Magazine - Bridgwater College
Transcription
Magazine - Bridgwater College
Land-based learning at Bridgwater College Work on the wild side www.bridgwater.ac.uk Hear all about Equine straight from the horse’s mouth With the students of countryside management Careers in Floristry A world of sport cannington golf club at bRiDgWatER collEgE 9 Hole Golf Course • Driving Range • Pro Shop Clubhouse • Membership deals • ‘Pay & Play’ PGA Professional Tuition. Pay us a visit! find us on facebook and twitter for all the latest news and special offers. t: 01278 655050 E: [email protected] W: canningtongolfcentre.co.uk cannington golf centre, Rodway, cannington, ta5 2lS. 1 Bridgwater College • Live it, love it, learn it Welcome Contents 31 The land-based, sport and services sector is very much at the forefront of public awareness these days, particularly with popular programmes such as Countryfile and major events including the London Olympics serving to highlight some of the issues facing the industry and society at the present time. But what is less well-known is that this burgeoning industry is facing a massive skills shortage that could jeopardise its future, with an estimated 250,000 new entrants required by 2020. And this is where our new publication on life in the land-based, sport and services sector comes in, bringing you a unique insight into the wide range of opportunities on offer to people willing to devote time, energy and commitment to their training. Here at Bridgwater College in Somerset we are proud of our varied curriculum; one that will prepare our students for roles to address these various skills gaps, and which includes disciplines such as agriculture, floristry, animal care, landscaping and veterinary nursing, to name but a few. Our excellent training offer is supported by facilities and commercial resources that are unparalleled in the region, including a dairy farm, medieval walled gardens which also serve as a visitor attraction, high ropes activity centre, golf course, commercial sports facilities and much more. We are unreservedly focused on ensuring that our students reach the end of their training equipped with the competencies that will enable them not only to progress into relevant employment, but to do so with a mind-set that they have a key role to play in changing the shape of the industry. For this reason, we have developed excellent links with local, regional and national businesses to ensure that our curriculum is in line with employer requirements and fully embraces new knowledge and technologies. Agriculture: 60,000 pairs of boots to fill 3 Floristry: Budding creatives 9 Fisheries Management: Net worth 13 Animal Management: Animal attraction 17 Horticulture: The power of plants 21 Equine: From the horse’s mouth... 27 Arboriculture: Learning the ropes 31 Countryside Management: Work on the wild side 35 Sports: Game on... 39 Public Services: More than the blue light services... 43 Life while learning... 47 So if you are looking for a career which takes you away from an office desk into the great outdoors, in a sector that seeks to enhance the quality of life for everyone, then we might just have the training programme for you. We guarantee you a learning experience in a highly supportive environment, with teaching by experienced, enthusiastic and awardwinning staff: one which has been graded by Ofsted as outstanding. Read on to discover more about how you could make a difference to the world we live in. Follow us on Jeremy Kerswell, Head of Land-based, Sport & Services Bridgwater College For more information, visit the website: Find us on Thanks to all our students, former students, staff and employers who have contributed to this guide – we really value your input and support. www.bridgwater.ac.uk Click here for a short film on agriculture 60,000 PAIRS OF boots to fill Future farmers walk this way... Like many professions, farming often suffers from a negative stereotype. Yet the traditional view of farming as a way of life that is inefficient and outdated is gradually evolving into one which is associated with innovation and new technology. The creativity and innovation brought to a wider audience through TV programmes such as Jimmy’s Farm and Countryfile is totally rebranding the image of the agricultural industry and generating huge interest in the opportunities it offers. Nevertheless, a serious dilemma still faces the industry; the average age of a farmer is now 58 and, astonishingly, half of all farmers do not have an obvious successor in place. This is clearly excellent news for those drawn to the industry with no prospect of inheriting their own farm, but it also means that agriculture is now one of the top ten areas of study most likely to lead to employment. Over 150,000 agriculture businesses are currently looking for staff, and industry experts estimate that 60,000 new recruits will be required over the next decade alone. Those who have formal qualifications are likely to find employment most quickly, and it is here that the training programmes provided by colleges such as Bridgwater have an important role to play. The College’s 180-hectare training resource, Rodway Farm, is one of the leading providers of agricultural training and education in the country and has recently 3 Bridgwater College • Live it, love it, learn it undergone a £2 million investment in a bid to also position itself as one of the foremost dairy farms in the South West region. An emphasis on practical skills is very much in evidence as the students manage the day to day operations of the farm under the watchful eye of Programme Manager Robert Giles. As Robert explains, “While the majority of our students do have farming connections, this doesn’t automatically make them better farmers than those without. The industry needs people with strong interpersonal and communication skills who combine practical ability with business acumen and who can apply logical thinking to the implementation of the latest technology. And while it is obviously helpful to be in line to inherit the family farm one day, there are easily enough vacancies in the industry today to support real growth in vocational training.” The key driver for growth is undoubtedly the need for sustainable food production; as the world population continues to increase, there are genuine concerns that eventually there won’t be enough food to go round. Robert says, “Technological Robert Giles “There are easily enough vacancies in the industry today to support real growth in vocational training.” Robert Giles, Bridgwater College For more information on agriculture courses, visit the website: www.bridgwater.ac.uk “There’s a good programme of social, sporting and fundraising activities – we even have our own Young Farmers’ Club.” Kyrin Wiggins, Agriculture student Kyrin Wiggins Ben Wilcox, former Agriculture student advancement is critical in improving the speed and volume of food production, while at the same time maintaining food safety standards and promoting positive animal welfare and good environmental practice. Milking parlours have become fully mechanised, tractors are equipped with GPS – everything works much more efficiently. Automation is removing the jobs at the lowest level - shovelling and sweeping, for example - and the industry has become much more specialist. Now that employees require a much higher level of skills than previously, the right qualifications and experience mean the world could be your oyster.” Ben Wilcox, a former student currently working in the sales team at machinery specialists T H White of Frome, listened carefully to that advice. After completing his agriculture course at College in 2008, he went to New Zealand to gain some solid work experience with an agricultural contractor, before studying Agriculture with Mechanisation at university. He said, “Looking back, I can see that I really benefited from my training at College. The practical learning experience, coupled with the knowledge and skills I acquired, put me in a fantastic position to work overseas, and consolidating my learning at university was instrumental in securing my current role.” 5 Bridgwater College • Live it, love it, learn it Courses at the College cater for students at all levels, from apprenticeships right through to degree-level study, and students follow one of two main pathways: livestock - which includes dairy, beef, sheep, pigs and poultry or mechanisation and arable - comprising mechanical operations plus crop production covering crops such as winter wheat, maize, Italian ryegrass and red clover. The students learn their trade in the Farm’s high welfare facilities, which include a milking parlour showcasing the latest computerised monitoring systems, enabling maximum performance from the 250 strong Holstein herd. There is also a sheep enterprise of 250 ewes and a computerised flock recording programme monitors lambing performance to improve production. Finally, a small and varied beef enterprise enables students to compare growth rates and learn classification skills. The surrounding land provides plenty of opportunities to practise the skills of ploughing, drilling, mowing, fertiliser application and harvesting, and several hectares are set aside for student trial plots. The students also have an opportunity, as part of their course, to study additional qualifications such as tractor, forklift and ATV driving, pest control and pesticides and habitat management, as well as business and marketing skills. Many of the full-time students opt to take up onsite accommodation at the College, as Kyrin Wiggins explains: “Resident students are much better placed for the rather anti-social activities of early morning milking and midnight lambing! It’s all part of the course, and I think living on campus contributes to team building and bonding. There’s a good programme of social, sporting and fundraising activities we can join in with - we even have our own Young Farmers’ Club - and I have represented the College at a number of agricultural shows and events such as Lambing Sunday, held at Rodway Farm in March each year.” The South West has the largest number of agricultural businesses in the UK, and the College is therefore well placed to forge excellent links and supportive partnerships with key players in the industry. These relationships enable it to offer seasonal, temporary and voluntary work placements to students, often with good remuneration packages for the right candidates, and sometimes including benefits such as accommodation, vehicles or access to farm produce. Terry Miller, of Stogursey Farm, has been associated with the College for a number of years. Both of his sons studied at Bridgwater; elder son Paul studied A Levels before progressing to Harper Adams University College to take a degree course, and younger son Simon completed the National Diploma in Agriculture at Cannington before achieving an HND in Agriculture, also at Harper Adams. Terry also now employs two former agriculture students from the College. For more information on agriculture courses, visit the website: www.bridgwater.ac.uk Have you heard about our new bursary scheme for agriculture students? Funded by local employers, it could provide you with £500 a year and a work placement! Turn to page 48 for more details. Factfile Hours: 40 hours+ per week, including weekends Starting salary: £12,000 Earning potential: £50,000 Career paths could include: farm worker, arable worker, shepherd, herdsperson, tractor driver, sprayer operator, combine driver, farm secretary/administrator, herd manager, farm manager, estate manager, researcher, consultant, teacher. Skills needed Aptitude and a passion for science and the environment, strong communication skills, the ability to be methodical and organised, a down to earth manner, a willingness to work in all weathers, strength of character, motivation, dedication. He explains, “Both of my sons progressed to higher education thanks to the College, but Simon’s experience was particularly relevant to his needs and his chosen career path. As well as a good practical grounding in farming practice, he received excellent training in the financial management of a farming enterprise which has proved invaluable now that he is a partner in the family business. I have also been delighted with the work of my two former College students; with such a diverse range of activity on the farm – dairy, pigs and arable – a degree of flexibility is essential in order to cope with the heavy workload and these employees came to me well-equipped to rise to the challenge. Although it was still a steep learning curve for them, they have adapted very well and I would definitely consider taking on other students from the College, when circumstances allow.” Working very closely with employers like Terry, is the College Farm Manager, Steve Jones. Steve has worked at the College for five years and during that time he has forged some incredibly important relationships with key players in the industry, on a local, regional and national level. Companies include Micronbio-systems, Hawkins Agri, Hambleys, Robert Wiseman Dairies, 7 Bridgwater College • Live it, love it, learn it “Our leavers are able to demonstrate high standards of husbandry, sound business practice and profit making potential.” Robert Giles, Bridgwater College Digi-Star, DeLaval and Uniform-Agri, to name just a few. He has also helped secure many awards for the farm including the prestigious Dairy Forage Award in 2011, presented by Mole Valley Farmers. He explains, “We are preparing students for what the industry will require. We push them to see what is achievable in the future, rather than simply focusing on what is being done in the present. The past is only good for realising the mistakes you made. You have to look to the future and consider where the industry is going.” With this in mind, Steve has driven the £2 million of recent improvements to the farm, including equipping it with computerised monitoring and recording systems for the dairy and sheep units. He has ensured the farm is involved in several scientific trials with industry and university partners, and has also helped establish a ‘Future Farmers’ group, which will help identify future research opportunities. He is also considering additional technologies to use on the farm, such as robotic dairying and the installation of wind turbines and solar PV cells. It has also just been announced that a further £4 million is to be invested into building a new bespoke teaching facility at the Farm, complete with a 24 bed accommodation block, classrooms, seminar rooms and a food technology lab. So at Bridgwater College, it is clear that students are being taught the future of farming, and acquiring the knowledge and skills needed to transform agricultural businesses and tackle head-on the issues farmers are set to face. Robert Giles summarises, “The thing that really sets us apart here at Bridgwater College is our commitment to preparing our students for the world of work. Our leavers are able to demonstrate high standards of husbandry, sound business practice For more information on agriculture courses, visit the website: and profit making potential. They are the ones with the huge responsibility of implementing new and innovative ideas, skills and technology. They are the ones who will help take the sector forward to a position of success.” Bridgwater College offers agriculture courses on a full and part-time basis for students aged 16 and upwards, at its centre in Cannington. For more information call 01278 441234 or visit www.bridgwater.ac.uk Useful links: www.nfyc.org.uk www.lantra.co.uk www.fwi.co.uk www.bridgwater.ac.uk “It’s not an exaggeration to say that joining a class like this can be a completely life changing experience for many students.” Jacqui Weaver, Bridgwater College Floristry is a word which, for many, conjures up images of uninspiring talks in dusty church halls and clichéd leisure classes for ladies who lunch. Yet in a light and airy building in the historic and picturesque setting of Cannington, a group of full-time floristry students are setting up their studios for a day of teaching and assessment. 