LIVE/LEARN/ASPIRE/ACHIEVE

ISSUE 8DECEMBER 2008

thewaytogoonline.co.uk

SELF ESTEEM...

STUDYING AWAY FROM HOME?

HANDY HINTS FOR YOUR CV

WAY 2 GO WISHES YOU

A MERRY XMAS AND A

HAPPY NEW YEAR...

playtimeReVieWS

WITH THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS...

WWW.THEWAYTOGOONLINE.CO.UK

Distinctive Publishing LTD, 7th floor, Aidan House, Sunderland Road, Gateshead NE8 3HU

T: 0191 4788300

Lorraine HawthorneSALES MANAGERlorraine.hawthorne@distinctivepublishing.co.uk

Ewan WaterhouseBUSINESS DEvELOPMENT MANAGERewan.waterhouse@distinctivepublishing.co.uk

It’s nearly Christmas and after a term of hard graft it’s time to chill a little, stuff yourself with mince pies and down load your favourite tunes on your new MP3 player.

But don’t waste the entire holidays, relaxing is important but so is keeping up with your study. Use Christmas to start your revision, plan it carefully and try to stick to your timetable, exams are only five months away and it will come around really fast.

Remember, this is a magazine to help assist you in your education and career choices. If you have any suggestions that you think would improve W2G then please do not hesitate to contact us.

So, before you hear that last bell of school term ring have a read of W2G, we can guarantee you will learn something.

Everyone at W2G would like to wish all our readers a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and successful New Year. Keep safe and we’ll be back in January 2009 with another great W2G.

INTR

ODUC

TION

WELCOME TO ISSUE 8:

WRITING A CV

PAGE 13

STUDYING AWAY FROM HOME

PAGE 44

BUILDING SELF ESTEEM

PAGE 24

CONTENTSLIvE/LEARN/ASPIRE/ACHIEvE

W2G NW|/ISSUE 84. PLAYTIME - MOvIE REvIEW5. PLAYTIME - DvD REvIEW6. PLAYTIME - MUSIC REvIEW7. PLAYTIME - GAME REvIEW8. MANUFACTURING IN THE NORTH WEST - NWDA12. ROUTE TO HIGHER EDUCATION - NWPN13. WRITING A Cv AND COvERING LETTER14. STOP THINKING YOU CANT - AIMHIGHER LANCASHIRE16. PORTRAIT OF A NATION - HERITAGE LOTTERY FUND18. WHEN TO LOOK - NWEO20. BUSINESS LANGUAGE CHAMPION - RLN22. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS - URENCO24. SELF ESTEEM26. IT IS TIME TO STEP UP A GEAR - LSC28. POLICE COMMUNITY SUPPORT OFFICER - GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE30. ADD ANOTHER DIMENSION - THE OPEN UNIvERSITY32. ARTHUR MAERSK - MAERSK34. SEAN SPEAKS OF APPRENTICE SCHEME - CHEMICALS NORTH WEST36. TAN ACTIvITIES - BT38. OUTSTANDING AMY MAKES HER MARK - NW vISION AND MEDIA40. (COLT) PROJECT - ROUTES INTO LANGUAGES44. STUDYING AWAY FROM HOME46. ANDREW JOINS MBDA - NW AEROSPACE48. THINK ITS BORING... - UNITED UTILITIES

PLAYTIMEPAGE04

ALLLRIGHT..CALM DOWN!!!

THE ROLF’S BACK WITH MORE OF HIS SLICK, STRAIGHT TALKING MOVIE, DVD, MUSIC AND GAME REVIEWS...

HSM3 IS AMAAAAAAAAZING!!

04

playtimeBY MICHAEL ROLF

MOvIES...HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 3Disney’s “High School Musical” phenomenon leaps onto the big screen in High School Musical 3: Senior Year, which finds high school seniors Troy (Zac Efron) and Gabriella (Vanessa Hudgens) facing the prospect of being separated from one another as they head off in different directions to college. Joined by the rest of the Wildcats, they stage an elaborate spring musical reflecting their experiences, hopes and fears about their future. With

incredible new music and exciting dance numbers designed to take maximum advantage of the big screen, this

motion picture extravaganza delivers plenty of high-energy entertainment from East High’s talented ensemble.

I will guarantee you that you will leave the cinema with a grin from ear to ear

and performing endless amounts of heel clicks and spins....the perfect feel

good movie, a must see!!

IF YOU LIKED THIS I RECOMMEND YOU SEE:n High School Musical n High School Musical 2n Step It Upn Fame

“I wIll guarantee you that you wIll leave the cInema wIth a grIn from ear to ear”

5n n n n nRATING

05

PLAYTIME

Forgetting Sarah MarShall

DvD’S...

Delivered first class by the comedy dynamites that brought us ‘The 40 Year Old Virgin’ and ‘Knocked Up’. Forgetting Sarah Marshall is one of my favourite comedies of the year. The movie stars, in my eyes, one of the funniest up and coming comedy stars of the year, Jason Segel. Having also written the movie I think full credit should go to the hilarious star of hit sit-com ‘How I Met Your Mother’. Forgetting Sarah Marshall also stars our very own Russell Brand, who I hope will continue to work in big movies such as this one, as I really enjoyed his presence in this movie and he completely pulled of the role he was given. I really recommend you see this extremely funny romantic comedy, it definitely had me in stitches all the way through.

5n n n n nRATING

IF YOU LIKED THIS I RECOMMEND YOU SEE:n Knocked Up.n Superbadn The 40 Year Old Virgin

“I really recommend you see thIs extremely funny romantIc comedy”

06

PLAYTIME

I hate to say it, but I was expecting more from this album. I have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of singer/songwriter Ne-Yo’s third album. I have his back catalogue in my CD collection and lets put it this way, I don’t consider either of them as my favourite albums to say the least. However, after hearing the housey hit ‘Closer’ and then

the great follow up single ‘Miss Independent’ I thought Ne-Yo had taken a turn for the better by upping his game and competing with the R&B superstars such as Rihanna and Chris Brown who seem to be taking over the world right now!, Comparing all three albums I would place Ne-Yo’s a lonely last. Don’t get me wrong, there are more than a few tracks that are listenable, but I definitely think I deserve my £10.99 back!!.

ne-yo:Year of the Gentleman

MUSIC...

IF YOU LIKED THIS I RECOMMEND LISTEN TOO:n Chris Brown - Exclusiven Rihanna - Good Girl Gone Badn Ne-Yo - Because Of You.

2h h h h hRATING

“I HATE TO SAY IT, BUT I WAS ExPECTING MORE FROM THIS ALBUM”

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PLAYTIME

GAMES...

IF YOU LIKED THIS I RECOMMEND YOU TRY:n Golden Eyen The Bourne Conspiracyn Spy vs. Spy

4n n n n nRATING

JAMES BOND: QUANTUM OF SOLACEBond isn’t just back in the cinema - he’s back on consoles too.

Making up for the lack of a licensed game for the previous movie, this first-person shooter combines plot lines and set pieces from both Casino Royale and 007’s latest adventure, with the added bonus of outtakes from both movies being fully playable in the game.

Featuring accurately rendered faces of every major character in the movie, including Daniel Craig and Judi Dench, the game uses the same graphics engine and control system as Call Of Duty 4.

While it may not be quite as much fun as Goldeneye on the Nintendo 64 - the classic 90s Bond game that all others are judged by - this is a solid, modern shoot ‘em up that certainly does justice to the licence.

“this is a solid, modern shoot ‘em up that certainly does justice to the licence’’

08 WWW.COGENT-CAREERS.COM WWW.CHEMICALSNORTHWEST.ORG.UK.

- They employ around 400,000 people in the region - about 12% of the workforce.- There are over 20,000 businesses across the four industries in the Northwest.- The industries are together worth almost £15 bn to the region’s economy.

All of these facts mean there are fantastic, exciting opportunities for you to start your career in manufacturing in the Northwest.

CHEMICALS

Chemicals are absolutely vital to our daily lives – they end up being used in loads of products and services we purchase every day. There may be many stages between the processing of a chemical and the final consumer, but it is estimated that each UK household either

directly or indirectly spends around £30 per week on chemicals.

The Northwest is the largest regional centre for chemical manufacture in the UK and the sector employs 51,000 highly skilled people.

