Career Academy students head to the Capital

Career Academy students headed to London on Tuesday 30 November to get a taste of life at Accenture, one of Britain’s most influential organisations, and to boost their employability skills. 

The eye-opening visit is part of the annual day-long event, ‘A Capital Experience’, organised by aspiration-raising business-education charity Career Academies UK.

Students took part in a ‘behind the scenes’ look at how Accenture works, including a workplace tour. They also took part in a question and answer session with recently employed graduates who spoke about their experiences.

The students also they received valuable advice from speakers including The Apprentice finalist Claire Young, Career Academies UK Chief Executive James McCreary, and former Career Academy student Emmanuel Akintunde. 

To read more about this story click here. To find out more about the Career Academy programme visit www.nulc.ac.uk/careeracademy

Students become entrepreneurs of the future

Students celebrated the third Global Entrepreneurship Week (15 – 21 November) last week by getting involved in a range of ‘Apprentice-style’ challenges.

More than 250 first year students from various subject areas took part in a series of workshops, encouraging them to create new, dynamic ideas for the College to potentially use.

Activities will include researching innovative gap year ideas and destinations, planning a marketing recruitment campaign to attract new students to the college and building community relationships. The winners of each topic will receive a monetary reward and certificate to recognise their achievement.

Children in Need 2010

Staff and students at NULC dressed up in outrageous costumes and took part in a range of activities to raise money for Children in Need.

Fun activities included ‘Pudsey’s Fundraising Grotto’, whilst some students raised cash to have their legs waxed – Ouch!

The College has so far raised over £900 and all proceeds will go to Children in Need.

Local entrepreneur lends a helping hand

A local entrepreneur delivered talks to budding Business students from ICT courses to Accounts and Travel and Tourism.

Tony Altham, proprietor of AdGifts Online and other thriving business came to NULC to inform students on his networking skills and knowledge. He talked about how correct networking can create good business prospects, whether they are used in meeting prospective clients, or closing a deal.

Tony was also a student at the College and spoke about how the staff and learning environment helped him to achieve his successful career in Business.

Here’s what a couple of our students had to say:

“In this session I have learnt how to address possible customers and how to present myself to other aswell as the correct way to shake hands with clients”

Gareth Moores

"I found that Tony’s presentation was very informative. I learnt how to go about making first impressions, to be open when making new contacts and that there are a lot of opportunities on offer if you look in the right places”

Kirsty Sproson

Finance Career Academy introduces Guru Lecturers

The College recently launched its first Career Academy; the Finance Career Academy. On Tuesday 9 November we held our induction for the Academy Guru Lecturers.

The Guru Lecturers include representatives from The Hanley Economic Building Society, Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, Dean Statham LLP and Bernard Lovatt & Associates LLP.

This was the first time that the Guru Lecturers met some of the current Career Academy students.

The Finance Career Academy students got involved in the event by managing the registration day to networking with the companies.

To find out more about our Career Academies visit www.nulc.ac.uk/careeracademies

Business and Retail Talk - 23 September 2010

Anthony Clegg, the new store manager for Sainsbury’s in Newcastle, came to NULC to give a talk about business, retail and his career on Thursday, 23 September.  The session took place in the College's 200-seat Auditorium and was attended by students from:

Level 2 Business

Level 2 Business with AAT

Level 3 Business Year 1

Level 3 Business Year 2

Travel and Tourism

Dragon's Lair 2010

Here are some pictures from Dragon's Lair 2010. This is an event which is similar to the television series Dragon's Den in which members of the public pitch their business ideas and proposed investments to a panel of professionals. For more information see the previous blog:

Enterprising students rewarded for business success

A group of college students have been rewarded for successfully developing proposals for new businesses as part of their studies.

Students from the first year BTEC National Diploma in Business were rewarded for their achievements at a special awards ceremony, held on Thursday 8 July in the College’s new auditorium.

The students presented their business idea, costing, business plan and marketing strategy to a panel of experienced judges.

Altechnic Ltd sponsored the project. The judges who freely gave their advice, time and expertise were:

• Alan Sherwin M.D. of Altecnic Ltd.

• David Leach Business Manager Natwest

• Vicky Allen M.D. of ‘B’ Hygenic

• Jill Bramham Illustrator and involved in Travel and Tourism

Alan Sherwin presented the prizes.

Student Zaque Edwards was awarded the winner and received a cash prize of £150. In joint second place were Tom Whitehouse and Grant Mantle who each received £100. In third place was Rebecca Berrington who won £50. All other finalists received £20 each.

Paul Roxborough, College Business Lecturer said: “The students excelled, showing tremendous creativity and business acumen.”

For more details about courses on offer at the College, call 01782 254254, email info@nulc.ac.uk or visit www.nulc.ac.uk.