9 Bridgwater College • Live it, love it, learn it Fresh flowers have been delivered, the coffee is brewing and the atmosphere among the group is warm and friendly. Recent school leavers sit alongside career changers, mugs in hand, chatting energetically about the new designs for the College window displays. Programme Manager Jacqui Weaver explains, “Factors like redundancy or the children leaving home often prompt people to re-evaluate what they really want out of life, and floristry is a subject that seems to hold great appeal for those seeking a second career. For others, it’s a chance to express themselves creatively via a new hobby or, for school leavers, the opportunity to embark on a career that combines a love of nature with plenty of customer interaction. We learn in a very sociable and supportive environment which is also creative and absorbing, and it’s not an exaggeration to say that joining a class like this can be a completely life changing experience for many students.” Jacqui speaks from experience; she was a student at the College herself 10 years ago and, wanting to pass on her passion for floristry to others, progressed into teaching. “I recognised that often employers simply don’t have the time to train their staff; they are usually small businesses with five staff or fewer, and they need skilled employees from the outset. We prepare our students to hit the ground running; we focus on real life work experience, such as preparing bouquets For more information on floristry courses, visit the website: for weddings, designing centrepieces for corporate functions and dressing stage sets or window displays. We challenge the students by regularly attending and competing in national competitions like The Chelsea Flower Show and the World Skills events, and we also visit suppliers and enterprises in places as far afield as Holland, without overlooking the fantastic resource we have on our doorstep - The Walled Gardens. And the results speak for themselves – this year, we www.bridgwater.ac.uk Factfile Hours: 30 - 40 per week (including weekends) Starting salary: £16,000+ Earning potential: £25,000 Floristry student Lucy Gowar had a 100% pass rate across the board, and on the Level 2 programme, all but one of our 19 students passed with Distinction, which is an incredible achievement.” Yet while the students on this programme are clearly enjoying themselves, it must be said that floristry is not for the faint-hearted. The work can be physically challenging, the hours are long and often anti-social, and the industry is extremely competitive. Entrants needs to be fantastic multi-taskers, prepared to combine technical and creative skills with strong business acumen, excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work under pressure. Designing and creating beautiful displays is just the tip of the iceberg; the foundations are based on effective sales and marketing, as well as outstanding customer care and perceptive and profitable merchandising. The floristry industry itself is relatively buoyant in the UK, “I knew what I wanted to achieve with the business, but I was in a hurry to learn and the College course gave me an intensive step up to the techniques and styles I wanted to perfect.” Lucy Gowar, Floristry Student with over 8,000 businesses employing around 17,000 people. Yet there are challenges ahead, with a growing trend for internet sales posing a threat to traditional retail outlets, which means that retailers have to be willing to diversify into gifts and lifestyle products. Supermarkets, garden centres and petrol stations are using their bulk buying power and their ‘all under one roof’ approach 11 Bridgwater College • Live it, love it, learn it to add to the competition, so that now only half of all cut flowers sold are via traditional florists. However change is not always a bad thing. Jacqui says, “I think some of the current changes will present really exciting and varied options for entrants; event decorating is one area in particular in which we have seen huge growth, due to influences from America. Hotels and entertainment venues have finally recognised that floral art is a specialist skill and tend to outsource much more frequently than they used to. We are also seeing more interest in craftorientated decoration, and a wider use of much more environmentally friendly products, despite the higher price tag. Perhaps the most significant change is that people nowadays have a far greater awareness of air miles and fair-trade products and actively seek local flowers, which is great news for anyone working in the industry.” One of the current group of students, Lucy Gowar, has been quick to respond to these trends and has developed the plans for her business, Sweet Cicely, accordingly. Keen to specialise in sustainably grown English flowers, she found that there were some gaps in her knowledge base she quickly needed to fill. She explains, “I knew what I wanted to achieve with the business, but I was in a hurry to learn and the College course gave me an intensive step up to the techniques and styles I wanted to perfect. Jacqui supported me in implementing my ideas and my small business has now expanded to the internet with the result that I am now fulfilling orders on a national scale.” Back to the classroom, and thoughts are turning to the annual Bridgwater Flower Show. The event dates back over 100 years and is one of the largest in the area, attracting hundreds of entries, and it gives the students a chance to showcase their skills at a local level. Show Secretary, and advisor to the College on curriculum development, Jackie Sealey, is delighted by the participation of the local college. She says, “The floristry students always impress me. Our event is in the summer holidays, when you wouldn’t expect the group to be around, yet they always get involved and we have even created two special classes for them within the show. It’s a fantastic opportunity for them to showcase their talents against tough competition, and it really enhances their learning experience. Over the years we have seen numbers grow and the quality of the entries improve, which demonstrates to me that Bridgwater College is really helping to shape the future of floristry in the region.” Bridgwater College offers floristry courses on a full and part-time basis for students aged 16 upwards, and has centres in Cannington and Yeovil. For more information call 01278 441234 or visit www.bridgwater.ac.uk Useful links www.lantra.co.uk www.britishfloristassociation. org Career paths could include: florist, floral designer, business owner, demonstrator, display designer, window dresser, corporate event specialist, sales/telesales and admin staff, floristry manager, shop manager, judge, buyer, researcher, teacher. Skills needed Creativity and artistic flair, an understanding of the properties and needs of different plants and flowers, the ability to explain your ideas to customers, good practical skills, patience, a helpful, pleasant and tactful manner, an understanding of gross and net profit and how to control costs and the ability to work under pressure, often alone. In September 2012, the floristry studios were relocated to a bespoke new facility at the Brian Galloway Buildings on the main site at Cannington. For more information on floristry courses, visit the website: www.bridgwater.ac.uk Click here for a short film on fisheries management “It’s a simple fact that over 1 billion people, mainly in developing countries, rely on fish as their primary source of animal protein. The concern now is that there is no longer enough fish to go round, and unless we act quickly we’ll be faced with a massive problem on a global scale. With whole communities potentially at risk, the need for sustainable aquaculture has never been more important.” Those are the sobering words of Iain Turner, Programme Manager for the fish husbandry and management programmes at the College since they were re-introduced into the curriculum in 2009. He explains, “A love of angling is generally what brings young people onto this course, but they very quickly realise the enormous breadth and width of the subject and the range of employment opportunities available within the industry. The notion that they can study their favourite hobby as a full-time subject is often a complete revelation to them, and their parents!” 13 Bridgwater College • Live it, love it, learn it Iain trained in fisheries management himself, and has worked in the industry for almost 30 years. His experiences at one of the first Sea Life centres in the 1990s and, subsequently, the Environment Agency have convinced him that there is an urgent need for improved public education on the subject. He says, “An increase in regulation over the past fifteen years has led to many changes in the industry. For example, the Animal Health Directive requires that fish receive the same treatment and protection to which livestock are already entitled. And fish-related businesses now need to be registered, with properly trained staff - you’ll notice that aquariums are no longer the preserve of zoos, and are regularly seen in hotels, restaurants and theme parks. On top of that, the retail trade is booming, with increasing numbers of specialist shops and retail outlets. And then of course there is the issue of fish as a threatened resource; as sea fish stocks become depleted, fish farming increases in importance. Sustainable fisheries are a key priority for global food security For more information on fisheries management courses, visit the website: – illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing is still the greatest threat worldwide to fish stocks, marine biodiversity and to the livelihoods and food security of coastal communities.” www.bridgwater.ac.uk Students starting on the course at Bridgwater College will be totally unaware of many of these issues, so the programme initially concentrates on practical activity. Today, the group has been netting the stock pond on the College Estate, improving the habitat while reducing the threat of overcrowding. This activity has also enabled the group to carry out some highly important fish identification and grading activity. Later they will relocate to the College’s recently acquired 4 acre match fishing lake to practise their angling skills. Later in the course the students will move on to study specialist subjects such as fish biology, health and welfare, population surveys, stocking, farming (especially with carp), machinery operations, practical boat work, fishery creation and much more. Kingsley Davis is one of a group of students just completing the second year of their studies. He enjoys the course so much that even a four-hour daily commute from Devon, three days a week, is not a problem. He says, “It has definitely been worth the effort of travelling here to study a subject I love. The curriculum is very industryfocused, enabling us to participate in a number of study trips, not just to lakes and fisheries as you might expect, but to more specialist businesses such as the shellfish industry in Devon, and quarantine facilities at Heathrow airport. The study tour to Ireland was a highlight and gave us an incredible opportunity for some hands-on experience of the salmon industry.” Kingsley is progressing to university to continue his studies of fisheries management at degree level after which, inspired by his tutor, he plans to pursue a teaching career. Factfile Hours: varied, but likely to include weekends Starting salary: £13,000 Earning potential: £38,000 Iain is clearly delighted with the success of the programme. “Our retention rate – that is to say, the number of students who stay on this course – is amazing. Despite the fact that many of our students may have been disengaged at school, or may even have dropped out, they are totally immersed in this subject because they absolutely love it. Although united by their passion for fishing, it is traditionally a solo activity and this may well be the first time that many of them have learned how to operate as part of a team. The course also broadens their horizons on a massive scale, leading them into higher education, coaching or setting up their own business – when I see that happening, I know I’ve done my job well.” Clearly, many students will be seeking to go directly into employment but, although this £5 billion industry is keen to attract skilled workers, particularly for roles such as river keepers and game fish managers, competition for jobs is still keen. Vacancies, particularly for higher paid roles, will almost always require experience as well as qualifications, and it is for this reason that the College encourages all students to improve their employment prospects by gaining as much work experience as possible; close links with an advisory panel of carefully selected employers within the aquaculture industry mean that the College is often in the position to help students achieve this. 15 Bridgwater College • Live it, love it, learn it Former student Kingsley Davis The College lake “The course also broadens their horizons on a massive scale, leading the students into higher education, coaching or setting up their own business.” Iain Turner, Bridgwater College Dean Asplin, the South West Development Officer for the Angling Trust (the representative body for game, coarse and sea anglers in England) is a member of the advisory panel. Formerly a pupil of a Bridgwater school, he went on to study aquaculture and fisheries management, and his professional background includes experience with a conservation trust, the Environment Agency and a small fish farm, as well as fish retail. He says, “I meet lots of youngsters who are keen to progress in this industry and always advise them to actively demonstrate their commitment and motivation to a potential employer by gaining some work experience. Even if it’s on a purely voluntary basis, it might just open doors. Make sure you achieve qualifications at a level appropriate to the career you want to pursue. And never give up, because if you want something badly enough, you’ll get there in the end.” Back to the College lake, and the group is packing up the kit into the 4WD after a long, but rewarding, day of practising skills, improving techniques