A social mobility champion will be one of the key speakers when University Centre Leeds turns a spotlight on women in leadership.
The university centre will launch a six week programme of events, focused on encouraging female students – including Level 3 Access to Law course students – to aim for the very top, on Thursday 3 February.
A meet and greet coffee morning, featuring a question and answer session with a panel of women in leadership roles, will kick things off.
That will be followed by a series of workshops, each hosted by guest speakers who are leaders in their fields, focusing on topics including confidence, imposter syndrome and personal branding.
An inspiring line-up to boost self-belief
Among the visitors will be Carole Lovstrom, a leading civil servant with her own inspirational life story to tell, who was awarded an MBE in 2020 in recognition of her services to Social Mobility in Government.
Deputy Head of Business at University Centre Leeds, Sarah Cook, is looking forward to seeing the impact of such speakers on the students.
She said: “We are excited to have put together such a strong line-up of speakers, events and participating businesses.
“We offer Leadership and Business degrees but had been experiencing lower numbers of women on the courses, so we started our Women in Leadership programme, in 2019, to address that.
“The programme promotes our courses to women and helps them realise their full potential, while also tackling the legacy imbalance of women in leadership roles and helping women realise they are equally capable of excelling.
“Many of our female students had told us that they lacked the necessary confidence and self-belief, so we also wanted to address that.
“We know the programme makes a difference because past participants, who attended elevator sessions to promote themselves to employers and visited workplaces to see female leaders in action, have told us about their positive experiences.”
Shining a light on opportunities
Ms Lovstrom, who works in the Department for Transport and is Head of Ministerial Briefing & Public Affairs, will give a presentation on the civil service and how to engage with employers.
Her drive to help people from tougher backgrounds find career and educational opportunities comes from her own upbringing.
She said: “My goal is to continue to reach out to people who might be struggling to find opportunities.
“I’m particularly keen on promoting the diversity and social mobility agendas as I was that 15-year-old growing up on a council estate, with a mother who said I could do anything – and an environment that just didn’t support that.”
Mentoring support and workplace visits
Representatives from local businesses, including Ernst & Young, RSM, and the university centre’s parent organisation, Luminate Education Group, are among those taking part in Women in Leadership.
A local GP, Nipa Miah, will also talk about how she managed to overcome family opposition to pursue her education and career choices.
The programme includes trips to workplaces and a chance – covid restrictions pending – for some students to visit the Department for Transport in Westminster in March, where they will be given a guided tour.
The six week event will be rounded off, on Thursday 17 March, by a celebration session and a talk from Smart WorkLeeds about mentoring and volunteering opportunities.
The charity – which helps women get back into work – will also be offering support to students, including through interview coaching, which will continue until they secure full-time employment.
Leeds City College, a member of Luminate Education Group, has secured funding as part of the Post-16 Capacity Fund Application 2021-22, to develop an additional building at its Printworks campus on Hunslet Road.
ONS data shows a rise in 16-year-olds in Leeds from 2021 and this will increase the demand for student places, with more young people looking to enter further education. This investment will enable Leeds City College’s Printworks campus to meet these capacity needs now and in the future.
The new building, which will be based on part of the car park, will create additional capacity with 11 new classrooms for 335 students. The space will be tailored to focus on engineering and manufacturing, creative and digital, as well as finance and professional courses. As the city’s leading provider of vocational training, the funding will help Leeds City College continue to meet the growing student demand.
Cheryl Smith, Principal at Leeds City College’s Printworks campus, said: “This funding is not only welcomed, but essential if we are to continue offering exceptional and inclusive learning experiences for our students. By developing new, built-for-purpose learning spaces it means we can not only meet the demand of growing student numbers, but create quality learning environments that allow them to thrive.
“Giving young people access to a 21st century education experience is more important than ever, but to do that we need to have the appropriate facilities and adequate space to deliver this. The Printworks campus is already home to an impressive world class kitchen, tailored engineering workshops, salons and studios, digital suites and air cabin, but we know we can offer more to ensure no young person gets left behind.
