Latest news with #BTEC
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
King's Trust Award for teens after incredible gesture - 'people were struggling'
After the loneliness of lockdown, two 14-year-olds pledged to bring people together. The result is a King's Trust Awards-winning hub that has become the heart of their community When Nathan Campbell and Ronnie Walters entered Year 7 at their high school, Dixons Unity Academy in Leeds, secondary education was very different to how they pictured it. It was 2020 and as the country was placed on lockdown they, and the rest of the school, were sent home where they were stuck trying to continue their education, make new friends and adjust to their new environment. The experience was so unnerving and isolating that when they were challenged to devise an ethical business as part of their business studies BTEC in Year 9, when they were 14, the pair knew what to do: they needed to create a place that brings people together. Unity Community was born, initially in their school's unused woodworking room, and as it outgrew that space, in the old library. Two years on, it's a thriving hub that opens its doors every Friday to people in the community, mothers and babies, fellow students, and anyone who's looking for some company. Tea and coffee are on offer, along with free food donated by nearby supermarkets Aldi and Morrisons, while Greggs also contributes pastries. There are toys for little ones to play with and a uniform and clothes swap. In short, it's the kind of place that every community needs, and it was conceived by two young men with a sense of empathy and awareness that is far beyond their, now, 16 years. 'One of the main issues after Covid was isolation,' says Ronnie. 'People were struggling - they were at home, by themselves and separate. The community needed something that could bring them back together but somewhere they could also get what they needed.' Their memories of lockdown are still fresh. 'The transition from Year 6 to 7 was non-existent,' says Nathan. 'We were thrown in the deep end. It was chaos - separate classrooms, bubbles and isolation.' With two parents working on the NHS frontline who then had to self-isolate at home to reduce the risk of infection, Nathan felt the loneliness of Covid keenly. 'I was so desperate because I was stuck doing homeschooling and wondering, 'why can't I see my mum and dad? Why do they have to be in their rooms for a solid two hours?' I thought that if I'm feeling like that, other people will be feeling it too.' Meanwhile, Ronnie's lockdown started earlier than his peers. 'I have asthma so I had to be off school for longer. I was sent home three or four weeks before everyone else.' The friends took part in the 2023 inter-school competition, the King's Trust Enterprise Challenge, and although they didn't win, they continued on with the hub and have seen it grow into a weekly fixture, largely thanks to word of mouth. 'We started out being part of the then Princes' Trust Enterprise Challenge,' Nathan says. 'We had to set up a sustainable business and it had to be ethical at the same time. We came up with this idea for a community place, so people could come together and support each other.' The result is that they have won the 2025 The King's Trust JD Foundation Community Impact Award, which has partnered with the Mirror this year. The duo attended an awards ceremony at the Royal Albert Hall which was attended by stars including George Clooney, his wife Amal Clooney, Kate Garraway, Tasha Ghouri, Sam Thompson and Jamie Laing. A teacher at the Unity Academy, Angie Germain, takes care of the day-to-day running of the hub since Nathan and Ronnie are in lessons, but they still take whatever time they can to attend. Open to the community, a representative from the DWP is there every week to help people with form filling; recently 50 Hub-goers joined a litter pick, and there's now a timetable of events including one of the regulars, who's a sushi chef, giving a sushi masterclass. Ronnie got his first taste of business negotiation when he sat in meetings with Greggs and Morrisons, who donate fruit and veg to reduce the impact of food waste in Leeds. While Nathan, who was inspired by a Second World War poster with the phrase, 'Make do and mend', brought the school's old sewing machines out of storage and put them to good use. 'People can bring any sort of damaged clothing in for repairs. People do bag repairs too, so if your school bag is torn they'll help mend it,' he says. 'I thought, why waste something perfectly useful when it will cost something when it's bought completely new?' They've enjoyed their partnership. Ronnie says: 'We were looking at the overarching problems and we built on each other's ideas. We always get along and don't seem to say anything that goes against each other.' What's next for Unity Community? 'A big push is getting a kitchen area to try and teach cooking skills,' says Ronnie, who hopes to become a teacher. And even though the youngsters are coming to the end of their time at the high school, they still pledge to remain involved in the Hub. Ronnie, who will be doing teaching work experience at his old school and lives close by, says, 'I'll stay as connected as possible. Nathan, who sees a future career in history or politics, adds: 'I want to be a part of it for as long as possible, for the long term. I couldn't predict that it would go as far as it has already. It could keep growing and growing.'
North Wales Chronicle
29-05-2025
- Business
- North Wales Chronicle
Young woman from Gwynedd lands senior manager role
Ellie Granton, 29, from Y Felinheli, is a senior manager at Hays, leading a team of consultants across the north west of England. She attributes her career success to the foundation she received at Coleg Menai. Ellie's career began when she studied Level 3 Business at Coleg Menai in Bangor from 2012 to 2014. Since then, she has gained a Masters in Human Resource Management, joined Hays as a graduate consultant, and has been promoted five times in just a few years to her current role. Ellie said of her time in college: "My favourite thing about the course was the variation of modules and all the different assignment topics. "The way of teaching at college was different from school, as you were allowed more autonomy. "Also, it gave me the opportunity to meet a whole new group of people who I'd never met had it not been for the course." Ellie added: "One semester we had the opportunity to go to Brussels for a few days and visit the European Parliament. "It was such an amazing time, and it was one of my first times being in a country that isn't first-language English, without my family, so it definitely developed my confidence and ability to navigate situations and scenarios on my own. "It's times like this that are the foundation for later on in life, like moving to uni and solo travelling." Ellie said her time at Coleg Menai gave her the perfect grounding to move on to university, adding: "The BTEC business course definitely helped me in uni. "Firstly, from the UCAS points and also giving me a good understanding of the subject area and what the core modules would be. "Going to college felt like the right next step - moving out of school but still supporting my education and future career. "I'd highly recommend this course and Coleg Menai."
