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The latest news from Reaseheath College Issue 22 IN THIS ISSUE Farming Minister Jim Paice visit See page 2 Spooky skeleton See page 17 Happy future for puppies HE Graduation - See page 5 See page 19 www.reaseheath.ac.uk l 01270 625131 New Investment Reaseheath is continuing to invest into world class specialist and into a demonstration anaerobic digester on our commercial farm. educational facilities and resources, with over £10 million worth A further £2.5 million is currently being spent on new and enlarged of new build completed and opened within the last 12 months. dining and recreational areas. Improved sporting facilities and new This has included an Animal Management Training Centre and a halls of residence are planned. Over £35 million has been spent Food Innovation Centre - both recognised as being the best in campus-wide over the past five years. the country - an agricultural education and innovation centre, a The investment is aimed at ensuring Reaseheath students leave with new hub for students with learning difficulties and disabilities, a the knowledge, skills and qualifications demanded by employers and dedicated HE centre and refurbished adventure sports facilities. universities. Currently 93% of our students gain meaningful employment We have invested £3.5 million into our dairy and livestock facilities with a good career path or progress onto a higher level course. Minister Jim Paice joins Minister agriculture students Harry Ripley and Charlotte Bloor in applauds new our dairy agricultural centre An education and innovation and competitiveness. centre, designed to be at the “The centre will also help to forefront of developments attract the most talented people in agriculture, was officially into the industry. British food opened at Reaseheath by Jim and farming are already highly Paice, Minister for Food and regarded all over the world, and Agriculture. this will help pioneer the UK’s The John Platt Centre for reputation as a centre of excellence Agriculture is a dual purpose for innovation and expertise.” information hub which meets The Minister also toured other the needs of both students and state of the art buildings on our farmers. It is the new home of college farm including a fast the Reaseheath Agricultural exit milking parlour, an RSPCA Development Academy (RADA), approved high welfare pig unit which aims to share cutting edge and a demonstration anaerobic knowledge and technology transfer digester. £3.5 million has been across all sectors of the industry. invested on the farm over the Jim Paice said: “Places like the past couple of years, making John Platt Centre represent the the facilities among the best in future for British farming. With the country. huge challenges and opportunities The John Platt Centre for British farmers to supply an includes a RADA seminar increasingly hungry world, facilities room which is used to support like these really will lead the way on Knowledge and Technology advances in technology, business Transfer activities with farmers through workshops, master John was Chair of the Cheshire classes, and discussion groups. Agricultural Society for 30 Much of this work is funded years and also co-ordinated the through the Rural Development Cheshire Show. Programme for England. Last year he played a key role The facility has already been in the successful purchase of the used by top level advisors high genetic merit Genus MOET employed by Nestlé Pakistan, herd for the college. who were sent to Reaseheath for Said Reaseheath Principal bespoke training in dairy herd Meredydd David: “John is a true management. (see page 16) leader within the agricultural The centre also has seven community and he is held in student classrooms equipped high esteem by everyone he has with the latest IT systems which helped. allow the teaching of theory and “We have named this building practical skills in a single session. in recognition of John’s superb The building has been named contribution to Reaseheath and Minister Jim Paice chats to in honour of John Platt, who his excellence in and love of food technologists in the Eden recently retired after 15 years farming and I am delighted the International Dairy Academy as Chairman of Reaseheath Minister agreed to officially open Governors. A keen dairy farmer, the centre.” 