The Chemicals sector is also the Northwest’s largest exporter with 60% of the world’s top 50 chemical manufacturers based in the region, including major companies in:

- Petrochemicals- Pharmaceuticals- Cleaning agents, soap and detergents- Performance and speciality chemicals- Agrochemicals- Polymers and plastics- Coatings - Advanced flexible materials.

These are just some of the well-known names located in the Northwest:

AstraZeneca, Ineos Group, Unilever, Shell UK, Innospec, Solvay, Brunner Mond, Innovia Films, GrowHow and Johnson Matthey.

The Northwest region has a strong science and engineering base with 15,000 graduates each year in science, technology, and engineering and maths subjects. Universities in Manchester, Liverpool and Central Lancashire have major strengths in Chemicals-related research and a good track record in innovation. Lancaster University also specialises in environmental chemistry.

OppORTUNITIES

There are many job opportunities in chemicals and there are all kinds of ways to be involved in this exciting and vital industry! The industry wants to attract 24,000 apprentices and 10,000 graduates over the next decade. Demand is high for:

- Skilled managers- Engineers and technicians- Scientists- process operatives

There are all kinds of opportunities to run production plants, in maintenance, in research labs, logistics, health and safety, environmental work - the list is endless.

In this technology-driven, fast-moving environment the careers are usually well-paid and long-term. Progress is swift for those who are talented and want to get on. Lifelong learning underpins the industries’ approach to training and development, and employers are committed to health and safety and to the environment.

You can start your career in chemicals through a wide range of routes - from apprenticeship schemes through to graduate and recruitment. There is demand for people with diplomas, NVQs and degrees and there are also opportunities to study whilst working and move from NVQs through to foundations degrees and onwards…

Learn more about the industry and careers in chemicals at www.cogent-careers.com and www.chemicalsnorthwest.org.uk.

MANUFACTURING IN THE NORTHWESTManufacturing is a crucial sector in the North West economy. Here are some key facts about four of the main manufacturing industries - chemicals, aerospace, automotive and technical textiles:

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TECHNICAL TExTILES

The Advanced Flexible Materials sector is also known as Technical Textiles. In technical textiles, the performance and physical properties are more important than other features, such as colour, style, handle and price.

Firms in this industry produce textiles, materials, fabrics and composites and cater for a wide range of high performance end-use markets including:

- Construction- Civil engineering- Industrial applications- Automotive & aerospace- Medical applications and- Technical and high performance garments.

There are about 450 companies in technical textiles in the Northwest, employing 22,000 people. This is the largest technical textile

cluster in Europe. The sector supplies materials to a large number of businesses in other sectors so it is a really important sector in the region.

Technical Textiles are used in the production of

- F1 cars, sports cars and aircraft.- Protective clothing materials for military and police uniforms.- Automotive fabrics - seat fabrics and airbags in cars.- Industrial fabrics - camouflage and beltings etc.- Medical fabrics - from bandages to replacement joints.

OppORTUNITIES

There are numerous opportunities for people with the right skills. If you have good numeracy and IT skills or have already gained a good appreciation of resistant material modules at GCSE then these types of jobs may be for you!

- production management- product designer- Supply chain management- Testing and accreditation- Sales- Marketing

It is possible to get into technical textiles through apprenticeships, further education NVQs and degree courses.

Find out more about career opportunities at www.skillfast-uk.org/justthejob and www.nwtexnet.co.uk

WWW.SKILLFAST-UK.ORG/JUSTTHEJOB/WWW.NWTExNET.CO.UK/

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AEROSPACE

Aerospace is one of the UK’s most highly-advanced and successful industries, with a turnover of £20 bn a year. The Northwest aerospace industry is the largest in the UK, accounts for almost one third of total UK turnover, employs over 60,000 people and is recognised as a global centre of excellence. In total, more than 100 major aircraft types have their roots in the region. The major aerospace companies all have a presence in the region – BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce and Airbus.

OppORTUNITIES

There are great opportunities in aerospace design and engineering. The industry is at the forefront of efforts to tackle the climate change impacts of transport and we are beginning to see revolutionary changes to aircraft design. Aerospace engineers design and develop products such as:

- Airliners- Helicopters- Fighter Jets- Satellites- Space Vehicles Engines

They also work on components that make up aircraft such as landing gear, engines and electrical/electronic systems also require highly specialised skills.

Specialist opportunities include careers in:

- Aerodynamics - Propulsion- Manufacturing Management- Materials & structures.

- Avionics- Systems Integration

Get more information on careers in aerospace at www.semta.org.uk/careers__qualifications.aspx and www.aerospace.co.uk .

AUTOMOTIvE

The automotive industry is very important to our economy. Nationally, it employs 200,000 people in over 3,000 companies. The Northwest is the second most significant region for the industry in the UK. In 2007 we produced over 220,000 cars and over 20,000 trucks and buses.

Some key facts about the Northwest automotive industry - Worth over £9 bn per year- Employs over 40,000 people in 500 companies. The automotive industry in the Northwest specialises in making commercial vehicles – particularly buses and trucks. To respond to climate change the government has set big targets to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from vehicles by 60% by 2050. Already, average new car emissions have dropped by 12 per cent in nine years, thanks to investment in technologies like hybrids, biofuel cars, low-emission diesels and improvements in fuel economy. Northwest companies are pushing ahead with systems to improve the environmental impact of vehicles. For example, Torotrak in Leyland have developed new transmission systems to cut vehicle’s fuel consumption. They are also involved in the development of new systems for energy storage which will be used in the 2009 F1 season. The need to continue environmental

improvements will create more opportunities for engineering careers in the region.

OppORTUNITIES

The industry is looking for young people who have the right technical and personal skills and are keen to meet the challenges of new technology. In the manufacturing sector, traditional engineering skills are influenced more and more by advances in robotics and computers but also personal leadership skills. Companies need engineers with electronics, systems and software skills. These are the roles in demand by the industry:

- Design engineers- Electronic engineers- production engineers- Technicians- Maintenance- Tool-making- prototyping

You can get more information on careers in automotive at www.semta.org.uk and www.nwautoalliance.com.

11WWW.SKILLSNW.CO.UK.

This year the well-established, event moves to a brand new venue, Bolton Arena, the £15 million sports and leisure complex sited in the Middlebrook Leisure and Retail park in Bolton.

Skills NorthWest is always a popular event in the academic calendar and over 10,000 visitors have already booked to visit in Spring next year. The move to the start of the year, 3, 4, 5 February 2009, makes sure young people can look forward to a sunny future and are ready to start making those all important career decisions.

To book to visit contact 01823 362800 or go online at www.skillsnw.co.uk.

Skills NorthWest, the region’s largest careers and training event for young people is taking place in Feb 2009. Supported by the LSC and in association with the NWDA, Skills NorthWest will give thousands of young visitors the chance to find out more about career opportunities, and the world of work in a fun and interactive way.

SKILLSNORTHWEST

SKILLS NORTHWEST - GET INSpIRED! Skills Northwest, the Northwest’s largest careers and training event for young people is coming in Spring 2009. Skills Northwest gives you the chance to find out more about career opportunities and the world of work. The event is a great opportunity to:

- Find out more about the opportunities for you in the manufacturing industries.- Meet employers and talk about jobs in the industries.- Visit fantastic, interactive exhibits.

This year the event will be held at the Bolton Arena from 3rd to 5th February 2009. Ask your teacher for more information and visit the website, www.skillsnw.co.uk .

Make sure you visit the Skills NW careers event in February, the biggest skills and careers event happening in the region, to get a real taste of different future career options in manufacturing.

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Kelly is an Aimhigher Co-ordinator at Lancaster & Morecambe College. After leaving Queen Elizabeth School in Kirkby Lonsdale she chose to take the work-based learning route to further education and did an Advanced Apprenticeship in Business Administration. During this time she also gained an NVQ Level 2 in Information Technology and RSA 3 certificates in Text and Word processing. Whilst working at Lancaster & Morecambe College she returned to study herself and continued into higher education, with a Diploma in Careers Education.