and acquiring new knowledge. Iain sums up, “We are the only college in the South West to offer this course which obviously concerns me, given the serious issues facing the global economy. But this, combined with our excellent facilities and fantastic pass rates, does offer us an ideal opportunity to grow our student numbers, perhaps via the introduction of distance learning options, to ensure we are being fully responsive to the needs of the industry.” Clearly there is a huge amount of work to do if we are to redress the balance and ensure a plentiful food supply from fish for coming generations across the world; the industry may be highly competitive, but it is hard to imagine that opportunities for qualified specialists will not increase. Bridgwater College offers fish husbandry and fisheries management courses on a full and part-time basis for students aged 16 and upwards at its centre in Cannington. For more information call 01278 441234 or visit www.bridgwater.ac.uk Useful links: www.ifm.org.uk www.environment-agency. gov.uk www.britishtrout.co.uk Iain Turner with students Career paths could include: fish worker/farmer, angling guide, ghillie (attendant), water bailiff, ecologist, biologist, environmental analyst, fisheries officer/manager/ superintendent, consultant, researcher, teacher. Skills needed Practical ability, good observational skills, patience, hard-working and tenacious, resourceful, good business and administrative skills. For more information on fisheries management courses, visit the website: www.bridgwater.ac.uk animal attraction Most parents of young children will at some point have been bombarded by demands for a domestic pet, so it is perhaps no surprise that Animal Management is one of the most popular subjects in the land-based curriculum at Bridgwater College, with students studying at the College’s centres in Cannington, Yeovil and Paignton Zoo. “We very much aim to progress a student’s love of animals into a viable career plan and help them achieve their potential and ambitions.” Dorothy Paul, Bridgwater College Animal Management focuses primarily on the health, welfare, handling, supervision and husbandry of animals, birds and reptiles. It’s a profession that’s considered to be one of the most rewarding within the land-based sector, offering opportunities ranging from animal boarding to breeding, and from welfare to animal attractions. It is, without doubt, a career path which requires commitment, dedication and motivation. The College curriculum currently includes not only courses at Levels 1, 2 and 3, but also degree level programmes, vet nurse training and even dog grooming. Animal trainer Linda Berggren 17 Bridgwater College • Live it, love it, learn it Click here for a short film on animal management Section Leader for Animal Management at Bridgwater College, Dorothy Paul, explains, “Themes common to every course, no matter what the specialism or level, are hard work, commitment, motivation and maturity – we very much aim to progress a student’s love of animals into a viable career plan and help them achieve their potential and ambitions. All of our courses include work with exotic species as well as domestic and agricultural animals, and we also ensure that every student has the opportunity to participate in work placements and specialist residential trips to game reserves and marine parks within the UK and as far afield as Africa and America. Although the facilities at each centre differ slightly, students have the same range of experiences during their course, wherever they study, and they do also have an opportunity to visit the other centres to gain more experience.” Across the UK, it is estimated that nearly 80,000 people are employed in the animal care industry, with a growing number involved in animal welfare, wildlife rehabilitation and conservation. Volunteers also form a significant additional workforce, and 20% of all animal care employees say that they started their careers through unpaid work. Securing employment in this industry is still competitive and, as with many vocational subjects, the College strongly encourages students to get a breadth of work experience under their belts, over and above that which is embedded into each programme. This may take place in a retail environment, a rescue centre, a veterinary practice or a zoo, and a number of students have been successful in securing placements overseas with animal charities or even the African Conservation Experience. Fortunately, the College tutors are very in touch with the industry; among the current group you’ll find industry experience in veterinary practice, falconry, animal behaviour, animal nutrition, rescue centre work, animal collection management and much more. This means they are ideally placed to help students find work placements and to encourage them to grow their industry contacts, which has proven valuable in supporting students forge successful careers when they do leave College. Care programme, which gave her the confidence and ability to progress to qualifications at Levels 2 and 3 in Animal Management. She said, “I initially went to my local animal shelter, Happy Landings, to get some rescue centre experience under my belt, and four years on I’m on the One student on placement who then moved into a job is Jade Hayes. Her College studies started with a Level 1 Animal For more information on animal management courses, visit the website: www.bridgwater.ac.uk payroll, working four days a week. I work mainly on the kennels section, exercising the dogs in all weathers. It can be hard work, and challenging not to be upset at the way some of the animals have been treated. Equally I have to be careful not to become too attached to them! Yet working with animals, seeing them become healthy and socialised, and hopefully finding new homes for them, is hugely rewarding, and working here has really helped me mature and become more focussed. I’m really grateful to my tutors for helping me to succeed in doing something I love.” Despite the emphasis on practical application, it’s important to realise that theoretical elements are of equal importance on an Animal Management programme, and these include Biology and Behaviour at Level 2 and Anatomy and Physiology, Breeding and Genetics and Animal Nutrition at Level 3. The College’s Animal Management course is unique in offering other modules, such as microbiology, biochemistry, farm livestock, zoological health, animal husbandry, environmental interpretation and wildlife rehabilitation. Those studying to be vet care assistants and vet nurses will follow a syllabus which includes emergency and critical care, hospital practice, medical and surgical nursing, pharmacology and radiography, and those on the Animal Management Foundation Degree will study genetics, reproduction, breeding, habitat and environmental enrichment and behavioural ecology. In addition, students take on supervisory duties in their second year, which builds their confidence and gives them a sense of responsibility. At Bridgwater College there has been significant investment in specialist facilities and is strongly believed that it is the quality and variety of the animal collections which set the College apart from any other. Section Leader Dorothy says, “The Cannington Centre has a number of specialist animal areas, including a nocturnal area for chinchillas, sugar gliders and rodents, and a diurnal area for rabbits, ferrets and other rodents. The exotic areas house a range of snakes, lizards, tortoises, turtles and amphibians, and for those interested in fish there are also cold and tropical fish tanks. The paddock areas are home to the alpacas, a flock of Soay and Shetland sheep, goats and ponies, and students also have access to farm animals and horses to increase their practical experience with large animals. The farm enterprises include a high yielding dairy herd, beef cattle, calf and replacement stock, sheep flock and breeding pigs, which means that students have access to a range of animals that includes the relatively ‘safe’ to the more challenging. It’s excellent preparation for employment.” The College facilities also include a veterinary nursing room equipped with a range of veterinary nursing equipment, including an x-ray machine, resuscitation dogs and surgical equipment, where both vet nursing and animal management students can carry out animal health checks. The isolation room provides them with an opportunity to practise methods of isolation and barrier nursing techniques in a real-life situation, and the Centre also has a dog grooming facility which operates as a commercial business. Facilities at Yeovil and Paignton offer different specialisms. The Yeovil Centre has a broad collection of animals, including livestock, domestic pets and 19 Bridgwater College • Live it, love it, learn it Career paths could include: cattery/ kennel worker, dog groomer, animal technician, animal welfare worker, animal trainer, animal physiotherapist, animal behaviourist, dog warden, rescue centre/welfare charity worker, veterinary assistant/nurse, dog handler, zookeeper, safari park ranger, marine biologist/ecologist, zoologist, animal conservationist, researcher, teacher. Factfile Hours: 40 hours a week to include weekends Starting salary: £10,000 Earning potential: £30,000 Former student Jade Hayes “Working with animals, seeing them healthy and socialised, and finding new homes for them is hugely rewarding.” Jade Hayes, former Animal Management student birds, and specialises in an extensive reptile collection, as well as being home to a growing family of marmosets. At Paignton, students learn within the unique setting of Paignton Zoo, which gives them open access to the zoo environment and the chance to work alongside the animal keepers as part of their course. Kathy Wolfenden is the Centre Manager at Paignton and says, “I think working and learning in the unique setting of a zoo is quite a privilege. I don’t think there can be many colleges which offer students the chance to learn about animal management and conservation is such highly relevant surroundings. Our positive working relationship with the keepers and the Science and Education departments at the Zoo means our students have opportunities to directly benefit from the Zoo resources, and interact with the extensive animal collection. Where else could they receive hands-on experience with Asiatic lions, Diana monkeys and black rhinos?” A student who has benefited from the learning experience at Paignton is Dan Bentley who, since completing his course, has spent three years at Living Coasts, working with penguins, puffins and fur seals. More recently he has commenced a Master’s Degree in Animal Behaviour and Welfare and combined his studies with a job as Senior Penguin Trainer at a specialist indoor ski resort in Dubai! This year Dan has joined the team as an Associate Lecturer working at the Cannington and Yeovil Centres. Kathy says of Dan’s achievements, “This is a fantastic example of the unique and exciting career paths that our students can progress on to.” Visitor attractions are a popular career path for animal management students, but competition for such roles is fierce. The Supervisor of Animal Training at Chessington World of Adventures Resort, Linda Berggren, worked with dogs with behavioural issues and her work with dolphins took her to Mexico, America and Turkey. Her advice to students is as follows: “A lot of people will tell you that this line of work is competitive and they’re right but it is possible to set yourself apart from the crowd if you’re prepared to work hard. Sound theoretical knowledge is essential, but I cannot stress enough the importance of getting handson experience in a range of roles; whether it’s paid, voluntary or an internship, it all counts. Once you get to know a few people in the industry you’ll realise just how small the zoo community is, and if you network effectively you will start to find out about jobs long before they’re advertised. Suddenly you could find yourself in a job you absolutely love, with no reason to dread Monday mornings ever again!” Section Leader Dorothy concludes, “It’s very exciting to be working in this environment at the moment. Every year we attract more students, which allows us to develop the animal collections accordingly. For example, we have a phayre’s squirrel in our collection (said to be the only one in captivity in Europe) and – unusually for a college - we also have two armadillos, which arrived only last week. In the longer term we hope to enlarge the collection to include meerkats and prairie dogs, which would be wonderful news for future students. In the meantime, we enjoy hearing how former students are progressing, and the recent news that two of our BSc Applied Animal Management students have just achieved First Class Honours degrees has made a lot of teachers very happy indeed!” Bridgwater College offers animal care/management, veterinary nursing and animal conservation courses on a full and part-time basis, including Honours Degree programmes, at its centre in Cannington, with some courses also offered at Paignton and Yeovil. For more information call 01278 441234 or visit www.bridgwater.ac.uk Useful links www.lantra.co.uk www.rspca.org.uk www.guidedogs.org.uk www.petcare.org.uk www.hearingdogs.org.uk www.abwak.org Skills needed Good communication skills, commitment, compassion, caring, good dexterity, physical fitness, ability to remain calm in a crisis, patient, positive, observant, safety conscious. For more information on animal management courses, visit the website: www.bridgwater.ac.uk Click here for a short film on horticulture The power of plants 21 Bridgwater College • Live it, love it, learn it any people think that the term ‘horticulture’ refers simply to gardening but, whilst all gardeners are indeed horticulturalists, not all horticulturalists are gardeners! Horticulture is essentially the intensive cultivation of plants for human use, not only in terms of food production but also for medicinal, environmental and social uses. Plants are critical for the planet and for human survival, but without horticulture, we would not have the knowledge, skills or technologies to grow and produce them in quantities sufficient for our needs, nor would we know how to cultivate varieties that are resistant to insects, diseases and other environmental stresses. Without horticulture and the ancillary activities of plant conservation, landscape restoration, garden design/ construction/maintenance and horticultural therapy, we wouldn’t have green spaces in which to relax, play, exercise or reflect; our air would be less pure and less cool; our water quality would be compromised; in short, the world would be a very different place. You will require technical ability, practical aptitude and business acumen. But once properly equipped, a career in horticulture could take you to beautiful locations where you will meet the most interesting people and enjoy a wonderful quality of life. What’s more, there is a diverse range of vacancies in this industry just waiting to be filled by trained, technical and socially-aware graduates who have the skills to start work straight away.” But given the common