2 New Investment issue 22 Food Innovation Centre will help British businesses A unique, world class, food As well as giving businesses the and drink manufacturing chance to develop relevant skills centre which will help and new products, the food halls businesses meet a growing are also being used to train food demand for high quality and drink manufacturing students, British food has been officially apprentices and future managers opened on campus. already working in the industry. Geoff Russell, Chief Executive of The capital investment was the Skills Funding Agency, toured supported by the Skills Funding our new Food Innovation Centre Agency, the North West Regional before unveiling a plaque. Development Agency and leading The event marked the industry bodies. completion of a £7.2 million After touring the food halls investment into two factory- and talking to industry leaders standard food processing and and students, Geoff Russell said: manufacturing halls which will “This new centre is an excellent be used by national and regional facility - a first class environment businesses for new product where employers can confidently development and trials. The invest in the skills of their workforce complex includes both the Food and develop their businesses. Geoff Russell opens the Food Innovation Centre watched by Meredydd Innovation Centre, which allows The development highlights David and student ambassadors for the manufacture of all foods our continuing support and including dairy products, butchery, commitment to helping colleges Principal Meredydd David technology and specialist staff bakery and confectionery, and the modernise to ensure they meet the commented: “The world and its will need to continue to make Eden International Dairy Academy, needs of learners, employers and communities are facing a great sure science can help the a dairy processing plant, which entire communities. challenge. The population is world meet the need for more was opened last year. “Investment in skills significantly predicted to grow to eight billion food. Reaseheath will continue The state-of-the-art facilities, impacts on the local economy by 2050 with a doubling in food to support the food and low recognised as the best offered by providing jobs, promoting requirements without any increase carbon agenda by working at the by any college in Europe, are and encouraging enterprise and in available land. forefront of knowledge transfer, staffed by a team of specialist up-skilling learners of all ages and “Joint investment from industry research and technological technicians and food scientists. from all backgrounds.” and Government in research, advancement.” Weaver Centre is blueprint for the future A custom built centre for young have already taken over ownership people and adults who need of the building and the pride that additional support has been they have is very evident.” opened at Reaseheath. The £423,000 self contained The Weaver Centre, which building with full disabled facilities caters for 160 students from was funded equally by Cheshire several counties, was described East Council and by Reaseheath by Cheshire East Council’s and includes three class rooms Lorraine Butcher as a blueprint for with computers and a tutorial the future. room. The name Weaver, which is Lorraine, who is Strategic local, was chosen by the students. Lorraine Butcher and Leader of Cheshire East Wesley Fitzgerald Director, Children, Families and They also contributed to the (right) are joined by Head of Foundation Kay Lawrence, Chair of Adults Services, said: “I am centre’s design and build. Governors Emily Thrane and Principal Meredydd David delighted that we now have a The building, which is staffed dedicated centre catering for by specialists, caters for a range animal management, horse Cheshire East Council. young people across the region. of students from those with mild care, agriculture, construction “This department was launched This is very much in line with learning difficulties to those with and horticulture, enjoy practical as a pilot scheme ten years ago Cheshire East’s vision to open up severe and profound learning sessions using all the college’s and has grown both in size and a wider education for all, and very difficulties. It is also used widely specialist resources. success, to the point where it much the way society is moving. to give taster sessions to school Principal Meredydd David said: has been officially recognised as “The centre has a unique pupils with moderate to mild “This is a very exciting day. We outstanding by Ofsted. setting in the centre of campus learning difficulties and by have wanted a dedicated centre “We are delighted that Cheshire and students are very much part students who have moved up a like this for some years and we East has recognised our expertise of the college community. I am level in their education. are very grateful for the financial and commitment and has chosen impressed that students and staff The students, who study contribution and support from to support this shared vision.” www.reaseheath.ac.uk 3 Celebrations Reaseheath tops the league for agricultural employment Reaseheath agriculture graduates have the most Our agriculture graduates can look forwards to a successful future success at finding jobs, a national survey has found. The National Student Satisfaction Survey, which questioned thousands of higher level students nationwide, showed that 95% of Reaseheath’s agricultural graduates found employment or went into further study. The figures put Reaseheath firmly at the top of the employment league of educational institutions offering degree courses in agriculture and related studies. We were followed by Writtle College with 91% and the Scottish Agricultural College and the Royal Agricultural College, both with 85%.