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INTHIS ISSUE

November 2015

G K C n ew s l e t t e r fo r s t a ke h o l d e rs

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Glasgow’s Colleges, outline their vision for STEM delivery from 2015-2020.3 97

Electric Honey, the student-run record label announcesthe release of a new album from Malian musician

GKC welcomes groups fromour European partners underthe Erasmus + programme.

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Contents

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Welcome from Principal

Partnership in Profile

Partnership Agreement - BESTInternational Partners

Thenue’s‘Learning Works’ Programme

Electric Honey Event

Students Arts Awards

Community AchievementAwards

Update on India

Google MasterclassGlasgow ChamberHelps Employers

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10Regional STEM Strategy

Apprenticeship Programme

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Welcome from Alan Sherry, Principal.

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COLLEGES are here to provide great opportunities to their students and communities.

It's a simple, but signi�cant statement - and one which the college sector constantly needs to bear in mind.

Colleges are here to prepare people for the world of work, by o�ering them the skills and training to enhance their opportunities of �nding a job or progressing to more advanced learning.

At Glasgow Kelvin, we feel privileged to have the chance to make a di�erence to many lives in North and East Glasgow. There are countless positive stories to tell about the achievements of our students, and some of their recent successes are highlighted in this newsletter, including the great strides we and the other Glasgow colleges, Glasgow Clyde and City of Glasgow, have made in achieving STEM Assured status and launching our Glasgow Regional STEM Strategy.

With a strong reputation in the delivery of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), Glasgow Kelvin is delighted to be working closely with our sister colleges in the region, and with the New Engineering Foundation, to deliver relevant skills which meet employer needs and support learners into sustainable careers. Collectively we must continue to innovate and drive forward the STEM agenda to help grow the Scottish economy.

It is an exciting time for the College and for the region.The process of college regionalisation - which included the creation of Glasgow Kelvin - was complex and too often, the future structure and shape of colleges dominated the debate. Collectively, we continue to remind ourselves of the reason why we are here - to o�er that wide range of opportunities to our students and community.

Like all other colleges, we have worked hard to resolve issues which were carried over from the merger process, while retaining our focus on delivering the best possible opportunities for the people of North and East Glasgow.

Much of the media focus has centred on the governance of colleges – their transparency, accountability and probity as public-funded organisations. At Glasgow Kelvin, we always take decisions based on what is best for our students.

As college leaders, we must ensure that students are not let down. Now is the time for all colleges to move on from structural change and reinforce what they do best - o�ering great opportunities to young people across Scotland.

That is, and will remain, our top priority at Glasgow Kelvin College.

03 Glasgow Colleges launch Regional STEM Strategy.

Align the STEM provisions to strengthen and create capacity in key areas of economic importance

Address weaknesses or gaps in provisions to meet employer and student needs

Create the conditions for collaborative working to optimise both the collective o�er and resources

Foster innovation in STEM education thus enriching the student journey

Maximise progresssion opportunities for students into higher education and employment.

The launch event outlined the colleges commitment to developing a strong STEM talent pipeline for learners of all ages, backgrounds and abilities.

Hosted by City of Glasgow College at Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall, guests enjoyed keynote speeches from Annabel Ewing, Minister for Youth and Women's Employment; and Professor Medhat, founder and CEO of New Engineering Foundation: The Innovation Institute, a leading provider of SciTech innovation and growth services to business, education and government.

City of Glasgow College, Glasgow Kelvin College and Glasgow Clyde College have outlined their vision for STEM delivery from 2015-2020.

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STEMThe main aims of the Glasgow Regional Strategy are to:

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In working together to implement the Strategy, all three Glasgow colleges have achieved STEM Assured status.

