Reaseheath welcomes Czech dairy students

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A few weeks ago Reaseheath became home to a group of 13 dairy students and a tutor from the Czech Republic for two weeks.

The students have been enjoying an Agri-Food study visit funded by the European Erasmus+ VET programme, which aims to promote vocational educational training within the European community.

Our visitors spent three days with our Agriculture team milking cows, lambing and learning some basic theory about UK agriculture. They then joined our Food Department for a week, where they learnt some fundamentals about meat, dairy, and bakery technology. This included a variety of practical sessions to support their learning, including making soft cheeses, butter, lemon curd and croissants – they certainly ate well!

 

The group with Agriculture Programme Leader Iain Clarke and lecturer Alan Brown.

The group with Agriculture Programme Leader Iain Clarke and lecturer Alan Brown.

The students, ages 18-20, stayed in Platt Hall, our newest student halls of residence. For nine it was their first time in England, so this not only gave them a taste of life on a UK campus but also helped them develop their English language skills and gave them an appreciation of UK culture.

They also enjoyed a visit to Liverpool and its many museums and arts centres. Their final day was particularly memorable, with the solar eclipse ending their stay.

The students are all final year students at VOSP SPSM Kromeriz, a specialist dairy college several hours from Prague. We hope this visit will be the first of many – and plans are already afoot to arrange a return visit for our students in the near future.

Kathy Merrett, Food Programme Leader

Repeat recognition for Reaseheath’s Food Centre

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Reaseheath College’s Food Centre has gained an internationally recognised Grade A certification from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) for the second year running.

The Nantwich College’s Food Centre remains the first and only educational institution in Britain to achieve Grade A at BRC6, the highest possible standard for food safety.

The quality mark was approved after a repeat audit showed that Reaseheath’s food manufacturing systems continue to operate under highly controlled conditions and to the highest industry standards. Areas inspected included hygiene procedures, cleanliness of the facility and the traceability of food ingredients.

The accolade is particularly prestigious as many good businesses strive, but never achieve, this ultimate standard. The successful bid was led by Reaseheath’s Technical Manager Katharina Vogt.

Food Centre Head Toni-Anne Harrison said: “This has been a second tremendous achievement and we are all very proud. Although we gained BRC6 at Grade A last year, it does not guarantee a repeat result. This achievement was due to the continuing hard work and dedication put in by the food team and illustrates how an understanding of industry procedures and practices underpin everything that we do in the Food Centre. It can only increase our credence and standing within the food industry and to increased exposure to blue chip companies”.

Reaseheath’s £7 million Food Centre was opened in 2011 and is one of the best equipped food processing teaching and practical facilities in Europe.

Built to exacting standards and staffed by a team of specialist food technologists, the Centre has dairy processing halls and production for butchery, bakery and confectionery. Many local, national and international food and drink manufacturers use our facilities for new product development or staff training. These partnerships lead to work experience and job opportunities for the College’s food technology students.

For further details on our Food Centre please click here.

 

Reaseheath’s new gym praised by Olympic gymnast

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Beth Tweddle and Georgia Lush (Level 3 Sports Student) on exercise bike

Beth Tweddle and Georgia Lush (Level 3 Sports Student) on exercise bike

Britain’s greatest female gymnast Beth Tweddle raised the bar when she opened a £1 million sports science department at Reaseheath College in Nantwich.

The London Olympics 2012 bronze medallist officially opened Reaseheath’s high tech gym and new sports science laboratory when she visited the campus last week.

Beth, who started her career aged seven at the Crewe and Nantwich Gymnastics Club, went on to represent Great Britain at three Olympic Games and became a triple World Champion and winner of six European championships and seven national championships before taking a break from competitive sport in 2012. She then became a TV star by winning ITV’s ‘Dancing on Ice’.

During her visit Beth admired the gym’s high tech equipment, which is the same as that used by England footballers at the Football Association’s headquarters, and includes a strength and conditioning zone equipped to the same specification as the 2012 Olympic village. She also watched as serious athletes completed tests in the sports science lab, which has over £40,000 worth of equipment.

The new facility is used to train sports performance and public services students and is used by elite athletes including Crewe Alex FC players. It is also open to all students and staff and local sportspeople can book a personal fitness revue in the sports science lab.

Beth, whose family home is in Bunbury said: “As a local girl it has been great to visit Reaseheath and see the new sports department. It’s brilliant that the college’s sports students have access to such great facilities and can also work alongside elite athletes.”

