LIVE/LEARN/ASPIRE/ACHIEVE

ISSUE 19OCTOBER 2008

thewaytogoonline.co.uk

ADJUSTING TO STUDENT LIFE

CADET INTERVIEW

MAERSK

playtimeReVieWS

JOB HUNTING

WAY 2 GO IS

BACK AND REFRESHED...

ARE YOU?

At Palmersville Training we have approximately 150 training places available across 10 vocational areas. In most cases you will have the opportunity to work with an employer. You will be able to do some learning in the centre where we can offer support to improve your reading writing and number skills which will help you get a qualification and develop your personal and social skills.

If you would like to take the first step to training for a new career, why not give us a call on 0191 270 113 and ask for Geoff Mount.

I’ve always been into art! My teacher thought I should study it at college but I struggled to find a course which suited me and I was put off by all the written work. I wanted to do something that was practical as well as creative. Out of the blue, a leaflet from Connexions dropped through my letter box. It gave details of Work Based Learning in Painting and Decorating at Palmersville Training. I wanted to do something different, so I rang up the training centre and I have never looked back!

I started my NVQ level 2 Training in January 2007. To start with I was a bit concerned about being in with a bunch of lads but I needn’t have worried! My Training supervisor was very supportive. I knew at once that I’d been right to choose Palmersville Training. The centre has really good training facilities and I only had to spend one day a week doing written work. After only a few months I was ready to start a work placement.

I completed my qualification in sixteen months. Best of all, once I had gained my qualification; Palmersville Training offered me a job as a Painting Technician. I work with two female learners. We offer a painting service to people such as the elderly and single mum’s; people who often prefer to have an all girl team in their homes. It is going really well and it has encouraged far more girls to come here and train in Painting and Decorating. I would say to any girls who are thinking about training for a job in the construction industry, “Go for it!” Look at me, only two years ago I was really uncertain about what I wanted to do but contacting Palmersville Training was the best thing I ever did and now I have a job I really love!

Do you want to enhance your job prospects?Joanne Hay did just that when she joined the Painting and Decorating programme at Palmersville Training. Read her Story on this page.

Joanne Hay

www.pAlMERSvillEtRAining.co.uK will givE you infoRMAtion on thE widE RAngE of vocAtionAl tRAining AREAS which ARE AvAilAblE.

with thAnKS to ouR SponSoRS...

www.thEwAytogoonlinE.co.uK

w w w. w h a t a b o u t m o n e y. i n f o

Distinctive Publishing LTD, 7th floor, Aidan House, Sunderland Road, Gateshead NE8 3HU

t: 0191 4788300

Lorraine HawthorneSAlES MAnAgERlorraine.hawthorne@distinctivepublishing.co.uk

Ewan WaterhousebuSinESS dEvElopMEnt MAnAgERewan.waterhouse@distinctivepublishing.co.uk

WELCOME to the latest issue of Way 2 Go North East, an inspirational magazine aimed at giving teenagers help and advice when it comes to careers and education.

The new academic year is underway, those summer holidays are now a distant memory and its time to roll up the sleeves, nose to the grind stone and take your brain out of neutral and put it into gear. So it will be more revision, more exams and more homework, but trust us, it will be worth it in the end when you open those exams results next year.

In this issue we look at adjusting to student life, job hunting and to help you chill out we have Playtime, in which we cast our eye over some of the latest games, DVD’S, music and film reviews to hit the streets this month. We have interviews and career profiles from around the region, and in this issue, our careers platform takes a look at careers in languages, tips on how to become a chartered surveyor and many more......enjoy!!

intR

oduc

tion

wElcoME to iSSuE 19:

CADET INTERVIEW

PAGE 12

JOB HUNTING

PAGE 38

ADJUSTING TO STUDENT LIFE

PAGE 28

CONTENTSlivE/lEARn/ASpiRE/AchiEvE

w2g nE|/iSSuE 19

CADET INTERVIEW

4. plAytiME - MoviE REviEw5. plAytiME - dvd REviEw6. plAytiME - MuSic REviEw7. plAytiME - gAME REviEw8. fREnch connEctionS - onE noRthEASt12. cAdEt intERviEw - MAERSK14. living without youR MobilE phonE - nEpic16. wAnt A cAREER with A futuRE? - nuclEAR SKillS AcAdEMy18. cElEbRAting SuccESS - StEpS20. fRoM MAthS to MAuRitiuS - duKE of EdinbuRgh22. dEbAting thE big iSSuES - nEA24. poRtRAit of A nAtion - hERitAgE lottERy fund26. SpicE pRojEct - dERwEntSidE council28. AdjuSting to StudEnt lifE30. cAREERS in nE councilS - ASSociAtEd councilS32. REcRuit opEn univERSity StudEntS - opEn univERSity34. wElcoME to thE woRld of chARtEREd SuRvEyoRS - RicS 36. fAntAStic fivE - connExionS38. job huntng40. EncouRAging pEoplE to Study SciEncE - SciEncE city42. A nEw AcAdEMy yEAR - twEblo44. thE woRK plAcE - county duRhAM 14-19 pARtnERShip47. lAnguAgES tAKE you fuRthER - RoutES into lAnguAgES48. hElping thE REgionS young pEoplE - A4E52. gEt A cAt if youR undER 16 - nExuS54. tRy lifE in AnothER lAnguAgE - RoutES into lAnguAgES

plAytiMEpAgE04THE ROLF’S BACK WITH MORE OF HIS SLICK, STRAIGHT TALKING MOVIE, DVD, MUSIC AND GAME REVIEWS...

MAMA MIA!

COME AND GET ME TIGER!

04

playtimeby MichAEl Rolf

MoviES...thE dARK Knight

IF YOU LIKED THIS I RECOMMEND YOU SEE:n Batman Beginsn X-Men ( 1, 2 &3)n Iron Mann 1989 Batman

“thE bESt filM in yEARS”...

After seeing Iron Man earlier this year, I thought I’d never see another super-hero movie of the same calibre, consequently I think I may of been wrong. After waiting for one very long year for the release of Christopher Nolan’s latest Batman feature, The Dark Knight, it definitely did not disappoint and was well worth waiting for. I can honestly say that I sat silently, in ore with a huge silly grin on my face for almost three hours of the best film in years, and with out doubt the best Batman film ever made. There are so many things that made The Dark Knight a fantastic heart-racing movie, such as Christian Bale (Batman Begins), but one of the things I feel I have to mention is the incredible Joker performance by Heath Ledger (A Knight’s Tale, Brokeback Mountain), which not only stole the show but defiantly triumphed over Jack Nicholson’s iconic 1989 role. Not only am I going to recommend The Dark Knight to everybody, but I also feel it’s a necessity for any movie buff or Batman fan. You simply must see this movie.

5n n n n nRAting

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“But Believe me when i tell you, Dennis QuaDe anD Forest whitaker are Brilliant!”

plAytiME

8 STRANGERS. 8 POINTS OF VIEW. This is the tag line for the movie which made me anxious but also slightly skeptical about seeing a movie with quite an unusual cast. But believe me when I tell you, Dennis Quade and Forest Whitaker are brilliant! I loved this film and respected new movie director Pete Travis’ decision to stick with such an unusual plot. The nonlinear technique used in Vantage Point has also

been very successful for the director of the BAFTA nominated Run Lola

Run, Tom Tykwer.

I really enjoyed Vantage Point, the unbelievable suspense had me on the edge of my seat all the way through.

I’d recommend this film to any great suspense lover

(especially Hitchcock fans) and with

an acceptable amount of bonus features on the DVD, it’s definitely a good investment for your next movie night.

IF YOU LIKED THIS I RECOMMEND YOU SEE:n Run Lola Runn Street Kingsn Deja Vu

4h h h h hRATING

VANTAGE POINT

dvd’S...

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Over the years, there has been many tributes to the phenomenon that is ABBA, some great and some, well, just annoying. But after watching the multi award winning, feel good movie of the century! I simply had to get my newly converted ABBA loving hands on a copy of the motion picture soundtrack, which I love! With the exception of Amanda Seyfried, the cast aren’t that great at singing, however, because of the absolutely brilliant song writing that never seems to get old, you can’t help but love the whole album from start to finish. Even if you don’t consider yourself to be an ABBA fan, after watching the movie I guarantee you’ll love listening to this album.

MuSic...

plAytiME

IF YOU LIKED THIS I RECOMMEND LISTEN TOO:n Any ABBA Album.n Beyond The Sea. The OST.

5h h h h hRATING

MAMA MIA:THE MOVIESOUNDTRACK

“you can’t help but love the whole album from start to finish”

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plAytiME

gAMES...

IF YOU LIKED THIS I RECOMMEND YOU TRY:n Mario Golfn Crazy Golfn PGA Tour Golf

4n n n n nRAting

“AnothER Solid pAcKAgE in thE tigER woodS SERiES”

tigER woodS pgA touR 09

Another year, another swing, another hole in one? Tiger Woods PGA Tour 09, AKA the “Madden of golf games,” is back for another update that spans nearly every console available. Some players wait all year for the latest iteration, and it’s those players who the series caters to most skillfully. But while you won’t find a new level of perfection in the 09 edition, there are some additional gameplay elements that will make any golf fan want to take a second look.

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Their company, LanguAges, was launched as part of their enterprise studies at school and

is the only business from the North East to ever win a title from the national Young

Enterprise awards.

THE LANGUAGE OF SUCCESS

The team’s idea was to offer an education kit to help young people learn French. It includes shopping, clothes and class card games, along with CD roms for schools and parents.

They’d spotted that the choice of learning games in languages other than English was very limited – so they had a gap in

the market that was theirs to exploit. They tested their products with primary and secondary schools, to find out what teachers

and students thought of the ideas.

One of the main things they had to consider was how to market and sell their product. They decided

that people would be more inclined to buy from LanguAges if they had a good corporate image, so that was a top priority. They took their products to a trade fair at the

Metro Centre and did a presentation for the Local Education Authority. The students also had to plan their company finances, set budgets for production and sales, keep financial records and control their cashflow - along with spotting how they could do things better in future.

Their financial planning was so good that they won an award for it!

Their teacher, Linda Ward, says there could be a career in this for the students: “We’re extremely proud of LanguAges and are delighted that the company’s won a national award. I feel that the group has great potential to carry on and take the business further forward in the future.”

And the students agree. Their spokesman told Way to Go: “We have been lucky, as we’ve got an outstanding team and we think the company has great potential for the future.”

A CLOSE RUN THING

But LanguAges isn’t the only school business success story in the region. Voila!, a bespoke waitressing business created by students at Central High School in Newcastle, was a runner up to be named the North East’s young Company of the Year, along with Way2GO Events by Carmel RC College in Darlington, and Educrate by Newcastle Church High School.

‘Educrate’ produces educational learning boxes for young children. The team fill each one with special materials to help kids develop skills on a specific theme - from calendars to cookery. Way 2GO Events was set up because

fREnch connEctionSA group of teenagers from a hartlepool school have put north East England on the map – or should we say ‘sur la carte’? - for coming up with great ideas for new businesses.