Annabelle Ewing, said:

Both Laurence Howells, Chief Executive of the Scottish Funding Council, and Martin Fairbairn, Interim Chief O�cer of the Glasgow Colleges’ Regional Board, endorsed the Glasgow STEM Strategy, welcomed the collaborative approach and congratulated the three colleges on achieving STEM Assured status

Professor Sa’ad Medhat said:

Alan Sherry, Principal of Glasgow Kelvin College added

Technology

Maths

Engineering

Science

By bringing the New Engineering Foundation on board to develop this ambitious, overarching strategy, Glasgow’s colleges are showing their real commitment to Glasgow and Scotland’s industries and economy, as well as their students and sta�. The strategy lays out how important issues will be addressed to continue our great legacy in science, technology, engineering and maths – issues such as skills shortages, gender equality and using a range of di�erent ways to attract sustainable numbers of students into these areas. This builds on an already impressive track record that has seen the trio of Glasgow colleges join up with employers to develop courses and o�er facilities that prepare students to go into skilled, in demand jobs, capable of using the most up to date technology and with talents to build a successful career.

Aligning educational provision to employer needs is crucial if we are to generate sustained economic growth. Glasgow’s further education colleges recognised the opportunity for a collaborative approach to developing a joint strategy that creates a new technical and scienti�c capability to underpin areas of economic growth and strengthen employer participation.

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Glasgow Kelvin College is committed to working with our sister colleges, with NEF and our employer stakeholders, both old and new, to deliver the skills required by employers in a growing economy. We look forward to working together to develop Scotland’s Young Workforce and to helping create tomorrow's scienti�c and technological innovators.

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For more information, contact Calyn McNab: cmcnab@glasgowkelvin.ac.uk

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Carlyn says this is just one of many engineering pathways offered as part of a wider STEM programme. Glasgow Kelvin College has developed a STEM manifesto to stress the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths - and is also part of a Glasgow-wide STEM Strategy."It's all about creating opportunities for young people to fill the skills gaps of the future - which are very much in areas like engineering," Carlyn explains. "We have to provide a range of different pathways - apprenticeships, HNCs, HNDs and articulation into universities - and the motivation for young people to fill those skills gaps. It's not a short-term fix, it's about building the workforce of the future."The Glasgow Kelvin College STEM

manifesto is about highlighting the importance of the subjects and making sure the curriculum matches the jobs of the future and fits the changing face of the economy."The STEM manifesto gives us a focus; it's not an end," Carlyn stresses. "We make commitments to provide these pathways for young people - and we need to meet them; we don't put the manifesto in a drawer. It's right at the centre of what the college does in providing opportunities for young people; equipping them with the skills and knowledge to follow the pathway which suits them best."Carlyn McNab is a woman in what is still largely a man's world. She personally has never experienced any problems in this respect but recognises there is major work to do

in getting young women to study STEM subjects, especially engineering."We have women on just about all the courses now, but the numbers are small. We need to talk to girls in schools and enthuse them - it's a big issue but the college is determined to address it. We’re already working with local primary school pupils to try to break down gender stereotyping at an early age.“We’re happy to work with schools, parents and employers to seek solutions and hopefully we’ll see the results of this work in the near future."

Partnership in Pro�le Carlyn McNab – Head of FacultyEngineering, Construction and Science

PARTNERSHIP working is the key to unlocking doorways to opportunity for young people interested in studying STEM subjects - Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths.And Glasgow Kelvin College is right at the heart of a wide range of partnerships which are making a real difference to young people's lives.Carlyn McNab, Head of Faculty for Science and Technology, says: "We have strong partnerships with employers, with schools and students, and with Glasgow City Council. It's a collaborative effort.She highlights the Glasgow School-College Business Partnership which is delivering an innovative one-year scholarship programme leading to a National Certificate in Electrical Engineering - providing a unique pathway into a range of engineering occupations for S5 and S6 pupils.Currently, 16 pupils from secondary schools in north east Glasgow are on the programme, which combines school and college-based study, as well as work experience placements."We are working with two big employers - Amey and Network Rail - and Scottish Water has agreed to come on board," Carlyn explains. "We are talking to other employers to tell them how this can work for them - by helping them understand that these young people could be their employees of the future."