misconceptions, it’s hardly surprising that the public are generally ill-informed about employment opportunities in the sector, believing that horticulture represents an unscientific, unglamorous and poorly paid career choice. To establish whether these views are based on myth or reality, we head to the Walled Gardens of Cannington - the hub of horticulture training at Bridgwater College - to speak to Grounds Manager Andre Gardner. He is keen to challenge the view that ‘anyone can do gardening’ and explains, “Horticulture is truly a skilled trade – you need to be part artist, part builder and part scientist. He says, “I can say that while this has been the most challenging role to date, it’s also been the most rewarding. I started off with a blank canvas and responsibility for everything connected with the Gardens – new layouts, the design and construction of a 960m2 glasshouse and the appointment of all the staff and contractors to bring these ideas to fruition. Meanwhile I also assumed responsibility for the entire College estate, which includes the Bridgwater and Cannington Centres, as well as the sports pitches and the golf course. For the first time I started supervising students on their horticulture duties, Andre’s background doesn’t quite fit any of society’s horticultural stereotypes; a former member of the Parachute Regiment, Andre decided to re-train in horticulture, obtaining a number of work placements during his studies. These included a role with the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, which ignited a passion for managing collections and gardens, but his CV also includes senior roles at Paignton Zoo’s Botanical Gardens and the historic Hever Castle in Kent. Seven years ago, he was offered the job of leading the restoration and development of the historic Walled Gardens at the former Cannington College. For more information on horticulture courses, visit the website: www.bridgwater.ac.uk Factfile Hours: 40 hours, including weekends Starting salary: £12,000 Potential salary: £45,000 One of the College’s winning Show Garden teams of 2012 and began to pass on my skills and knowledge to another generation. Before I knew it, I was escorting HRH Prince Edward at the official opening and the Gardens had achieved two significant accolades - Quality Visitor Attraction and Classic Gardens of Somerset! My current challenge is to create a new Rose Garden while re-establishing two national collections and managing a new landscaping project. There’s still a lot to do here!” The students at Bridgwater College are very fortunate to have access to a variety of live projects on the College estate, although the Walled Gardens are the most significant resource, with themed areas that include a Blue Garden, Herbaceous Border, Productive Garden, Sub-Tropical Walk, Australasian Garden and Dry Garden. The £500,000 multi-purpose glasshouse is organised into a series of zones, or biomes; the Arid Zone, Tropical Zone, Warm Temperate Zone, Propagation Zone, Student Zone and Growing-on Zone. An environmental control system gives students the ability to set, adapt and measure the heating, ventilation and humidity levels within each zone in a way that emulates the Eden Project in Cornwall. Students develop a range of skills during their training, 23 Bridgwater College • Live it, love it, learn it such as plant and soil science, plant identification, plant propagation, tool maintenance and machinery operations. Other topics which may be covered are fruit and vegetable production, lawn and turf care and landscape design. Computer Aided Design can be studied either as a short introductory course, or in more depth as part of the Foundation Degree in Landscape Design. Work placements and business management skills are also key elements of most programmes, and students are able to practise retail skills in the College’s own plant shop, which operates as a commercial business open to the general public. Putting practical skills into action on the College Estate, in the Gardens and within the specialist glasshouse is known as ‘duties’, and every student is expected to participate. Andre explains, “Sometimes the students feel challenged by their duties – not realising, perhaps, that a career in horticulture is not for the work-shy! But my view is that I’m not just teaching them, I’m instructing them and, hopefully, inspiring them. I want to give them the best possible experience while they’re here and for them to leave us with the skills and knowledge that will enable them to walk into any job. I love nothing more than to see students learn their “I want to give students the best possible experience while they’re here and for them to leave us with the skills and knowledge that will enable them to walk into any job.” Andre Gardner, Bridgwater College craft, spread their wings and go on to get great placements or jobs. That’s what it’s all about.” Students who have completed a horticulture programme in order to specialise include James Webber, who focused on sports turf management and is now working as a green keeper overseas. James left College in 2010 and is still only 20 years old, but in a short space of time has completed seasonal positions at golf courses in Queenstown in New Zealand and Loch Lomond in Scotland, and is now in a permanent role at Golf International in Paris. He says, “It’s not easy getting a job, but having For more information on horticulture courses, visit the website: relevant qualifications and varied work experience has really helped me. You have to be very tenacious – I have sent literally hundreds of emails to some of the world’s top golf courses and have been fortunate to have now worked on three of the best. Being involved in a major televised event such as the French Open is quite incredible and there is nothing that comes close to world-class players complimenting you on the condition of the greens. On the flip side, it can be long hours and physical work, but taking everything into account, it’s easily worth it.” Ambitious James plans to be in charge of his own team of staff on a major golf course by the time he’s 30. www.bridgwater.ac.uk Many former students have already established their own small businesses, particularly in the areas of landscape and garden design and maintenance. These include former Foundation Degree student Will Brett, who is now running his own landscape design and construction company. Another Foundation Degree student, Claire Treharne, has secured her dream job as a gardener in the exquisite gardens of Hestercombe, and National Diploma student Zachary West-Gaul is now employed as a plant buyer for one of the region’s largest and most successful plant and garden retailers, Cadbury Garden & Leisure. Student success has also been reflected in the number of trophies that students have won in regional and national competitions. These include gold at the National Gardening Show in 2012 and silver in 2011, silver at the Taunton Flower Show in 2012 and 2011, silver at the Ideal Home Show’s Young Gardeners of the Year competition in “I feel very fortunate to have a job that is also my hobby. Plants have always fascinated me, and being able to share my knowledge and experience is very rewarding.” Kevin Frediani, Paignton Zoo 2012 and bronze at the BBC Gardeners World Live Show in 2011. These events give the students the chance to demonstrate their design, build and teamwork skills in a professional, competitive environment, which builds their confidence and allows 25 Bridgwater College • Live it, love it, learn it them to experience what working in the sector might be like. Employment in the sector is going to be an achievable goal for most, given that there are going to be an estimated 11,000 vacancies between now and 2020. In the public sector, urban regeneration schemes require people with green skills to landscape new housing, highway and parkland areas. New nature reserves and wildlife parks are springing up in response to the conservation agenda. And private clients with busy lifestyles and disposable incomes are looking for people to provide simple design and maintenance solutions for their gardens. All of these factors mean that grounds maintenance and greenkeeping are much higher up the agenda than ever before, offering employment opportunities in the UK and abroad. Increased consumer spending on home gardening and allotments translates into an increasing number of opportunities in commercial horticulture and retail, and the important role that horticulture plays in safeguarding the world food supply for the years to come opens up numerous opportunities for scientists, researchers and advisors. This College needs to be responsive to current trends, and meets regularly with a panel of employers and industry experts to inform future curriculum development. A recent addition is a new zoological horticulture programme, focusing on botanical gardens, landscape ecology, sustainable habitats and the creation of displays for wild and endangered animals. This programme will be offered at the College’s outreach centre within Paignton Zoo, which is famed for its 80 acres of botanic gardens and themed garden areas. Kevin Frediani is the multiaward-winning Curator of Plants and Gardens at Paignton Zoo Environmental Park and has been advising on the development of this new programme. His CV includes senior roles at Windsor Great Park, London Zoo and the botanical gardens in Amsterdam, yet he originally trained as an arborist before specialising in environmental horticulture and conservation management at university. He says, “I feel very fortunate to have a job that is also my hobby. Plants have always fascinated me, and being able to share my knowledge and experience is very rewarding. My advice to young people today is to follow a career you love, because if you are passionate about what you do, this will shine through and you’re more likely to be successful. However you will need to acquire a good level of theoretical knowledge and the achievement of a formal, professional qualification will show employers that you are motivated and committed.” So if you now feel encouraged and inspired to consider joining a £9 billion industry which currently employs nearly 200,000 people and is in need of thousands more to replace a rapidly ageing workforce, you would be well placed to start training for it soon. The sector is buoyant and defying every economic downward trend; with climate change, water shortages, pressures on land use and a growing population, many scientists believe that this could be one of the most important industries of all in the future, and one that really could provide you with a career for life. Bridgwater College offers horticulture courses on a full and part-time basis for students aged 16 and upwards at its centre in Cannington, with Zoological Horticulture offered at Paignton. For more information call 01278 441234 or visit www.bridgwater.ac.uk Useful links www.lantra.co.uk www.hortweek.com www.landscape.co.uk www.rhs.org.uk www.horticulture.org.uk www.growcareers.info Career paths could include: garden centre worker, grounds person/ green keeper, landscaper, gardener, nursery/parks officer/manager, ornamental plant producer, medicinal horticulturalist, plant propagator, researcher, scientist, teacher. Skills needed Practical, physically agile, hardy in nature, flexible, creative, environmentally aware, ability to work alone or in a team, customer service skills. For more information on horticulture courses, visit the website: www.bridgwater.ac.uk The London Olympic and Paralympic Games promised to ‘inspire a generation’ and equestrianism was an area in which the British team excelled. As a result, the land-based industry is expecting continued interest in horse-related careers and colleges are gearing themselves up for an increase in applications to study equestrian-related subjects. Horse ownership across the UK is growing, with leisure riding becoming the most popular equestrian pursuit, and riding lessons and competition activities following closely behind. The expectation, therefore, is that highly skilled equestrian staff are going to be very much in demand. At Bridgwater College’s Equestrian Centre, the staff are preparing the yard for a day of teaching and commercial activity. The level and range of expertise among the team cannot fail to impress: Yard Manager, Michael ‘Pepsi’ Kohler, is a former Sergeant Major in the King’s Troop; Jane McGuiness, Lecturer, is a former European Championships Gold medallist in Endurance Riding; Programme Manager Debbie Ball’s background is in vet science and horse breeding, and Associate Lecturers Rose Scofield and Hatti Scott are an equine behaviour specialist and a highly experienced instructor, respectively. Click here for a short film on equine 27 Bridgwater College • Live it, love it, learn it It is Debbie who is keen to share the philosophy of equine studies at Bridgwater College. “Although many of our students decide to progress their learning by taking a related university qualification, the focus of all our full-time training is to prepare students for employment. Studying an equine programme is not simply about horse-riding; students need to learn the principles of horse health, psychology and behaviour alongside the practical activities of grooming, feeding, mucking out, tacking up and exercising - the health and welfare of the horses is paramount. With so much to fit in, the hours can be long, the weather unkind and the work physically demanding. But if you love horses, the benefits of learning and working in this environment easily outweigh any disadvantages.” Interestingly, not all of the College’s training programmes involve riding itself, and there is a non-riding option for those wanting to develop their expertise in other equestrian-related areas. Key components of every course include principles of equitation, stud management, animal anatomy and physiology, animal health, event management, horse behavior and welfare, business management “Studying equine is not simply about horse-riding; the focus of all our fulltime training is to prepare students for employment.” Debbie Ball, Bridgwater College For more information on equine courses, visit the website: www.bridgwater.ac.uk “As a teacher the ultimate reward is learning that former students are achieving their ambitions as a direct result of what they have learnt at our yard.” Former student Stephen Heal and much more. Yard duties are compulsory for everyone, and there are lots of opportunities to participate in visits to equine businesses, shows and events. The equine industry is big business and covers everything to do with horses, ponies and donkeys, so is actually very broadbased. In the UK alone there are more than 19,000 equine businesses with 41,200 employees, as well as countless volunteers. Astonishingly, the industry has a combined economic impact of £7 billion, and over half of this derives from horse racing, which is also Britain’s second most popular spectator sport, after football. The racing industry contributes significantly to the prevention and control of infectious equine diseases, and raises almost £2 million a year through charity race days at the UK’s 60 