Alumni news AluMNI
SPRING 2016 Robert’s flying high in Dubai JOIN OUR Robert Woodward built on his foundations as “During this period I worked towards achieving an apprentice with Kirklees College and is now my ONC and HNC in Building Studies on a day ALUMNI working as a senior quantity surveyor in Dubai. release basis,” he said. We would love to hear He has recently joined the college’s alumni, “I would spend four days in the work place from you if you studied at hoping to share his experiences from the gaining valuable on the job training in various classroom and workplace which he hopes will construction disciplines, and then one day at Kirklees College or one of be informal and beneficial to help students with college learning the theoretical side of how all the former institutions of their career progression. the processes fit together. the college.
Robert, 33, left high school with no real “Looking back, we benefitted greatly from the aspiration to continue full time education. So he experience of our lecturers given all had worked We hope you enjoyed your approached Calderdale and Kirklees Careers for in the construction industry and it wasn’t a matter time at Kirklees College advice about Apprenticeships. of simply reading from the text book. and would like to invite you to join our group to stay “My thought process was that I would gain work “I was fortunate to receive some solid mentoring informed about your former experience and qualifications at the same time, and guidance during this four year period where whilst also earning a salary,” said Robert. I received in depth training in site engineering, college and to share your planning, purchasing, estimating, design co- experiences with fellow “It was a strategy that might not suit all individuals ordination and quantity surveying. alumni, our current students or professions, but definitely one that worked and those thinking about for me. Within a matter of months I was offered “The apprenticeship scheme allowed me to an apprenticeship position at a construction make an informed decision, rather than finding taking a course with us. company as a trainee technician.” myself stuck in a profession that wasn’t right for me. I have to be thankful for that!” Did you study at Kirklees As part of his apprenticeship Robert attended College, Dewsbury College, Huddersfield Technical College – now part of Robert quickly progressed through the company Huddersfield Technical Kirklees College - from 1998 to 2002, whilst to become a co-ordinator/quantity surveyor, working at Marshall Construction (West Yorkshire) whilst continuing his studies at Leeds College of College, Batley School of Ltd. Building. Art and Design, Dewsbury and Batley Technical and Art “At this point in time, my practical experience College (DABTAC) or one of began to really shine through as I found myself relating more and more to the assignments the Kirklees College Adult being set,” he said. Education Centres?
“I went on to gain a Professional Diploma in Construction Management (accredited by the If yes, we’d love to hear CIOB). The reason why I decided on the CIOB from you. route at the time, rather than RICS, was because I have always considered myself to be a builder You can now register as a KC and not just a ‘bean counter’. Alumni here In early 2008 Robert, who is married with a kirkleescollege.ac.uk/alumni two year old son, took a job with Interserve International in partnership with Khansaheb Civil Please feel free to share the Engineering LLC based in Dubai. web link with your contacts “This opportunity has enabled me to develop or forward on their details to my own career and that of others,” he said. us “I feel very fortunate to have been involved in a [email protected] number of unique and prestigious projects over the last eight years and long may it continue.”
Win a meal for two at Northern Taps – see back page PROFILE ALUMNI ROUND-UP Josh Fox, who graduated from Kirklees College in July with a BA (Hons) Fine Art for Design degree, was shortlisted for the prestigious national Woon Foundation Prize (Sculpture and Painting).The Woon Foundation Prize, started in 2012, is open to all UK students in the final year of their undergraduate study.
Alumni actress Paula Lane was highly praised in the media for her performance in Coronation Street’s live episode broadcast in September to celebrate 60 years of ITV. Paula, who plays Kylie Platt in the TV soap, wowed fans as her ongoing storyline with drug dealer Callum reached a shocking climax with a dramatic murder. Paula and husband actor Tom Shaw met when they studied at Huddersfield Technical College. The couple had a baby boy in December 2014.