For more information, contact Calyn McNab: cmcnab@glasgowkelvin.ac.uk

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Glasgow Kelvin College has become a key provider of engineering skills to school-age learners with the launch of the College’s very �rst Foundation Apprenticeship.

Apprenticeship Programme Lays Foundations for Future Careers

The programme equips learners with appropriate technical, employability and personal development skills which, in the second year of the course, they are then able to take into the workplace to gain a hands-on experience of working practices and standards. They are mentored by skilled employees from the industry partners who work closely with the College.

Twelve Glasgow school pupils started their Foundation Apprenticeship in Engineering in August this year, from Bannerman High, Eastbank Academy, Knightswood Secondary, Smithycroft Secondary and St Andrew’s Second-ary.

Their success was celebrated at an event where each new apprentice was welcomed by the Glasgow Kelvin College Principal, Alan Sherry. To commemorate the occasion, Glasgow Kelvin College HND Photography student, Grant Parfery, captured images of the pupils on their very �rst day in the college workshops. Each was presented with a beautiful, unique black and white image of themselves in front of family, friends and representatives from their schools while students from the College’s Professional Cookery course added to the celebration by preparing a stunning reception of canapes and mocktails.

Alan Sherry congratulated the students and acknowledged the tremendous support from industry partners who will be providing work placements for the students in their second year of the work-based learning programme. He said: “We are fortunate to have Amey, Network Rail and Scottish Water supporting our Scholarship and Foundation Apprenticeship programmes. We recognise that each have their own business priorities and we are very grateful for the time and e�ort they invest in our young people. I hope we can return the favour by providing each with highly skilled employees of the future.”

The Foundation Apprenticeship in Engineering is run in conjunction with Skills Development Scotland and Glasgow City Council.

For more information, contact Liz Breckenridge: lbreckenridge@glasgowkelvin.ac.uk

Principal Alan Sherry with the latest recruits to the Foundation Apprenticeship programme

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07for everyone!

Tom is pictured here with Alan Sherry, Carlyn McNab (Head of Faculty of Engineering, Construction & Science) and John Kinlay (Senior Curriculum Manager).

The College is delighted to have signed a Partnership Agreement with BEST, the industry training provider for the trade association which represents employers in Building Engineering Services. We anticipate this will take us into the future and ensure high quality learning for apprentices and trainees in the industry.BEST have worked closely with the College over the years to support the development of skills in all the areas covered by Building Engineering Services, including Plumbing, Heating & Venting, Air-Conditioning, Refrigeration and Electro-Technical Industries.Tom McManus, General Manager -Scotland of BEST, met with Principal Alan Sherry to discuss the way forward including recent developments, the widening of

access opportunities, perception challenges and strategies to improve the gender balance in the industry.The signing of the Agreement is a milestone for the College and we look forward to continuing our valuable links with BEST and their stakeholders which will improve opportunities for our learners.Signing the Agreement, Tom McManus said:“Our partnership with Glasgow Kelvin College is key to ensuring that our employers attract better-prepared young people to their workforce. The employability and motivational skills which we can deliver, in partnership, will give students the best opportunity to advance successfully in a competitive labour market.”

Playing Host to International PartnersThe College was delighted recently to welcome groups from our European partners under the Erasmus + programme.

Five students and two teachers, Barbara Denker and Judith Baumann, from Modeschulen Nurnberg have been visiting our Fashion Design team as part of the Glasgow Experience. Their trip has included visits to the Hunterian Gallery & Museum, Glasgow University, Riverside Museum and a Civic Reception at the City Chambers and Trades House, where they met Hamish Brodie, Deacon of the Incorporation of Weavers.