“Over the last four years, Printworks campus has seen a 7.1% increase in students. We are already at capacity, which makes the need for this extra space even more important. This funding allows us to commit to meeting this demand and continue to offer a bright future for the students that come to learn with us.”
The new building, which is set to be ready in Autumn 2022 is aligned to Leeds City Region’s target to be the UKs first carbon neutral city by 2038, as well as the Government’s Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution.
Keighley College is providing a lifeline to the local community by offering free haircuts and manicures for unemployed individuals who have upcoming interviews.
Aspiring student hairdressers and barbers will be providing the service until the end of June, in a bid to support locals in boosting their confidence before attending an interview.
Ashleigh Taleb, Salon Technician at Keighley College, said: “We’re dedicated to going to great lengths to empower our community to achieve great things. We appreciate how difficult the pandemic has been, resulting in many being furloughed and unemployed. Our professional Hair and Beauty Level 2 and 3 students will be on hand to lift community spirit by cutting hair and offering manicures.”
To book an appointment, individuals who live locally can visit or call the salon on 01535 685 030 or send a message through Facebook or Instagram. Anyone receiving a free haircut or manicure will need to bring along an offer email or letter for the interview.
The salon will be operating in line with Covid-19 guidelines, including wearing face coverings and using sanitising stations.
Innovations fuelled by scientific research are at the heart of the fight against the many threats facing our environment.
At University Centre Leeds (UC Leeds) increasing numbers of students have been choosing ‘green’ subjects for their dissertations in a bid to support such work.
UC Leeds, like its parent body, Luminate Education Group, acknowledges that the world is currently facing a climate emergency and is committed to taking action to improve sustainability.
The environmentally-focused research that is being carried out by Biomedical Science students chimes perfectly with that, and has been hailed by UC Leeds’s Dean of Higher Education, Janet Faulkner, as ‘amazing’.
Outstanding recent projects have included a dissertation on the impact of acid rain and another on how waste water in general, and laboratory cleaning fluid in particular, affects aquatic plants.
Spurred to act by the climate emergency
It was a recent environmental catastrophe that inspired Biomedical Science (BSc Hons) graduate, Eleanor Thomas, to explore why some green plants are much more resistant to acid rain than others.
She said: “I decided on my topic following some extreme environmental disasters, the main one being the Australian wildfires that took place in 2019/20 in which over 27 million acres of forest were burnt.
“This inspired me to begin questioning the impact on life if important ecosystems and species of plants were to become extinct, and what could be done to prevent this.
“I looked into the increasing issue of acid rain and the concerns surrounding its irreversible environmental, cultural, and medical effects, and decided to investigate to what extent acid rain damages plants.”
Her work identified which parts of plants were worst affected by acid rain, opening up a route for further studies – including how susceptible species could be genetically modified to better protect them.
Dacosta Owusu’s dissertation topic, meanwhile, was driven by the role of aqua-culture, and its importance to nutrition in his home country of Ghana.
He said: “I chose the subject having considered the way we dispose of waste water from domestic, laboratory and industrial settings and its impact on aquatic plants.
“In Africa, a lot of people throw waste water away after washing their clothes and utensils, without knowing the significant effects on the plants around them.”
Dacosta’s work involved growing water plants in four different mediums (pure water, disinfectant, a general detergent, and a treated compost) and then extracting and examining chlorophyll from each of them.
He found that organic pollution could limit plant growth, though not fatally – but that just a low concentration of cleaning agents would kill them.
Dedicated staff and a supportive learning journey
Reflecting on his experience at UC Leeds, he said: “I achieved my BSc (Hons) in Biomedical Science despite having three children, work and school.
“I must say that University Centre Leeds has the facilities, lecturers and a well-structured academic system to improve the well-being of every individual, irrespective of their background.”
Eleanor, who is hoping to study for a Masters degree in the near future, echoed those sentiments. She is currently gaining valuable laboratory experience while working in drug development as a validation analyst in immunochemistry.