racecourses. And of Former student Amelia Sandford the 18,000 vets registered in the UK, 18% consider equine as their primary area of expertise, with an average healthcare spend of £300 per animal each year. The influence of the equine industry, therefore, is much more significant than people might think, and the ownership and care of horses impacts on a broad range of communities. Bridgwater College’s Debbie adds, “The training and employment opportunities are varied and can range from welfare centres to racehorse training. We see students becoming saddlers and farriers, working in riding schools and livery yards, taking up employment with breeders, coaches and rehabilitation centres, or increasingly, taking up places at university to follow careers within the management of this industry. There are some incredible opportunities to specialise; for example, competition grooms – those involved in show jumping dressage and eventing - are very much in demand. And if you are lucky enough to get work experience or a job 29 Bridgwater College • Live it, love it, learn it with a successful yard, you may have contact with horses and riders competing at international level.” The College has numerous examples of student success stories. Former student Sinead Woolf secured employment at the British Racing School, where she was named Head Girl, and then moved on to work with National Hunt trainer Phillip Hobbs, who trains 100 horses and has had over 1,000 winners. Another student, Emily Rawlins, started her own business and numbers among her clients a successful breeder, a trainer and various wedding and funeral businesses. She says, “I feel privileged to have worked with some fabulous horses worth thousands of pounds, including Arab stallions and mares for breeding, and beautiful Friesians for dressage and driving. My work brings me into contact with such a range of people, including clients, vets and farriers, and I have the taken the chance to travel for work, to places including New Zealand. I am now in the fortunate position that I have more work than I can manage, which is a great feeling!” Of those recently progressing to university, Amelia Sandford decided she wanted to specialise in welfare issues, so is now at Moulton College in Northampton, studying Equine Studies with Applied Behaviour and Welfare. Nicole Bosley’s experience at Bridgwater College inspired her to consider a career as an equine physiotherapist, and on completion of her Level 3 programme, she moved on to Equitation Sports Science at Hartpury College. Other successes include former student Stephen Heal, who has ambitions of one day being an Olympic rider and has moved to Shropshire to take up a position of working pupil, rider and groom for international event rider Oliver Townend. And former National Diploma student Bobbi Larcombe has managed to secure her dream job, breaking, training and exercising horses at a ranch in California. She explains: “Here in Ventura County there are so many opportunities, and it’s such an exciting way of life – when bringing cattle down from the mountains, we often see mountain lions and bears! The best part of the job though is gaining a horse’s Factfile Hours: Varied to include weekends Starting salary: £12,000 Earning potential: £50,000+ Debbie Ball, Bridgwater College trust and rehabilitating those that have been ill-treated. The worst part is seeing them leave when my job is done, but luckily I’m often asked to stay on and exercise them. I hope to have my own yard one day, and would say to any young person that the opportunities are there if you are really passionate and committed.” The progression of equine students from Bridgwater College to employment is therefore very robust, and no doubt helped by the excellent links the College has with industry. One of those businesses is Poplars Equestrian in Somerset, run by Alex and Simmone Bragg. As well as competing event horses they offer a range of services including schooling, training and selling of horses. They also offer tuition for all levels and abilities in all three disciplines. Simmone explains, “I always tell anyone trying to get into the business that experience is absolutely vital; if in the early part of your career you can base yourself in an established yard, it will give you the experience and knowledge to go forward in the industry. Match that with a love of horses, patience and determination, and you will progress as far as your ambition and effort will take you.” At the College’s Equestrian Centre, the facilities aim to simulate industry and include two stable blocks, indoor and outdoor arenas, teaching rooms and various paddocks and fields located around the yard. Operating as a commercial enterprise, with 16 horses of its own plus the capacity to accommodate students’ own horses, it is a British Horse Society-approved riding establishment offering full-time and work-based training, as well as specialist instruction in dressage and show jumping. The Yard Manager teaches several riding clubs and pony clubs by appointment, and group riding and jumping lessons are also available; there are even ‘own a horse/pony’ days for those who do not have their own. Programme Manager Debbie reflects, “The outcome of learning and working in a commercially focused environment, with the support of highly experienced staff and an industry-relevant curriculum, is that every student can expect to acquire the skills, personal qualities and qualifications to progress into what has become a highly competitive sector. They are equally very well-placed to further their learning at university, and only rarely do we see a student not progress into an equine-related job or course. Of course, as a teacher, the ultimate reward is learning that former students are achieving their ambitions as a direct result of what they have learnt at our yard. The knowledge that we have helped young people follow their dreams makes me very proud indeed.” Bridgwater College offers equine courses on a full and part-time basis for students aged 16 and upwards at its centre in Cannington and at outreach centres throughout the South West. For more information call 01278 441234 or visit www.bridgwater.ac.uk or www.canningtonequestrian centre.co.uk Useful links www.horseandhound.co.uk www.bhs.org.uk www.brs.org.uk www.abrs-info.org Career paths could include: groom, stable hand, stud hand, jockey, instructor, coach, yard manager, horse transporter, racehorse trainer, behaviourist, carriage driver. Skills needed Good observational skills, patience and willingness to do routine tasks, awareness of health and safety issues, the ability to work alone and as part of a team, good communication skills, competence in riding, experience of looking after horses. For more information on equine courses, visit the website: www.bridgwater.ac.uk It’s a balmy afternoon in June and temperatures are soaring. The vast majority of students and staff are taking advantage of the fine weather to play sport or relax in the sunshine, but one group of arboriculture students is still in the ‘classroom’, high among the treetops of the Cannington Estate. One glance at the equipment involved – ropes, harnesses and chainsaws – is testament to the skill and courage required to undertake this type of work. Today’s trainees are under the close supervision and watchful eye of Programme Manager, Mike Cullen, a tutor at the Cannington Centre for fifteen years. Well known and respected in the industry, Mike draws on thirty years of practical, commercial experience all over the UK, starting his career as a forestry contractor, progressing to climbing arborist and finally managing a city’s entire tree stock for a local authority. He says teaching is his most rewarding experience to date. “Arboriculture attracts a real mix of students, including those who might have struggled at school, possibly because they are not academic achievers, or because the classroom environment doesn’t engage them. This subject takes them outdoors and gives them a chance to learn practical skills, develop self-discipline and assume real responsibility. It’s an opening that, for many, is potentially life changing, and I have seen once disaffected students completely revise their opinion of education and start to appreciate the doors it can open. Some of these students will enjoy their time at College so much that they’ll forget they’re studying and achieving, simply because it’s 31 Bridgwater College • Live it, love it, learn it “This subject takes the students outdoors and gives them a chance to learn practical skills, develop self-confidence and assume real responsibility.” Mike Cullen, Bridgwater College Click here for a short film on arboriculture For more information on arboriculture courses, visit the website: www.bridgwater.ac.uk Factfile “Good teamwork is the key when you are learning in an environment where dangerous and high pressure situations can arise.” Hours: 40 hour week, sometimes affected by seasonality (shorter hours in the winter due to less daylight) Starting salary: £18,000 Earning potential: £45,000 Career paths could include: arborist, arboriculturalist, forest machine operator, chainsaw operator, tree surgeon, conservation officer, countryside officer, groundsperson, forest office/ manager, landscaper, researcher, consultant, teacher. Russell Windows, Arboriculture student Student Russell Windows nothing like school. Seeing that process play out in front of you is a bit like watching a child learn to walk; it never ceases to inspire me.” Of course, not all of the students on these courses are school leavers. The landbased courses traditionally attract career-changers, many of whom will not have been near a classroom for years. Arboriculture offers a tempting mix of excitement and risk, as well as requiring good fitness levels and a passion for the outdoors, so it’s hardly surprising that a large number of ex-military personnel sign up for this course. Mike goes on to explain: “Our adult learners generally face a tougher challenge than our school leavers, often having to combine family life with a return to learning that involves sacrifices in terms of time and money, but they also tend to be focused and hard-working, which is exactly what the industry needs right now.” Trees and timber, as it is also known, needs new workers at all levels. It is reported that 17% of forestry businesses in the UK have a vacancy, almost half of which are proving hard to fill, due mainly to skills shortages. These shortages will be even more evident as new government targets and European directives sharpen their focus on the sustainable development and management of woodland areas, when the demand for arboriculture staff is likely to double. The industry is particularly on the look-out for young recruits, managers with practical and technical expertise, and craft workers. But back to the pines, and student Russell Windows is keen to share his passion for the course. “There are many things about this subject that set it apart from more mainstream programmes. Rather than sitting in a classroom all day, we have the forests and woodlands as our learning spaces and most days are spent outside. Our work is very physical, we are given a lot of responsibility and we have to be ultra-safety conscious. Good teamwork is the key when you’re learning in an environment where dangerous and high pressure situations can arise, so it’s essential that our tutors work with us to break down any barriers in the group and that we learn to look after each other. This means that as well as acquiring new skills, we also become part of a closeknit team and get a real sense of belonging, which can be very motivating.” The skills that the students develop are varied. One of 33 Bridgwater College • Live it, love it, learn it Skills needed Good practical skills, comfortable with working at heights and with potentially dangerous machinery, interested in nature, physical fitness and agility, business skills, happy to work in a team and from own initiative, excellent communication skills. the most important physical skills that most students choose to learn is climbing with a rope and harness, although there are also nonclimbing options available. They also learn how to use and maintain specialist equipment such as chippers, chain saws, stump grinders and mobile elevated work platforms, as well as the art of tree identification, planting and maintenance. Good communication skills are also essential, and students are specifically trained in offering advice and information to potential customers. Work placements, residential visits and additional qualifications are all key features of every arboriculture programme. Over 40% of the arboriculture workforce is self-employed. David James, a former College student who also studied at Westonbirt Arboretum and received the LANTRA Award for Professional Tree Inspection, is now the director of his own company – Active Tree Care Limited. He explains, “I worked for ten years in the industry before setting up my own company, and the things I enjoy the most are being my own boss and managing the variety of tasks. No two days are ever the same, whether it’s meeting clients, working outdoors or resolving problems, to say nothing of all the exercise we get into the bargain! It’s for these reasons that arboriculture is becoming such a popular career choice, and I wholeheartedly endorse training which provides plenty of handson experience and the chance to achieve specialist certificates along the way.” Programme Manager Mike Cullen adds, “While this is a buoyant industry, both in the UK and overseas, it’s becoming increasingly competitive as people wake up to the range of opportunities on offer. We strongly recommend that our students build a good portfolio of work experience to accompany their certificated skills and, to this end, we have developed strong relationships with industry. Our employer advisory panel helps ensure that our teaching is fully preparing our students for work and we consult with these professionals on everything - from the right type of kit to purchase, to the most relevant modules for any new course we are creating. They are highly supportive of our students and get involved in various events such as career days, work experience and our annual awards evening. As a result, I think the students feel not only up-to-date with the industry, but more valued.” The College curriculum is constantly responding to change as new practices and policies emerge, for example the management of new species, the recognition of new diseases and the impact of climate change. And the delivery of training is becoming ever more focused towards the needs of the industry, leading to a new Apprenticeship programme which enables employers to source on-the-job training for new and existing staff, whilst allowing trainees to earn while they learn their trade. Distance learning options are also being investigated to cater for a broader geographical spread of students, and for those combining employment and study, and more female entrants are being encouraged to address the current 80/20 split in favour of male employees. For more information on arboriculture courses, visit the website: With the trees and timber