A further Erasmus+ group have been visiting from St Geraud, Aurillac in France and, as part of their six week stay, have been spending time with the Creative & Digital Industries team, taking in Art, Fashion, Sound and Photography to name but a few.

Thanks go to all the staff who have been playing host and supporting our international friends during their time at GKC.

BEST

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More Achievers From Thenue’s ‘Learning Works’ Programme

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A further eight learners were presented with their certi�cates for completing the Thenue Housing Association ‘Learning Works’ Programme.

The course is delivered at community venues on a part-time basis and has already met with real success in preparing learners for further study or supporting them into work.A key element of the programme is the extensive and ongoing support which they receive from the Project Co-ordinator, Tracy Lennon, and her colleagues at Thenue Housing Association. Lawrence McCabe, Community Regeneration Manager for Thenue Housing, praised the funders saying that current supporters Big Lottery Scotland and Clyde Gateway were helping to make employment possible for those taking part. Lawrence said: “Without this kind of �nancial support we simply would not be able to help so many people who have bene�ted from Learning Works and we remain very grateful to them for their support. We congratulate those completing

the course on their magni�cent achievement.” Learning Works has been a remarkable success with almost 120 people from the east end being helped since its launch in February 2012. Charlie Turner, Chief Executive of Thenue Housing said: “The partnership between Glasgow Kelvin College and Thenue Housing is delivering real bene�ts to long-term unemployed people who want to get back into work. The course is making a big di�erence by providing the opportunity to learn new skills which employers are looking for in potential employees.” The College’s thanks go to Thenue for their ongoing commitment and support for the programme (and Clyde Gateway and Big Lottery as funders) and it looks forward to continuing this important and productive partnership which creates real opportunities out in our

communities.Alan Inglis, College Vice Principal said: “We are delighted to once again help recognise the achievements of the students on this hugely worthwhile programme. The success of the ‘Learning Works’ groups underscores the value of partnership working and we are privileged to be part of this. “The crucial role of community–based learning in addressing access problems is highlighted by the continuing success of the programme and congratulations go to all the learners, as well as to the sta� who have supported them on their journey. Our thanks go out to Thenue Housing Association for their continued trust and con�dence and we look forward to continuing our partnership in the future.”

This is the 12th group to complete the ten-week programme which is supported by GKC and provides a range of personal development and employability skills and quali�cations to unemployed residents in the East of Glasgow.

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Glasgow Kelvin College is very pleased to be involved in the partnership with East Dunbartonshire Council schools and CCG to support the training of young people in industry-relevant skills that will equip them for their future.Providing skills and qualifications which directly target the needs of employers, while helping students to develop the social skills and attitudes key to the workplace, is central to our employability approach in the delivery of high quality learning.

Alan Sherry, Principal of Glasgow Kelvin

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Electric Honey, the student-run record label has announced the release of a new album from Malian musician, Yacouba Sissoko, and students have helped to organise a music workshop from Yacouba Sissoko in December. This will take place at GKC City Campus on 9th December at 2pm, followed by an evening gig at the Hidden Gallery, 1081 Argyle Street.

Students from a range of areas– TV/Film Production, Sound, Music Business/Events Management – have been involved in the project.This is a great feather in the cap for our students and we’re looking forward to the workshop and performance. More information will be available on our Facebook page and website www.glasgowkelvin.ac.uk in due course.

For more information contact: kmccluskey@glasgowkelvin.ac.uk

Electric Honey Event for Respected Malian Musician

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Fourteen of Glasgow Kelvin College’s young learners were delighted to be awarded their Arts Award

recently from ‘See Think Make’ for creative work they have undertaken in the last year.

Students Achieve Arts Awards

The ceremony took place in the splendid St Andrews in the Square in Glasgow city centre, where several of the students had the opportunity to showcase their creative work.

The Arts Award comprises a series of qualifications accredited by Trinity College London that allow young people to grow their leadership and learning skills. It supports them as they compile a portfolio from their own creative projects and helps them reflect on and evaluate their work and performance,

either individually or as part of a team.