She said: “Resources to support my studies were always accessible at UC Leeds, even throughout the pandemic when we had limitations, such as no access to physical books in the library.
“Staff and tutors would always ensure you were equipped with everything you needed to complete assignments and revise for exams, and dedicated staff were available to aid in areas such as researching techniques, essay writing, and referencing.
“There was never a time where I felt stuck for someone to turn to for help. At UC Leeds you are supported in all aspects of student life and staff are there to help you with wellbeing, finances, equipment or any problems.
“My experience in Biomedical Science was extremely positive and I would recommend the courses to anyone looking to pursue a qualification in science.”
Quality research with an environmental focus
Dean of Higher Education, Janet Faulkner, said: “Our students are passionate, as we all are at University Centre Leeds, about the environment and are determined to do whatever we can to help limit, or reverse, some of the damage that is being done.
“More and more of our science students have responded to the climate emergency by choosing environmental subjects, with practical applications, for their dissertation topics.
“It is research like this that will be key to us finding the best ways to innovate and change our ways so that we give our planet an urgently needed chance to recover.”
The academic and vocational quality of the science courses at UC Leeds, which place a strong emphasis on developing practical laboratory skills and industry-relevant experience, has been recognised by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC).
The RSC has named UC Leeds as one of the accredited providers of the Laboratory Technician Advanced Apprenticeship which includes a level 4 Certificate in Higher Education, Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Science. For more details on science subjects at UC Leeds, visit ucleeds.ac.uk/science-courses .
Leeds City College, a member of Luminate Education Group, has launched a bespoke community health and wellbeing worker apprenticeship standard that will aim to improve health, prevent ill-health, and reduce inequalities in the West Yorkshire region.
Community health and wellbeing workers work in partnership with individuals and their communities to identify and address health and wellbeing needs, as well as inequalities.
The apprenticeship comes at a crucial time when mental health issues have risen by more than a quarter, with 60% of adults and 68% of young people saying that their mental health got worse during lockdown.
According to the Royal College of Psychiatrists, almost 400,000 children and 2.2 million adults sought help for mental health problems during the pandemic, with 1.68 million more mental health sessions delivered over the past year compared with the year before.
The college will be the first in the country to deliver the apprenticeship with plans to deliver it remotely in the coming months.
The 12-month Level 3 programme will provide learners with a practical and affordable opportunity to develop their skills, while giving employers leeway to train their existing workforce in line with their company goals.
The trailblazer group was set up over 12 months ago and the college has been working in partnership with employers including the London Borough of Greenwich Brighton, Hove City Council, Cambridge, and Peterborough Integrated Care System (ICS).
Lee Pryor, Director of Apprenticeships at Luminate Education Group said: “Last year highlighted the significant pressures on community mental health and wellbeing services and how this has drastically changed as a result of the pandemic.
“This new apprenticeship comes at a time where concerns have been raised that mental health and care services may not reopen as before. It will be an opportunity to restore confidence within the community and prepare learners for the long-term, especially when in-person services are reinstated.
“Community health and wellbeing workers are a fast-growing workforce that will support the increasing emphasis on improving the health of local people and communities, and we want to work with organisations such as the NHS and local government to ensure that learners looking to progress in this area in the sector are equipped with the knowledge and skills to carry out their duties effectively.”
Last year, the college became one of six providers in the Northeast & Yorkshire region to be awarded several apprenticeship standards, including the healthcare cleaning operative and health play specialist apprenticeship.
For more about the apprenticeship and how to apply, email apprenticeships@leedscitycollege.ac.uk
HRH the Duke of Cambridge was in the city to present the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service – the UK’s highest award for volunteer groups – to CATCH Leeds, which runs a popular youth centre in Harehills.
A number of students volunteer regularly for the charity, and enjoyed showing the Prince some of the many activities they support, including animal care – they look after 12 goats – and table tennis.