Catherine MarChant

“We come across many young people Who have never thought about starting up their oWn busines”

The students, from English Martyrs School and Sixth Form College, have beaten schools from right around the UK to win a prestigious award after coming up with an idea for a business to help primary school pupils learn French.

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of the fun factor! The team behind this business have organised school discos and gigs, and have also provided products and services to help an event run smoothly.

So, it just goes to show – it doesn’t matter how young or how old you are, enterprise can open lots of doors for a future career. There are lots of young people in the North East who are being inspired to work together to test out their business ideas. But how can you become one of them?

We asked Catherine Marchant who runs the charity Young Enterprise North East - if she can’t tell us, nobody can!

CATHERINE, YOU WORK WITH YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS ALL OVER THE NORTH EAST. WHAT SORT OF qUALITIES DO YOUNG PEOPLE NEED TO HAVE TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN STARTING A BUSINESS? IS IT EASY TO SPOT SOMEONE WHO’S GOT A ‘HEAD’ FOR ENTERPRISE?

Despite what many young people think, to be a successful entrepreneur you don’t need to be academically clever. Nor do you need to have lots of money, or a highly technical invention.

Entrepreneurs are people who are passionate about their ideas, committed to them and prepared to work hard. They are willing to take risks and aren’t afraid to fail. They can spot opportunities and niche markets - even if that means producing something which is already being sold, but doing it better.

Unfortunately, many young people don’t realise they have what it takes because they may not have the chance to get practical experience of running a business while they’re still at school.

We come across many young people who have never thought about starting up their own business, but once they’ve had a taste of the highs and lows of being their own boss they soon realise there is another option for them

for the future - whether it’s something they want to do immediately or a few years down the line.

HOW CAN YOUNG PEOPLE GET MORE ExPERIENCE OF ENTERPRISE?

More schools, colleges and universities are starting to include enterprise in their lessons and activities. But there’s nothing like practical experience when it comes to learning about running a business – whether that’s through a Saturday job, doing a work experience placement or running the tuck shop at a youth centre.

The special programmes that Young Enterprise run in schools give you a chance to ‘try before you buy’ – you can take control of your own business in a safe and structured environment.

WHAT SHOULD I DO ONCE I COME UP WITH A GREAT IDEA – WHO CAN I TALK TO ABOUT TAKING IT FURTHER?

“They decided ThaT people would be more inclined To buy from languages if They had a good corporaTe image, so ThaT was a Top prioriTy”

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Business Link is the main source of support and advice in the region, but there are lots of other routes you can try too. The Prince’s Trust works with disadvantaged young people and can help them set up in business. The Entrepreneurs’ Forum is also a fantastic network to look at – almost all of the region’s top entrepreneurs are at hand to offer advice using their own experiences, and they now have a nurturing pool for young entrepreneurs.

There are also lots of venture capital companies in the region who are always on the look out for new and exciting businesses they can invest in!

IS IT MORE DIFFICULT FOR YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY?

Investors are always looking for the next best thing to support, so with determination, confidence in your product and a well-researched idea, you will be taken seriously - though it may be a little harder or take a little longer than you expect.

You may find that some business support

agencies won’t offer serious support until you are 18, particularly when it comes to finance. This might seem disheartening, but don’t give up!

The North East invests a huge amount of time and money to get young people involved with starting up businesses and we know the region is awash with great, emerging talent who will help grow our economy in future.

One previous Young Enterprise company, Benet Enterprises, has carried on as a social enterprise in St Benet Biscop School in Northumberland and is now expanding into a support service for young people with business ideas. I’m confident that in the not too distant future, the region will provide this type of support on a larger scale and we will see more young entrepreneurs successfully based in the North East.

how cAn My School gEt MoRE involvEd with EntERpRiSE?

call young Enterprise north East on 0191 495 9500 or you can email me at catherine.marchant@yene.org.uk

“invEStoRS ARE AlwAyS looKing foR thE nExt bESt thing to SuppoRt, So with dEtERMinAtion, confidEncE in youR pRoduct And A wEll-RESEARchEd idEA, you will bE tAKEn SERiouSly”

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hollyoAKS duo fRont thE uK’S biggESt

TV double act and former Hollyoaks stars, Matt Littler and Darren Jeffries, are calling on you to enter the UK’s biggest live and simultaneous enterprise challenge for schools and colleges.

If you’re aged between 14 and 19, you and your friends can get together as a team to enter the free competition which kick-starts this year’s Enterprise Week (17-23 November).

Exact details are being kept top-secret until the day of the competition itself, but the challenge will be a chance to prove that you can come up with enterprising solutions to the issues that matter to you the most.

What we can tell you is that it’s all about teamwork, kick-starting your imagination and unleashing your creativity to develop money-making ideas.

Matt and Darren, who recently left Hollyoaks after ten years on the hit soap as Max and OB, will unveil the Make Your Mark Challenge online on the first day of Enterprise Week 2008 (17 November). They say: “Young people need to realise that they really can make a difference to the issues that matter most and that sometimes the smallest of ideas can change the world. The Make Your Mark Challenge is all about working in teams to unleash creativity and provide solutions – important skills for future generations to learn if they are to help the UK compete on a global scale. We hope that this year’s competition will inspire a new set of entrepreneurs to become worldwide change-makers.”

In 2007, over 38,000 students took part and organisers are expecting the 2008 Make Your Mark Challenge to be the biggest yet.

tv double act and former hollyoaks stars, Matt littler and darren jeffries, are calling on you to enter the uK’s biggest live and simultaneous enterprise challenge for schools and colleges.

livE EntERpRiSE coMpEtition

youR School cAn oRdER An infoRMAtion pAcK fRoM thE chAllEngE wEbSitE www.MAKEyouRMARKchAllEngE.oRg.uK.

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1. why did you Apply to bEcoME A cAdEt?I decided that this career would give me the opportunity to have the lifestyle I want with enough time off to do what I enjoy.

2. whAt MAdE you Apply to thE A.p. MollER - MAERSK gRoup?I heard good things about the Maersk group and how they treat cadets.

3. how did you Know whERE to Apply? (infoRMAtion fRoM AdvERtiSEMEnt/intERnEt/fAMily…)My dad is in the merchant navy so the information was always there.

4. ARE you Studying to bEcoME A dEcK-, EnginE- oR MARitiME officER?Deck Officer

5. how long iS youR EducAtion?2½ years if everything goes well.

6. which AcAdEMy do you AttEnd?Glasgow Collage Nautical Studies

7. whAt typES of vESSElS hAvE you bEEn SAiling on until now?I’m at the end of my first trip on a container vessel.

Cadet IntervIew

www.SEAcAREERS.co.uK

Name: matthew Dayage: 21NatioNality: BritisheNtity : mms

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8. hAvE you EvER ExpERiEncEd Rough SEA? how wAS it?My first passage was across the pacific from Yokohama to LA, we had some big seas and were rolling about 20° but nothing extreme. Good job I don’t get sea sick though.

9. hAvE you EvER bEEn SEASicK?No

10. whAt do you liKE thE MoSt About lifE AS A cAdEt?The best thing is being able to see a bit of everyone’s jobs from the Master’s to the A/B’s, also it’s the only time you can get ashore without having to be back for a watch.

11. of youR tASKS onboARd, which hAvE bEEn thE MoSt intERESting And chAllEnging?I’m most interested in being on watch with the OOW and learning about all the navigational methods.

12. of youR collEAguES onboARd, who hAS bEEn of thE biggESt hElp And SuppoRt to you? I’ve been lucky on my first trip, everyone onboard has been helpful and supporting. I was on watch with the 2/O John Tyndall for a

long time and he was very good at showing me how everything works, particularly the PA system for clocks announcements.

13. hAvE you woRKEd with cAdEtS of othER nAtionAlitiES?An engine cadet from Wigan if that counts.

14. whAt hAvE you lEARnEd fRoM woRKing in A Multi-cultuRAl EnviRonMEnt?I have learnt that everyone gets on and works well together. The fact that the ship is multi-cultural makes no difference.

15. in youR opinion, iS it tRuE thAt thE uK pRoducES bEttER SEAfARERS thAn othER countRiES?I think that because the international seafaring language is English it is easier for them to communicate across the world which gives the English speaking country’s a head start but their not necessarily better at the job.

16. do you fEEl thAt All MAttERS RElAtEd to SAfEty ARE hAndlEd in An AccEptAblE MAnnER onboARd?Yes the ship feels like a very safe place because of all the measures taken, although the paper work is a bit laborious.

17. iS it AccEptAblE foR cAdEtS to quEStion officERS’ dEciSionS?I think that because cadets have come straight from collage and other training some procedures are fresh in their memory. So within reason suggesting an alternative way of doing a job to the officer a good thing, as long as you’re not offensive.

18. do you uSE thE gyM onboARd in youR lEiSuRE tiME?The most I’ve been in the gym was to build a new cross trainer we got. The weather is good enough for the pool so I go for a swim some mornings.

19. whAt iS youR fAvouRitE food?The steak and ice cream on a Saturday evening, not together.

20. whEn on ShoRE lEAvE, whAt iS youR MAin intERESt?I like to see my girlfriend and go out with friends partying but my main interest is sailing, I’m a sailing coach in Scotland.

21. bEing A SEAfARER, how do you copE with fAMily lifE?I was brought up with this lifestyle and I’ve been living away from home for 4 years now so the family life is ok. Relationships are the difficult part.

22. which booK ARE you REAding Right now?I’m not such a big reader.

23. whAt ARE youR futuRE cAREER plAnS?I hope to finish my cadetship with experience on different types of ship and hopefully go into the area I enjoy the most and progress through the ranks.

24. whAt iS youR bESt piEcE of AdvicE foR A nEw cAdEt?Work hard and enjoy you’re time at sea. It’s the best time to understudy officers and learn what the job is really about.

“i hAvE lEARnt thAt EvERyonE gEtS on And woRKS wEll togEthER. thE fAct thAt thE Ship iS Multi-

cultuRAl MAKES no diffEREncE.”

www.SEAcAREERS.co.uK

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Without these industries and the products they develop we would quite literally starve; freeze or bore ourselves to death. Whether at work, college, home or play, products created by the chemical industry are there to help make your life more enjoyable, easier and safer. Whatever you buy, DVDs, deodorant or a mobile phone, it has been made using chemicals. Look around you. Without chemicals and the chemical industry, virtually every man-made object could not have been made.

At home we relax in our living rooms decorated in acrylic paints and vinyl wallpaper, lit by long life light bulbs and watching our televisions, which along with our DVD and CD players, are housed in a strong and durable plastic frame. The process industry protects us when we eat by providing safe food and water through antioxidants, biocides and flavourings, while fertilizers and crop protection chemicals help us to make sure that we produce enough for our

needs. Our food and drinks stay fresher longer thanks to special packaging and containers.