Each of the students used their work, either studying or volunteering in community organisations, as the basis for their portfolio. From music and performance to a splendid fashion show, the students displayed their creative talents. Gaining a qualification in such a fun and flexible way will be a real advantage for these students in the competitive jobs market.See Think Make is a social enterprise organisation in

Glasgow which works closely with partners to promote and deliver the Arts Awards.

Sophie Rogers who is one of the College youth workers is the first person in Scotland to receive the Gold Award! In addition, around 50 young people received Bronze and Silver Awards.

Glasgow Kelvin College is delighted to have supported the students in this and is keen to develop further its partnership with See Think Make to benefit learners.

The image shows several of the young people performing a rehearsed piece (photo courtesy of Stillmotion.)

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11The trailblazing Community Achievement Awards for community volunteers and workers continue to go from strength to strength!

Community Achievement Awards Growing…Notable recipients in recent weeks have been Blue Triangle Housing Association which, as part of its ‘40th Anniversary’ celebrations, presented five participants with their Awards at a packed event in Oran Mor. Each of the recipients had come to Blue Triangle as a result of challenges in their life and now, as volunteers, they have helped and supported others in the organisation.

Similarly with Caroline Allison, a volunteer with NG Homes who received her Community Achievement Award at the popular NG Homes Networking Breakfast in Possil for recognition of the great support she has provided to staff.

Alan Sherry, Principal, says of the Community Achievement Awards: “Many of our community's volunteers are constantly learning new skills in the work they do on a day-to-day basis and our Community Achievement Awards help them to formalise that experience, achieving a qualification and accreditation for the impressive support they provide.

“Many of those involved have no formal qualifications and the work they do for the Award boosts their confidence and reinforces their self-worth, inspiring them to go on to bigger challenges. We feel that the Award is a tangible commitment towards

community capacity building and are keen to develop it further for the benefit of Glasgow’s volunteers.”

Four of Blue Triangle’s achievers are pictured below with Fiona Stringfellow, CEO of Blue Triangle and Alan Sherry. In addition, Fiona and Alan discussed the impact of Community Achievement Awards on the lives of vulnerable people on STVs Riverside Show dlvr.it/Cjf1vf.

More information on the Community Achievement Award is available from Angela White at awhite@glasgowkelvin.ac.uk.

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UPDATE ONINDIA

We reported previously in Kontact on our initiative with the Government Polytechnic for Women in Andhra Pradesh and are delighted to announce that the programme goes from strength to strength.

Work from students at both corners of the glob goes on apace. At the Scottish end, College sta� and students are putting together a stunning fashion show which will spotlight Paisley Pattern and showcase the skills and craft techniques being learned from the knowledge exchange with our Indian colleagues. The fashion show will be presented in partnership with Renfrewshire Council, which is undertaking a major promotion of the Paisley Pattern as part of its upcoming City of Culture bid.

Plans are at an exciting stage and we hope to promote this cultural extravaganza early in the new year – keep an eye on our website and social media!!

In addition Glasgow Kelvin has further strengthened its links with India, this time through a programme to help people with disabilities to access employment. Again, funded by the UK India Education Research Initiative (UKIERI), a team from Glasgow Kelvin will be working with the newly formed Sector Skills Council for Persons with Disability in India to develop a curriculum which is accessible to people with a range of disabilities.

Sta� recently visited New Delhi and Coimbatore to meet with

their Indian counterparts and to begin the detailed scoping of our partnership. The visit was extremely successful and resulted in a number of major employers committing to the programme across India. The college will be welcoming a delegation from India later this year. This delegation will be seeking to learn from best practice in Scotland as it relates to access to employment for people with disabilities.

This is a unique opportunity for Glasgow Kelvin College to showcase its expertise in supported learning, both in India and Scotland. The Scottish Government are extremely interested in the outcomes of this programme and the Kelvin team looks forward to bene�ting from the exchange of knowledge and practice between India and Scotland.