Kelly was able to study part-time whilst continuing to work and graduated in July 2008. It is through her job as an Aimhigher co-ordinator that she has learned that she can progress from an Advanced Apprenticeship at Level 3 onto a higher education course. She now uses this knowledge to raise awareness of this programme and its progression route, showing other young people that the work-based learning route is one of many ways to progress to University.

“When it came to looking for employment into the field that I wanted to progress into, I didn’t have the right qualifications – the vacancies always stated that they wanted a Level 4 qualification. I had the experience but not the qualification. A course then became available as distance learning through Nottingham Trent University so I took this opportunity. I feel that a Level 4 qualification is required for higher level jobs and also better money.”

“I left school with below average GCSE grades which I wasn’t very proud of, but this made me more determined to succeed in the world of work and I have now proved to myself that I can do it. It has taken longer but I have got there in the end. I am hoping eventually to go and work in New Zealand – this wouldn’t have been possible to even apply for without my Level 4 qualification.”

PROGRESSION THROUGH THE WORK-BASED LEARNING ROUTE TO HIGHER EDUCATIONLeaving school at 16 or 18 does not have to mean going straight out to work and stopping studying – you can start earning money at work whilst taking further and higher qualifications at the same time.

KELLY MANNING

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THE PURPOSE OF A Cv IS TO ATTRACT AN EMPLOYER’S ATTENTION AND TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO SELECT YOU FOR INTERvIEW. HERE ARE A FEW BASIC TIPS THAT WILL HELP ENSURE THAT YOURS STANDS OUT:

n Limit your CV to one or two pagesn Use a clear, uncluttered font and a point size that can be easily readn Avoid long paragraphs of unbroken text and use bullet points for emphasisn Make sure you include contact details, your education, work experience, skills, interests and referencesn Use positive, active verbs such as organise, manage or negotiate.

As each job is different it’s a good idea to tailor your CV to reflect this. CVs can be written chronologically (listing your education and work experience in reverse order so that the most recent appears first); skills led (highlighting your skills first); or even a combination (perhaps putting your work experience first). The important thing is to make sure that it’s easy for an employer to see how suitable you might be for the job on offer. For instance, if you are applying for shop work then putting your work experience (that’s work experience not shopping experience) at the top of the page might prove an attraction. If the job specifies ‘must have good knowledge of Excel spreadsheets’, then starting with your experience and knowledge of IT could be your unique selling point.

COvERING LETTERSAlways include a covering letter with your CV. This is your chance to personalise your application and demonstrate how suitable you

are for the job. You’ll be sure to knock-them dead if you follow a few golden rules: n Start by putting the job applied for at the top of the lettern Keep it briefn Type on one side of the paper onlyn Check it’s well laid out and easy to readn Sign with ‘Yours sincerely’ if you know the name of the person you’re writing to and use ‘Yours faithfully’ if you don’tn Type or print your name clearly under your signaturen Remember to sign the lettern Ask a friend to read your CV and letter before you send it

Try to group your information in four main sections:

THE OPENING:note what the job is and where you saw it advertised.

WHY YOU HAvE CHOSEN THAT JOB: you think it sounds interesting, it’s something you’ve always wanted to do or perhaps the role offers you the opportunity to build your skills in a particular area.

WHAT YOU HAvE TO OFFER:it is the type of work you have experience of, you have already started to develop some of the skills necessary in previous part-time jobs or just simply your enthusiasm!.

THE ENDING: mention when you are available for interview and can start work, especially if these dates differ from those indicated in the advert, emphasise why you think you are suited to the work and say that you would welcome the opportunity to discuss the job with them.

Need to get part-time job? You are not alone! Whether you’re aiming to work part time in a cafe, a high-street store or in an IT company you will probably need to apply in writing. And if you’ve seen ‘the ideal part-time job’ advertised the chances are that loads of other people will have too, so to make sure you stand out as a bright spark in a dull world find out how you can you’re your CV and covering letter shine.

WRITING A Cv AND COvER LETTER

REMEMBERTemporary work builds skills and experience. These will all act as Brownie points (or Cub points) when it comes to making career applications for real. If you are lucky, your part time job may even be the key to your later career so it’s worth investing a bit of time and effort in polishing up your CV and letter writing skills now.

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WHAT IS AIMHIGHER LANCASHIRE?

Aimhigher Lancashire is part of the national Aimhigher programme, which encourages young people with potential who might not normally consider Higher Education (HE) to ‘aim higher’. It aims to raise aspirations, widen horizons and create a greater skills base in the workplace.

Aimhigher Lancashire is one of 5 area partnerships in the North West, and is represented by relevant stakeholders and agencies in Lancashire who are committed to the development and promotion of a coherent programme of activities.

For more information about Aimhigher log onto:www.aimhigher.ac.ukwww.aimhigher.ac.uk/Lancashire

TIME TO THINK ABOUT YOUR FUTURE…YOUR OPTIONS!

YEAR 9You now have the opportunity to take control of your education and shape the way you want your future to be. That is why you are asked to choose which subjects you want to study over the next two years.

It is important to choose subjects that will interest and motivate you. Spend some time thinking about what you enjoy doing, what keeps you interested in something and what makes you work hard. The choices you make now may also influence what course or job you decide to do after Year 11.

WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE NEW DIPLOMA QUALIFICATIONS AvAILABLE?• Theyarenewqualificationsavailableto14- 19 year olds• Youcanchosefromupto10subjects• It’snormallya2yearcourse• Youcanstudyat3levels,foundation, higher and advanced

For more information on these new and exciting qualifications visit- http://yp.direct.gov.uk/diplomas/

To find out which diplomas (or other qualifications) you can study in the Aimhigher Lancashire area visit www.steps4me.co.uk

YEAR 11What do you want to do after your GCSEs? Are A levels right for you or what about a job with training? Find out now what options are available.

WORK BASED LEARNINGWork-based learning will give you the opportunity to gain a qualification while at the same time getting good on the job training and money in your pocket.

APPRENTICESHIPSApprenticeships are the most common way you can enter in to work-based learning. At 16 you can do two levels of Apprenticeships and both lead to a National Vocational Qualification, Key Skills qualification and technical certificates. To follow the apprenticeship route you will need to achieve 4 or 5 A*-C grades at GCSE.

They are very job specific. If you decide to undertake an Apprenticeship you will get the opportunity to work for an employer and build on your skills and qualifications and of course earn money.

Depending on how well you do in your Apprenticeship you might be able to go on to higher education.

E2EIf you feel you are not ready to cope with work on your own, Entry to Employment (e2e) might be for you.

Your e2e programme will be individually designed for you and will help to prepare you

for work or an Apprenticeship. It will give you an opportunity to try out different jobs and to take more qualifications.

Your e2e programme will last as long as you need it and you will get paid a training allowance.

There is lots of online help available. More information on e2e can be found at:www.dfes.gov.uk/14-19/index.cfm?sid=3&pid=39&lid=38&ctype=FAQ&ptype=Single.

FULL TIME LEARNINGThere have been a lot of changes to the education system recently. You now have fantastic opportunities available to you that will help you get the future that you want. To help you decide which of the options available best suits you the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) has produced a booklet called ‘It’s your Choice’. You can find in depth information about all the different ways you can train or learn after leaving Year 11. They will also make you ask questions of yourself that will help to give you a clearer idea of what to do next.

You have probably seen a copy of ‘It’s your Choice’ but you can also find it online here: www.connexions-direct.com/itsyourchoice.

LANCASHIRE COLLEGES Accrington and Rossendale College - http://www.accross.ac.uk/Blackburn College - http://www.blackburn.ac.uk/Blackpool and the Fylde College- http://www.blackpool.ac.uk/Blackpool Sixth Form College- http://www.blackpoolsixth.ac.uk/Burnley College – http://www.burnley.ac.uk/website04/home/home_home.aspCardinal Newman College - http://cardinalnewman.ac.uk/Lancaster and Morecambe College - http://www.lmc.ac.uk/home/index.php

STOP THINKING YOU CAN’T...

www.aimhigher.ac.uk/lancashire

…START BELIEvING YOU CAN

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Myerscough College - http://www.myerscough.ac.uk/Nelson and Colne College - http://www.nelson.ac.uk/preston College - http://www.preston.ac.uk/Runshaw College - http://www.runshaw.ac.uk/St Mary’s College - http://www.stmarysblackburn.ac.uk/Skelmersdale and Ormskirk College - http://www.skelmersdale.ac.uk/

For a full list of courses available (16-19 yrs) in Aimhigher Lancashire area visit- www.steps4me.co.uk

YEAR 12Thinking of University? Check out the Opens days and Campus visits at Lancashire/Cumbria Universities!