We keep ourselves and our clothes clean with shampoos, soaps, perfumes, cosmetics, washing powders, detergents and disinfectants, which are all produced using chemicals. Our bodies are kept well and protected thanks to the chemicals used in many antibiotics and other drugs. Disease can be prevented or treated easily and painlessly thanks to these drugs, which in turn have expanded the human lifespan – perhaps our most significant contribution to society.

In terms of products the list is quite literally endless – cars, bikes, phones, mp3 players, game consoles, plasma televisions, laptops, inks and dyes, clothes, new medicines, makes-ups and creams …..

So by now I assume you’re beginning to understand just how important this industry is and you’ll probably be even more astounded to know that all of these products and technologies are produced in North East England. We have over 500 companies based in our region, employing an astonishing 40,000 people and selling £70 billion worth of products each year. And because of how quickly these companies are growing we need 16,000 new employees over the next ten years – that’s 8,000 vocational and 8,000 graduates. Fancy it? The average salary for a graduate is £25,000 with great prospects of increasing as your career develops.

Fancy it now?The routes to join this industry are varied and there is a study path that will suit all types of young people. From apprenticeships, A-levels and company sponsored Foundation degrees, to acquiring a university degree and entering at graduate level, your options are endless and as for the jobs and careers, they are endless too (see list opposite).

The process industry in North East England is supported by NEPIC, the North East Process Industry Cluster. We are here to help the industry grow and sustain its future. We have lots of interesting information on our website about careers and training routes, which includes media-videos created by young adults. Why not take a look at our website or if you prefer, we can pop a copy in the post – just give us a call.

We have all seen how quickly the products and gadgets around are changing and the amazing new things that are on offer to us that make our lives easier, more enjoyable and most importantly longer. Why not be part of these changes and technologies of the future? Why not join us and start a career in the process industries?

NEPIC (North East Process Industry Cluster) LimitedTel: +44(0)1642 442560E-mail: enquiries@nepic.co.ukWebsite: www.nepic.co.uk

iMAginE living without youR ModilE

phonE, coSMEticS oR EvEn foodif you live in a modern day society, as we do in the uK, then the process industry – the chemical, pharmaceutical, biotechnology and speciality chemical companies are part of everybody’s life, contributing every day, every hour, every second. this vital industry sector is essential to almost everything we do and yet most people do not recognise this.

www.nEpic.co.uK

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n Analytical chemistn Analystn Biochemistn Chemistn Chemical engineern Clinical research scientistn Data managern Development technologistn Drug safety associaten Ecologistn Environmental scientistn Environmental engineern Epidemiologistn Fermentation scientistn Food Scientistn Formulation technologistn Geologistn Instrument engineern Information technologistn Inorganic chemistn Life scientistn Laboratory managern Legaln Logisticsn Materials scientistn Mechanical engineern Metallurgistn Microbiologistn Molecular biologistn Organic chemistn Patent specialistn Pharmacologistn Planning engineern Polymer scientistn Plant Managern Process engineern Process development chemistn Procurementn Production engineern Project managern Quality assurance officern Quantity surveyorn Regulatory affairs specialistn Research scientistn Risk Analystn Safety engineern Scale up chemistn Scientific writern SHE Specialistn Software engineern Statisticiann Statistical programmern Systems engineern Technical engineern Training engineern Toxicologistn Virologist

……and many others.

www.nEpic.co.uK

“We have all seen hoW quickly the products and gadgets around are changing and the amazing neW things that are on offer to us that make our lives easier”

Nuclear power produces fewer greenhouse gases, unlike all the fossil fuels and is considered to be a “greener” form of energy. You might not know that the UK’s nuclear industry provides the country with about 20 per cent of its electricity via the National Grid and the electricity distribution companies. This saves the equivalent of the carbon emissions from all the UK’s cars on the road!

With the approval by government to build new nuclear powerstations, there are exciting opportunities for careers in this sector for those interested in getting on the career ladder.

intEREStEd in A chAllEnging cAREER?

The nuclear industry needs more young people like YOU to take up science, engineering, maths and technology subjects. Research shows that the industry needs about 1500 recruits per annum. There are many different routes into the Nuclear Sector from apprenticeships, to joining as a graduate. Further information is available on our website www.nuclear.nsacademy.co.uk/school-resources/student-zone There is a huge variety of choice of careers in the Nuclear sector. You could work on the design and construction of the new powerstations, in the processing and manufacturing of nuclear fuel, maintaining the UK’s nuclear powered submarines, operating the UK nuclear sites

or dismantling the redundant facilities - to name a few examples. There is a dedicated website www.cogent-careers.com which shows all the roles in the nuclear industry - including where the job fits into the organisation, the work area, the key responsibilities, and the typical day-to-day duties which the post-holder will be expected to carry out. Education and qualification requirements are also set out – and of course the salaries. If you joined the industry you could start out, for example, as an Operations Support worker, carrying out checks and applying safety rules. You could end up as the Site Director – overseeing everything! For the entry roles you’ll need good GCSEs and higher up the ladder you’ll need a Degree in Engineering or Science and for the very senior jobs you’ll need to be a Chartered Engineer or Scientist.

wAnt a career with a future ?join our next generationthere is much more to this industry than meets the eye… it’s a big and economically important sector with around 56,000 employees around the uK.

More informationwww.nuclear.nsacademy.co.uk

www.nuclEAR.nSAcAdEMy.co.uK16

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“With the approval by government to build neW

nuclear poWerstations, there are exciting opportunities

for careers in this sector for those interested in getting on

the career ladder”

www.nuclEAR.nSAcAdEMy.co.uK

iMAgES SuppliEd couRtESy of bRitiSh EnERgy, photogRAphER Monty RAKuSEn.

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The Young Apprenticeship programme takes place during Year ten and eleven and students taking part experience a range of activities alongside their GCSE studies. These include:

n 50 days of work experiencen Employability and personal development activitiesn Additional qualifications

STEPS hosted three sub-regional events for students and their friends and families, the Northumberland Summer Ball and Awards Evening and the Newcastle Gateshead Summer Ball and Awards Evening took place

at the Newcastle Civic Centre with the Tees Valley Summer Ball and Awards Evening at the Stockton Swallow Hotel.

Each event recognised Young Apprentices’success by awarding the following categories:n Certificate of Participation n Certificate of Completion 2006 – 2008n Completion with Meritn Consistent Good Effort with Meritn Consistent Good Effort with Distinctionn Commitment to Personal Developmentn Outstanding Performancen STEPS Student of the Year, Cohort 4n STEPS Young Apprentice of the Year 2008

‘Employers’ invaluable contributions to the Young Apprenticeship programme were recognised and a number of employers, nominated by students, were presented with the STEPS Award for Supporting Young Learners

In Tees Valley Young Apprentices taking part in the STEPS Programme are students from Manor College in Hartlepool, Acklam Grange School in Middlesbrough Redcar Community College and Northfields School & Sports College, Stockton-on-Tees.

The top award winner of the evening in Tees Valley was Josh Connor, a Year Eleven student from Acklam Grange School. Josh was awarded the STEPS Young Apprentice of the Year 2008, Tees Valley, he was selected for his Commitment, Positive Attitude, Attainment, Attendance, Positive Feedback from Placements and Improvement and Personal

StEpS cElEbRAting SuccESSStEpS into hEAlth And SociAl cARE, which iS MAnAgEd by SKillS foR hEAlth, hoStEd thREE cElEbRAtionS of SuccESS in thE SuMMER of 2008, to REcogniSE thE EffoRt And AchiEvEMEntS of StudEntS involvEd in thE young AppREnticEShip pRogRAMME in hEAlth And SociAl cARE.

“The ChoColaTe FounTain was a hoTFavouriTe!”

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Development sustained over two years.The highest award offered to a Year Ten student went to Jess Bullock also from Acklam Grange School, who won STEPS Student of the Year 2008, Tees Valley.

In Northumberland Young Apprentices who received awards for taking part in the STEPS Programme were from Cramlington Community High School, Haydon Bridge High School, Queen Elizabeth High School in Hexham, Ponteland High School, Coquet High School, Amble, The King Edward VI School in Morpeth and Seaton Burn College.

The most outstanding student from Year Eleven in Northumberland was Melissa Jones from Cramlington High School. Melissa narrowly beat the other finalists for this Award who were Emma Stewart and Emma Parmley.

Emily Peacock also of Cramlington High School was the STEPS Student of the Year 2008, Northumberland, recognising her as the most outstanding student in Year Ten for Northumberland.

At the Newcastle/Gateshead event the top award was the STEPS Student of the Year,

Newcastle/Gateshead, which was presented to Amanda Corner of Whickham School and Sports College, Gateshead, with Jasmin Allan, Maria Collins and Katherine Wakenshaw as the other finalists Other schools which are part of the Young Apprenticeship Partnership in Newcastle/Gateshead are St Mary’s RC School, Newcastle, Cardinal Hume School, Gateshead and Walbottle Campus’.

Each event was followed by a buffet with a disco and celebration. The Chocolate Fountain was a hot favourite!

“The highesT award offered To a Year Ten sTudenT wenT To Jess Bullock from acklam grange school, who won sTePs sTudenT of The Year 2008, Tees ValleY”

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Durham based Sam has recently been appointed as a DofE UK Young Ambassador and will represent the North East region in an exciting three year role. Sam is passionate about work with young people and through her role will represent and advocate young people’s views, support the inclusion of young people in decision making at all levels, and be an integral part of supporting and developing the DofE Youth Participation Strategy; and she may just have some fun along the way.

Like many participants Sam started her DofE experience at school, nine years and more than a few stories and blisters later she has come full circle and is now a DofE leader at Spennymoor Comprehensive School.

Sam started DofE to do something different that allowed her to do a variety of activities and have something interesting to put on her CV. “For my service section I visited an old people’s home and took part in a variety of fundraising activities, my physical sections involved a wide range of sports and for my skill I played the piano and saxophone in the County Wind Band through which I was able to go on tour in Malta” says Sam who attended Spennymoor school.

Her expeditions were initially carried out in our very own Lake District, here Sam saw first hand the benefits of DofE to young people. Cold, wet and aching there was the odd tear and tantrum and the frequent “are we nearly there yet?” But Sam explains that these challenging conditions bring the group closer together “These always involved a great

amount of teamwork! From helping group members to climb over walls to carrying others bags when they were ill, supporting friends when they realised they were scared of the dark and having to set up camp at 1am when we arrived at the campsite”

Sam caught the bug, as she moved through the Bronze, Silver and Gold awards she has had some amazing adventures that have truly changed her life. Sam explained “I have been really lucky to try loads of exciting things and travel to wonderful places. I have been to Malta, Kenya and met HRH The Duke of Edinburgh through my involvement with DofE, experienced different cultures and I have seen some beautiful and tragic images”

Sams most memorable experience was whilst spending six weeks in Kenya working with street children from the slums of Kibera on a rehabilitation camp. “we helped build a nursery, repaired building, fixed roofs and built fences – it was amazing!” explained Sam.

Sam also conquered her own fears and challenged her own abilities whilst climbing

Mount Kenya for her expedition section. Known as the Equator mountain climb it took Sam six gruelling days to ascend the 16000 feet mountain.