“Sport transformed my life and it’s good to know so many enthusiastic young people are considering it as a career. It is also great to see all students being encouraged to keep fit as part of their daily routine”.

For more information about Reaseheath’s sports courses visit www.reaseheath.ac.uk/studysports or phone 01270 613242. For details about Reaseheath’s new Ladies’ and Men’s Football Academy email kate.humphrey@reaseheath.ac.uk  

Beth Tweddle cuts ribbon with students Lily Moreland and Jim Kelly

Beth Tweddle cuts ribbon with students Lily Moreland and Jim Kelly

Marine mammal emergency averted!

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A beached pilot whale and several dolphins and seals were successfully rescued from the front lawn at Reaseheath College on Tuesday.

Fortunately the emergency wasn’t for real, but a simulated situation to enable 37 animal management students to gain an internationally recognised qualification in wildlife rescue.

The one day course was offered to degree students and to Access to HE students who are studying science or animal management. After a morning of lectures and an afternoon of practical instruction using inflatable life sized models, all students achieved their British Divers Marine Life Rescue “Marine Mammal Medic” certificate.

This well recognised award qualifies our students to help in day-to-day marine wildlife emergencies and will be a fantastic addition to their CVs.

The training day was organised by HE Course Manager Kizzy Beaumont and was the third time we have offered this qualification to our students. It has proved so popular that Kizzy is now planning to run a follow up ‘wet’ course on the coast, when students will get hands-on with the rescue of a live marine mammal.

Josh Bufton, a second year Foundation Degree in Zoo Management student, was spotted for his talent by the instructors, who suggested he should widen his knowledge by gaining his advanced qualification.

Josh, who hopes to work with marine species in the future, said “This has been a great opportunity to gain a qualification which will help me to decide what sector I’d like to work in.

“The course was extremely informative and the instructors were very professional. I would highly recommend the training to all students who enjoy learning about marine mammals.”

Co-incidentally one of the instructors, Jayne Dobner, was a Level 3 agriculture student with us in the 1980s and hasn’t been on campus since.

She said: “It’s great to be back. The campus looks a lot more modern than when I was here, but it still has the same friendly vibe!”

Caption: HE animal management students enjoy their marine mammal training on the front lawn

 

MP builds on skills during Apprenticeship Week

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Crewe and Nantwich MP Edward Timpson built on his skills when he joined construction apprentices during lessons at Reaseheath College last week.

The Minister for Children and Families visited the Nantwich college as part of National Apprenticeships Week, a celebration of the benefits that skilled apprentices bring to businesses and to the national economy by increasing productivity and providing workforce succession.

MP Edward Timpson picks up tips from bricklaying apprentice Adam Platt

MP Edward Timpson picks up tips from bricklaying apprentice Adam Platt

Mr Timpson tried his hand at bricklaying and joinery in Reaseheath’s tailormade workshops and chatted to successful apprentices who are learning their trade at college and in the workplace.

After working alongside Adam Platt, 17, a bricklaying apprentice employed by Greg Lambert Ltd in Northwich and James Lewis, 18, a site carpentry apprentice who works for his father’s building company in Stockport, Mr Timpson said: “Mr Timpson said: “Our growing economy requires a skilled construction industry, and these young people have very valuable skills to offer. The trade offers a great career path, so it’s good to see Reaseheath putting apprenticeships at the heart of their education and training programme.

“We know that apprenticeships provide a fast route into employment and can offer real-life experiences along the way. They are an excellent option for both students and employers, and I am delighted that over 5,000 have been started in Crewe and Nantwich since 2010.”

For further details of Reaseheath’s courses in joinery, brickwork and plastering visit www.reaseheath.ac.uk/construction or phone our Courses Hotline on 01270 613242

 

 

LEP Award £5.58m to Reaseheath College for New Centre of Excellence

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The Cheshire and Warrington LEP have announced the creation of a National Centre of Excellence for agri-tech, following its award of £5.58 million to Reaseheath College. The centre, which will be based at the college’s site near Nantwich, will combine all aspects of agricultural innovation, mechanisation and advanced engineering, as well as an accommodation block to house 200 students.

The Centre will provide general teaching areas, workshop space, specialised facilities for robotics, tractor simulation, GPS and the most advanced agricultural engineering machines associated with precision farming, meeting current and future skills needs in line with local, regional and national priorities.