Lancaster University - http://www.lancaster.ac.uk/

Dates for the next campus tours are as follows:November 2008 - Wed 5th and 19th December 2008 - Wed 3rd February 2009 - Friday 13th and Friday 20th March 2009 - Wed 4th and Wed 18th April 2009 - Wed 8th and Wed 22nd May 2009 - Wed 13th and Wed 27th June 2009 - Wed 10th and Wed 24th July 2009 - Wed 8th and Wed 22nd

Campus tours usually run from 1.00pm - 3.00pm. The tours on 8th April and 27th May include an extra ‘department drop-in session’ from 3.00 - 4.00pm.

University of Cumbria - http://www.cumbria.ac.uk/home.aspx

Ambleside Campus Open DaySunday 12th July 2009

Carlisle Brampton Road Campus Open DayWednesday 18th February 2009

Carlisle – All CampusesThursday 18th June 2009

Newton Rigg – penrith Saturday 7th February 2009 Saturday 13th June 2009 University of Central Lancashire - http://www.uclan.ac.uk/

Open Days- Saturday 22nd November 2008 Saturday 13th June 2009

Enhanced Campus Tours run on the last Wednesday of every month at 3pm, where you will receive an introduction to UCLan, be taken on a guided tour by a current UCLan student and have the chance to meet with representatives of our courses.

Edge Hill University - http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/

The next general open events at the Ormskirk Campus are:Saturday 22nd November 2008, 11am-4pm Saturday 28th March 2009, 11am-4pm Wednesday 24th June 2009, 2pm-8pm Saturday 15th August 2009, 11am-4pm

YEAR 13UCAS DEADLINES

n 15 October 2008 - Medicine/dentistry/ veterinary medicine or veterinary science or if you are applying to Oxford or Cambridgen 15 January 2009 - applications for most* coursesn 6 march 2009 - Route B art & design courses.

Look at this years application deadlines as a guide to when you need to make decisions for applying next year. Many people leave it too late! Think ahead!

Most courses begin in September, although some specific courses have earlier start dates, such as nursing diplomas, which can start as early as January. If you want to apply for a course that starts before September, you must check with the universities and colleges if you need to apply before the 15 January deadline.

For all other courses, applications that are received up to and including 15 January 2009 will be regarded as on-time and will be considered by the universities and colleges you have chosen.

*Please see UCAS website for more information-http://www.ucas.com/students/startapplication/whentoapply/#2009

HOW TO APPLY - 2009 ENTRYAppLYING FOR UNIVERSITY OR COLLEGE ONLINE

If you wish to apply for a full-time undergraduate course at university or college, you can use the online service http://www.ucas.com/students/apply/ (Apply). Apply is a secure, web-based application system which is available 24 hours a day. It can be used anywhere where there is access to the internet, which gives you the flexibility to fill in your application where and when it suits you.

Here you can find an overview of Apply, information about how to register and pay for your application, guidance for the personal statement and reference, and a list of frequently asked questions, all of which should help you to find the answers that you are looking for.

TAKING A YEAR OUT?

If you want to take a year out before starting your course, check with your universities and colleges that they will accept a deferred entry application. If you apply for deferred entry in 2010, you must still apply by the relevant deadline above, and meet the conditions of any offers by 31 August 2009. If you accept a place starting in 2010, you cannot reapply through UCAS in the 2010 cycle, unless your original application is withdrawn.

You can only send one application (with up to 5 choices) in each year’s application cycle. If you send a second application, it will be cancelled and you will not receive a refund. Whatever you age you will need to make important decision about your future, make sure you are receiving the best information, advice and guidance so you feel confident when making those all important choices!

www.aimhigher.ac.uk/lancashire

As the hundreds of young people from across the UK gear up to celebrate their heritage and identity at the Portrait of a Nation finale event, we asked two young people representing the North West about their experiences so far and their hopes for December.

PORTRAIT OF A NATION– ITS SHOWTIME!

The biggest youth project of its kind in the UK, Portrait of a Nation, has challenged young people to explore the impact their cultural roots have had on their identity and their hopes for the future as young British adults.

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DECEMBER SEES THEIR JOURNEY CULMINATE IN LIvERPOOL, EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE, WHERE THEY WILL SHARE STORIES ABOUT THEIR IDENTITY AND FUEL THE DEBATE, ‘WHO DO WE WANT TO BE?’

Meanwhile, visit www.portraitofanation.net to find out more 17

LIvERPOOL Some of Liverpool’s teens have spent months tapping into their funny bones to work out what it means to live in the European Capital of Culture 2008.

One of the teenagers who has taken to the stage is 16 year old Becci Reid.

Becci has been working with the Comedy Trust, taking part in master classes focussing on stand up and sketches and delving into the City’s history of humour.

“I’m not the most confident person but working with The Comedy Trust has been great. We’ve taken inspiration from the scouse language and we do make fun of those things which are typically scouse – but in an affectionate way!”

And Becci isn’t just looking forward to showcasing her group’s work in December. “It’ll be great to seeing what the other cities have put together and how similar or different their experiences are to Liverpool.”

As a taster for being in the spotlight, Becci took on the role of compere when Portrait of a Nation teens descended on Westminster in October to talk to MPs about the project. “I was a bit nervous, but was really pleased to be asked to do it. Also, it was good practice for December.

Performing in front of hundreds of people won’t be a problem.”

MANCHESTER Over in Manchester, The URBIS Youth Forum came up with six words that they think best describe their city: Misunderstood, individual, influential united-city, multicultural, iconic.

The words have been brought to life in creative ways through art, music, fashion, photography, writing and performance.

Nathan Jeffreys from the Forum has been a key participant and told us more: Our project, entitled We Make Manchester, is about the youth of Manchester and the whole nation. It shows all the positive things that young people can achieve, and also looks at what sets Manchester apart from other cities.

It’s story is about the whole town being together as one. It also shows that the majority of young people aren’t doing what is highlighted in the press – such as knife crime, binge drinking, gangs etc.

I have learnt that the city I live in is very diverse, with lots of different people, places, cultures, ideas, things to do and more; that’s what makes Manchester special. It also has an interesting history which we have looked at on various trips.

Manchester is special because of its unique heritage. The way it has evolved, changed, and grown all influence the city of Manchester. With its multicultural mix of people, and different ideas, hobbies and interests Manchester is special to me. I love the town centre because of the hustle and bustle, and the parks for their peace and quiet. I love the contrast in Manchester and the people in Manchester, and they all make the city what it is.

When we go to Liverpool, I’ll share stories about the journey to our big day and the big day itself. I’m very interested to hear how other City’s events have gone, and I hope that they go as well as ours did.

WE WISH BECCI, NATHAN AND THE REST OF THE NORTH WEST’S PORTRAIT OF A NATION YOUNG PEOPLE GOOD LUCK FOR DECEMBER!

WATCH THIS SPACE TO SEE HOW IT WENT AND WHAT HAPPENS NExT…

18

LOCAL GOVERNMENT CAREERShttp://www.lgcareers.com/

What careers are available? Meet the employees – what do they do? What qualifications do you need to have? What sort of career path can you follow? What further training and development is available?

LOCAL GOVERNMENT JOBShttp://www.lgjobs.com/

If you want a job in the public sector, start your job hunt here. You can look for jobs anywhere in the country, but if you want to work in a particular local council, then check their website as well.

NOWpEOpLEhttp://www.nowpeople.co.uk/index.asp

Nine of the Greater Manchester authorities have got together and now advertise all their jobs in one place. So if you’d like to work in: Bury, Bolton, Stockport, Tameside, Wigan, Oldham, Trafford, Rochdale, Salford, have a look at the website above.

MANCHESTER FIRE SERVICEhttp://www.gmfrs-thinkagain.co.uk/roles/default.aspx

n They will be recuiting in 2009n They have around 3 intakes a year – 48 people per coursen Minimum age is 18n They run cadet schemes in certain area’s, this information can be found on the http:// www.manchesterfire.gov.uk/community- work.aspx website.

