of local businesses. There are currently opportunities on the horizon to join a dynamic team within a fast growing department with numerous prospects for self-development.

We have a full/part time positions available in the following areas of expertise:

  • Construction Bricklaying / Plastering
  • Trees and Timber

Our expectation is that the successful applicants will be highly motivated, promoting high timely success rates of apprenticeship frameworks. You will have demonstrable evidence of working in the relevant industry and have qualifications in that area at Level 3 or above.

In addition you will ideally possess GCSE Maths & English Grade C or above and have experience of MS Office Applications. You will also have Assessor Verifier and a teaching qualification or a willingness to achieve these in a specified time.

This job can be flexible and fit around other commitments. This is suitable for candidates who are passionate about training and working with young people. It provides opportunities to work with the forefront government initiatives and trends to support young people into the world of work through Apprenticeships.

In return we can offer a competitive salary of up to £25k and an attractive benefits package including generous annual leave entitlement, CARE pension scheme, employee assistance programme, on site gym, free parking and an attractive rural campus environment.

If you would be interested in finding out more then please register your interest by sending an up to date CV to recruitment@reaseheath.ac.uk and we will be in touch.

 

Access agreement decisions for 2016-17: universities set themselves stretching new targets

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Universities and college have set themselves challenging new targets to make further and faster progress on fair access to higher education. The new targets, agreed with the Office for Fair Access (OFFA), form part of the 183 access agreements approved today, and will help meet a Government ambition to double the rate of students from disadvantaged background entering higher education.

Professor Les Ebdon, Director of Fair Access to Higher Education, said:

“The access agreements I have approved toady show that universities and colleges are setting stretching and ambitious targets to attract students from disadvantaged areas and then support them through their studies”.

“I am enormously heartened to see the significant level of ambition in this set of access agreements. By making progress towards their own fair access challenges, universities and colleges will contribute to the Government’s national fair access goals. The Prime Minister and Minister for Universities have set a goal to double the rates of students from disadvantaged backgrounds by 2020, and these agreements send a clear message that universities are ready to do the hard work to make this target a reality.

“The work and ambition univerisites and colleges have committed to today will transform lives. The outreach work universities have planned will open the door to higher education for people who might otherwise have thought it was not for them. The people that universities work with now will go on to be the doctors, business leaders and engineers of the future”.

Rachel Ellis-Jones, Dean of Higher Education at Reaseheath College, said:

“The access agreement for 2016-17 approved by OFFA shows the continued commitment by Reaseheath College to promote higher education to students from disadvantaged areas and groups. This access agreement demonstrates a renewed focus on supporting students while they are with us with an additional financial support package aimed to ensure progression and success”.

Reaseheath trained A-Plant engineer carries off top awards

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Talented Reaseheath trained engineer Paige Carter has carried off the top awards in a competition aimed at finding the nation’s best construction plant apprentices.

The 18 year-old became the first female apprentice to win the prestigious title of ‘Apprentice of the Year’ at the Construction Plant-hire Association’s (CPA) Stars of  the Future Awards.  The competition finals were held at PLANTWORX, a bi-annual showcase event for the UK’s construction industry, held this year in Leicestershire.

Paige had earlier been awarded ‘Level 2 Apprentice of the Year’ at the event and went head to head with other winners to clinch the national title. Nearly 600 apprentices in the construction plant trade were eligible for the competition.

Paige Carter with trophies at Plantworx

Paige celebrates her awards at PLANTWORX

She received her awards, including a fully-equipped Snap-on tool box, from Richard Noble OBE, a World Land Speed record holder and the pioneer of the Bloodhound Super Sonic Car.

Paige is a trainee construction plant apprentice with A-Plant and is based in Stockton-on-Tees. She specialises in powered access plant such as scissor lifts and cherry pickers and aims to progress into management after gaining more workshop experience.

She has just completed her Level 2 apprenticeship at Reaseheath through block release training and will progress onto her Level 3 apprenticeship in the next academic year.

Paige, who enjoyed maths and science at school, has gone on to receive technical training in mechanical, electrical and hydraulics systems and in welding both at college and in the workplace.  She said: “I think engineering is a great career which I would really recommend to girls.”

Reaseheath Course Manager Simon Keen commented: “Paige is a very deserving winner who thoroughly deserves the recognition. We put her forward for this year’s competition because she has outstanding practical and theory skills, supported by very positive feedback from her employer. She is definitely future management material who will continue to raise the bar for all apprentices.

A-Plant’s Head of Training Bob Harper said: “We are absolutely delighted that Paige has won this national award in recognition of her ability and her total commitment to learning and her work. The Stars of the Future scheme not only rewards outstanding apprentices who will provide the future foundations of the construction plant hire industry, but also recognises those with the potential to become its leaders. We are very proud of Paige for winning the regional and national Level 2 award.”

Reaseheath Engineering is one of the UK leaders in construction plant training. We currently have 172 apprentices and this year saw a record intake of over 120 first year apprentices. We are the preferred trainer for blue chip companies including A-Plant, JCB, Clee Hill Plant, Morgan Plant Hire and J.S. Berry.

We were also successful in the CPA ‘Stars of the Future’ awards in 2013, when James Scott from A-Plant took the title of ‘Best Level 3 Construction Plant Apprentice’ and Level 2 apprentice Adam Hughes from Gunn JCB was a regional winner.