Improving Your Career Opportunities

Patrick Williams who trained as a chef at Waltham Forest College.

The economic downturn will affect many of us but it is a fact that those with a good skills base are more likely to improve their career opportunities. As a result, greater numbers of people are acquiring new skills through retraining.

It was watching ‘The Galloping Gourmet’ programme on TV that inspired Patrick Williams to train as a chef, at Waltham Forest College.

Patrick worked his way up in the kitchens of some of the most prestigious (and demanding) names in British cooking. Today he is a celebrity Chef appearing on TV programmes and owner of The Terrace In The Fields, a gourmet restaurant in a unique setting in the centre of London’s Lincoln’s Inn Fields.

Robin Jones, Principal and Chief Executive at Waltham Forest College says: “People have difficulties juggling home, family and even working life. In order to help them overcome these conflicting barriers to learning, the College has developed a range of highly effective flexible programmes. Many of our part-time courses have variable start dates and times in order to meet adult learning needs at all levels”.

The College will be holding an Open Evening on Tuesday 19 May, 4.30pm to 7.30pm. Visitors will be able to meet advisors and lecturers, discuss training options and find out how to finance their studies. To obtain information about the Open Day or courses available at Waltham Forest College call 020 8501 8501, email info@waltham.ac.uk , visit http://www.waltham.ac.uk/ or drop into Forest Road, Walthamstow, London E17 4JB.

The Students’ Union of Waltham Forest College would like to thank all who attended the Motivational Seminar on Thursday 12th February given by Andrae Palmer of Ground Up Development Limited, the young leader of a small business, from Lambeth. The event was a success and it received good feedback from students. Andrae is willing to come back to provide further help and support for students and staff who would like to venture into social enterprise.

As well as offering team building workshops and motivation speaking Ground Up Development Offers:

Lambeth Youth Bank
The Lambeth Youth Bank (LYB) is a new grant making initiative run by young people and for young people. With thousands of £'s to give away we want to hear young people’s (11-25 yr-olds) project ideas. Our young panel members decide who gets the money and how much.

Hidden Histories Project
The Hidden Histories project has been a revelation. Covering black history in Britain over the last (at least!) 2000 years, the project and its facilitators strive to raise the aspirations and self-esteem of its participants, as well as developing an appreciation of the power of history. Avoiding the common trap of focusing exclusively on slavery and the slave trade, the project covers both negative and positive aspects of African and Caribbean people’s experiences, over the centuries, of living in the UK.

Fathers Matter Too (FM²)
Fathers Mater Too (FM²) is an expectant fathers training course scheduled for 2010. The 6 week course was designed to provide an inclusive and supportive setting in which young, first time dads and fathers-to-be can receive essential information on the birth and the early stages of a new-born baby’s development. It deals with practical skills, why fathers are important, the impact of becoming a father on other relationships and the role of the health service and key professionals. This will work precisely to help and enable young / new fathers to be more involved in the upbringing of their child. Lambeth has an exceptionally high rate of teenage pregnancy (see Public Health Directorate, Lambeth PCT: April 2006) with very little support for young or first time dads. Evidence shows this support is necessary in order to benefit the well-being and upbringing of children born to young parents, the programme also aims to support young men in their role as fathers.

http://www.groundupdevelopment.org/

£50 prize just for the best idea

Do you have an idea or a passion for a business venture?

- Let us know and it could win you £50!

It’s amazing how many people won’t talk about their ideas because they fear people might laugh at them. So tell us what yours are and who knows you may be the next entrepreneur.

Here are some ideas showing you how it can be done……

REAL IDEAS NO.1

“After I’d had trouble finding flip-flops in Britain to wear for a winter holiday, my boyfriend asked: “Why don’t you design your own and sell on the Internet?” I went onto the web to research what there was already, then spoke to my sister, who has experience in graphic design, who thought it was a great idea. The more I thought about it, the more excited I became.”
Victoria Tringham, 28, founder of Pomelo, which now sells on-line at funkyflipflops.com and in nearly 70 boutiques including Harrods.

REAL IDEAS NO.2

"I had always wanted to work for myself so signed up for a business planning course, not knowing exactly what kind of business I was going to plan. On the train to the course one morning I was flicking through a magazine and found a great photo of an acorn. This inspired me to set up Babu - the first of my t-shirt designs being 'Tall oaks from small acorns grow'."
Katy Ellis, 25, founder of Babu, a maternity fashion label www.lovebabu.com

REAL IDEAS NO.3

“I'd rescued and repaired several abandoned bikes for friends when I realised it was a great opportunity to make a living doing something worthwhile for the community and environment." Dom Scholfield, 28, co-founder of the Oxford Cycle Workshop, which has repaired & recycled 600 abandoned bikes in 2 years.


www.oxfordcycleworkshop.org.uk


Click here to email your ideas to us.Don't forget to include your Name and Student ID number for that chance of winning £50.