TRADING STANDARDS CAREERSwww.tscareers.org.uk

A trading standards career is exciting and intriguing, offering both challenge and responsibility. As a trading standards professional, you will have a considerable impact on people’s lives and make a difference to the world you live in.

You will help protect the public, and honest businesses, from rogue traders and illegal practices. You’ll be part of a team that advises, persuades and when necessary, prosecutes.

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH CAREERShttp://www.ehcareers.org.uk

There’s only one thing predictable about life as an Environmental Health Practitioner. No two days will ever be the same. And that’s because of the amazing career options open to you.

We’re here to protect the public’s health and improve the general quality of life. Everything from the air we breathe and the food we eat, to the water we swim in, the houses we live in and the places we work in… all of these things affect our well-being. This website will tell you about the work, the scope, the prospects, the people and the routes to qualification.

NATIONAL GRADUATE DEVELOpMENT pROGRAMMEwww.ngdp.co.uk

The ngdp was designed to take talented graduates and turn them into the senior managers of the future. Sometimes you’ll focus on front-line community projects eg housing, social services; sometimes council strategy. The programme recruits up to 80 trainees each year and if you want to apply you need a 2.1 degree.

CAREERS NORTHWESThttp://careersadvice.direct.gov.uk/northwest/

If you’d like to talk to someone about Careers information you can call the Careers Advice Service free on 0800 100 900 to talk in confidence to one of their friendly, trained advisers.

If you’d like information about Careers in Local Government

TO LOOKWHERE

WWW.NWEO.ORG.UK

WWW.RLN-NORTHWEST.COM20

Tabula Trading Company, a Lancashire-based outdoor furnishing company, recently hosted a visit from students of Our Lady Catholic College, Lancaster as part of the Regional Language Network North West’s ‘Business Language Champions’ initiative.

Nick Barnicoat, managing director of Tabula Trading Company, says: “The students really absorbed the importance of languages when they visited our company. The majority of our suppliers are Brazil-based so I’ve learnt Portuguese to facilitate our daily business interaction. In doing so I think we’re a great example of the value of languages as a vital business communication tool. Being one of the Regional Language Network North West’s Business Language Champions also means we can help support the fantastic work of that organization, not least to show young people how language skills are invaluable in many different kinds of industries. It’s not only fun, but a productive and supportive role to play in the future of the region’s business”.

The Regional Language Network North West (RLN NW) has begun delivery of the Business Language Champions project across the region, identifying businesses where language skills are valued and promoted, and creating sustainable partnerships between business and education around the subject of languages.

The programme, initiated by CILT, the National Centre for Languages and supported by the Department for Children, Schools and Families, also aims to highlight growing concerns over the availability of good language skills in the UK.

Business Language Champions are put in touch with a local school and meet pupils to discuss the real benefits of languages in the working world, as well as having pupils visit the company premises and perhaps work on a languages-related practical task.

School StudentS in lancaShire viSit a BuSineSSlanguage champion

WWW.RLN-NORTHWEST.COM 21

Dr Cristina Sousa, managing director of Regional Language Network North West, says: “By working closely with schools in the region, our Business Language Champions initiative provides students with an opportunity to observe the practical benefits of gaining language skills and adapting them to the working world. RLN NW’s key message is to encourage and motivate an interest in languages from an early age, and feedback from students has already

shown us that the on-site exchange helps stimulate their learning in the classroom. We are delighted with the success of the programme to date and hope many more exchanges will follow.”

Regional Language Network North West is now looking for potential Business Language Champions across the region and across sectors.

“We see the Business Language Champions initiative as one which will have real sustainability,” says Dr Sousa. “It’s a project with great two-way potential for young people and businesses; students meet real-life business people and hear about languages ‘from the horse’s mouth’ as it were, while the businesses themselves gain insight into how the education system can help them to tap into vital language skills.”

For more information about Business Language Champions or how to get involved in the North West, call Dr Cristina Sousa at Regional Language Network North West on 0161 932 1035.

WEBSITES:

Regional Language Network North West: www.rln-northwest.com

CILT: www.cilt.org.uk

Tabula Trading: www.tabula.co.uk “RLN NW’S KEY MESSAGE IS

TO ENCOURAGE AND MOTIvATE AN INTEREST IN LANGUAGES FROM AN EARLY AGE”

22

1. YOUR NAME AND NAME OF YOUR EMpLOYER?Ben Johnson, Urenco UK Limited 2. WHAT ARE YOU EMpLOYED AS?I am a Maintenance Engineer for the Plant Maintenance Department at the Capenhurst site 3. EDUCATIONAL AND pROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS?n 11 GCSE’s, 5A, 3B, 3C at bishops’ high school Chestern 4 Year advanced modern engineering apprenticeship as an electrical craft techniciann NVQ 2 and 3 in Engineering Maintenancen National certificate and Higher National Certificate in General Engineeringn B.Eng (Hons) Plant Engineering 4. WHEN YOU WERE AT SCHOOL, WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST AMBITION?To become a Landscape Architect!!

5. WHAT DOES YOUR CURRENT JOB ENTAIL?Managing small projects, Leading the RCM studies (reliability centred

maintenance) which is a

way of improving the plant

maintenance process by carrying out more preventative maintenance to reduce the amount of breakdown maintenance therefore improving reliability and availability of the plant. 6. DID YOU TAKE A SpECIFIC CAREER pATH TO GET TO YOUR CURRENT pOSITION?Only after I finished my degree did I start trying to map out my career path, but I will always be ready to change my career path if any other opportunities come along 7. DID YOU FACE ANY TOUGH HURDLES TO GET OVER ON THE WAY TO YOUR CHOSEN CAREER?Definitely, it has been a hard transition from being a young “spark” (electrician) to a professional engineer and having to change peoples perception of me. 8. HOW DID YOU GET YOUR BIG BREAK?It was when 2 support managers jobs were advertised, 1 within Plant Maintenance and 1 within the Operations department, myself and another applied for both jobs and when we were told we were successful we were given the chance to spend 6 months in each job to see what our preference was 9. WHAT IS YOUR MOST ExCITING pROJECT TO DATE?A project that I am currently working on which is a system to automate our windhoff transporter which is used to transfer Feed, Product and Tails (Natural, enriched and depleted Uranium) vessels around the plant. 10. HOW AND WHY DID YOU INVOLVE YOURSELF IN YOUR CHOSEN FIELD?I have always been a hands on person which is why I chose not to follow the “normal” route to get to become an engineer (GCSE’s, A Levels then Degree). I think that people need equal amounts of experience as well as professional qualifications to fully understand their job.

11. CAN YOU DOCUMENT A TYpICAL “DAY IN THE LIFE OF” FROM THE MOMENT YOU START WORK TO THE MOMENT YOU FINISH?There isn’t really a typical day, one day I can spend the whole day in various meetings, the next day I can be working on safety case documentation, then the next day I may be spending time working on the projects that I am currently in charge of but the chances are I will spend the day doing a bit of all of the above. The term “spinning plates” comes to mind on those days 12. WHAT ARE YOUR BIGGEST STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES?Biggest strength has to be my flexibility, I will never say never to a new opportunity to do something different. My biggest weakness though is my confidence, but I am working on that one. 13. WHAT ARE THE pRO’S AND CONS OF WORKING IN YOUR CURRENT pOSITION?The pro’s have to be being able to meet people from all over the business, be it a different department or people from a different site, the cons have to be the paperwork side of the job, but as long as you vary what you do with your time, the paperwork doesn’t take over your life! 14. WHAT IS YOUR ULTIMATE AMBITION?To rule the world, failing that I would like to work my way up within Urenco. 15. WHAT YOU OFFER ANY ADVICE ON THOSE LOOKING TO FOLLOW A CAREER DREAM?Always keep your options open. 16. DID YOU HAVE A MENTOR/pERSON YOU LOOKED Up TO/HERO?Sir James dyson, inventor of the dyson vacuum, because he persisted against all odds with his ideas and has made an absolute fortune from it!