Sam returned home a changed person, having always worked towards a career in business the experiences in Kenya and working with young people made her think again. “I have memories that I will treasure forever but it was a very emotional time, It is hard to appreciate from the comfort of our own homes just how appalling the conditions these children live under are. It was certainly a lifelong experience and major character building exercise”

Upon returning home Sam started volunteering at her award group and eventually started running her own unit supporting young people through their awards and recruiting more young people.

Over the next few month Sam would make a life changing decision “I had always intended to build a career in business, but after enjoying the work I did with young people for their Awards I decided to go into teaching.

Miss Heron is now the Award leader in her school and is running a very successful group of young people who are just at the start of their own DofE journey. For now they will have to do without their teacher as she heads for two weeks in Mauritius where she will focus on the environment, diversity and enterprise, whilst considering how these issues impact on young people today and how the DofE can have an influence on them and the difference it can make in the World.

fRoM MAthS to MAuRitiuS…Samantha heron will soon be leaving behind her classroom, forget all about marking papers, long division and pythagoras’s theorem and embark on a 9000 mile trip to the tropical island of Mauritius.

if you ARE thinKing About EMbARKing on youR globE tRotting dofE chAllEngE oR ARE thinKing About gEtting involvEd locAlly plEASE gEt in touch with thE REgionAl officE on 0191 2703000

www.dofE.oRg

22 www.noRthEAStASSEMbly.gov.uK/Eyp

The European Youth Parliament (EYP UK) wants schools, colleges and youth groups to get their entries in for the regional heat of its annual international debating competition.

EYP UK is looking for nine teams of young people from across North East England to go head to head in the role of European parliamentary committees, debating the big issues - from Tibet and terrorism to European heritage and maritime policy.

Hosted by Darlington Borough Council this year’s heated debate is set to take place in the council chamber on Monday 8 December.

Winners of the regional session will then go on to compete in the national stage of the competition, and if successful will contend internationally.

Organised by EYP UK and the North East Assembly, the competition gives young people the opportunity to develop their skills, understand politics and debate the issues that affect everyone.

dEbAting thE big iSSuESyoung people from across the region are being encouraged to talk politics by taking part in an exciting debating competition.

“onE of thE uniquE fEAtuRES of thE Eyp iS thE wAy politicAl iSSuES ARE MixEd in with icEbREAKing And SociAl EvEntS”

This year’s eyP comPeTiTion will Take Place in DarlingTon

Words by Anna-Clare O’Neill

© D

arlington Borough C

ouncil.

23www.MySpAcE.coM/thEhAtfiEldiSSuE

Last year’s winners, Ponteland High School, have a great record of success, reaching the national stage of the competition for an unprecedented third year in a row.

Ponteland’s team captain, Dan Brown, would encourage anyone to take part: “One of the unique features of the EYP is the way political issues are mixed in with icebreaking and social events. Like impromptu karaoke and fancy dress parties! It’s a bit like an intense version of fresher’s week – an unforgettable experience in all.”

Richard Royal, a member of the EYP UK National Committee, said:“Being involved in the European Youth Parliament has not only enhanced my debating and research skills, its enabled me to travel the continent, meet so many incredible people and has made me realise just how different the world is. Not to mention how useful EYP was when completing my UCAS form or taking university entrance interviews. If I had my chance all over again I’d be the first in line to jump up and take part in EYP!”

Places for this year’s competition are allocated on a first come first served basis, and teams are advised to get their entries in early.

foR MoRE infoRMAtion on thE EuRopEAn youth pARliAMEnt oR to downloAd An EntRy foRM viSit www.noRthEAStASSEMbly.gov.uK/Eyp

pontElAnd high School wERE lASt yEAR’S winnERS

“If I had my chance all over agaIn I’d be the

fIrst In lIne to jump up and take part In eyp!”

© E

uropean Parliam

ent.

www.poRtRAitofAnAtion.nEt24

In this issue, we want to show you what the young people of NewcastleGateshead are contributing to the debate and their story so far… As part of the spectacular finale which will take place in Liverpool this December at the European Capital of Culture 2008 closing celebrations, young people from the Northern Stars film academy have been creating a series of short documentaries. The films are a contribution to “Portrait of a Nation”, a year long project run by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and Liverpool European Capital of Culure which aims to show the nation through the eyes of the young people.

Before showcasing their films in Liverpool in December, they will get the opportunity to present them at the Northern Lights Film Festival. This will provide a fantastic opportunity for the talented youth of NewcastleGateshead to be seen by industry professionals and gain recognition for their efforts.

During the project, the young people split into two groups, both working with Tyne & Wear Museums and Tyneside cinema. One group made “Home” which features real life stories of the people of Newcastle, including a homeless man. The film asks them what

home means to them and why they love living in Newcastle.

The second group focused on the Shoe Tree, where people tie and throw old shoes onto the branches (well known in Heaton Park), and the Flickr Wall, which is covered in graffiti messages written by the community. Both are fantasy-type iconic studies of Newcastle city centre communities and the two films come together to show a distinctive and special sense of social cohesion and identity in the region.

NewcastleGatehead is just one of 17 cities taking part in Portrait of a Nation ranging from as far apart geographically and culturally as Inverness and Brighton. The finale in Liverpool will be the stage where all cities can showcase and perform what they believe makes their city special, exploring their heritage and identity. Some examples of what other regions are doing include twenty young people in Bradford exploring the history of the textile industry through a live fashion show with DJs, to London’s participants using modern dance to explore their African and Carribean roots .

Log onto www.portraitofanation.net for updates from Newcastle and around the UK!

Last issue, Way 2 Go shoWcased a seLection of younG peopLe Who have been takinG part in portrait of a nation, a nationaL ‘debate’ expLorinG identity, sense of pLace and

What it means to be british today invoLvinG over 3000 younG peopLe around the uk.

‘Portrait of a NatioN’ – the story so far

Photograph by Lewis Arnold, courtesy of The Journal, N

ewcastle.

AlEx dobbing (17), toM dAvidSon (16), And gEoRgiA MAnnERS (17) At thE flicKR wAll in nEwcAStlE

www.poRtRAitofAnAtion.nEt 25

Alex Dobbing , aged 17, is a youth ambassador for NewcastleGateshead’s Portrait of a Nation project (pictured left) and a pupil at Ponteland High School. She worked on ‘Home’ alongside Tom Davidson, a pupil at Duchess’s Community High School in Alnwick. She said:

“Both me and my family were born and raised in Newcastle Upon Tyne, and I plan to live here for the rest of my life. I am involved in the Northern Stars Film Academy from Newcastle, a group of 16-19 year olds making short films.

During this experience, we have all learnt so much about Newcastle. Mainly it’s little secrets like the shoe tree and the flicker wall. But also the way people feel about Newcastle, how people love Newcastle and why they love Newcastle. It has made us very happy to be a part of this and to be a part of the city and it’s culture. We think that what makes our city special is the fact that 9/10 times we went and asked people on the street their views about Newcastle, they all stopped and spoke to us, very happily and helpfully, and wanted to help in anyway they could. It’s made all the Northern Stars very aware of their city and how special it is.”

Portrait of a Region is an exciting opportunity for all you budding young film makers out there!

This is an un-missable opportunity to fulfil your dream of becoming a film maker. Winners receive a filming master class with industry professionals at the Tyneside Cinema, a free movie pass for a month and

have a chance to demonstrate your work at Juice, NewcastleGateshead’s festival for young people and children which takes place in October half term.

The competition is aimed at 14-19 year olds, and you are invited to make a one minute film showing why you are proud to come from the North East. You can film anything you

choose, your favourite places, people and experiences. You can use your camera phone, your digital camera or video camera.

Films will be judged by professional filmmakers and programmers and a selection of the best films will be screened at Juice in a custom made cinema Art Car called Squeeze.

Holli McGuire, leader of the Portrait of a Region project, said: “We’re very excited to see what this new competition will bring. We’re hoping for some creative and unique filmic takes on the region.”

To enter this competition you must upload your videos at www.northeastmovies.co.uk/series and click on Portrait of a Region. The closing date for entrants is Friday 17th October, so get filming!

Portrait of a Nation is run by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Liverpool Capital of Culture. See www.portraitofanation.net for further information, where young people from the 17 cities will be posting blogs, pictures and films and discussing the cultural ‘hot spots’ in their home town in a series of online debates.

Whos involved?

MAKE youR own ‘poRtRAit of A REgion’ filM

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butt out!

Young people using the Youth Bus have been working together with the PCT to make their own stop smoking DVD and resource pack. Due to be launched in November at a free training event for workers, ‘Butt Out’ consists of a DVD and worksheets to help young people understand that risks and issues associated with smoking.

This group of young people created this film to help all young people think about the dangers of smoking as well as looking at the ways it affects their lives.

- Young Person’s Comments

bulliES

Children living in Derwentside think that bullying is the biggest problem for children in and out of schools.

For the past year children from the YPF have been working hard on an anti-bullying project. They really want to stamp out bullying and make sure that children are good friends rather than bullies. We have done art and drama work to look at the issue and children have had some excellent ideas on how to prevent bullying. Over the past five months members of younger members of the YPF have planned and delivered fun, creative workshops to school children from all over Derwentside.

These workshops gave children aged 8-11 the chance to have their say on bullying looking at why, when and how it happens, how it makes people feel and how it can be dealt with. Following on from these workshops, YPF members are now planning a large scale, week long event during Anti-Bullying Week in November. We are going

to create a Big Bully House (a bit like the Big Brother house but for children) and school children will become Big Bully contestants for a full day and take part in tasks around creating anti-bullying and friendship policies for schools and community groups ideas for new District wide schemes to prevent bullying and promote friendship skills.

Much of the work around bullying has been captured on film, we will be editing this and offering it to local schools and community groups along with a resource pack produced by children and young people. It is hoped that this will be available by the end of the year.

- Jayne Robson, YPF Member

outStAnding young citizEnS of thE yEAR AwARdS 2008

We are currently getting ready for our annual awards evening to celebrate children and young people’s contributions to their communities. Last year, we had over 200 people attend the awards. We are returning to Derwent Manor Hotel on the 14th October and 70 children and young people have been nominated for awards.

SpicE pRojEctSpicE is run by derwentside district council and

has been working with children and young people in derwentside for almost 10 years. we have a young

people’s forum (ypf), a youth bus which is out and about visiting groups of young people five nights a week, and

we also run a school rewards scheme for pupils to order rewards through our website.

“fun, MoRE confidEncE, pRovEd i’M not A wiMp, i cAn coME up with bEttER idEAS.” - Holly Craggs,

YPF Member

“it’S good [youth buS] to KEEp uS off thE StREEtS And itS Mint.”

“[SpicE] built up My confidEncE, hElpEd ME lEARn, dEvElop nEw SKillS, iMpRovEd concEntRAtion, hElpEd ME MAKE nEw fRiEndS.”