For more information, contactAlastair McGhee:amcghee@glasgowkelvin.ac.uk

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Glasgow Chamber Helps Employers EngageThe College is delighted to be hosting a Networking Breakfast for employers and other stakeholders where we will welcome Stuart Patrick, Chief Executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce as our keynote speaker. Stuart will outline how the Chamber is supporting the Scottish Government ‘Developing the Young Workforce’ initiative to help embed a proactive approach to apprenticeship training which will, in turn, support growth in the local and national economy.

His exciting presentation will be followed by an overview from the employer’s viewpoint where Craig Jackson from Scottish Water will provide his �rst-hand experience of providing the work experience element of the programme. He will outline the bene�ts to the apprentice, existing employees, the organisation and the wider industry.

The event is aimed at providing employers with a background of the DYW initiative and showcasing the bene�ts of apprenticeship programmes in the �eld of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths in particular.

Breakfast is being provided for our invited guests by our own talented Hospitality students at the East End Campus and delegates will have the opportunity to network and chat as they sit down to their favourite breakfast savouries.

We hope to hold more of these events in the coming session and would be delighted to welcome more of our stakeholders to our campus buildings in the near future.

Opportunity for Businesses

Free Google Masterclass!!Glasgow Kelvin College is all set to host an exciting Digital Careers Event at its Springburn Campus on 11th December. The daytime event will be aimed at students and other young people keen to learn or apply their skills and quali�cations in the innovative and creative world of Digital Media.

A host of industry-leading employers will be there to take delegates through their requirements for future employees and colleagues. This will be a huge opportunity for our own students and people throughout the communities of Glasgow.

In the evening, however, the Google Digital Garage on Tour will arrive. This is the �rst time this exciting event has been hosted by a college and it will give local businesses the chance to attend a FREE masterclass and learn crucial skills for the digital age.

More information can be found athttps://events.withgoogle.com/the-digital-garage-on-tour-glasgow-kelvin-college/

WATIFYDIGITAL CAREERS & SKILLS DAYGlasgow Kelvin College, 11th December 2015

Techmix magazine (the UK’s leading digital careers magazine for educators) has partnered with WATIFY, techUK and Glasgow Kelvin College for a special Digital Careers Day event to connect local young people to the digital, creative & media industries.

Inspiration Hour - a seminar session hosted by four leading tech entrepreneurs, digital experts and employers.

Breakout sessions - hosted by local employers and tech innovators, keen to build links to local schools and colleges.

RESERVE YOUR PLACE NOW!If you’d like to bring a school group please be quick and reserve your space.

Please contact:Alastair McGheeDirector of Business Developmentamcghee@glasgowkelvin.ac.uk0141 630 5119

WATIFY Doubt Session - Doubt is a natural emotion when starting your own business. We help you overcome doubt, inspiring you to bring your ideas to life.

For more information, contact Alastair McGhee: amcghee@glasgowkelvin.ac.uk

This document is available in large print and text-only formats.

Contact:hramsay@glasgowkelvin.ac.uk

Contact Glasgow Kelvin CollegePhone: 0141 630 5000Fax: 0141 630 5001

Main address:123 Flemington StGlasgow G21 4TD

Email:info@glasgowkelvin.ac.uk

Web:www.glasgowkelvin.ac.uk

Does your organisation have an employee, volunteer or service-user who's a student at Glasgow Kelvin College and do you have a story you might want to tell us? If so, contact our Communications & Planning Manager, Lesley Lang, at llang@glasgowkelvin.ac.uk. And we're always looking for work placement opportunities to provide a realistic learning experience for our vocational skills students. If you think you could support the College in this then you could bene�t from having a keen and committed addition to your sta� to support your organisation's development. Contact the College switchboard who will direct your call to the appropriate faculty.