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERSW2G MAGAzINE

URENCO

BEN JOHNSON

WWW.URENCO.COM

23WWW.URENCO.COM

1. YOUR NAME AND NAME OF YOUR EMpLOYER?Janet Robinson, Urenco UK Limited 2. WHAT ARE YOU EMpLOYED AS?Safety Case Manager 3. EDUCATIONAL AND pROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS?n GCSEs - Math, double award science, English, French, P.E, Food Technology, psychology, Business Studies (Oulderhill Community School)n A Levels Maths, Chemistry and Biology (Oulderhill Sixth form College)n BEng Chemical Engineering (University of Sheffield)n MSc Process Safety and Loss Prevention (University of Sheffield) 4. WHEN YOU WERE AT SCHOOL, WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST AMBITION?To play many different sports as much as possible. Throughout my school years I knew that I ultimately wanted to go away to University and get a degree 5. WHAT DOES YOUR CURRENT JOB ENTAIL?My Job is very varied and includes writing and managing Safety Cases, providing advice to people writing documents for modifications to the plant and sitting on the Management Safety and Environmental Committee. My work has also involved commissioning of new plant and writing the safety commissioning reports for a variety of different plant. 6. DID YOU TAKE A SpECIFIC CAREER pATH TO GET TO YOUR CURRENT pOSITION?No, throughout my career I have gained many valuable experiences in different areas of work and I have taken opportunities as they have arisen. 7. DID YOU FACE ANY TOUGH HURDLES TO GET OVER ON THE WAY TO YOUR CHOSEN CAREER?Yes, my chemistry A level was really tough for most of the first year but I kept at it and worked hard and suddenly everything dropped into place and unbelievably chemistry became very enjoyable. 8. HOW DID YOU GET YOUR BIG BREAK?I had 6 job offers on the table when I heard about the job vacancy at Urenco, I already knew a bit about the company as I had

worked on the site before and I had heard it was a fantastic company to work for. So I put in an application and luckily I got an interview. During the interview I gained a good impression of the sort of company Urenco is and I knew I would enjoy working there. A week later I was offered the job which I very happily accepted. 9. WHAT IS YOUR MOST ExCITING pROJECT TO DATE?Hmmm this is tricky as I’ve been involved in quite a few exciting projects but I really enjoyed being involved in the commissioning of the new plant. This involved carrying out tests on systems to ensure that the safety systems put in place work in the correct way when called upon. 10. HOW AND WHY DID YOU INVOLVE YOURSELF IN YOUR CHOSEN FIELD?When I was choosing my A levels I had no idea what to pick and I was considering sports studies but my chemistry teacher advised me to take chemistry and I’m extremely grateful to her now. By having chemistry and Math A levels I could have selected pretty much anything at university but if I had chosen other subjects my options would have been reduced. I had never heard of chemical engineering until my teacher mentioned it, when I looked into it further it seemed really interesting. I applied for one of the scholarships from the Engineering and Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC) and was successful. 11. CAN YOU DOCUMENT A TYpICAL “DAY IN THE LIFE OF” FROM THE MOMENT YOU START WORK TO THE MOMENT YOU FINISH?There is no typical day but I come into work sit down at my desk and turn the computer on, I check my emails, then I deal with any new issues that have arisen. I then get on with one of the projects I’m currently working on. This can involve trips down to the plants or meetings with people to gain more information or sitting at my desk writing up my reports. 12. WHAT ARE YOUR BIGGEST STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES?Strengths – flexible, motivated, committed, can do attitudeWeaknesses – None of course!! (Is this an interview……) 13. WHAT ARE THE pRO’S AND CONS OF

WORKING IN YOUR CURRENT pOSITION?Lots of Pros - I get plenty of new experiences and the work is varied, challenging and interesting. Cons – As a member of the Management Safety and Environment Committee I’m responsible for producing the minutes which can be time consuming however it does help me focus my mind during the meeting to make sure I understand the issues being raised and the solutions posed. 13. WHAT IS YOUR ULTIMATE AMBITION?To succeed in everything I do. 14. WHAT YOU OFFER ANY ADVICE ON THOSE looking to follow a career dream?Keep your options open, grab every opportunity that arises, and go for it. 15. DID YOU HAVE A MENTOR/pERSON YOU LOOKED Up TO/HERO?During my school and sixth form years I had my chemistry teacher Mrs Chadwick and biology teacher Dr HudsonDuring University my tutor Dr Pitt

JANET ROBINSON

24

Self-esteem is all about how much we feel valued, loved, accepted, and thought well of by others — and how much we value, love, and accept ourselves. People with healthy self-esteem are able to feel good about themselves, appreciate their own worth, and take pride in their abilities, skills, and accomplishments. People with low self-esteem may feel as if no one will like them or accept them or that they can’t do well in anything.

We all experience problems with self-esteem at certain times in our lives — especially during our teens when we’re figuring out who we are and where we fit in the world. The good news is that, because everyone’s self-image changes over time, self-esteem is not fixed for life. So if you feel that your self-esteem isn’t all it could be, you can improve it.

Self-eSteem ProblemS

Before a person can overcome self-esteem problems and build healthy self-esteem, it helps to know what might cause those problems in the first place. Two things in particular — how others see or treat us and how we see ourselves — can have a big impact on our self-esteem.

Parents, teachers, and other authority figures influence the ideas we develop about ourselves — particularly when we are little

kids. If parents spend more time criticizing than praising a child, it can be harder for a kid to develop good self-esteem. Because teens are still forming their own values and beliefs, it’s easy to build self-image around what a parent, coach, or other person says.

Obviously, self-esteem can be damaged when someone whose acceptance is important (like a parent or teacher) constantly puts you down. But criticism doesn’t have to come from other people, some teens also have an “inner critic,” a voice inside that seems to find fault with everything they do and people sometimes unintentionally model their inner voice after a critical parent or someone else whose opinion is important to them.

Over time, listening to a negative inner voice can harm a person’s self-esteem just as much as if the criticism were coming from another person. Some people get so used to their inner critic being there that they don’t even notice when they’re putting themselves down. Unrealistic expectations can also affect a person’s self-esteem. People have an image of who they want to be (or who they think they should be). Everyone’s image of the ideal person is different. For example, some people admire athletic skills and others admire academic abilities. People who see themselves as having the qualities they admire — such

as the ability to make friends easily — usually have high self-esteem.

People who don’t see themselves as having the qualities they admire may develop low self-esteem. Unfortunately, people who have low self-esteem often do have the qualities they admire. They just can’t see that they do because their self-image is trained that way.

Why IS Self-eSteem ImPortant?

How we feel about ourselves can influence how we live our lives. People who feel that they are likable and lovable (in other words people with good self-esteem) have better relationships. People who believe they can accomplish goals and solve problems are more likely to do well in school. Having good self-esteem allows you to accept yourself and live life to the fullest. StePS to ImProvIng Self-eSteem

If you want to improve your self-esteem, here are some steps to start empowering yourself:

n Try to stop thinking negative thoughts about yourself. Start thinking about positive aspects of yourself. When you catch yourself being critical, counter it by saying something positive about yourself. Each day, write down three things about yourself that make you happy.

SELF ESTEEMWe all have a mental picture of who we are, how we look, what we’re good at, and what our weaknesses might be. We develop this picture over time, starting when we’re very young kids. The term self-image is used to refer to a person’s mental picture of himself or herself. A lot of our self-image is based on interactions we have with other people and our life experiences. This mental picture (our self-image) contributes to our self-esteem.

25

n Aim for accomplishments rather than perfection. Some people become paralyzed by perfection. Instead of holding yourself back think about what you’re good at and what you enjoy, and go for it.

n View mistakes as learning opportunities. Accept that you will make mistakes because everyone does. Mistakes are part of learning. Remind yourself that a person’s talents are constantly developing, and everyone excels at different things — it’s what makes people interesting.

n Try new things. Experiment with different activities that will help you get in touch with your talents. Then take pride in new skills you develop.

n Recognize what you can change and what you can’t. If you realize that you’re unhappy with something about yourself that you can change, then start today. If it’s something you can’t change (like your height), then start to work toward loving yourself the way you are.

n Set goals. Think about what you’d like to accomplish, then make a plan for how to do it. Stick with your plan and keep track of your progress.

n Take pride in your opinions and ideas. Don’t be afraid to voice them.

n Make a contribution. Feeling that you are making a difference can aid self esteem. Help out with a local charity, offer help to your class mates who are struggling with their work..

n Exercise! You’ll relieve stress, and be healthier and happier.

n Have fun. If you remain a relaxed smiling individual who enjoys life you are far more likely to make new friends than being thinner or better looking. People like other people who make them feel good. Be that person!