“thE ypf hAS tAught ME SKillS thAt i nEvER thought i would hAvE And hAS givEn ME confidEncE in SpEAKing in public. thESE SKillS ARE iMpoRtAnt in lifE And i AM dEEply gRAtEful thAt i joinEd thE ypf to gAin thESE.”- Phillip Marshall, Young Person and Chair of the YPF

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if you nEEd to ExtEnd youR dEAdlinE…Unbeknownst to many students, “the voices told me to hand the essay in late” is not a good excuse. It’s fair to say that tutors have probably heard every lame plea for deadline extensions in the book. So be honest. If you have had some serious personal, family or illness issues that have interfered with studying, discuss it and see what compromise may be available. And don’t forget to get a doctor’s note if you have missed more than a couple of classes due to illness.

if you’RE fAiling youR couRSE… Naughty, naughty. Bet you saw this coming, though. Don’t waste another minute and hightail it over to your tutor, pronto. Discuss the issue with them and see how you might salvage your academic career. They might suggest a re-write on a crucial test, if you’re lucky, some extra work or give some insight into finding extracurricular help. If this proves unfruitful, you may try Student Services for general advice.

if you wAnt to chAngE oR lEAvE youR couRSE… Signed up for mechanical engineering only to find out that you may be better suited to a class of basket-weaving? There are many things to consider when changing your course, the least of which is the complicated financial arrangements and deadlines if you change schools or programs. Still, if you’re terribly unhappy with a module or programme, contact your tutor or advisor sharpish. Think long and hard about your reasons, and have a back up plan ready. Your tutor will be able to direct you to the next step or help you resolve some of your problems with the course. Failing this, contact Student Services for more advice.

if you hAvE A pRoblEM with StAff, thE School, oR if you’vE bEEn AccuSEd of plAgiARiSing oR othER MiSconduct… All universities and colleges have a code of practice that outlines the university’s rules as well as your basic and academic rights. When you join that university, you are basically agreeing to abide by those rules and can get nailed with nasty penalties if you step out of line.

You will be sent or given this document (usually in a booklet) before you start classes, and it’s actually in your best interest to read it and not lose it. If you have, drop by your Student Union or Student Services offices to get a new one.

As all universities have different approaches to disciplinary procedures, what constitutes misconduct and how to report alleged misconduct, consult your manual or talk to Student Services or Student Union to see how proceed. Make sure you’ve done research and read the fine print carefully!

You may be required to take the issue further up the uni chain, so ensure that your complaint (or your defence against a complaint levelled at you) is properly prepared. For example, that your teacher “sucks” or wears bad ties usually isn’t enough to raise a stink.

However, if you are genuinely having problems with a member of staff or have suffered any racial, sexual or discriminatory abuse, make sure you speak up. The situation won’t be remedied if you keep quiet. Otherwise, welcome to uni! Hope you enjoy/survive your stay…

adjusting to student lifeIf it all goes horribly wrong, Don’t panic. Many students find uni or college life a daunting and difficult adjustment. Classes and workload may get too much, you find yourself facing problems with teachers, tutors or advisors or in any number of other academic pickles. Here’s a rough guide to help you through all the ifs...

pRoblEMS At uni/collEgE

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“if you ARE gEnuinEly

hAving pRoblEMS

with A MEMbER of StAff oR

hAvE SuffEREd Any RAciAl,

SExuAl oR diScRiMinAtoRy

AbuSE, MAKE SuRE you SpEAK

up”...

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www.careersincouncils.co.uk will give you information on some of the huge range of career, training and job opportunities within the region’s councils. It also provides real life examples of young people who are now working in councils, possibly yours. They include young people working as apprentice civil engineers and horticulturists, social workers, tree surgeons, countryside rangers, librarians and personnel assistants. There are also examples of young people working in human resources, housing, and as part of a highly prestigious national graduate development scheme.

Three examples of young people working for councils in the North East of England are shown on these pages.

For jobs directly from school, after university or apprenticeships, councils really do offer an exciting choice for young people. Local councils will give you the chance to do a job you enjoy, and make a positive difference to the lives of the people and communities of the North East.

Best of luckCouncillor Mick HenryChair of the Association of North East Councils

careers in north east councilstogether, councils are the biggest employers in the north East, with more than 100,000 people working for them. the work of councils touches almost every aspect of our lives, from cleaning the streets to helping to improve the environment and the regional economy.

“Being a graduate trainee is fantastic as it allows you to move around departments in the Council, gaining real experience and developing the essential skills required to progress your career.

“This sits alongside a Post Graduate Diploma in Local Government Management from Warwick Business School which means that you get time out from work to study while sharing experiences with other graduate trainees from around the country.

“Starting in the corporate centre gave me a great overview of the Council and how all the different services contribute to the same goals. And now, working in Children’s Services means I get to work alongside front-line professionals and see the impact that we can make on people’s lives.

“As a graduate there are some excellent opportunities to progress in local government, and being on the scheme allows me greater access to senior management and I’m lucky enough to have regular one to ones with our Chief Executive.

“Local Government is a very stimulating environment. Because we deal with just about everything, every day is different.”

Dan Jackson, 27, is a Management Trainee on the National Graduate

Development Programme for Local Government

“locAl govERnMEnt iS A vERy StiMulAting EnviRonMEnt.

bEcAuSE wE dEAl with juSt About EvERything...”

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helen Mcphail, 20, blyth valley borough council,

Apprentice horticulturist“I started with Blyth Valley District Council in September as an Apprentice in Horticulture. It is not something I had ever thought about pursuing but I had seen the vacancy advertised in the local press and once I received an information pack about the job I thought it might suit me. I applied and got the job!

“I work in Ridley Park, Blyth. My day to day duties are planting, using different lawn mowers, edging grass and generally maintaining the upkeep of the park.

“It is a three-year apprenticeship. I attend Kirkley Hall College, in Northumberland, one day a week to study horticulture, where you learn about different machinery, plants, shrubs and everything to do with gardening. At the end of this I will be qualified to NVQ I & II and can then go on to do level III.

“The park itself is a really pleasant area to work. Working outdoors is great. My manager is really supportive and I have learnt such a lot in a short space of time. It is definitely a career I want to pursue.”

“I carry out tasks for the housing department. My role is to keep the allocation database up to date with new applications that come in, update records as and when needed, create rent cards and send them to tenants and deal with various enquiries from tenants and members of the public.

“I like the variety of tasks I carry out ranging from housing queries to election matters. I get to see how other sections operate as we support various other arms of the council. I’m picking up a good understanding of the authority at a young age that will hold me in good stead for the future.

“I would definitely recommend a career in Local Government.”

Mark hopper, aged 22, is a housing Administration

Assistant for city of durham council

“i would dEfinitEly REcoMMEnd A cAREER in

locAl govERnMEnt.”

foR MoRE infoRMAtion on thE cAREERS And oppoRtunitiES within councilS in thE noRth EASt of EnglAnd, And foR linKS to MAny of thEiR cuRREnt job vAcAnciES, plEASE viSit: www.cAREERSincouncilS.co.uK

“thE pARK itSElf iS A REAlly plEASAnt AREA to woRK. woRKing outdooRS

iS gREAt.”

www.opEnunivERSity.co.uK/you

It’s easy to see why. OU students demonstrate many other capabilities alongside their academic prowess. As most are working whilst studying and around 60% of all students are studying to further or change their career, it is clear that these are motivated, committed, aspirational and hard-working people - a benefit to any organisation!

Emma Beadle, Graduate Recruitment Manager at Unilever, agrees. “OU students combining work and study show they are ambitious and have a strong work ethic. They are evidently keen to develop themselves and are managing to do this while juggling a busy work or home life, which is no mean feat. The competencies which OU students develop during their degree become invaluable to us”.

As a former OU student herself, Ruth Stokes (Director, Recruitment and Resourcing at KPMG) also values the strengths of Open University students and graduates. “We see additional skills in an individual that has come through The Open University and an absolute motivation to succeed”.

In recent years, The Open University has seen a big increase in the numbers of young people electing to take a degree with us in preference to going to a ‘traditional’ university. Many are concerned about student debt and are attracted by the OU’s supported open learning methods which allow them to work and get a highly-regarded degree or other qualification at the same time. And, if they earn less than £16, 090 a year*, their studies may be free thanks to

univERSity StudEntS And gRAduAtESEMployERS KEEn to REcRuit opEn

“wE SEE AdditionAl SKillS in An individuAl thAt hAS

coME thRough thE opEn univERSity And An AbSolutE

MotivAtion to SuccEEd”

what do glaxoSmithKline, KpMg, logica cMg, the Metropolitan police, Royal bank of Scotland group, tesco,

unilever, waitrose and many more have in common? they are all keen to recruit open university students and graduates.

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government funding schemes. Even if they earn more, partial funding may still be available and for many, their employer will sponsor their OU studies – particularly if the subjects are relevant to the organisation.

Open University graduates, too, are increasingly finding that employers view their qualification favourably as this recent comment demonstrates – “My application was definitely seen in a better light for having an OU qualification. 10 years ago they might not have been so interested but attitudes have changed. I expected the three person panel who interviewed me not to view my OU degree as favourably as an Oxbridge one, but this was definitely not the case”.

whAt ModulES do thE ou offER?

The Open University’s portfolio features supported open learning modules at all levels of higher education – from introductory programmes through to postgraduate masters and doctorate programmes. More than 580 courses are offered in subjects including arts and humanities; business and management; computing; education; engineering; environment; health and social care; information technology; law; mathematics; modern languages; science; social sciences; sport and fitness and technology.

The University is also adding to its range of foundation degrees, which are targeted at those in work who are seeking formal recognition for vocationally-focused learning.

visit www.openuniversity.co.uk/you or phone 0845 366 6054 to speak to an adviser

For more inFormation about the open university

www.opEnunivERSity.co.uK/you

* coRREct At thE tiME of going to pRESS

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whAt iS quAntity SuRvEying?

Quantity surveyors manage the costs of construction projects from initial design plans right through to the building’s completion. They also deal with the maintenance, renovation and demolition costs of buildings and facilities once they are in use.

Their main priority is to make sure that projects meet legal and quality standards and that clients get good value for money.

why bEcoME A chARtEREd quAntity SuRvEyoR?

n Because it is a great profession with a global perspective. If you have an eye for detail, enjoy problem solving and are interested in the built environment then read on…

n Because it is a secure profession. Demand for Chartered Quantity Surveyors currently exceeds supply and this shortage is forecast to continue.

n Because the financial rewards are considerable. The shortage of Chartered Quantity Surveyors means that there are plenty of opportunities for graduates to enter the profession. Once in the profession salary surveys have shown that, on average, Chartered Surveyors earn 15% more than their non chartered equivalents,

with average starting salaries as much as £24,000 rising to 35,000 in five years.

n Because it’s a varied and fun career. Chartered Quantity Surveyors are able to combine desk based work with opportunities to visit external premises and construction sites, and many are currently involved in the preparation for the Olympics in 2012.

n Because it offers great work life balance. No two days are the same and you won’t be sitting behind a desk all day.

why bothER with “chARtEREd”?

If you want to be the best surveyor possible, then you need to be chartered.