industry contributing a massive £246 million to the UK economy, and with 22,452 people currently employed across 3,920 businesses, the future is certainly looking bright for this cohort of students yet to complete their training. Bridgwater College offers arboriculture courses at its Cannington Centre on a full and part-time basis, in addition to short courses and apprenticeships. For more information call 01278 441234 or visit www.bridgwater.ac.uk Useful links www.lantra.co.uk www.isa-arboriculture.org www.bridgwater.ac.uk work on the wild side Have you ever thought about swapping the harsh glare of office lighting for the soft glow of autumn sunshine, or the full blast of the office air-con for the gentle breeze of a warm summer afternoon? Choose the countryside as your office and experience the full force of nature at first hand, in surroundings that are peaceful, calming and often breathtakingly beautiful. Ditch the water cooler for a cool breeze, strip-lights for sunlight and whiteboards for wide open spaces. Welcome to the outdoor office... Arguably, there has never been a better time to embark upon a career in countryside and wildlife management; sustainable development lies at the cornerstone of all areas of government policy and improved protection and access for the open countryside is being actively encouraged. Inevitably, therefore, opportunities for employment in the sector are increasing. Set in picturesque rural Somerset, in close proximity to the Quantock Hills, the Somerset Levels and miles of rugged coastline, Bridgwater College’s Cannington Centre offers the perfect location to study countryside topics. We talk to the College’s Programme Manager for Countryside Management, Alan Sinclair, about his 35 Bridgwater College • Live it, love it, learn it passion for green spaces. “The way I see it, we are the custodians of the countryside for future generations. If we do not care for it, nurture it, and protect it - who will? And if we allow rural skills to disappear now, they will be lost forever. This is why we must equip students with the right skills, work experience and qualifications to take this industry forward. Our courses aim to give new entrants an understanding of the conservation and policy issues affecting the countryside, wildlife and the environment, and the need to balance these against the often competing needs of recreational visitors.” The facilities at the College include a 400 acre estate with its own wildlife area, bird hide, spinney, and lake/ wetland area, enabling a strong focus on practical experience as well as management skills. Students become proficient in activities such as fencing, hedge laying, coppicing, tree planting, surfacing and dry stone walling, and learn also how to identify and survey different species, how to trap and release small mammals, undertake water quality sampling, create new habitats and use a broad range of machinery including chainsaws, strimmers and chippers. These skills will be invaluable to them as they seek to progress into related employment. Alan goes on to explain, “One of the appealing things about this line of work is that there’s really no such thing as an average day. One minute we might be in the midst of a robust discussion on topical issues and events in the industry, another might see us up to our necks in practical work on the “We are the custodians of the countryside for future generations. If we do not care for it, nurture it, and protect it - who will?” Alan Sinclair, Bridgwater College For more information on countryside management courses, visit the website: www.bridgwater.ac.uk Have you heard about our new bursary scheme for countryside management students? Funded by local employers, it could provide you with £500 a year and a work placement! Turn to page 48 for more details. Career paths could include: countryside officer/ranger/ manager, gamekeeper, warden, contractor, conservation officer/manager, recreation officer, ecologist, biodiversity officer, estate manager, local authority officer, wildlife trust worker. “There will be employment opportunities for qualified staff, as well as work experience, volunteering and placement prospects for Bridgwater College students.” Tim McGrath, Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) College estate or on location at places like Westonbirt Arboretum, Kilve Beach, Slimbridge Wetlands Centre or Glastonbury Tor.” The students also undertake a work placement as part of their studies and the College works hard to forge close links with a broad range of employers including the National Trust (particularly Fyne Court Gardens in Nether Stowey), Natural England (Somerset Levels), National Parks (Exmoor), Areas of Outstanding National Beauty (the Quantocks) and the Somerset Wildlife Trust. Alan comments, “The industry expects students to get work experience and volunteering hours under their belts – there are a lot of qualified people chasing the same vacancies, and people will happily relocate for the right job, so competition is fierce. Key organisations such as the National Trust are popular employers, so candidates need to distinguish themselves from other applicants and demonstrate their passion and commitment to the industry. This is why regular volunteering is key, and you never know when a volunteering position might turn into a full-time, paid role.” One of the organisations with which the College is currently forging a positive relationship is the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT), a leading conservation organisation with nine wetland visitor centres across the UK. Tim McGrath is the Habitat Creation and Demonstration Site Project Manager and draws on a wealth of experience, including volunteering roles with the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers and a job as Head of Nature Reserves with the Wildlife Trust in Bristol & Avon. Tim is currently involved in a habitat creation project at the Steart Peninsula near Cannington, which will provide a wealth of new employment opportunities for aspiring land management entrants. He explains, “The Steart Peninsula Project is a really exciting Environment Agency initiative that seeks to find ways of managing the flood risk whilst simultaneously creating suitable habitats for some of the hundreds of thousands of birds that migrate from Northern Europe each year. Steart will eventually become home to one of the UK’s largest new wildlife reserves which, from 2014, will be managed by the WWT. This means there will be employment opportunities for qualified staff, as well as work experience, volunteering and placement prospects for Bridgwater College students.” 37 Bridgwater College • Live it, love it, learn it Factfile Hours: 37 hours a week, which may include evenings and weekends. Weekend work could increase significantly during the main visitor season. Starting salary: £11,000 Earning potential: £40,000 Tim’s advice to young people considering a career in this area is very much based on his own experience. “Although there are more opportunities now than when I graduated, this is still a very competitive industry. It is hard work, so it’s vital that you identify the area of expertise that interests you the most and which you most enjoy. You’ll need practical experience as well as qualifications, because it’s crucial that you understand how to apply theoretical knowledge to a practical situation. Fortunately, there are plenty of opportunities locally, especially with the Environment Agency based in Bridgwater, so you need to keep an eye on job adverts and work out how to adapt your skillset to match them.” It is perhaps no surprise that the South West ranks second in the UK for the number of countryside and wildlife management industries. Yet, with an ageing workforce and a shortage of skills, the sector is now actively looking for new recruits. With so many roles being publicfacing, employers are seeking competent and technically skilled staff, who also possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Bridgwater College is doing everything it can to ensure that students are equipped with the broad range of skills required. As Alan explains, “In addition to practical and technical skills, we teach our new entrants how to gain confidence, work as part of a team and solve problems. We seek also to open their eyes to the significant issues of the day, such as sustainability, the economy and climate change – our courses cover so much more than countryside management. A significant proportion of our students are inspired and motivated to progress onto higher education, and a number of the more mature students, usually the career changers, establish their own businesses as a result of their training.” There are some fantastic examples of students who have achieved great things upon completion of their course. David McDonnell and Ivor Watkins, both mature students on the Foundation Degree programme, joined forces to form their own company - Southwest Ranger Services - offering traditional land management and conservation skills and services to a broad range of clients. Another Foundation Degree student, Michelle Easton, progressed to the prestigious Royal Agricultural College to top up her qualification to a full BSc Honours degree, and has since gained employment with FWAG Southwest, an independent farm conservation and agri-environment advisory service. Career changer Trudi Dove moved from a customer services role to employment as an Environment Agency Officer on completion of her studies on the Foundation Degree. Former National Diploma student Rory Proctor used his qualification as a stepping stone to set up RFP Trees, Woodland & Countryside Management, and his customers include Natural England, as well as number of local estates. The potential for paid and unpaid employment in this industry is therefore clearly growing. As public interest and enthusiasm for conservation issues intensifies and membership of countryside affiliated organisations continues to rise, so the number and breadth of opportunities will increase. New management roles for our landscapes, habitats and wildlife will emerge, as will those associated with the needs of the general public, such as countryside officers, wildlife rangers, urban conservation advisors and waterway managers. So whether you’re starting out and considering your career options, or seeking a complete change of employment or even just want to play your part in improving the world in which we live, the right training and qualifications will help ensure your contribution is both relevant and positive. Bridgwater College offers countryside and wildlife management courses on a full and part-time basis, including Honours Degree programmes, at its centre in Cannington. For more information call 01278 441234 or visit www. bridgwater.ac.uk Useful links www.btcv.org.uk www.countryside management.org.uk www.countrysidejobslink.co.uk www.nationaltrust.org.uk www.wwt.org.uk www.somersetwildlife.org www.naturalengland.org.uk www.rspb.org.uk www.environment-agency. gov.uk Skills needed Interest in the natural environment, ability to work both as part of a team and alone, passion, energy, enthusiasm, determination, interpersonal skills, practical skills, awareness of health and safety, business and management skills. For more information on countryside management courses, visit the website: www.bridgwater.ac.uk He explains, “Typically, it’s during their school and college years that youngsters find out whether or not they excel at sport, and during this critical period the influence of coaches and teachers is pivotal. A sports student will gain skills and qualifications to prepare them for a range of sport-related careers, but participation in sport delivers so much more than that: it teaches teamwork, leadership, commitment, discipline, morality, integrity and ambition, all of which are important life skills relevant to a much broader range of careers.” With the roars of support for a triumphant Team GB still ringing in everyone’s ears, and the record haul of 120 medals testament to the nation’s sporting success, the Olympic aspiration to inspire a generation looks a real possibility. The Olympic effect on the level of interest in sport in the UK has not been confined to the higher profile activities such as cycling. Swimming, rowing, athletics, gymnastics and boxing have all reported significant increases in participation levels, matched by sizeable retail growth in clothing and equipment. The short term leisure impact is therefore clear; the question is, what will be the knock-on effect in the longer term on training and employment in the sports industry? We pose this question to Jason Gunningham, Section Leader for Sports at Bridgwater College. “It is very obvious that this incredible summer of Click here for a short film on football coaching 39 Bridgwater College • Live it, love it, learn it sport has touched many people’s lives in one way or another. Whether it’s taking up a new sporting pursuit, volunteering for a local sports organisation or inspiring the Olympians of the future, the impact of London 2012 will definitely be felt for years to come. And increased participation at all levels will certainly mean new jobs within sports facilities, in sports coaching and development and in sports equipment retail. Don’t forget too that public health remains high on the government agenda, not least for delivering reductions in health care costs in the longer term, so the sports and leisure industry would certainly appear to be one of the more recession-proof industries in which to seek employment.” It is quickly apparent that Jason is passionate about sport. A former Bristol Rovers YTS trainee, he has been a member of the Sports Section at Bridgwater College for the last 18 years. As Head Coach for both the Somerset Football Association and the Somerset Schools & Colleges FA U18 squads, he coached the team to National Championship success in 2002 and to the final in 2004. He is also the National Performance Manager for the England Colleges National Men’s and Women’s Football Squads. According to Jason, there are three key features which set Bridgwater College’s Sports department apart from other colleges. “Firstly, we are really fortunate to have specialist, experienced staff, all of whom are professionally qualified within their teaching specialisms. They understand the industry inside out because they don’t just teach it, they’ve lived it - and they are passionate about passing on their expertise and insight. Secondly, we have incredibly strong links with the sector and are focused on delivering industry standard qualifications, to get students directly into employment at the end of their studies. Brilliant examples of this are our Personal Training and our Football Coaching qualifications – at the end of these programmes our students will be fully workready. Finally, we make sure that sport at the College isn’t confined to the curriculum – we’ve just received funding from Sport England for a Sports Makers position to deliver an even broader range of sports and leisure activities as enrichment and extra-curricular activities for students who wish to participate purely for enjoyment, whilst the