Newbury College is once again looking to expand their Monks Lane Campus, providing learners with the best possible environment to help start their careers.
The College has applied for planning permission this week for a 26 cover restaurant that will be situated in the college grounds, providing the community with a subsidised fine dining experience.
The new build is largely funded by a grant provided by the Education Funding Agency through West Berkshire Council. Various departments will see the benefits; Foundation Learning students will be able to gain work experience in a controlled environment, preparing them for work; whilst Hospitality and Catering students will have the ability to put into practice what they have learnt.
Newbury College Finance Director, Bill Blythe, who is also overseeing the project, said 'Our previous site had a restaurant, and after many requests for dining at the College we thought that it would be a fantastic opportunity to welcome in the local community, and will be a great experience for our learners. We hope to be open to the public for bookings from May 2013'
Subject to planning permission, the new restaurant should be completed by March; ready for the beginning of the new academic year. If you are interested in Hospitality, Catering or any other subjects Newbury College has to offer, please come to our Open Day on 15 November, 4pm-8pm.
Staff and students of Newbury College are supporting Functional Skills College Tutor, Rachel Flynn-Delargy, who will be taking part in a death defying jump to support Sturge Weber Syndrome. She will be taking part in a Tandem jump at Netheravon airfield, near Salisbury for the disease on Sunday 14 October.
Rachel was inspired to raise money for this cause as her godson, Callum Waters, whose mother Sarah Waters (who formally worked for The College) has the very rare condition. Despite being incredibly happy and bright, Callum may have to face some real challenges later on in life.
Rachel is nervous but excited about the jump and says, "There is still not enough known about this rare syndrome and more advances in treatment need to be made. That's the reason I'm hurling myself out of an aeroplane, to raise money for this loveable little boy and worthy cause"
Sturge Weber syndrome becomes apparent at birth; the infant will have a large port-wine stain birthmark on their forehead and upper eyelid of one side of their face in which they will have muscle weakness. They're also at risk of seizure that begin at infancy but may worsen with age.
Please help Rachel, and those who are suffering from the condition, by sponsoring her. You can visit her website www.flynngoessplat.co.uk to make your donation, or alternatively for those who attend the college there will be a collection at reception.
Local MP Richard Benyon has met with seven new apprentices embarking on a new career at Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions (Hitachi Capital). He visited the vehicle finance and leasing company at its Newbury head office for the launch of the apprenticeship scheme in collaboration with Newbury College. Also there to congratulate the successful candidates was Pat Frith, sales and account manager at Newbury College.
The two-year apprenticeship scheme is part of Hitachi Capital's continued efforts to source new talent from within the community, providing a viable alternative to expensive university courses and allowing college leavers to earn a competitive wage with the opportunity of a future career.
Over the course of the scheme the apprentices will have the chance to learn valuable business skills across a number of departments within Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions. They will also have the opportunity to work from the company's Trowbridge office to gain experience of the commercial vehicle division. This will eventually lead to an NVQ Level 3 qualification.
Apprentice William Gear comments, "I was attracted to Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions' apprenticeship scheme by the exciting prospects offered within the role. The professionalism of the scheme appealed to me as well as the opportunity to learn valuable business skills as part of a prestigious international brand. I'm looking forward to being put through my paces in the hope that a future career awaits me."
Hitachi Capital has since expanded the scheme to its Trowbridge-based commercial vehicle division, with five candidates currently being selected from the local area. Apprentices at the two locations will be working together to gain a broad understanding of the organisation.
Robert Wastell, managing director, Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions comments, "Between the increase in university fees and extremely high level of competition in the job market, it's very tough out there for new college leavers at the moment. We want to do our part to provide opportunities for skilled and hardworking young people looking for their first step in the business world. Not only is the scheme a valuable experience for the apprentices, but it also gives us the opportunity to continually recruit fresh talent at Hitachi Capital."
Pat Frith is delighted to be working with Hitachi and said, "It was a wonderful opportunity for Richard Benyon to learn about the scheme that Newbury College and Hitachi have been working on and to see the Apprentices in their working environment".
Newbury College officially opened its state of the art Sports Hall on 11 September 2012 at 8pm, with special guests and sporting celebrity, A P McCoy OBE.
Following a welcome and introduction to the official opening by the Principal Dr Anne Murdoch OBE, A P McCoy, British jump racing Champion Jockey and BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2010, unveiled the commemorative plaque which will be placed at the entrance of the Sports Hall. Chairman of the College Corporation Board, Nick Carter, conclude the official opening as part of the occasion as guests watched talented young athletes demonstrating their skills.
Speaking of how honoured he felt to be asked to officially open the Sports Hall, A P McCoy said, I think it's even more obvious now, in an Olympic year, how powerful and important sport is, so it's great for you to have such an amazing facility.
The College is already seeing the benefits from the new build as students no longer have to travel to gain experience with the latest sports equipment and facilities. There is also space above the 30 metre hall, which is perfect for exhibitions, seminars and has already been utilised by the College's Art students for their end of year exhibition.