The best professionals like doctors or lawyers all belong to a relevant organisation just for them. Doctors to the British Medical Association and lawyers to the Law Society.

RicS iS A globAl oRgAniSAtion with:

n 140 000 members worldwiden 30 000 student membersn 500 RICS accredited degree coursesn 170 different specialist skills coveredn 138 years of representing surveyors

Employers and clients recognise ‘Chartered’ as the mark of quality within the profession.

Chartered status is the gateway to numerous job and career opportunities.

whAt do i nEEd to bEcoME A chARtEREd quAntity SuRvEyoR?

n Most new entrants pass a university degree on an RICS accredited course. They then undertake a two year post graduate structured training programme which provides the practical work experience required to supplement academic knowledge. Chartered status is achieved at the end of this period upon successful completion of the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC). Stretching yourself to achieve Chartered status is probably the best investment you will make in your career, both in monetary terms and professional status.

n There are also alternative routes to entry for mature candidates, holders of degrees t hat are not accredited by RICS and for candidates who do not have sufficient “A” level points to enrol on an RICS Accredited course.

wElcoME to thE woRld ofchARtEREd SuRvEyoRSIt’s the collective name for a group of careers with certain skills in common. In fact, chartered surveyors offer knowledge, skills and advice all around the world, on a surprisingly wide range of property issues. Not just on valuing people’s homes, but on major construction projects, farm property management, surveying the sea bed and even valuing 20th century collectables. Plus much, much more…

whAt iS SuRvEying?

foR MoRE infoRMAtion on chARtEREd quAntity SuRvEyoRS plEASE viSit ouR wEb-

SitE At www.RicS.oRg/cAREERS

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ENTRY ROUTES PLEASE VISIT OUR WEB-SITE ATwww.RicS.oRg/joinRicS/

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON qUANTITY SURVEYING AND CONSTRUCTION VISIT www.RicS.oRg/conSt

www.RicS.oRg/cAREERS 35

whAt got you intEREStEd in SuRvEying?My interest in land and property began at quite a young age. My father worked for a development company and used to take me with him to look at potential development opportunities and I found the whole idea of physically transforming a piece of land into something different very appealing; hence my desire to focus my career on development.

After completing a Land Management degree at Reading University in 2002, I began working for Drivers Jonas. whAt do you Enjoy MoSt About youR cAREER in SuRvEying?The variety of work that I do and the range of people that I get to meet is a highlight for me. One day I may be advising a limited company on the potential development value of a brownfield site and the next I could be scouring the countryside for a suitable location for a national sports club. I particularly enjoy the transactional element to my job and not just for the celebration after a good deal is done! whAt intERESting pRojEctS hAvE you bEEn involvEd in whilE AS SuRvEyoR?Gallions Park is one of the most interesting projects I’ve been involved with to date. It is set to be the first large-scale zero-carbon residential scheme in London and aims to provide the benchmark for sustainable development in the future. I’ve learnt a huge amount in terms of building design, construction and energy agreements as well as the importance of ongoing education to ensure

the development retains its zero-carbon status after completion. Reducing carbon emissions is a hot topic at the moment and an issue which both global leaders and the man on the street have an opinion about. It’s therefore very exciting to be so actively involved in such a pioneering development.

hAvE you woRKEd on Any intERnAtionAl pRojEctS oR obtAinEd Any ovERSEAS tRAvEl ExpERiEncE?Not in a work sense although I do love to travel and I spent three months in Australasia and the Far East prior to joining Drivers Jonas. whAt ARE youR futuRE cAREER AMbitionS? I want to help in progressing the sustainable development agenda throughout the property industry and ultimately help deliver high profile developments that I can be proud of. whAt doES RicS MEAn to you? The RICS is a very important organisation that provides support to its members at all levels. I was very proud to obtain my MRICS qualification and believe it is an important foundation on which to build your career.

holly hilliard, is a senior surveyor in the planning

and development department at drivers jonas,

based in the west End of london

cASE Study

“I was very proud to obtaIn my mrICs qualIfICatIon and belIeve It Is an Important foundatIon on whICh to buIld your Career”

Regular readers of W2G may remember the photo’s of two of the group (Radio Duo) in a previous visit to Manchester where they produced a short film to show other people about Creative Pathways and to demonstrate what they had learned and experienced. They went to Anthem TV Productions in Manchester to produce the final version of the film.

The Fantastic Five organised a variety of events including a visit to BBC Radio Tees to look at careers in radio broadcasting and social activities such as trampolining and bowling. The five young people were the first in the North East to gain their PEARL Awards, a new award being developed by Manchester College and Exeter University. The Personal Employability (Achievement and Reflection for Learning) designed to assess personal skills like planning, social behaviour, customer care, etc.

To celebrate the achievement of the group an evening cruise on the river in Durham City took place at the end of July. Guests included the families of the 5 students, the adults who they worked with, Alex Hill from BBC Radio Tees and Andy Pritchard from the PEARL Awards. Mr Pritchard presented their PEARL Award certificates and copies of the film.

36

Fantastic Five‘the fantastic five’ are the first group of young people to take part in the creative pathways project. the project, aimed at helping young people improve their life and work skills by planning and organising activities with the support of adults.

thE

“thE fAntAStic fivE oRgAniSEd A vARiEty of EvEntS including A viSit to bbc RAdio tEES to looK At cAREERS in RAdio bRoAdcASting And SociAl ActivitiES Such AS tRAMpolining And bowling”

www.hElp4tEEnS.co.uK

37

Connexions County Durham young people’s website www.help4teens.co.uk has won the ‘Best Youth Enterprise Website’ category at the 2008 North East Digital Awards.

The Awards, funded by One North East, celebrate the achievements of organisations that have used digital technology to best effect during 2007.

Help4 teens was developed with young people to enable them to find up to date, impartial information on a range of subjects to help them make the educational and life decisions as they plan for their future. It

has information on careers, education, qualifications, employment, training, health, relationships, travel, finances and much more. Other features of the site include a Virtual Library in which users can search an e-version of the Connexions Library.

A brand new Parents and Carers section of the website is currently in development. This will enable parents to have access to high quality information to support the decision making of their teen.

The help4teens site plays host to ‘County Durham 14-19 Area Wide Prospectus’ where users can search for courses and learning opportunities available throughout the area. This will eventually link to an online application process for all post 16 opportunities.

Earlier this year Abby Beattie form the Children’s Workforce Development Council (CWDC) contacted Connexions to ask us to host an event to gain the views of young people to inform the Incremental Review of the National Occupational Standards for ‘Health and Social Care’, ‘Children’s Care, Learning & Development’ and the ‘Learning, Development and Support Services’. CWDC wants to ensure that children and young people have an opportunity to have their say on projects where they is ‘room for change’, using activities to identify areas where developments can be made in the standards for the workforce by making changes and resolving any gaps Janet Stadius the Connexions County Durham: Young people’s Involvement Coordinator; drew together a group of 17 young people from throughout the county to meet with Abby and a colleague to undertake some fun activities and discussion groups on the key areas such as; the skills and qualities that they would expect in a personal adviser. Case studies were used to identify the support mechanisms that young people felt should be in place and the effectiveness of each. Nationally 131 young people have been involved in the consultation. CWDC will produce children and young people’s versions of the standards

connExionS SuppoRtconSultAtion with young pEoplE

bESt youth EntERpRiSE wEbSitE AwARd foR hElp4tEEnS!

“it hAS infoRMAtion on cAREERS, EducAtion, quAlificAtionS, EMployMEnt, tRAining, hEAlth, RElAtionShipS, tRAvEl, finAncES And Much MoRE”

www.hElp4tEEnS.co.uK

38

but fiRSt you nEEd A job. SoMEthing thAt, pREfERAbly, doESn’t involvE you SAying “do you wAnt fRiES with thAt?”

First, think about your skills and interests. It sounds naff, we know, but there’s no point slinging burgers if you’re a vegetarian or working at The Gap when you’re a goth. And nevermind that, what about once you’ve graduated? What are you going to do with that expensive degree and all the handy education you picked up?

Once you’ve identified your interests or a career path—no matter how gravelly or long that path may be—start by looking at which companies are leaders in their field. Ring up and identify whom within the company you need to speak with or mail your CV to.

Then, think carefully about why you want to join them, how you’d fit in, what skills you can offer them, and then research the organization.

BUT FIRST, HERE’S A qUICK PLAN OF ATTACK:

n Be brief in your cover letters. Nuff said.

n Think carefully about the job ad—read between the lines and consider what other skills may be required. Then address these in your research and preparation.

n Most large companies have a human

resources department that has a handle on all positions available. Call them first or find out who specifically within the company you need to talk to. But be on guard: people may sneakily interview over the phone so don’t get caught out.

n Use the right words for the job…make sure you’re familiar with the necessary lingo and technology terms.

n Be professional. Try to curb your use of slang, ummm’s and uh’s and yeahs. In other words, fake it.

n Keep a list of all the companies you have contacted, with the dates you’ve mailed out CVs or the names of the people (and their titles) who you spoke with and then…

n Follow up! Don’t trust anyone to get back to you. Hassle them after 1-2 weeks. But hassle them politely or risk

appearing desperate. Treat it like a date and play it cool but persistent.

n If you apply via the Web, ensure that all your contact details are correct, that you have a working email addy that you can check regularly and that you have attached all CVs properly and in a simple file type, such as Word or embed it in the actual email. Just make sure it looks okay. Some formatting comes out all screwy at the other end, so to be sure, try emailing it to a friend to double check. Oh, and avoid special characters like quotation marks. They tend to go all wonky.

And if that’s not enough to consider, you’ll also have to think about what type of work you want to do. Casual or part-time, temping, volunteer, teaching English in a foreign country, overseas placements or work experience here in the UK are all options.

Think about how much time you can spare, what you want to gain from the job, whether it’s for short or long term, if you want to do it here or overseas and if it fits in with your chosen career. Then go check out all the options. There are lots of possibilities out there, you just need to decide which to go after.

job huntingnEwSflASh! MonEy doESn’t gRow on tREES!

unless you were born with a silver spoon up your nose, chances are, you’re going to have work for your wedge. get used to it.

“thERE ARE lotS of poSSibilitiES

out thERE, you juSt nEEd to dEcidE

which to go AftER.”

then go get ‘em,

tiger.

39

“do you wAnt fRiES with thAt?”

Twenty two year old David Dolan is a specialist scientist who gets to spend all day working on a computer to solve puzzles about how our bodies grow old and stop working so well.

He sees his job as similar to playing a computer game, being creative and testing different equations to see why we age.

David’s research is called systems biology and one of the main topics he is studying is DNA repairing. He works from a masterplan of the body and analyses what breaks DNA and how the body fixes something when it gets broken.

He doesn’t just work in conjunction with scientists either. David’s projects involve collaboration with IT people and mathematicians to solve some of the puzzles.

To become a computer scientist David first did a BSc in Zoology and then specialised in Medical and Molecular Biosciences. He is currently studying for his Masters degree in this subject and will follow that with a Doctorate at Newcastle University’s Institute of Ageing and Health.