It’s never too late to build healthy, positive self-esteem. Self-esteem plays a role in almost everything you do. People with high self-esteem do better in school and find it easier to make friends. They tend to have better relationships with peers and adults, feel happier, find it easier to deal with mistakes, disappointments, and failures, and are more likely to stick with something until they succeed. It takes some work, but it’s a skill you’ll have for life.

BEWARE THE PERFECTIONIST!Are you expecting the impossible? It’s good to aim high, but your goals for yourself should be within reach. So go ahead and dream about being a star athlete – but set your sights on improving your game in specific ways.

RETRAIN YOUR INNER CRITICBecause it comes from inside you, you can take back control over that inner voice that puts you down or tells you not to bother trying something because you’re sure to fail. Decide that your inner voice will only give you constructive feedback from now on.

Advanced Apprenticeships give you all the advantages of Apprenticeships such as earning while you learn and being part of a company from day one. There’s just one crucial difference – a Level 3 qualification at the end of the day, which could be a stepping stone to a further qualification like an HND or a degree.

There are over 80 Advanced Apprenticeships on offer, including opportunities in Management, Community Development and Sporting Excellence. They’re the ultimate fast-track choice for real go-getters, and because apprentices go on to make £100,000 more on average in their working life than their non-apprentice colleagues, they make pretty sound financial sense too.*

Advanced Apprenticeships aren’t an easy option, and they won’t be for you if you don’t like hard work. But if you want to equip yourself with the skills for success and gain an industry-recognised qualification without racking up student debt, then it’s definitely worth considering them.

According to Rolls-Royce Energy’s Apprentice of the Year Greg Winstanley from Cheshire, becoming an apprentice is the best thing he’s done. He caught the engineering bug when he did work experience at school with Jaguar and jumped at the chance of an Apprenticeship with Rolls-Royce. After gaining his Level 2 NVQ he’s now working towards his Level 3, and has big plans for his future.

He said “My Apprenticeship has been a stepping stone into a great company and an interesting career. My aim for the future is to progress onto a HND and then a degree so that I can move up the ladder and into a management role – I want to be able to get out of my boiler suit and into a business suit!”

* University of Sheffield (2007) A cost-benefit analysis of Apprenticeships and other vocational qualifications.

IT’S TIME TO STEP UP A GEAR

Want to folloW in GreG’s footsteps? Visit WWW.apprenticeships.orG.uk for more information26

Get ahead with an Advanced Apprenticeship – the fast track way to the career of your dreams.

Are you heading for decent GCSE results but can’t wait to get out into the real world and start earning some cash? Do you like the idea of learning on the job but still think you may fancy uni a couple of years down the line? An Advanced Apprenticeship may be for you.

IT’S TIME TO STEP UP A GEAR

28

Police community SuPPort officerS

Want to give something back to your community? Then have you considered taking up a challenging role as a Police Community Support Officer?

As a Police Community Support

Officer (PCSO), you will work on the frontline providing a

visible and reassuring

presence on the streets and tackling

the menace of anti-social behaviour.

You will patrol a beat and interact with the public, whilst offering assistance to police officers at crime scenes and major events.

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What’s it like to do the job?

Working as a Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) can be very exciting, as each day brings new challenges. Just some of the tasks a PCSO might encounter on any given day are:n contributing to the regeneration of local communities;n increasing public safety;n dealing with truants, graffiti, abandoned vehicles, litter, missing persons enquiries;n helping to support victims of crime; n controlling crowds at major events, such as football matches or concerts.

The early intervention of PCSO’s can often deter people from committing offences, and certainly stops minor problems getting worse.

PCSO’s spend much of their time on foot patrol, and are a visible, anti-crime presence in local communities. As they are so visible, members of the public feel comfortable approaching them with questions or worries about anti-social behaviour or crime.

PCSO’s must be able to communicate effectively and calmly in difficult situations, and offer comfort and reassurance to the public.

Within GMP, PCSO’s have already made a significant impact. As they focus on the needs of the community, they help GMP to engage with people, providing the reassurance of a uniformed presence. As part of the wider police “family,” they’ve provided invaluable support to regular Officers and a friendly face for the public. They contribute towards creating safer and more confident neighbourhoods and freeing resources to deal with more serious crimes.

Training

All PCSO’s attend a comprehensive, five week training course when they start and once on division, they will also receive a local induction and further training, to support them in their role.

Positive Action teAm t: 0161 856 1141 e: PositiveActionteAm@gmP.Police.uk

PCSOS ARE A CRITICAL PART OF THE POLICE FORCE

If you are interested and would like to find out more, please contact the Positive Action Team on 0161 856 1141 or by email at positiveactionteam@gmp.police.uk

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ADD ANOTHER DIMENSION…

Ever feel that studying for

exams means leaving out

the interesting bits?

If you really love a subject you will want to know more.

Open University shOrt cOUrses can be taken alOngside yOUr as/a2 levels. yOU receive a pack Of materials that allOw yOU tO stUdy a tOpic tO first year University level and, as the fOllOwing extracts illUstrate, stretch yOUr imaginatiOn and challenge yOUr knOwledge.

31

UNDERSTANDING THE UNIvERSE

“ The suggestion of the ekproyotic Universe model is that there is also a fifth dimension (a fourth spatial dimension) all around us that is actually relatively large, and we don’t see it because only gravity can exist there. In fact, the reason gravity is so weak when compared to the other three fundamental interactions may be because some of its effect ‘leaks out’ into this fifth dimension”

All OU Science short courses include a text book with self study questions and access to a tutor on line. They are assessed with a question sheet that you do at home and send in to the Open University for marking.

START WRITING FICTION

Study Guide: Creating Characters.Advice from Louis de Bernieres“There seem to be two different types of character. There is the type that just turns up on your shoulder like a ghost and insists on being written. This is rather spooky, it is a bit like being a medium. The other kind of character is the sort that you invent more or less from scratch or create as a composite of various people that you come across. And the one thing that does happen is that as soon as the character becomes real, he or she starts misbehaving, and they don’t do what you tell them to do. You often find yourself altering the story to accommodate the characters. Your plans always go wrong”

Start to craft your own fiction in a series of practical exercises, leading up to two short pieces that you will write for assessment. You discuss your work with your tutor and the other students in an on line environment.

MOLECULES, MEDICINES AND DRUGS: A CHEMICAL STORY

“In early 2005, Roche announced a production shortage of Tamiflu. According to Roche, the major bottleneck in Tamiflu production is the availability of shikimic acid, 9.4, the starting point for the synthesis of Tamiflu. Shikimik acid cannot itself be synthesised economically and is only effectively isolated from Chinese star anise, an ancient cooking spice.”

The module also includes a 3-D model kit so that you can see how modern medicines interact with their target areas in the human body

UNDERSTANDING HUMAN NUTRITION

“The clearest evidence of zinc deficiency was seen in the 1960s, when Iranian military officials noted that an unusual number of young me n eligible for army duty were short in stature and showed delayed sexual maturation, as well as a number of other symptoms. Earlier research had shown that similar symptoms developed in animals if they were deprived of zinc in their diet. When zinc levels of the army recruits were tested, they were found to be particularly low. Their normal diet was that based almost exclusively on cereals, which although they do contain zinc, also contain phytates which prevent the zinc from being absorbed. After treatment with a well balanced diet containing adequate amounts of zinc for a year, pubic hair appeared, sexual organs increased in size and growth in height was resumed, so confirming the vital role of zinc.”

FOSSILS AND THE HISTORY OF LIFE

“Although fossils may be viewed merely as attractive objects in their own right, their greatest value lies in the scientific information that they can yield. If you think that you’ve got a rare find, take your specimen or send an image of it to an expert. It is not uncommon for a new species to be found be a complete beginner. The most important fossil finds may be far from spectacular in appearance. Once recognised as something significant, suc has new species, the specimen should be made available to an expert to describe and illustrate formally in a scientific paper…. Many a generous amateur has had a new species named after them.”