CATCH also provides a weekly activity session for children evacuated from Afghanistan, and the Prince spoke to a group of recently evacuated Afghan refugees during his visit, too.
The Leeds Sixth Form College and Leeds City College students who were at CATCH Leeds for the 30 November award presentation were: Solomon Balica (Sport Science), Shakila Begum (A levels), Samuel Balica (Customer Service), Elona Gangal (Health and Social Care), Kevin Scuka (Sport Science), Aman Ali (Business), Artjom Tuguzovs (Uniform Services), Talanah Shareeka Fray (Childcare and Education), and Gabriel Mendes (Engineering).
A HUGE HONOUR
Health and Behaviour Lead at Leeds City College, Lauren Turnbull, said: “The prince had a tour around CATCH, spoke to our volunteers, and also presented us with our Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.
“It was a huge honour for us all, and the students all did great.
“All of our students who are regular volunteers with the charity were involved on the day – and Shakila was also part of a more personal conversation with Prince William, when she talked to him about her background and experiences, and her journey with CATCH.
“Solomon was part of the conversations with the Prince, too, about how we built our educational farm and how we look after the goats.”
Prince William talking to volunteers, including Leeds Sixth Form College student Shakila Begum, at CATCH Leeds
Prince William talking to volunteers, including Shakila Begum, at CATCH Leeds
Leeds Sixth Form College student Solomon, posting online on the day, said: “This has to be one of my proudest days meeting His Royal Highness Prince William @CATCHLeeds.
“Never did I ever think this was going to happen to me…a Romanian boy living in Harehills.
“This visit has inspired and motivated so many of us.”
CATCH volunteer and Leeds City College student Solomon Balica
During his meeting with the Afghan families, meanwhile, the Prince praised the bravery it took to start new lives in the UK, and thanked those who had risked everything by working for the British Government.
Leeds City College students Hossein Saeedi and Sanga Ahmadi were among those he talked to at a local hotel.
Hossein, who worked as an interpreter in Afghanistan before leaving three months ago with his partner and their ten year old son, is currently studying GCSE maths and English.
A WELCOMING AND POWERFUL MESSAGE
He said that meeting a member of the Royal Family had been a great pleasure, and said that the Prince had delivered a warm, welcoming and powerful message to the group.
Sanga, who arrived in the UK with her family in 2015, said: “The Prince was very keen to meet us and he was a very nice and kind person.
“He asked us about how life had been since moving to the UK and settling here, how the local community had welcomed us, and about my husband and the army regiment he’d worked with.
“And he expressed his gratitude to us and welcomed us to the UK. It was an honour meeting him.”
Sanga is studying ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) Entry Level 3 and has also started a Childcare course with a view to working in that field.
Programme Manager for ESOL Community & Outreach at Leeds City College, Alison Suckley, said: “Sanga has been with the ESOL department for about three years now and survived / thrived on the online work during the lockdowns, thanks to the hard work of her teacher, Szerena Meljan.
“Teachers in the ESOL department have made a lot of effort this year to help students progress to other courses in the Adult and Community department, which will hopefully lead to employment.”
Tweeting after his visit, Prince William said: “In Leeds today to celebrate the welcoming, diverse, resilient communities across the nation who are coming together to support those in need.
“The people of Yorkshire, along with thousands across the UK, are providing vital support to those who have recently evacuated Afghanistan.”
AMAZING VOLUNTEERS ARE AN INSPIRATION
Referring to CATCH, he added: “Youth charities around the UK play such an important role in ensuring the future generation are given every chance to fulfil their ambitions.
“None more so than @CATCHLeeds, a youth-led charity located in one of the more deprived areas of Leeds. These young people are so inspiring – hearing their stories, what they’ve experienced and how they now want to help the next generation to ensure they don’t have to face the same difficulties is amazing.
“Congratulations on receiving the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.”
All 15 councils in Yorkshire and the Humber have promised to resettle Afghan refugees whose lives would be in danger in Afghanistan, or who helped British forces.
For more details on CATCH Leeds visit catchleeds.co.uk.