Sports Academies provide a centre of excellence for those who want to play on a more competitive basis.” The College’s Sports Academy programmes offer specialist coaching in Basketball, Football, Golf, Hockey, Netball, Rugby and Trampolining, and the teams compete in local, regional and national events, with considerable success. A number of players go on to represent their sport in the England College National Squads, and others are offered professional contracts as a result of their Academy experiences. Talented Football Academy player Alex Pathy was signed by Cardiff City Futsal team upon completion of his programme and fellow players Jacob Bennett and Matt Shaxton both gained soccer scholarships to go on and study and train in the United States. Matt says, “My time in the Football Academy definitely helped me get headhunted for the soccer team of California State University Bakersfield, which also enabled me to study for an MBA on a sports scholarship. I played in the highest level of collegiate football in the US, in tournaments in New York, Seattle, Las Vegas, San Diego and San Francisco. In my final year I captained the team, was selected to play in the all conference team, and was also awarded Player of the Season. I now live and work in Los Angeles, but I still play football at semiprofessional level.” Hockey Academy player Joe Naughlty went on from Bridgwater College to represent Wales and has since gained numerous international caps. Sports student Tom Bailey is now a sports physio and has worked with Somerset County Cricket Club, Cardiff City FC and was a volunteer in the London Olympics medical team, working with top class athletes such as Usain Bolt and Mo Farah. “Sports students will gain skills and qualifications to prepare them for a range of sport-related careers, but participation in sport delivers so much more than that: it teaches teamwork, leadership, commitment, discipline, morality, integrity and ambition.” Jason Gunningham, Bridgwater College Matt Shaxton, Soccer Scholarship Student Jason Gunningham, Section Leader for Sports Lisa Pyke is another former sports student, who is For more information on sports courses, visit the website: www.bridgwater.ac.uk Career paths could include: fitness instructor, personal trainer, sports coach/trainer, sports professional, sports therapist, sports psychologist, sports physiotherapist, sports physiologist, sports nutritionist, sports development officer, recreation/ leisure assistant, lifeguard, activity centre manager, events manager, volunteer coordinator, sports official (club, county, regional, national, international), PE teacher, sports administrator, health and well-being officer. “My advice is – if you really want something in life get out there and grab it. Work hard, and you can achieve anything. Don’t let anything stand in your way and never settle for second best.” Skills needed Factfile Hours: 30 - 40 hours, including weekends Starting salary: £12,000 Potential salary: £50,000+ Click here for a short film on sports Strong communication skills, good leadership, physical fitness, good organisational and problem solving skills, enthusiasm, ability to inspire confidence and motivate, determination and patience, a sensitive and supportive approach. Lisa Pyke, former sports student is now a PE teacher now a PE teacher at the new Bridgwater College Academy. She says, “I wanted to be a PE teacher from about the age of seven! In secondary school, I had my first encounter of what that might be like when I got a placement in a local school. Then in College I took every work experience opportunity I could - teaching my peers, children with disabilities and pupils in secondary schools. Even when College broke up for the holidays, I volunteered to help out in local schools. I knew places were limited at university, and that I had to make sure I stood out from the crowd. Then with my degree under my belt, I achieved my dream job and have been there for 11 years. My advice is – if you really want something in life get out there and grab it. Work hard, and you can achieve anything. Don’t let anything stand in your way and never settle for second best.” Jason adds, “The quality of our provision has also been recognised by a number of awards. Not only are we five time National Award winners with the FA, we were also the first institution to be awarded Football Focus College of the Year by British Colleges; we were given National Leadership Academy status by Sports Leaders UK for our work with local clubs, schools and community groups in places as far afield as Romania and South Africa; we have a number of Excellence Achievements for developing leadership and volunteering, for sharing best practice and for developing curriculum and community programmes. 41 Bridgwater College • Live it, love it, learn it It’s always very gratifying to have our expertise and achievements acknowledged in these ways.” The College ensures that its programmes remain relevant and correctly focused by developing close links with the industry, and was recently selected by Bristol City Football Club and Bristol City Community Trust to deliver its football coaching programme at Ashton Gate. Amy Kington, Director of the Trust explains, “We chose Bridgwater College as our lead education provider because we were aware of its award-winning reputation and its amazing track record of delivering high quality educational programmes. Our partnership has resulted in a unique football coaching programme which provides young people with a genuine insight into how a football club really operates. The main benefit for us is that, potentially, we’re being introduced to our future workforce. It’s a very exciting prospect.” Somerset as a whole is undergoing a period of significant change and investment, with the result that there has been a commensurate growth in the local leisure sector. There are clear employment opportunities in the growing number of gyms and personal training facilities in the region but other potential career paths include work within grass roots community projects, amateur and professional sports clubs, and anything related to the promotion of an active and healthy lifestyle. Feedback from employers confirms they are looking for specific qualifications such as first aid, health and safety, coaching, and sports leadership awards as well as work experience and life skills. These are elements which are covered in full on any sports programme offered at the College. “These are really exciting times to be studying sport at the College,” Jason confirms. “We have just started awarding financial bursaries to students who demonstrate exceptional promise and potential - recently two male basketball players and a female footballer have benefited from this new initiative. We are also hoping to create a new Sports Village at our Cannington Centre which, apart from excellent sporting facilities, will include residential accommodation, thus providing opportunities for students from further afield, possibly even overseas, to study here. And our partnerships with employers and agencies are going from strength to strength, which serves to further improve work experience and employment opportunities for our students.” The College’s sports facilities in Bridgwater also operate as a commercial enterprise open to the public and comprise a gym with cardio and resistance equipment, a four-court sports hall (for netball, badminton, basketball, volleyball and 5-a-side football), two grass pitches and an all-weather full size artificial turf pitch. And the plans to expand the facilities at the Cannington Centre mean that land-based students will soon have more opportunities to participate in sport on an extra-curricular or Academy basis. for a career that will enable you to make a difference to people’s lives, at whatever level, this is the industry to be in.” Jason concludes, “The best thing about working in this industry is that it literally changes lives. At the recreational end of the spectrum, sport improves people’s health and wellbeing and at the other, it can completely transform the lives of those who aspire to play it professionally. Most of us, at some point in our lives, are spectators and supporters of sport, and it can influence our moods, our behaviours and even our lifestyles. And the way in which sport brings communities together has never been more evident than at the 2012 Olympic Games. So, if you’re looking Bridgwater College offers sports, leisure and coaching courses on a full and parttime basis, in addition to short courses and apprenticeship programmes. For more information call 01278 441234 or visit www.bridgwater.ac.uk For more information on sports courses, visit the website: Useful links www.uksport.gov.uk www.sportengland.org www.sportscoachuk.org www.bst.org.uk www.skillsactive.com www.careers-in-sport.co.uk www.bcsport.org www.somersetfa.com www.sasp.co.uk www.bridgwater.ac.uk More than the blue light services... The words ‘public and emergency services’ evoke images of blue lights flashing, sirens blaring and the walking wounded. Yet the public sector currently employs over 5 million people and, as well as the emergency services, encompasses roles in the armed forces, justice services, immigration control and local government, to name a few. The range of career opportunities in the sector is therefore widespread and diverse, although many of the public services also require their recruits to have undergone an element of ‘life experience’ first and do not recruit below the age of 18. The industry consequently requires training providers to offer relevant training at both further and higher education level to ‘plug the gap’ between school and employment, and to provide a solid foundation for a career in a wide range of disciplines. At Bridgwater College, aspiring public service employees study a specialist programme which provides this firm foundation and opens up a wealth of opportunities that they otherwise might not have considered. Click here for a short film on public services 43 Bridgwater College • Live it, love it, learn it We talk to Programme Manager for Public and Emergency Services at the College, David Cousins. As an ex-serviceman and prison PE instructor, he has a wealth of experience to draw on and is also a keen sportsman with a sports science background. He says, “The great thing about this course is that it broadens the mind. Quite often, students arrive with fixed views about the sector and face a few personal challenges as a result; this course helps them overcome these by teaching them a broad range of transferable skills, such as teamwork, leadership, endurance and discipline, as well as developing their physical fitness. In short, the course not only equips young people with skills and a formal education, it also provides focus and direction, and introduces them to opportunities they might otherwise have overlooked. They will also have the chance to achieve additional qualifications such as first aid, health and safety, coaching awards, sports leadership certificates or an AS Level.” As David explains, the College’s Public Services courses focus not only on relevant skills and knowledge development, but also outdoor pursuit David Cousins with students “This course teaches students a broad range of transferable skills, such as teamwork, leadership, endurance and discipline, as well as developing their physical fitness.” David Cousins, Bridgwater College For more information on public services courses, visit the website: www.bridgwater.ac.uk activities and fitness training. The students have free membership to the fully equipped College gym and are actively encouraged to participate in the many extra-curricular sports activities offered at the College. They also have regular access to the facilities at Bridgwater’s YMCA, which focus on outdoor pursuit provision, as well as the resources at the College’s Activity Centre at Cannington. This facility includes a range of high and low rope challenges that will improve team building, communication and leadership skills – all essential for this subject. “The other really exiting element of these courses is that our excellent partnerships with the sector enable us to offer students direct and regular engagement with a range of services personnel,” David goes on to explain. “In recent times students have undertaken endurance tests and leadership challenges with Royal Marines just back from Afghanistan and have also worked with 1st Battalion The Rifles on developing emergency and survival skills. Sea survival training at RNAS Yeovilton has equipped them for a seven-day tall ship challenge between Kent and France that enabled them to gain their RYA Competent Crew certificates, and they have developed map work and navigation skills during a two-day hike across Exmoor, and expedition skills during a trek across the Mendips with members of the Police Force. All of these activities help make the course much more vocationally relevant.” The students are also actively engaged with charities; they have recently worked on fundraising projects for the British Red Cross, which enabled them to achieve their NCFE Volunteering Awards, and David is hoping to take them on a residential trip to Romania to support the SWEEPS Charity in helping local communities and schools, thus contributing towards the achievement of their Community Sports Leadership Awards. Improving one’s CV at every opportunity is absolutely crucial, because this can be a surprisingly competitive sector. In the fire and rescue service for example, there are above average numbers of applicants for vacancies, although there is still a shortage of retained (parttime) firefighters, so this may be a better entry point. The police force is an equally popular employer, and notoriously difficult to access; new entrants might currently find it easier to progress by investigating employment as a police community support officer or a special constable. The armed forces might offer an easier route, with the Army most likely to be looking for new recruits; Bridgwater College is accredited with the Army to deliver the FE Army Bursary Scheme, which pays students up to £5,000 to study at college prior to enlisting. Another important, but frequently overlooked, sector is the justice service, which employs nearly 50,000 people, the majority as prison or probation officers. And it is a well-known fact the employees in the services often find they acquire skills which enable them to transfer between sectors at different stages in their careers. The College has an excellent track record of students progressing into relevant employment. Recent success stories include Ben Pavey who has secured a position as a special police constable, Alice Haggett who has joined the Royal Navy, Fran Inman who - while working towards a Master’s Degree in Public Service - secured a volunteering role with Avon and Somerset Road Traffic Police, and Hannah Forbes, who is now the chief instructor at the College’s Cannington Activity Centre. 