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Yahoo
Tinker, tailor, carpenter, spy: MI5 seeks woodworker for top-secret missions
MI5 is hiring a carpenter to help protect the country from terrorism and hostile-state threats. The successful candidate will be deployed in the field to help carry out intelligence-gathering operations around the UK and 'directly contribute to the security of our nation'. The new recruit will have to sign the Official Secrets Act and must have a 'meticulous' attention to detail and 'sound problem-solving skills'. The role has a starting salary of £43,000, is being advertised on MI5's website and on its official Instagram account. A video promoting the vacancy features footage of a person chiselling, sawing and planing a piece of wood with the caption: 'POV [point of view]: you're a carpenter and you want to be a spy... It takes a variety of skills to keep the country safe.' The job description on the intelligence service's website states: 'As a maintenance carpenter, your work will encompass maintenance, repair and construction within secure facilities, including hardening of critical infrastructure and creating bespoke spaces in many different types of property. 'You will be responsible for creating technical drawings, selecting appropriate materials, and carrying out tasks to a high standard, all while adhering to stringent security protocols. 'Another aspect of the role, and very exciting part of it, is occasionally deploying within the UK on intelligence gathering operations; utilising your trade skills to directly contribute to the security of our nation.' Candidates will have to undergo the most stringent level of security checks, known as developed vetting, including solvency tests to ensure they are not heavily in debt and at risk of being blackmailed. Applicants must also have a City & Guilds Level 2, BTEC, NVQ or equivalent qualification in carpentry and joinery. The job specification continued: 'You will also be expected to maintain required levels of fitness as the job can be physical at times.' Recruits will be given two hours of paid leave each week to exercise or go to the gym. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Jordan News
20-04-2025
- General
- Jordan News
Minister of Education Inspects Schools in Amman - Jordan News
On Sunday, Minister of Education Dr. Azmi Mahafza participated in the morning assembly and flag-raising ceremony at Al-Hussein Secondary School for Boys, marking the beginning of his inspection tour of schools under the Directorate of Education for the Greater Amman Area. اضافة اعلان The tour aimed to closely assess the educational situation, identify needs, and find ways to address the challenges facing the educational process. It included visits to the following schools: Al-Hussein Comprehensive Secondary School for Girls, Ya'qub Hashem Secondary School for Boys, Arjan Secondary School for Girls, Salah al-Din Secondary School for Boys, and Fatima Zahra Secondary School for Girls. During the visit, Dr. Mahafza, accompanied by the Directors of the Buildings and Projects Department, Engineer Issam Abu Ahmada, and the Supplies and Provision Department, Mohammad Al-Manasir, instructed the maintenance of the library at Al-Hussein Secondary School for Boys, including equipping it with cabinets, maintaining the theater, and constructing football, basketball, and volleyball courts, while ensuring that the maintenance work aligns with the school's historical character. He also instructed the necessary maintenance of Al-Hussein Comprehensive Secondary School for Girls, including cosmetic restoration of the old stonework and replacing the school's protective fencing. Additionally, he directed the Buildings Department to expedite the tender process for the maintenance of Ya'qub Hashem Secondary School for Boys, including resurfacing its playground with tartan, as well as the necessary maintenance for Salah al-Din Secondary School for Boys. Dr. Mahafza emphasized the Ministry's commitment to applying educational regulations, particularly regarding school discipline and attendance, noting that the Ministry will enforce rules on success, completion, and failure for students who exceed the allowed number of absences, in coordination with parents. He also monitored the progress of the vocational education program (BTEC) in vocational schools, ensuring the equipment provided by the Ministry is contributing to the program's success. He listened to feedback from both students and teachers, reaffirming the Ministry's efforts to meet the schools' needs according to priorities and available resources.
Zawya
19-03-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Jordan: Prime minister announces plans for $112mln hospital, transit upgrades in Madaba
AMMAN: Prime Minister Jaafar Hassan on Tuesday pledged to begin construction of a state-of-the-art government hospital in Madaba this year, stressing his commitment to enhancing healthcare services in the governorate. During a Cabinet session in Madaba, the sixth held outside Amman as part of the government's regional engagement initiative, Hassan said that the hospital, designed to accommodate several medical specialities, is expected to be completed within four years at an estimated cost of JD60 million, with the total cost reaching JD80 million when fully equipped. As part of efforts to improve transportation, the Prime Minister also unveiled a rapid transit bus service between Madaba and Amman. The new route will feature eight buses operating on a fixed schedule, offering 52 daily trips with direct government subsidies to enhance affordability and accessibility for commuters, according to a Prime Ministry statement. Reaffirming a citizen-focused governance approach, Hassan said, 'The government puts people first, and there is no place in the public sector for those who do not share this commitment.' He underscored the importance of field visits in shaping policy and responding effectively to local needs. Recognizing Madaba's historical and religious significance, Hassan highlighted plans to accelerate restoration and expansion projects, including completing Phase II of the Christian Pilgrimage Trail and opening the Thiban Visitor Centre. On economic prospects, the prime minister highlighted Jordan's economy as 'resilient and strong,' citing major foreign investments and strategic projects set to launch in 2025 and beyond. In education, Hassan announced plans to build several new schools, including the Thiban Vocational School for Boys, which will follow the BTEC vocational education system. He also reiterated the government's commitment to expanding vocational training nationwide to equip students with the technical skills needed for the labour market. During the session, several ministers outlined a comprehensive development vision for Madaba, detailing projects planned for this year and the years ahead. © Copyright The Jordan Times. All rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