40 www.nEwcAStlESciEncEcity.coM

nEwcAStlE SciEncE city iS EncouRAging MoRE pEoplE to Study SciEncE And REAliSE how Exciting cAREERS in it cAn bE.

you may think a scientist has to wear a white coat and work in a lab.

“To become a compuTer scienTisT DaviD firsT DiD a bsc in Zoology

anD Then specialiseD in meDical anD molecular

biosciences”

thinK AgAin.

41www.nEwcAStlESciEncEcity.coM

Eleven year old Walker Technology College pupils had great food for thought with a Newcastle Science City themed lesson about food chains in the North Sea.

Organised by the Dove Marine Laboratory, the ‘Food for Thought’ interactive food webs game gives the pupils an idea of how food chains and webs are formed. It also lets them see the potentially catastrophic result of affecting even just one organism, plant or animal, in the system.

The pupils were given North Sea food web plant and animal cards, and asked each to be one of the organisms in the system, so they actually became the North Sea food web themselves, constructing it based on key facts on the back of each card.

By joining to each other, based on who eats who in the system, scenarios were then established and pupils had to work out the knock-on effects of removing just one organism from the food web.

wAlKER pupilS gEt food foR thought

The River Tyne was famous for shipbuilding and those workers’ grandchildren have followed their footsteps and learnt how to create seaworthy vessels at Walker Technology College.

Part of the school’s Newcastle Science City themed work, the Ship Shape project has taught the year 9 pupils aged 13 – 14 years old a whole range issues about ship design to increase their knowledge of physics in a very practical way.

Julie Bradley, the advanced skills teacher for science at Walker Technology College outlined the lessons, which have been devised and delivered by the Dove Marine Laboratory in Cullercoats.

She said: “The pupils learnt all about how the design of ships affects their stability, buoyancy and speed in the water. They then had to apply this theory into practice by designing and making their own ships, which were tested for efficiency by loading them up with cargo and looking at the effect of water resistance on each of their designs.”

“I love science and want to keep the children here interested in science so this type of project is ideal as it lets them see how it is relevant to their everyday life, not just in a laboratory.”

Ship ShApE pupilS

Are you a budding photographer? Would you like to win a trip to the Centre for Life’s Life Lab for your whole class and a top digital camera for yourself?

All you have to do is take a great picture of science and nature and write up to 150 words describing the science behind your photo – for example, you might take a rainbow and explain how the colours are made, or a plant’s stamen and say what they are used for.

There are 10 digital cameras to give away for the best photos, which will be judged by top photographer Roger Coulam, Newcastle Science City’s chief executive Peter Arnold and Anne Davies, science education specialist from Newcastle City Council.

Entries should be sent in via the Newcastle Science City website, where you will also find more information – www.newcastlesciencecity.com

SciEncE photocoMpEtition

big pRizES!

42

So whAt ARE thE SKillS thEy ARE looKing foR?

The CBI’s own assessment is there is a lack of work readiness. “Young people have had no experience of life in a working environment..... They cannot think for themselves.... They lack responsibility and don’t show any initiative....”

how will twEblo countER thESE opinionS? We have a consortium of fourteen partners capable and willing to work with students to bring to life what employability skills are all about. These are not lectures but very much practical workshops. The skills we can help with are:

n SElf EStEEM n confidEncE building n tEAMwoRK n pRoblEM Solving n coMMunicAtionn tiME MAnAgEMEntn pRESEntAtion tEchniquES n job SEARch n cAREER MAnAgEMEnt n indEpEndEnt lEARning n cREAtivity n EntERpRiSE.

TWEBLO has amongst its partners - sports clubs like Sunderland AFC Foundation and the Newcastle Eagles Community Foundation. They supply programmes for Primary School children to encourage a physically active life, healthy eating and anti-drug and smoking information as well as IT skills.

We have the experts who can work with whole classes or in smaller groups on projects ranging from post-16 engineering, to personal coaching, how to plan and present a presentation, interview skills or even modern foreign languages such as French, Spanish or German. Get tooled up for the Olympics 2012 when there are expected to be more foreign visitors in this region. We can also provide fashion and web design enterprise workshops. Whatever you want we have a project for you. These fully inclusive projects are available to all abilities and genders. All projects have business and industry professionals working with students.

A nEw AcAdEMic yEARAnd A nEw chAllEngE

twEblo is here to help you meet those challenges head on. the confederation of british industry (cbi) continues to say that the young people coming out of schools, colleges and universities with ample educational qualifications are still lacking in employability skills.

Work related learning coordinators contact me and i Will try my best to match you up With a partner.

www.twEblo.oRg

43

bRyAn AldERSon, opERAtionS MAnAgER, tynE & wEAR EducAtion buSinESS linK oRgAniSAtion (twEblo). tEl: 0191 5166 166;

fAx: 0191 5166 167 oR EMAil ME At: bRyAn.AldERSon@twEblo.co.uK

contAct:

www.twEblo.oRg

44

Employers have the chance to play an active role in energising youngsters for the world of work in a safe and creative environment.

The innovative development, the first of its kind in the UK, allows companies to interact with young people in flexible work spaces, and set real problem solving exercises to promote understanding of their sector.

The Work Place allows employers the opportunity to help shape the learning experiences of the youngsters that will use the centre.

Jane Ritchie, founder and the driving force behind The Work Place, said: “The Work Place has the potential be the most inspiring force for change among young people in the North East. Children need to understand the skills, attitudes and attributes that local employers need for their businesses to succeed and be competitive.

“The challenge of The Work Place is that it will enable employers to bring careers to life in an environment that can maximise influence on the potential future workforce whilst causing minimum disruption to businesses.

I want companies to visit The Work Place and ensure this building is a win-win resource for employers as well as for young people. As the Government’s new Diplomas start to become available to young people, work related learning experiences involving employers will become critical. Employers need to be at the forefront of this exciting learning challenge.”

Further information on The Work Place can be found at www.theworkplaceaycliffe.org

The Work Place is a brand new learning resource centre, which offers schools and training providers a chance to use realistic work scenarios and interact with businesses and entrepreneurs. Because it gives

organisations a chance to enthuse tomorrow’s workforce without disrupting today’s business, there is a great deal of business participation and involvement at different levels. The model for simulations is based on our HealthTec, developed in partnership with the Co Durham and Darlington Primary Care Trusts (NHS). Nurses, paramedics, path lab people etc help devise the scenarios and attend when possible, and the centre will also be used by them for staff training.

We also provide the space and resources for schools’ own scenarios, help build partnerships with business and training providers to customise the scenarios using our resources or provide experiences mapped to curriculum and facilitated by a range of organisations.

The Work Place provides a taste of real life employment for 14-19 year olds, giving them an idea of different careers and how their learning is relevant to the real world.

TWP is a wholly owned trading subsidiary of a charity, The Vocational Learning Trust (VOLT), and any profits generated will be used for vocational learning.

The Work Place

fuRthER infoRMAtion on thE woRK plAcE cAn bE foundAt www.thEwoRKplAcEAycliffE.oRg

“thE woRK plAcE hAS thE potEntiAl to bE thE MoSt inSpiRing foRcE foR chAngE

AMong young pEoplE in thE noRth EASt”

The scaffolding has now been sTripped back on The work place, a £5.5m cenTre on The aycliffe business park dedicaTed To giving children a more rewarding and inspiring experience of work relaTed learning.

45

To celebrate this first ever national week dedicated to apprentices, the LSC North East brought Vic back to his roots to visit employers across the region who are benefiting from the Apprenticeship Programme and to see first hand the wide range of skills on offer.

One of his ports of call was Locomotion, the National Railway Museum at Shildon, where he met up with David Allison, who was one of Vic’s trainers when he did a mechanical engineering Apprenticeship with South West Durham Training (SWDT), based in Newton Aycliffe, in 1975/76.

While with SWDT Vic, who worked for railway brake system and regulator manufacturer, SAB (Svenska Aktiebolaget Bromsregulator) at Aycliffe, won the Eaton Trophy for the best log book of the year.

SWDT currently has apprentices Callum Howe, 18, of West Cornforth, and Chris Watson, 17, and Craig Alderson, 21, both of Shildon, honing their skills at Locomotion four days a week. On Mondays they attend Bishop Auckland College doing the intermediate certificate in Engineering. They are about to embark on an NVQ in Performing Engineering Operations.

Chris Roberts, Regional Director, LSC North East, said: “It is great to see that these young apprentices are learning skills which are helping preserve our heritage. Apprenticeships can provide young people with a variety of skills from the more traditional, such as those needed by Locomotion, to more hi-tech applications.

“Apprenticeship Week is designed to celebrate the success of Apprenticeships and demonstrate their benefit to businesses of all shapes and sizes. Our ambition is to encourage more employers to take on apprentices and more young people to consider this career route as an option as it makes good economic sense.”

Vic Reeves, whose real name is Jim Moir, said: “It was fantastic to see David again and catch up on old times. Apprenticeships are even more relevant now than they were in my day because the need to invest in training is vitally important.”

David, who is now facilities and health and safety manager with SWDT, said: “It was lovely to meet up with Jim after all these years. I have keenly followed his progress on stage and on television and watched with interest his family history when he starred in the TV programme Who Do You Think You Are?”

The conservation workshop at Locomotion is funded by a grant from the European Social Fund and allows young people to develop their skills at the museum while helping to preserve the collection for future generations.

In the Sedgefield local authority area in 2006/07 364 people completed an Apprenticeship - a rate of nearly 70%. In County Durham as a whole more than 1,900 signed up to start Apprenticeships that year.

In the North East in 2006/07 7,940 people completed an Apprenticeship - a rate of more than 60%. This compares to just over 30% in 2003/04.

Vic ReeVesnorth East comedian and tv personality vic Reeves enjoyed a

‘big day out’ in the region experiencing how investing in training

is paying dividends for employers as part of the learning and

Skills council’s (lSc) Apprenticeship week.

“it wAS fAntAStic to SEE dAvid AgAin And cAtch up on old tiMES”

www.countyduRhAM14-19.co.uK.co.uK

on lEARning lAnguAgES: “Language learning presents a constant challenge and equips you with special skills you’ll always have. It’s not just about rote learning or true or false questions like some other subjects. I studied politics, history, literature, linguistics. I even did a class on Franco’s regime as part of a Cultural Studies course.

Learning languages becomes more interesting, more challenging and more satisfying over time. I now speak fluent French, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese and I am looking to pick up new languages in the future. I still get a buzz from French, and surprise myself when I come out with words I didn’t realise I knew. I still love it!”

on living AbRoAd:“During my degree I studied at the University of Bourgogne in France. I learnt Portuguese there: surreal but nice!

