Glasgow Kelvin College

Glasgow Based Further Education College

Successes Through The Lens

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Sylvia Richardson amongst her photos

The Photography department at Glasgow Kelvin College are celebrating two major achievements during these complex times.

Past student Sylvia Richardson has just exhibited a series of images in her exhibition "Mackintosh" at Queens Cross Church in Maryhill.  The portfolio of interiors from The Glasgow School of Art came about directly from a project shot during her time at legacy North Glasgow College in 2011.  These beautiful images carry even more value not since the sad destruction of the building in the recent fire. The exhibition was visited by people from around the globe and generated several newspaper pieces as well as a television interview.

We’re delighted to help Sylvia celebrate her success!

And a great achievement by a current HND year 1 Photography student - Pawel Budzinski has made it as a featured entry in the LensCulture Street Awards 2020.  Pawel studied his NQ at our Easterhouse campus before embarking on the HND programme at Springburn.  The image of his daughter caught the judges attention and Pawel is delighted to have made such an impact so early in his career.

All staff in the Photography department are very proud of the achievements of these hard working students.

photograph of statue
Pawel Budzinski's photo of children

Glasgow Kelvin College Coronavirus Update – Students

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The health and safety of our students and staff is our top priority, so in the current circumstances Glasgow Kelvin College has taken the decision to suspend all face-to-face teaching by 4pm today Tuesday March 17, 2020. Students over 70, those who are pregnant and those who have high risk and underlying health conditions should return home and continue their studies at home where possible with immediate effect.

Students showing symptoms suggestive of coronavirus - a fever or a temperature of above 37.8°C, a persistent cough - should stay at home for seven days and only contact NHS 111 or their local GP if their symptoms worsen during that period. Students who are members of a household where someone has suspected symptoms should stay at home for 14 days.

This action is being taken as a precautionary measure to safeguard our students and staff. At present, we anticipate that these arrangements will be in place until after the Easter break but this is a rapidly evolving situation and we will continue to review our plans. We fully understand that you will have concerns about the impact this will have on your studies, and wish to reassure you that we are working closely with all relevant agencies to provide the very best response possible. It is important that students keep up-to-date with the college via our online learning platform, website and social media for the very latest information.

We are continuing to follow advice from the Scottish and UK Governments and the relevant health authorities to safeguard our staff, students and visitors from the risk of Coronavirus. It is vitally important that you continue to follow the advice provided by the Governments and public health agencies to keep yourself and others protected.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people/guidance-on-social-distancing-for-everyone-in-the-uk-and-protecting-older-people-and-vulnerable-adults

Please note, this is an evolving situation and the above information may be subject to change. Updates will be posted on the college's website and social media whenever available.

College Welcomes Minister to Meet Students

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MPs with staff members

Minister for Skills Jamie Hepburn joined with local Glasgow North East MP, Anne McLaughlin to visit Glasgow Kelvin College’s Springburn Campus recently.

Recognising the potential of the College’s trailblazing ‘inclusive employment’ pilot project based on the best practice of Lemon Tree Hotels in India to align with policy aims, the Minister met with Principal, Derek Smeall and students from several departments to discuss progress with the UKIERI-funded programme and several other inclusion projects which the College is championing.

Several of the staff participating in the visit had been involved with the India project, travelling there in 2018 and 2019 to meet the remarkable paid trainees at Lemon Tree Hotels.  Many of these employees have additional support needs and play a significant and valuable role within the organisation and the hospitality industry as a whole.

Glasgow Kelvin College is looking to work with hospitality industry partners here in Scotland to establish a programme of accredited qualifications and support which will help to kick-start a similar initiative at home.

The party were delighted to meet with students from the College’s NQ Pathways to Employment Skills and NQ Skills for Learning, Life and Work, both of which focus

on personal development and workplace skills.  Students from HN Jewellery Design and Manufacture were also keen to invite both Anne and Jamie in to their workshops to see the creative process.