Kirklees College is sponsoring alumni footballer Shauna Messenger in her first season with Leeds Ladies FC. Shauna, who studied at L3 BTEC in the college’s Sports Academy, is currently training with the development team but hoping to get a place in the first team soon. Her favourite position is central midfield. Ria Burns BA (Hons) Fashion (Design and Promotion) Dewsbury Arts Group selected alumni Lesley Bohanna as their Ria Burns was working as a “The graduation event was a featured artist at their annual exhibition in July. Lesley, 77, from librarian when she thought great day - walking on stage Liversedge, completed a BA (Hons) Applied Arts degree at about turning her dress- in cap and gown in front of Batley School of Art in 2014 with first class honours, receiving making hobby into a career. friends, family and tutors was a principal’s commendation. She showed 38 of her textile Having the courage to make a fantastic way to conclude pieces at the exhibition, inspired by her interest in the history of her own wedding dress four three years of hard work. materials, focusing on surface wear and tear. years ago was the catalyst that helped her decide to “I really enjoyed my time at follow her dream. Batley School of Art - the Tish Simonds, who studied L2 BTEC Diploma in animal care, course was excellent and has found the world of showbusiness beckoning after her video Since graduating from provided me with the skills on social networking Vine of her pretending to drive her mum’s Kirklees College earlier this and knowledge needed car went viral. Tish became a national treasure after her ‘Broom year, she has now started her to enter the world of Broom’ clip even got noticed by celebrity Kim Kardashian. As own fashion business. employment. well as meeting lots of stars, Tish is doing appearances all over the UK, TV voiceovers for adverts and starring in a film. “I looked at others, but really “The tutors have great liked the environment of industry experience and A pair of Kirklees College graduates who set up their own design Kirklees College and chose provide support for students company created a new logo for the Yorkshire Asian Business the course because it was to help them progress on Association. Oli Smith and Andy Finnerty started their design very practical and hands-on. their chosen creative career I learnt a wide range of skills path. company Aye! Creative after graduating from Batley School of going back to basics such as Art in 2014 with first class honours in BA (Hons) Graphic Design. making clothes from scratch, “Since graduation I’ve The pair linked up with YABA president Ajaz Ahmed, who was which is an essential part of relocated to Bristol where I the guest speaker at the college’s 2014 graduation ceremony to fashion design. The class am in the process of setting create the new branding. sizes have been small so you up business as a freelance get a lot of tutor time and knitwear designer - I am Kirklees College alumni Mel Elliott was commissioned to support.” currently working on some produce a night themed Oyster Card wallet for Transport for commissions based on London (TfL) Mel, who did a BA (Hons) in fine art for design at Ria was been particularly my final collection and am Batley School of Art, was commissioned by TfL alongside some inspired in her work by planning to soon start selling of the industry’s most talented UK illustrators/graphic artists Japanese designers including online as well as in local working today via London-based illustration agency Outline Rei Kawakubo, but found boutiques.” the flexibility of the course Artists.The commissioned wallets were designed in celebration helped her to explore lots of of Design Junction 2015, part of London’s annual Design different mediums. Festival. The range commissioned by TfL, including Mel’s entitled: ‘Girl’s Night Out’ is being sold exclusively through the Website: http://riaburns.wix.com/knitwear London Transport Museum: http://shop.tfl.gov.uk/design- Facebook: www.facebook.com/riaburnsknitwear collections/design-junction-2015.html Instagram: @knitmachine Twitter: @ria_burns Have you got some news to share with fellow alumni? Email [email protected] college news
College wins award for partnership work skills project
An innovative partnership work skills project between Kirklees College and Stafflex Recruitment has scooped an award.
The British Chamber of Commerce named Kirklees College as regional winners in the Chamber Awards 2015 in the Education and Partnership category, for the Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce area.