45 Bridgwater College • Live it, love it, learn it “The course helped me to understand the role and responsibilities of the emergency services, and equipped me with the right skills to succeed in the tough recruitment process.” Katy Austin, former student Factfile Hours: 30 - 40 hours, including weekends and/ or shifts Starting salary: £10,000 Potential salary: £50,000+ Former student Katy Austin studied the further and higher education qualifications in Public Services at the College and is now working as an Emergency Care Assistant for the Great Western Ambulance Service. She says, “I have no doubt that my College studies helped me get into my current role. The course helped me to understand the role and responsibilities of the emergency services, and equipped me with the right skills to succeed in the tough recruitment process. I’m hoping to continue my studies via distance learning and eventually achieve my ambition of qualifying as a paramedic.” Programme Manager David comments, “Helping students realise their full potential is what every tutor strives to do, but it is particularly rewarding when we see a student progress up through their studies into related employment, and it becomes a real source of pride and achievement for anyone who has supported the student through that journey.” Someone who is no stranger to supporting students at the College is Major Mick Norris, Army Careers Officer for Somerset, Bristol and Gloucestershire. He works closely with Bridgwater College and is responsible for career presentations and advice, employability skills workshops, team building and communication activities, as well as expedition modules. He says, “The training at Bridgwater College means that students complete their studies equipped with life experience skills and a formal qualification. They are motivated and ready to progress. I work in lots of schools and colleges, and I would say that the students we get from Bridgwater College are first class – if you are thinking about going into the services, this is the best college for your training by a mile!” So if you’d like a career that offers the opportunity for significant selfdevelopment as well as the chance to make a real difference to your local community or even your country, then a career in public service may be for you. If you’re an energetic, committed and motivated individual, the possibilities for career success are huge. For more information on any of these courses offered at Level 1 through to Foundation Degree, call 01278 441234 or visit www.bridgwater.ac.uk Useful links www.army.mod.uk www.raf.mod.uk www.royal-navy.mod.uk www.justice.gov.uk www.mcga.gov.uk www.fbu.org.uk policerecruitment. homeoffice.gov.uk www.ambulance-life.co.uk/ jobs Career paths could include: firefighter, police officer, police community support officer, ambulance technician, immigration officer, customs officer, prison officer, dog handler, merchant navy role, RAF role, army role, security officer, teacher. Skills needed Strong communication skills, good leadership, physical fitness, good organisational and problem solving skills, team working skills, enthusiasm, confidence, determination and patience, a sensitive and supportive approach. For more information on public services courses, visit the website: www.bridgwater.ac.uk Life while learning... If reading this publication has inspired you to consider a landbased, sport or services course at Bridgwater College, we aim to answer some of the most commonly asked questions here… Q1: Where is Bridgwater College? The College is based in the heart of rural Somerset, located mid-way between Bristol and Exeter and just a couple of miles from J23 of the M5 motorway. Sports and Services students are currently based at our main Centre in the town of Bridgwater, and all landbased subjects are delivered at the Cannington Centre, some seven miles north of Bridgwater; an inter-site minibus operates regularly between the two Centres. We also have two outreach centres in Yeovil and Paignton, where we offer animal care and floristry courses, and animal care and zoological horticulture courses, respectively, and our football coaching and development programmes are offered on an outreach basis in Bristol, in partnership with Bristol City Community Trust. The history of Bridgwater College can be traced back to 1888 and it merged with the former Cannington College in 2004, since which time the partnership has gone from strength to 47 Bridgwater College • Live it, love it, learn it strength; recent investment totalling £10 million has resulted in brand new facilities for every land-based subject. An institution with an award winning reputation, Bridgwater College has been accorded Beacon status, with a responsibility for disseminating good practice to others. It achieved an Outstanding grade in its most recent Ofsted inspection and its exam and course results place it among the top performers in the county. Q2: What are the College facilities like? In addition to high quality, purpose built accommodation and equipment, there are a number of general facilities for all students to use. At Bridgwater and Cannington these include the Learning Resources Centres, offering brand new computer suites as well as access to books, e-books, newspapers, magazines, journals, DVDs and CDs. You can use your own laptop, tablet or smartphone via the free wi-fi network, and there are study areas for quiet work or group activities. The College website offers online access to webmail, the library system, IPTV and the College desktop from home. Blackboard is our Virtual Learning Environment and allows you 24 hour access to course materials, assignments and resources. You can submit work and chat online here with your tutor. can provide specialist help if you have any additional learning needs, and we can support your transition from school with extra visits to College before you start, should you need it. We also offer a professional counselling service, a health advisor, first aid and a sexual health surgery. The Restaurant at Cannington has just been refurbished and offers excellent value for money options for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and there is also a College shop selling all the student essentials. The Student Common Room has a pool table, jukebox and games machines and is the ideal spot for relaxing between lessons or at the end of a long day. Q4: Do you offer on-site accommodation? At Paignton and Yeovil the same resources are available on a proportionate scale, and all students are able to use the facilities at the Bridgwater Centre, which include a number of restaurants and two common rooms. Q3: What sort of support will I be entitled to? We consider tutorial support to be highly important, and you will be allocated a personal tutor to support you through your studies and help you make the most of your time at College. They will meet with you on a regular basis and, if you are under 18, offer feedback to your parents/carers. We Yes! You can apply for on-site accommodation if you are applying for a fulltime course at Cannington and you live outside of the immediate area, or if your course includes out of hours duties. We have 130 study bedrooms, most with en-suite facilities and all with internet access; please note that if you are under the age of 18, you will live in one of our mixed ten-room lodges during the week but cannot stay there at weekends. There are fully catered and self-catering options available, as well as a laundry room, common room with various leisure activities, shop, restaurant and bar (for over 18s). Note also that all accommodation has security controlled access, CCTV and 24 hour security support. Q5: How will I get to College if I live locally? There are a number of bus routes scheduled to arrive at the College sites at the beginning and end of the College day. If your transport arrangements bring you to the main site at Bridgwater, there are regular minibuses out to Cannington. Your place of residence will dictate the costs of a student bus pass, but the College regularly subsidises the cost of these to make them more affordable for students. Each site has limited parking for those travelling by car, and there is also dedicated parking space for those travelling by bike, moped or motorbike. Train travel may also be an option depending on where you live – visit www. bridgwater.ac.uk for more detailed information. Q6: Will I have to pay for my course? Education is currently free for under 19s, with fees payable only by those aged 19 or over. Fees vary depending on the type of course, and you should check for current details on our website at www. bridgwater.ac.uk You should bear in mind that there are often additional costs associated with a course, including specialist equipment and clothing, residential trips (which are optional), books etc and you will be advised of this by your tutor before you enrol. Q7: Can I get a grant or help with any costs? Our Student Support Team will give up-to-date information on support funds, help with transport, equipment and book costs. They can also provide information on loans, grant and any bursary schemes available, including the Sports Academy Bursary and the FE Army Bursary Scheme. For 2012/13, the College is launching a new bursary scheme for students on Agriculture and Countryside Management programmes. The bursaries are funded by employers and will provide successful students with £500 a year and a work placement opportunity. Please call us for more information on these. Call our Student Support Team at Bridgwater on 01278 441233 or at Cannington on 01278 655149 or email them studentsupport@bridgwater. ac.uk Don’t forget to ask about our Bursary Schemes which might provide you with funds to help with your training! For more information on being a student, visit the website: www.bridgwater.ac.uk Q8: If I live in, what is there to do in the evenings? Whether you are a day or resident student, you are likely to come into contact with our Cannington-based Student Liaison Assistants. Their role is to provide help and support, as well as organise a range of activities on and off campus. Regular activities include film nights, trips to the cinema, ice rink and bowling, a range of sports, fundraising events, college parties and much more. Top marks! Our residential accommodation and the work of the Student Liaison Team were graded Outstanding by the Ofsted Care Standards Inspection in November 2011. Q9: What could I do in addition to my course? There are a number of other fun activities which are organised to help enrich your learning experience. At Cannington, the College has its own Young Farmers’ Club, which is run by the students and is famous for an active social calendar and an exhausting schedule of fundraising events! The Green Pioneers is another popular group, and offers students a chance to get involved in a range of environmental projects in the community. There are also a number of College Sports Academies – particularly popular options with Cannington students are the Rugby Academy, Hockey Academy and the Golf Academy. All Academies are very well supported by Sports students, in particular. See our Sports chapter in this guide for more information. An enrichment activity currently in development is a shooting club, which will be student-led, with the support of key staff. All students based at Cannington are entitled to participate in activities organised at the Bridgwater site, timetables permitting. These include a broad range of sporting, creative and practical enrichment activities. Students at Paignton and Yeovil will be offered their own extra-curricular activity programmes. Q10: What are the pass rates for land-based courses? We have very strong pass rates, above the national averages, which we publish on our website under ‘Publications’ and we encourage you to look at these. We celebrate student success in a number of ways, including the termly Value Added Awards to mark personal achievements, an annual awards ceremony to celebrate achievements on FE courses by subject, and an annual graduation ceremony, in full academic dress, for university level students. Our pass rate for Apprenticeship programme is one of the highest nationally, at 96% in 2012. Q11: What help will I get if I want to go on to university? Your personal tutor and our impartial Information, Advice and Guidance Team will help you through the research and application process. You may also have the chance to visit higher 49 Bridgwater College • Live it, love it, learn it education institutions, or you might want to consider progressing to one of the many HE courses available at Cannington and Bridgwater. We also have an excellent careers section in the LRC where books, videos and eLearning resources are available to help with your planning. LIVE IT, LOVE IT, LEARN IT RIGHT FROM DAY ONE - with a Land-based OR SPORTS Apprenticeship Come and see us! Every term we hold a range of events to help with your decision making, including Open Days and Taster Mornings. We also attend events throughout the South West, including Careers Fairs, County Shows and Garden Shows. An event you shouldn’t miss is Lambing Sunday at our Farm in March – visit www.bridgwater.ac.uk for more details. Q12: How do I apply? Once you have decided you want to make an application, you need to complete a form available from www. bridgwater.ac.uk. If you want to apply for a full-time HE course, you will need to apply through www.ucas. com. You will then be invited to attend an interview, which will provide you with more information, and for under 19s in receipt of a formal offer of a place, you will also attend familiarisation days in advance of your course. If anything about the application process is unclear, please just call our Course Enquiries Team on 01278 441234 and they will be happy to help. Did you know you can also instant message our Course Enquiries Team? Choose this option on the home page of our website – staff are available online to chat with you during office hours. You can also email them on enquiries@ bridgwater.ac.uk If you’d like to get your land-based or sports career under way right now, then an apprenticeship is the perfect way of gaining practical experience alongside recognised qualifications, all while earning a salary. And if you run a land-based or sports enterprise and would like to boost your business with some FREE training, then an apprenticeship for a new or existing employee is a cost-effective way of improving their skills without interrupting their day-to-day work. With government grants available to support apprenticeships, and such a wealth of opportunity in the sector, there’s no better time to embark on an apprenticeship at Bridgwater College. All information is correct at the time of going to print (December 2012). Bridgwater College reserves the right to amend information at any time. Please check with Course Enquiries on 01278 441234 for up-to-date information. If you’re a young person interested in becoming an apprentice, call us now on 01278 441234 If you run a land-based or sports business and would like to find out more about employing an apprentice, call 01278 655111 or email [email protected]. Bridgwater College, Bath Road, Bridgwater, Somerset TA6 4PZ Course enquiries: (01278) 441234 General enquiries: 01278 455464 E: [email protected] www.bridgwater.ac.uk
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