Derek Smeall, Principal, said;

“We’re thrilled to welcome both the Minister and our local MP, Anne McLaughlin, back to Glasgow Kelvin College to discuss the pioneering work being done to address inclusion, skills and sustainable employment for people with additional support needs.  In addition, we are delighted that our students have been able to share their work and experience with our guests.  We look forward to updating them later in the year with positive news about the success of our initiatives.”

Jamie Hepburn Minister for Skills said:

“The Scottish Government is committed to inclusive growth that benefits the wellbeing of Scotland’s population.

I am delighted that Glasgow Kelvin College is delivering opportunities to increase access to work-based learning for those from underrepresented groups. The stories I heard demonstrate the incredible resilience, determination and talent that employers can benefit from when they recruit a diverse workforce.”

Local MP, Anne McLaughlin, added;

“I am so proud that Glasgow Kelvin College based in the heart of my constituency is leading the way on this in Scotland. The way in which Lemon Trees Hotels in India has committed to being an inclusive employer in the very real sense of the word is nothing short of inspirational. They could have ensured that there were interpretation services available for members of staff with a hearing impairment but they go way beyond that and ensure every single staff member learns sign language.

They demonstrate that disabilities and learning disabilities need not prevent someone from playing a full part in their society and making the contribution to the economy that we all want to make. The relationship between the college and Lemon Tree Hotels is exciting and I can’t wait to see what happens here in Scotland.”

MPs and staff
staff member talking about experience
staff member with Jamie Hepburn

News From Throughout The Week

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We have had a few good news items this week, with collaborating with our Indian partners and and award winning sports department and of course updates on what some of our students have been up to.

Read on to find out more.

A Week Of Joinery Experience


Cody Kerr from NPA Joinery group at EEC is attending a weeks work placement with ENGIE at their Kennishead site for GHA.

He has been working with the joiners from JBS joinery carrying out first fix activities.

The photos is of Cody with Engie Site Manager, Thomas Boyle.

Cody with Site Manager, Thomas Boyle

Visit To HERON BROS Site


ERC Schools SfW Construction level 4 group from Springburn Campus visited the HERON BROS site in Eaglesham to look at the site and see how things are done.

Thanks Iain from HERON BROS for an excellent session

Bring on the Work Based Challenge!

students listening to worker
students looking at scaffolding
students on site visit

Keenan Award For Endeavour Winner


GKC Civil Engineering student Leanne Lindsay was one of the proud recipients of the 'Keenan Award for Endeavour' last week at the Scottish Parliament.

Leanne was one of a number of GKC students who took part in Constructionarium Scotland last term, and the award was to recognise her efforts during the event.

Constructionarium Scotland is now being re-branded as ConStructEd and GKC will continue our involvement, which stretches back 13 years.

From the ConStructEd facebook page:

"What a great night to celebrate what was achieved by our students during 2019 with our inaugural 'Keenan Awards for Endeavour' along with our collaborative universities, industry partners and friends. Many thanks to to Fiona Hislop MSP who sponsored our reception within the Scottish Parliament, Holyrood Edinburgh and everyone that has supported us over the years.

As with our industry, we continue to adapt and evolve. The opportunity that we have taken to rebrand our experiential learning proposition as ConStructEd Scotland will see us creating new projects including a mobile project to reach out to more rural colleges and schools."

The award was named for Brian Keenan, recently retired Director of Constructionarium Scotland, and former Business Development Manager at Stow College.

ConStructed Scotland leaflets
ConStructEd Scotland Team and Award Winners
Group shot of

MADE For The Awards


MADE: The Academy for Modern Barbering  are delighted to announce we have entered the 'Scottish Hair and Beauty Awards' within the category of 'Best Training School'.

This title is won by public vote and we would appreciate a vote from anyone who has been involved with the academy in anyway - a student, a client, member of the public supporting a family member or friend through training or just followed our story enjoying our training ethos and success.

Fingers at the ready - Voting opens on Monday 16th March 20 and closes 30th April 20 - to vote follow this link and click on VOTING link

www.scottishhairandbeautyawards.com

We appreciate every vote with a huge MADE thanks!