The accommodation provision for the National Centre will involve replacing the existing temporary residential units (180 beds) with a 200 bed purpose-built facility to accommodate 320 students each year, with a total bed space for over 800 students on campus.

This money was awarded to Reaseheath in the first round of allocations of skills capital funding, from an overall funding pot of £12.1 million, as part of the £158million Local Growth Deal originally agreed for Cheshire and Warrington in July. The funding is for 2015-16 and 2016-17 and requires Reaseheath College to match the allocation with over £11m of their own funds at a rate of 2:1 (i.e. the college will put in £2 for every £1 of funding).

LEP Chair, Christine Gaskell MBE, said:

“We are delighted to be able to make this award to Reaseheath College to deliver a National Centre of Excellence within Cheshire and Warrington. Reaseheath is already an outstanding asset for the sub-region and this development will only increase its profile nationally. Skills Capital Funding is an important part of our £158million Local Growth Fund award and we are now working with a number of other colleges across Cheshire & Warrington to develop final applications for future projects. The LEP works closely with colleges and universities in the sub-region to develop the right provision of high level skills ensuring the needs of employers are met, both locally and nationally.”

Reaseheath’s specialist provision attracts employers and students UK wide and this funding will enable the College to meet the increased demand in advanced engineering, agricultural engineering, horticulture, food manufacturing and block release apprenticeships. This development will also address significant condition issues in the central scientific laboratory Hub supporting all science-based programmes.

Around 7,000 students are enrolled at the college on educational programmes each year with over 3000 on full time specialist technical courses, 800 students studying Foundation Degrees and Honours Degrees, with MSC’s and an MBA being developed for 2016.

Principal at Reaseheath College, Meredydd David OBE added:

“This funding announcement is exciting news for Reaseheath College, we are already recognised as one of the top national specialist land-based colleges in England but by creating a National Centre of Excellence with a supporting accommodation facility, it will mean that specialist provision can be delivered to a national market. This critical investment could not have progressed without the support of the LEP capital.”

DEFRA has recently recognised the regional and national impact of the work of Reaseheath College through funding Cheshire East Council to designate the college as one of eleven Food and Agriculture Enterprise Zones, a government scheme aimed at generating new business and enterprise in the countryside agreed in conjunction with Cheshire East Council and the Local Enterprise Partnership. Reaseheath College, with the University of Chester, is also included in the N8 (Northern Universities Partnership) in a HEFCE Catalyst and Agri-Tech BIS proposal to form a Northern network to support and deliver the Government Agri-Technology Strategy.

Reaseheath’s rising stars recognised

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The contribution that Reaseheath College apprentices make to regional businesses was recognised at a glittering awards ceremony.

The event highlighted the achievement of 150 apprentices who had gained their qualifications at the Nantwich specialist college in the past year. It was held during National Apprenticeships Week, a celebration of the benefits that skilled apprentices bring to businesses and to the national economy by increasing productivity and providing workforce succession.

Reaseheath College is a leading trainer of apprentices throughout Cheshire and surrounding counties and also provides a valuable recruitment service for employers.

It has extended the delivery of its apprenticeship programmes across the East Midlands by acquiring DART Training, a specialist land-based training provider. Over 1,000 apprentices in land based industries are now trained by Reaseheath Training and DART.

The apprentices, who are in paid employment, receive academic training from college assessors and gain practical skills in the workplace. Although the majority are aged between 16 and 24, Reaseheath also offers adult apprenticeships for those aged over 25. Training programmes can start at any time of the year, and there are vacancies in a number of trades currently available.

Top honours of the awards ceremony went to Apprentice of the Year Sophie Bell, a Level 2 Business Administration apprentice in Reaseheath’s busy marketing department, and to Advanced Apprentice of the Year Ross Brownbill, assistant dairy manager for leading Cheshire farmer Richard Archer. Kate Rooke, a Preston based bull technician for Genus Breeding, was runner-up Advanced Apprentice of the Year.

All three were selected for their commitment to their studies, attention to detail at their workplace and for their outstanding contribution to their employers’ businesses.

Sophie, of Mow Cop, Stoke on Trent, a former pupil at Congleton High School, joined Reaseheath’s business support staff two years ago and has progressed onto her Level 3 apprenticeship. Her varied duties range from helping to organise the college’s course open days, public events and schools programmes to representing the marketing department at internal meetings.