I love the absolute buzz you get from surviving in a foreign country and being independent. It’s a massive satisfaction. “

on looKing foR jobS:“I have just started working as a Graduate Research Assistant for a B2B market research company who were recruiting graduate linguists. The company specialises in legal and finance and are undergoing European expansion; my role will be to research and deal with clients in Europe. It goes to show that languages put you a step ahead of the crowd when looking for jobs. I once saw a poster advertising language degrees which said that it was easier to train a linguist in business skills than it is to teach French to a business specialist. I agree. “

And finAlly:“Overall, I believe languages take you further when you finish University, and to boot they are enjoyable, formative, and satisfying.”

lAnguAgES tAKE you fuRthERAre you unsure about language study? or where it might take you? don’t worry! Studying languages as a degree on its own, or alongside other subjects at university has never been so easy in the north East. plus, languages can help you land your dream job, increase your earnings, and keep your options open. we caught up with Elizabeth duffy for her views on learning portuguese in france, cultural studies classes, and her new job.

“lAnguAgE lEARning EquipS you with A SKill SEt you will AlwAyS hAvE.”

“…languages put you a step ahead of the crowd…”

“lAnguAgES will tAKE you fuRthER”

“i lovE thE AbSolutE buzz you gEt fRoM SuRviving in A foREign countRy”

Elizabeth studied:BA (Hons) Modern Languages (French, Spanish and Italian), Northumbria UniversityMA in Professional Translation for European Languages, University of Newcastle

47

“We want to make it as easy as possible for employers to get involved” explains Amanda Olvanhill, who manages Tees Valley Education Business Partnership (TVEBP).

“All employers however big or small can get involved in enhancing the education of the region’s young people and Education Business Partnerships can help to facilitate this, by brokering opportunities between employers and schools/colleges. Employers can get involved at varying levels, but all links are very valuable. ”

An employer might adapt their website to show young people the career routes into their organisation, deliver career talks or mock interviews in schools or colleges, demonstrate how they got their own business off the ground, support enterprise activities or science clubs, enhance aspects of Diplomas by offering work-based projects or host educational visits. However, many employers start their links with education by offering work experience placements.

Claire Hancock, the Work Experience Partnership Manager at TVEBP receives fantastic feedback from employers about the young people in the sub region and many are offered part-time jobs or apprenticeships, as a consequence of their placements. These are just a few of the comments we receive every month:

48

locAl EMployERS – hElping thE REgion’S young pEoplE to REAliSE thEiR potEntiAl!An exciting conference will bring together employers And educAtion.

The conference, organised by The Evening Gazette’s Education Group, will showcase some of the ways that employers enhance the school and college curriculum of young people by demonstrating the relevance of what is delivered in the classroom to the world of work and careers.

“wE wAnt to MAKE it AS EASy AS poSSiblE foR EMployERS

to gEt involvEd”

For more information email: aolvanhill@a4e.co.uk

For more information email: aolvanhill@a4e.co.uk 49

Jonathan (Cleveland PoliCe) “Good communication skills, a very pleasant young man, followed instructions with enthusiasm, hardworking and adapted well to new environments.”

Ben (Gazette Media)“impressed by Ben’s confidence,

excellent eye contact and a great

ambassador for the school.”

James (The Keys)“a credit to the school. he behaved impeccably and showed maturity beyond his years.”

Joshua (Judges hotel)

“Keen, polite and

approachable. a credit to

the school.”

AnnAbelle (Appleton Wiske pre-school)

“she has been an absolute star

– we could do with her next week.”

Lewis (Nike Uk Ltd)“A great personality, bright, polite and diligent. worked well with all staff he was a pleasure to have around.”

Education business linked programmes afford all parties involved huge benefits, young people can be inspired and are better informed of career routes, schools and colleges are able to offer an enhanced/enriched curriculum and employers are better informed about the latest developments in education, it can support their staff development programmes and promote their business to future employees / customers!

The Tees Valley Employer/Education Conference will take place on Thursday 6th November at Middlesbrough Football Club.

52

gEt A cAt if you’RE undER16!you can travel all day on all public transport in tyne and wear for just £1 if you have an u16 child All-day ticket (u16 cAt).

You’ll need to show your Under 16 Card to be able to buy the U16 single fare or U16 CAT – so if you haven’t got one, get an application form from any Nexus TravelShop or at nExuS.oRg.uK

the single child fare is now 50p, so use the u16 cAt as a return ticket – or make several journeys with it and save loads of money!

53

If you’re travelling by public transport in Tyne & Wear most days, and paying single adult fares, you’ll save loads of money by buying a pass instead. The best one to buy will depend on which type or types of public transport you use –

if you only uSE go noRth EASt buSES– If you’re in full time education at school or college, you can save a packet with a Get Around ticket from Go North East. Tickets are available for 1, 7 or 28 days (£2.50, £11 and £44 respectively), or 16 weeks (£150) - ideal for a term - from any PayPoint agent, online at www.simplygo.com or by phone on 0845 60 60 2 60. To buy a Get Around ticket, you’ll need a Get Around ID card. They are issued free and you can apply online at www.simplygo.com.

if you only tRAvEl on StAgEcoAch buSES – Be a Very Independent Person with an Under 19 VIP ticket. It’s for young people aged 18 and under in full-time education and is valid on all Stagecoach services in Tyne and Wear. You’ll need to show one of these forms of ID when you buy your VIP ticket, and when you use it – college ID, Teen Travel ID card or Under 16 Card. You can buy daily tickets (£2) and weekly tickets (£7) from the bus driver, or buy a monthly ticket (£28) at www.buymyvip.com.

if you only nEEd to uSE ARRivA buSES - This is for anyone aged 16 and over in full time education. The full academic year ticket costs £499 or save £100 by buying yours before 15 September. Tickets for autumn, spring and summer terms are also available and cost £189. Tickets can be bought in any Arriva Travelshop or online at www.arrivabus.co.uk/students.

only uSE MEtRo? All zone passes are available for one week at £8.50 or four weeks at £31. To buy one, fill out an application form and take some student identification to any Nexus TravelShop (valid for the current academic year) and some proof of age. You must be under 19 on 31st August to qualify. Find out more at www.nexus.org.uk/16-18msc.

if you uSE MEtRo And buS, oR buSES fRoM A couplE of diffEREnt coMpAniES – The Teen Travelticket is for 16 to 19 year olds, in full time, further education. Enjoy travel on most buses, the Metro, Sunderland to Blaydon rail line and the Shields Ferry all from only £1.35 a day – a saving of 25% on standard Traveltickets. You will need a current Teen Travel or college ID card to buy your ticket. Visit www.networkticketing.com for full details

And of course your new pass won’t just be valid for getting you to school or college – it’ll be even better value for money if you use it to get to your part-time job, go to the shops, meet up with your mates, go to the cinema……..

Have a look at www.how2get2.co.uk. It’s aimed at 16-18 year old students and gives you all this information plus loads more. It includes timetable information for buses, scholars services and Metro, as well as news items about public transport that are relevant to you. You can sign up to be sent an email if there are problems on Metro, or renew your Teen Travelticket or 16-18 Metro Student Card online. If you need to get somewhere you’ve not been before, use the online Journey Planner to help you get there.

foR MoRE infoRMAtion About thE Right ticKEt foR you – And foR how to gEt to whERE you wAnt to go – go to how2gEt2.co.uK

if you’RE 16 -18 And pAying buS And MEtRo fARES EvERy dAy – gEt A SEASon ticKEt!

hAvE A looK At www.how2gEt2.co.uK. it’S AiMEd At 16-18 yEAR old StudEntS And givES you All thiS infoRMAtion pluS loAdS MoRE

tRy lifE in AnothER lAnguAgE

A successful career relies more and more on excelling in language and communication, no matter what your field of work. Even David Beckham and Avril Lavigne use languages to enhance their careers. But can a university degree combine your passions, your fave subjects AND balance this with language studies? Here is our pick of just some of the courses that will keep you ahead of the game…and all at a uni near you!

blow dRAgon’S dEn out of thE wAtER…

e.g. Modern Languages with Management Studies: UCAS/Course Code R9N2 (Newcastle)e.g. International Business Management with French/German/Spanish: UCAS/Course Code N1R1 (Northumbria)e.g. Contemporary French/German/Spanish Language Studies with Business: UCAS/Course Code R1NC (Northumbria) e.g. Business Information Systems: UCAS/Course Code NG15 (Teesside)

Two simple steps to a truly international degree… Step 1: Choose a first language (normally French, German or Spanish). Step 2: Choose modules to enhance your business skills. These can include introductions to management, social science and information technology, or major business concepts. Simple! Then, to really enhance your degree, you can choose a second language at some universities (for example Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Portuguese, or Spanish at Newcastle) and in most cases your year abroad can be divided between two countries and be either a study or work placement, or both.

e.g. Computer Science- European Studies: UCAS/Course Code

G400 (Durham)

Spend two years progressing through IT modules, such as

Programming & Software Engineering, Computer Systems &

Applications, Foundations of Computing. Round off your course

with a year abroad in a partner EU institution.

RulE thE nEt, don’t juSt SuRf it…

Avril sings ‘girlfriend’ in 8 lAnguAges

Are you a budding dancer or a music fanatic? Always wanted to go into international business? Or, thinking of becoming a computer expert?

www.routesintolanguages.ac.uk54

Merge your passion for the Performing Arts with a European language! Study abroad for one or two semesters in universities all over Europe, from Finland to Portugal. These courses have additional teaching methods particular to their subject, such as role-plays, computer-assisted learning and video/multimedia presentations.

For Future showbiz superstars…

e.g. Dance with Media and French UCAS/Course Code W5 (Sunderland)e.g. Music with French/German/Spanish UCAS/Course Code W3 (Sunderland)

foR thE cultuRAl

jEt-SEttER…Humanities based degrees allow you to combine

language and different aspects of the arts – politics,

history, art, sociology, and more besides. Take a closer

look at what people thought, made and practised – and

their meaning and values in the past and today. Your

chosen uni will help you plan your year abroad in a

partner institution.*

e.g. Humanities with Spanish: UCAS/Course Code B03

(Open University)*

e.g. Modern Languages and History: UCAS/Course

Code RV91 (Durham)

e.g. Chinese/Japanese and Cultural Studies: UCAS/

Course Code TT41 (Newcastle)

nwww.ncl.ac.uk/undergraduate/degrees/a-z nwww.dur.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/ nhttp://northumbria.ac.uk/brochure/ nwww3.open.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/index.htm courses/ nwww.sunderland.ac.uk/study/coursefinder/index.php

nwww.tees.ac.uk/undergraduate_courses/

EvEn BEcks gavE

intErviEws in

spanish at rEal

Madrid

Feeling inspired? Take a closer look at the most recent uni prospectuses and websites for the latest courses, year abroad arrangements and entry grades. Unis want the best for their graduates; it’s no wonder languages are the way to go!

www.routesintolanguages.ac.uk

*OU does not have a campus as it is a distance learning institution

offering all the benefits of correspondence courses; study abroad

support may be limited.

e.g. Dance with Media and French: UCAS/Course Code W5 (Sunderland)e.g. Music with French/German/Spanish: UCAS/Course Code W3 (Sunderland)

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www.thewaytogoonline.co.uk

nEducAtion ncAREERS nlifEStylE