Poster for SHABA award
close up of scissors and combs
MADE barbers

Inspirational Women Receive Community Achievement Awards


The incredible journeys of nine inspiring women from the southside of Glasgow were recognised by Scotland’s First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon during a special International Women’s Day Event, at Pollokshaws Burgh Hall on Friday 6th March.

All nine women who received a Community Achievement Award from Glasgow Kelvin College have overcome incredible challenges, such as domestic abuse, addiction, financial hardship and isolation. With support from charity Children 1st and each other they are using the skills and confidence they have gained from their experiences to give back to other families in their local communities.

As well as hearing from First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, guests also heard from River City Actress Libby McArthur, and Anne Hughes from Sunny Govan Radio and enjoyed entertainment from the Rays of Hope Choir and the Scottish Bhangra Mascot Dancers and Dhol Drummers. Event sponsors included: Greggs, Collins Debden, Allbeauty.com, Glasgow Health and Social Care Partnership, The Sarwar Foundation.

Read the full article on our site HERE

Group shot of first minister with award winners
Nicola Sturgeon and Kirsty MacDonald
Kirsty MacDonald with award winner

Lemon Tree Hotels diversity Experience


Glasgow Kelvin College welcomed Ms Aradhana Lal, Vice President - Brand, Communications & Sustainability Initiatives at Lemon Tree Hotels Ltd., who was invited to speak at this year’s Scottish Tourism Conference on the Lemon Tree Hotels diversity experience.

Lemon Tree is India’s third largest hotel chain operating 80 hotels in 48 destinations with 8,000 rooms and over 8,000 employees. The hotel group is a global leader in the training and employment of people with additional support needs.

A long-time international partner of the College, Aradhana Lal contributed her knowledge and experience to a pilot training programme, funded by UKIERI, to be run by Glasgow Kelvin College which will use the Lemon Tree Hotels inclusion initiative as a model of best practice.  The initiative provides paid training and employment opportunities in the hospitality sector for people with additional support needs.

At the conference, she outlined the benefits of this model to the employer organisation, the trainees, other employees and to society as a whole.

For the full story see HERE.

First Minister with GKC and UKEIRA representatives

Sustainable Activities


Next week, don’t miss out our FREE Dr Bike sessions at Glasgow Kelvin College

Our Dr Bike sessions are back next week!

As per usual, these sessions will provide students, staff and the local communities with the opportunity to get a FREE safety checks on their bikes by skilled mechanics.

  • Tuesday 17th March – West-End campus – 11–1, near the cycle shelter - in collaboration with Lambhill Stables – more info here
  • Wednesday 18th March – Springburn campus – 11.30–1.30, near the cycle shelter - in collaboration with Bike for Good – more info here

More sessions will take place on the other campuses in May 2020.

Everyone welcome!

To get more information, follow us on Twitter @GkcSustain and on Facebook @sustainGKC.

 

Let’s be active at GKC!

Due to the success of our previous Social Ride and Health Walk, we decided to run more of those activities in March!

Join us on Monday 23rd March at 12pm at Springburn campus to take part in our Health Walk or to join our fun Social Ride.

A lunch and some refreshments will be provided from 1pm at the Velocity Cycle Hub and will be offered to all the participants and to everyone who cycled or walked to the College!

Look forward to seeing you all!

technician working on bike

Clients Required For Lunchtime Beauty Salon


Level 5 Beauty & Make Up students are running a lunchtime open salon in our Springburn Campus, on Thursdays at 12.15pm

Treatments being offered are:

  • Dermalogica Facial
  • Eye Lash or Brow Tint
  • Make up
  • Manicure
  • Gel Polish

All treatments £3

Contact dcunninghambrown@glasgowkelvin.ac.uk to book

Poster for beauty salon

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That's us finished for this week, but the Blog will be back next Friday, so if you would like to include anything please email the details to Tracey on tborland@glasgowkelvin.ac.uk and we will makes sure it is put in.

Have a great weekend!