She said: “I was very proud to receive this award. It’s nice to be recognised for working hard. My Grandad won ‘Apprentice of the Year’ 50 years ago, so I seem to be following in the family tradition!”

Ross, a former Royal Marine, has his sights firmly set on career progression and already helps to manage 700 dairy cows.

He said: “Although I’ve only been in the farming industry for five years, my apprenticeship prepared me well. I’ve gained a lot of practical experience through working for several farms and that, combined with sound academic training at Reaseheath, helped me to get a job with good prospects.”

Guest speaker at the ceremony was Barbara Hughes, a successful dairy farmer from Malpas who employs apprentices on the family’s 220 acre farm. She was joined on the podium by last year’s Level 3 agriculture apprentice of the year Adam Brown, 27, who works as an Anaerobic Digestion (AD) technician on Reaseheath’s demonstration AD plant and is also employed on his family’s dairy farm in Holmes Chapel.

The awards were announced by Reaseheath Training Manager Christine Middleton. Other principle winners were:

Best Agricultural Apprentice (Level 2): David Stoner, a stockman for FW Hughes and Sons dairy farm in Mold, North Wales.

Best Agricultural Apprentice (Level 3): Sam Blythe, who works for GF Blythe and Son, his family’s dairy farm on Dunham on the Hill near Helsby.

Edit Agriculture Best Level 3 Apprentice Sam Blythe with Anna Hughes

Agriculture Best Level 3 Apprentice Sam Blythe with Anna Hughes

Best Level 3 Farmcare Apprentice: Kamil Peno, who works on a Farmcare fruit farm in Herefordshire. Kamil was one of six Farmcare apprentices to complete their Level 3 apprenticeship at Reaseheath this year.

Best Construction Apprentice (Brickwork): Ben Hardwick, a Level 3 apprentice  who is employed by  John Cliff Building Services of Market Drayton. John Cliff is a great supporter of apprenticeship training and all his current workforce have qualified through the programme.

Best Construction Apprentice (Joinery): Tom Spibey, a Level 3 student who is one of several apprentices working for RS Developments of Calveley.

Construction Best Apprentices Tom Spibey and Ben Hardwick with Andy Armitage assessor

Construction Best Apprentices Tom Spibey and Ben Hardwick with Andy Armitage assessor

Best Level 2 Equine Apprentice: Bethany Gerrard, a groom at Denstone Stud and Riding Centre, Uttoxeter.

Best Horticulture Apprentice: Jim Alley, a trainee greenkeeper with Delamere Forest Golf Club, who achieved his Level 2 apprenticeship in sports turf

Best Food Apprentice:  Tom Jackson, a Level 3 trainee food technician with Appleby Creamery in Cumbria.

Certificates of Excellence:

Jack Vaughan  (P Vaughan))

Peter Lofthouse (Tatton Park Gardens)

Luke Salter (Muller Dairy UK)

Certificates of Endeavour:

Ben McNulty (Nick McNulty)

Jack Bennison (Andrew Bennison)

Certificates for Outstanding Achievement:

Mark Marrow (Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council)

For more information on the apprenticeships offered at Reaseheath click here.

Top training helps Cody kick-start career

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Successful motor vehicle alumnus Cody Brookes returned to Reaseheath to share how his time at college helped kick-start his career in the motor industry.

Cody,19, from Nantwich, addressed a captive audience of 40 students in our state-of-the-art Motor Vehicle Technology Centre, with a presentation on starting out in the industry. He shared with students how the knowledge and training gained whilst studying at Reaseheath helped him to secure his first professional role as an apprentice technician with the well-known automotive manufacturer, Audi.

Cody Brookes addresses students in Reaseheath’s Motor Vehicle Technology Centre

Cody Brookes addresses students in Reaseheath’s Motor Vehicle Technology Centre

Based at the Crewe Audi dealership, Cody explained to students how he is supported in his role through Audi’s prestigious Modern Apprenticeship Programme. This 3 year scheme combines full-time employment with block-release training and is designed to equip employees with the technical skills and knowledge to become fully qualified service technicians for the brand.

Cody studied both IMI Levels 2 and 3 in Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair during his time at Reaseheath and was thrilled to be invited back to the campus. Our latest cohort of motor vehicle students were very impressed with Cody’s industry knowledge and drive to succeed.

