Students know how to make an impact

Students from Lowestoft College were out to make a big impact with their hair and make-up creations which were showcased during the end of year awards evening.

The evening featured a choreographed show based around the theme of Angels and Demons which was designed to test the creativity and demonstrate some of the skills the Level 2 and 3 Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy students had learned during the courses.

Black costumes with flashes of red and dramatic dark make-up and hair provided a stark contrast to the softer more romantic looks which had been created for the angels. The looks were shown off to their full potential thanks to choreography from Level 2 Hairdressing student Paul Rafferty.

Course tutor Jo Brooks said: “This was the first time we decided to include a segment like this in the awards evening to showcase the students’ skills and creativity. It was great that the audience could see for themselves the work of our students and just how dramatic hair and make-up can be.”

The show was followed by an awards ceremony with each student collecting certificates to mark their completion of the course. A number of special awards were also presented to students who had excelled throughout the year.

Top marks for travel and tourism students

Students from Lowestoft College’s Travel and Tourism courses will benefit from specialised training which will enable them to see for themselves exactly what’s involved in using an internationally recognised computer system to make travel arrangements.

The college is one of only a few in this country to offer ‘live’ training in Galileo, a system that provides access to book travel essentials including airline seats, hotel rooms and car hire. The system is widely used throughout the world including many UK Travel Management companies and Lowestoft College decided to introduce it to help ensure its courses combine academic qualifications with high level practical skills and provide students with the skills and qualifications relevant to the industry.

Students on the Advanced National Diploma in Travel and Tourism were the first to train in the system and have already been tested on their knowledge of Galileo. The group passed the exam with flying colours with each achieving over 85 per cent.

Course tutor Emma Beese, said: “This is the first time we have offered training in the Galileo system and we were really pleased that 100 per cent of the students to take the exam passed. Not only did they pass but they all achieved a really high mark – one even achieved full marks! The qualification is recognised throughout the industry so having this training will give the students a real boost when they apply for jobs. ”

As well as offering Galileo Training as part of the Diploma in Travel and Tourism, Lowestoft College will also be offering those already working in the industry the chance to top up their skills with the stand alone Galileo Professional qualification.

The world at their feet

The world beckons for nine Lowestoft College air cabin crew students who are beginning their careers with some highflying airlines.

19 year olds Eleanor Strowlger and Lucy Beare, who are both from Lowestoft, have already flown their first flight with GB Airlines, a franchise operator of BA Airways. The pair, who are based at Gatwick will be manning flights to various destinations including Europe, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia and Turkey. Europe is calling for Sunisa Chambers from Southwold, who begins work with KLMuk in July and will be flying to as many as 50 different destinations from Norwich Airport.

A total of six former students have been offered jobs as cabin crew with Ryanair. Amy Holmes and Claire Hill from Lowestoft, Jason Ambrose from Ipswich and Tara Redington, Leanne Gregory and Chelsea Barnes from Gt Yarmouth will fly for the first time later this summer after they completing the airline’s own training programme to familiarise themselves with Ryanair’s regulations.

Course tutor Sue Woodward said: “It is always good to see students complete their training and successfully gain full-time employment in the industry. It is really good that so many of this year’s students have already gained work so soon after finishing the course. Because the role of cabin crew is so varied we cover a great deal during the 30-week course. As well as learning about food and drink service and personal presentation, the students are taught first aid and are literally thrown in at the deep end with their sea survival training in the college’s training tank.”

College collects gold award

A prestigious gold award has been presented to Lowestoft College at the RoSPA Occupational Health and Safety Awards.

John Prevett, Health and Safety Manager for Lowestoft College, travelled to the Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel receive the award from RoSPA’s Ian Walker at a special ceremony.

To be in with a chance of winning the college had to submit a report answering 10 questions relating to its health and safety practices. This is the second year running Lowestoft College’s health and safety practices have been praised – last year it won a silver award.

Over 1400 businesses and organisations received an award this year and although entries came from mainly UK-based companies, a number also came from around the world. The RoSPA awards are held annually to help ensure good health and safety management systems are in place.
Picture shows: Ian Walker, Trustee of RoSPA presents Lowestoft College’s Health and Safety Manager John Prevett with the Gold award.