The college’s nomination highlighted its partnership work with a number of local employers including Huddersfield Town Football Club through the Huddersfield Town Enterprise Academy, via its Peter Jones Enterprise Academy and many
others. KC Works project manager, Jude Flatley, Kirklees College vice principal Melanie Brooke, Stafflex operations manager, Abigail Stahelin-Hall, and Stafflex marketing manager, Nadio Granata. But the main focus was KC Works – an innovative partnership scheme with supports students in gaining real recognised our efforts with this award. recruitment specialists Stafflex, which work experience; developing their Thank you to everyone who has worked helps young people to boost their work employability skills and preparing them on and supported the project to make it skills through work experience, work to fulfill the employment needs of the such a great success.” placements and potential opportunity future. to progress into Apprenticeships or the Abigail Stahelin-Hall, from Stafflex, world of work, aiding local businesses to Kirklees College vice principal Melanie said: “Stafflex is extremely proud to be increase the skills of their workforce. Brooke said: “The partnership has started associated with this award. It signifies a conversations which are really changing new era in the way in which education KC Works provides a vital link between the way the college works. and recruitment can work together. the college and employers from across the area. “It started as a route to promote work “Our congratulations go to Kirklees placements but has grown into a College not only for achieving this The partnership has highlighted programme which develops students’ accolade, but for having the foresight significant skill gaps, present and future, employability skills, promotes them to and determination to make the project a in key industries locally and identified think about future goals and encourages success.” the key skills employers want from them to be proactive in working towards students entering the workforce as well them. For information on working with Kirklees as potential new areas where training is College to develop training packages, needed in the region. “Putting employability and enterprise offer work placements, talk about in to the heart of every element of our Apprenticeships and Traineeships and KC Works provides an employer curriculum and student activity supports to discuss opportunities for funding responsive approach specifically targeted the development of skills employers want through the LEP Skills Service project to college’s curriculum delivery on and need. call 0800 781 3020, email employers@ addressing local business needs. Kirkleescollege.ac.uk or go to “We are extremely proud of the work http://employers.kirkleescollege.ac.uk/ Working directly through new employers that we are doing and delighted that identified through Stafflex, KC Works the British Chamber of Commerce has
Employability We place a great importance on get involved with activities such as mock Week - be part of employability and to embed these skills interviews, CV sessions and talking to preparing students further, we have formed a partnership students about their industry. We are also for the world of with local recruitment agency, Stafflex open to other ideas that businesses can and next year we have a dedicated week offer. work! focused on developing these skills across Kirklees College regularly works college. If this is something you’d like to be a part with local employers to develop the of please get in touch with Rebecca or employability skills of our students Employability week is taking place Jude in KC Works by emailing kcworks@ through work placements and other from 7th – 11th March 2016 and we are kirkleescollege.ac.uk or calling 01484 activities. looking for employers who would like to 437115. BENEFITS FOR ALUMNI MEMBERS Network FACILITIES Steer the college’s curriculum to help Network with other Alumni and Access to college facilities and our students become ready for the college staff. services. world of work by inputting into our future planning of courses. Search and connect with old Access a range of college facilities: Guest speaker – be invited to talk friends and make new business restaurant, conferencing, health and to our students and share your acquaintances. beauty salons, gym, sports facilities experiences. and many more at preferential Special events negotiated rates for Alumni members. Mentoring Regular events and reunions. Mentor our present students. 20% discount on room hire for the Conference Centre and also Live brief classroom hire. Commission our a live brief for our students FREE membership of the Hair and Beauty Salon loyalty scheme. Work experience Provide work experience and Discounts on our part-time leisure shadowing opportunities. courses. Partnerships and sponsorships; Stay connected discuss various opportunities to Stay informed about what’s going on involve your business across the at Kirklees College. college.
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Huddersfield Town FC Chairman and Kirklees Work with us Recruit College alumni Dean Hoyle with college principal Recruit an apprentice. Peter McCann. Work with the college in many ways:
MEAL PRIZE DRAW WINNER We have a fabulous prize draw for our alumni – open to In the spring 2015 all current members and anyone who signs up before edition of Alumni 1st July 2016. News we gave away a meal of two You could win a MEAL FOR TWO to the value of £30 at at Discovery Bay Northern Taps in Huddersfield, jointly owned by Kirklees Caribbean restaurant. College alumni Philip Barden.
All members on June Northern Taps, on King Street, is labelled as “Huddersfield's 1 were entered into a Finest Kitchen, Ale and Cider House” and it’s all about the prize draw and Chris north! Food served seven days a week. Worsley, company director of CSW Retail Please encourage your, friends contacts and colleagues Ltd, was lucky to have who attended Kirklees College to sign up to our alumni if his name drawn out. they haven’t done so already.
After studying On 1st July we will do a random draw of all our members plumbing and heating and let you know if you’re the winner! at Kirklees College’s Brunel Construction Good luck! Centre in 2004, Chris went on to start his http://alumni.kirkleescollege.ac.uk/register/ own companies providing plumbing and heating and fireplace installations – Easy Fireplace and Envy Fires and Fireplaces. www.northerntaps.co.uk Twitter - @NorthernTaps The prize was generously donated by Discovery Bay’s Barrington Douglas and Richard Dennis, who are keen supporters of the college. The restaurant’s head chef Leshaun Pryce is also a former student and member of the alumni.