Said Cody: “I’m so grateful for support and training I received at Reaseheath. The experience and skills I gained gave me the confidence to focus my career aspirations and get a great job with good career prospects.”

Motor vehicle students joined by Cody Brookes, Programme Leader Ryan Johnson and Course Manager Steve Ellis

Motor vehicle students and staff joined by Cody Brookes

 

 

Reaseheath students discuss election issues with MP Stephen O’Brien

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Members of Reaseheath College’s Student Association had the opportunity to question their local MP Stephen O’Brien about things that concern them when he visited campus last week.

Lack of funding for mature Further Education (FE) students, budget pressures on colleges, rising transport costs and the buying power of supermarkets were top of the list during an hour long discussion with the MP for Eddisbury, who is an active supporter of the specialist college in Nantwich.

President of the Student Union Rob Sparkes, a Foundation Degree in Zoo Management student, questioned the inequality between mature students studying for FE qualifications, which are not funded, while there was funding available for mature degree students.

Stephen replied that the government recognised the importance of continuing education and although there was not yet a plan in place, there was a lot of political sentiment not to exclude adults studying at FE level from financial support.

Katie Massey, who is studying for a Foundation Degree in Equine Science, was concerned that colleges faced a difficult balancing act meeting budgets while continuing to deliver quality education.

Stephen assured her that the government realised that land-based colleges, in particular, faced higher financial demands because of the specialist facilities and staff required. To help meet these costs, Reaseheath had been supported through considerable government capital over the past 10 years.

Rising travel costs were a particular worry to Nicole Duggan, a Foundation Degree in Animal Behaviour and Welfare student, who pointed out that this created financial pressure for students throughout their course, during work placements and when they first began their careers. She also felt it restricted where students could study and work.

Stephen replied that the government realised the importance of giving everyone access to college. Reaseheath had played its part by increasing quality accommodation on site and by subsidising dedicated buses throughout its local region.

The students’ meeting came days before Stephen’s appointment to a top job at the United Nations. He is to be the new Under Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Co-ordinator, based in New York, after standing down from Parliament.

His new role will enable him to concentrate on improving and giving security to lives in some of the most difficult and impoverished parts of the world. Stephen was previously Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for International Development and was also the Prime Minister’s envoy to the Sahel region of Africa.

Principal Meredydd David said: “Reaseheath is very grateful for the support it has received from Stephen O’Brien during his time as our MP and we wish him well in his new role.  He has assisted the college’s development in a number of ways and we are looking forward to working similarly closely with his replacement.

“Our students enjoyed a full hour’s discussion with Stephen and really benefitted from his wealth of knowledge. All fully recognise the importance of using their vote in the coming election.”

Mike Cullen takes students through simulator test

Engineers help shape simulator technology

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Our agricultural engineering staff and students have been helping to evaluate a top of the range agricultural tractor simulator which could revolutionise the way tractor driving is taught in the UK.

Tenstar Simulation, which already delivers innovate simulation based training tools for the construction, forestry and transportation industries, approached us to evaluate how the technology could be further developed for farm and construction plant operations.

Our feedback is proving invaluable to Tenstar UK Manager Simon Hogg, who is currently carrying out evaluations on the simulator following its recent release in the UK . Two key selling points are the way the technology delivers cost effective education and makes the workplace safer.

Agricultural Engineering Lecturer Mike Cullen, who has led CPD training sessions with colleagues on the simulator, has found it a valuable teaching resource as it not only performs a range of tractor operations but also logs reports on driving errors and diesel use and offers constructive advice.

Says Mike: “This is proving to be a very valuable tool in terms of monitoring a student’s progress.  Although you can’t beat the real thing, the computer version is very authentic and allows you to try activities from loading a trailer to mowing fields and collecting bales.

“It will be of great benefit to students with no previous experience of driving tractors because it allows them to become familiar with the cab controls in a safe environment before progressing onto the real thing.

“It also frees up staff time because the students can progress at their own pace and you can download the report for discussion after the session.”

The simulator has already proved a great hit with select groups of students and also with professionals who were queuing to try it when we took it to the LAMMA agricultural machinery and services show.

Simon Hogg commented: “I have been delighted to work with Reaseheath’s agricultural engineering department on this new, emerging technology. The input and feedback from staff and students is always invaluable and allows Tenstar to shape this technology further for use in the farming industry.”

For more information on our agricultural engineering courses click here.