The course includes a set of replica fossils so you can learn how to make your own observations and identify common fossils. There is an Atlas of Life as well as the course unit so that you can see where they fit into the evolutionary process.

ADD ANOTHER DIMENSION…

Go to the website to find out more www.openuniversity.co.uk/way08. then Get in touch with your head of sixth form or personal tutor and ask them to contact e.f.walker@open.ac.uk

YOU TOO CAN ENROL WITH THE OU IN YOUR COLLEGE OR SCHOOL. THERE ARE SHORT COURSES IN MANY OTHER SUBJECTS SUCH AS DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY, ASTRONOMY, ROBOTICS AND FORENSIC ARCHAEOLOGY AS WELL THOSE MENTIONED ABOvE.

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Overview of the visit to the

Arthur Maersk

www.seacareers.co.uk

BY DECK CADET MARK TIFFIN

33

Between arriving here at Warsash Maritime Academy and accepting the cadetship, Mærsk have offered a lot of extras. Including and induction weekend at the Gosforth Park Marriott Hotel in Newcastle which offered the opportunity to get to know each other in advance, and more. On-top of the one I am about to describe.

Seeing what your lecturers talk to you about in person really puts things into prospective. On Thursday the 18th of September, my colleagues and I at Warsash Maritime Academy went on a trip to see the Arthur Mærsk.

The day began with a relativity short journey to Southampton Docks, Berth 207 where Arthur was docked. A short wait in security while we donned our high-viz. vests and hard hats. Before long we were aboard the mini-bus to shuttle us to Arthur. This is where we all got our first ‘real’ glimpse of Arthur, and what we potentially could be working aboard in the future. We can all agree it’s an unimaginable feeling that cannot be described, knowing you will be a cadet and eventually an officer of one of these monsters that we call a ship. Once aboard we were met by the training officer aboard and several cadets who promptly took us to the bridge where the Master, Chief Engineer, First Mate etc. were located. There were also refreshments laid out. Whilst on the bridge we split into two groups, the group I was in was lead by the Chief Engineer and the Training Officer, along side some of the cadets. We were shown everything, from the Monkey Island and the Bridge, to the Living Spaces and the Galley, all the way down to the Engine Room. Unfortunately with the ship still busy loading containers the deck was too dangerous for us to venture onto.

Although ship was still busy with containers being loaded and unloaded, we could understand where things were on a ship, and what they actually looked like. Being able to see what you’re told in a lecture in person puts things into prospective. Along side greater understanding of the responsibilities of an officer, and the best look into a life at sea you can get.

The crew were very informative; we had the ability to ask the cadets about their cadetship in general, although they were dual purpose cadets working both deck and engine. The Officer on board was also able to answer any question we asked. The combination of the informative crew and actually going onto the Arthur Mærsk itself made that day one of the most useful in our already ‘better than any-other’ cadetship, and makes the time between Warsash and Sea more unbearable with excitement.

Between the other Mærsk Cadets and myself, we have definitely came to the conclusion that choosing Mærsk for our cadetships was more than just a good idea. The package with Mærsk is some-what ‘all inclusive’. From day one we’ve found Mærsk have been helpful and informative, and keen about us as cadets how we are finding things. Although the thought being away from home for some people isn’t their cup of tea, especially when you live right next to a nautical college yourself, Mærsk’s decision of moving you away from your local environment also has turned out to be a fantastic high. Meeting new people you may not have met if you were back at home with your friends is just one of them.

www.seacareers.co.uk

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INEOS ChlorVinyls, a chemical company based in Runcorn manufacturing chemicals for the Chlorine and pVC industry, sponsors 6 apprentices a year to go through TTE’s Advanced Apprentice Scheme. The Company take, on average, four 16 year olds and two 18 year olds each year. These apprentices are trained for two years at TTE at Ellesmere port and then spend 18 months on the industrial site before they are fully qualified. This is replicated by a number of other companies who sponsor apprentices through TTE.

MY JOBI am in the last six months of my role of Apprentice Electrical and Instrumentation Technician and in January will have an interview for a full time job. The best bit about the job is the problem solving. When there is a fault in the process we have to work out where this is and fix the problem. If the problem wasn’t fixed then it could result in the plant being closed down costing the company thousands of pounds a day. There are more than 2000 people working at the Runcorn site so I wouldn’t want to be responsible for closing the site down.

This is the third year of my apprenticeship and in the first two years we went on two three-week site visits to gain experience of the various roles. It helped to see what roles people did before having to make that choice for ourselves. Now on-site we set our own targets each month to achieve our NVQ level 3 and through this take full ownership of our own development.

Some of the site has quite old machinery and other parts are really new and high-tech so I’ve had to learn how to fix all types of equipment like electrical motors, temperature indicators and control systems. I’m part of the maintenance team with other technicians, electricians and mechanical fitters and we all have to work together to keep the plant running. The worst bit about the job is the routine checks we have to do. But I know everyone has routine in their job and these safety checks are really important to a high-level chemical site.

WHAT TO STUDYAt school we had the colleges come and talk to us about what we could study and we had the Armed Forces do presentations but we didn’t hear anything about apprenticeships. I didn’t even consider being an apprentice until I started to research what else I could do when I was studying for my

SEAN SPEAKS OF APPRENTICE SCHEMETTE’s 2006 ‘Apprentice of the Year’ Sean Stacey speaks to Chemicals Northwest about how he found his way into his job at INEOS Chlorvinyls in Runcorn and what his plans are for the future.

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SEAN SPEAKS OF APPRENTICE SCHEME

AS levels at Sixth Form College. I had enjoyed electronics, maths, sciences and sports at school but wasn’t enjoying my AS Levels and wanted to find something else to do. I heard about TTE through a friend and wish I’d known about it earlier as I would have applied to go straight there from school.

I hadn’t heard of INEOS but I knew about ICI through my granddad who works as a mechanical engineer in Warrington. He started his career as an apprentice in the Navy and encouraged me to take this route. I had to apply and go through the interview process at TTE and had some tests on my practical skills. This information was then sent to the sponsor companies who then put me through a second interview before deciding which apprentices they would sponsor.

THE FUTUREI’m doing an HNC at the moment, one day a week, and I hope at the end of this that I can go on to do a degree. Doing a degree would lead to an engineering role which is the next step up from technician and INEOS sponsor a couple of people to do this each year. At INEOS you have to have a degree to be an engineer and I could do this in either Liverpool or Manchester. It would also mean that I could keep my job and get paid while I’m studying.

FINAL THOUGHTSI would definitely recommend the apprenticeship programme to people who want to study for a practical job. The mix of college and industrial work gives you both the technical skills and the chance to use them in the work place and of course you get paid to study and get started on your career.

TTE Training

Established at Ellesmere Port, Cheshire in 1990, TTE Training Limited provides training predominantly for companies in the Chemical, Process, Power, Engineering, Paper, Pharmaceutical and Food industries. The business has developed to become one of the UK’s leading providers of Apprenticeship and Advanced Apprenticeship programmes.

TTE apprenticeships allow young people to gain relevant, industry recognised qualifications in a work-based environment as an alternative to conventional full time education.

Examples of current & previous sponsor companies include AMEC, BHP Billiton, BP, Bakemark, Bayer CropScience, Eli Lilly, INEOS ChlorVinyls, Innospec, Novartis Vaccines, Powergen, Kemira GrowHow, Petrofac, Ineos Salt, Ineos Silicas, Sanofi Aventis, Shell UK, Glaxo Smith Kline, Scottish & Southern Energy, Uniqema, Warwick International, York Refrigeration, etc...

For more information on studying at TTE see www.tteltd.co.uk

“I would defInItely recommend the apprentIceshIp programme to people who want to study for a practIcal job”

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TAN ACTIvITIES

The Apprentice Network was set up in 2006 at the request of Dave Walsh, Head of BT

Apprentices. The Network recruited 10 Reps made up of 5 LOB Reps and 5 Diversity Reps, who

worked hard to quickly establish the Network amongst Apprentices and the rest of BT. Mark Biffin was appointed as TAN Champion in 2007.

vISIT US AT WWW.BT4ME.CO.UK

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The network also has a website, which has been recently refurbished and is kept up to date daily, with news, documents and useful links.

TAN have a number of their own events and opportunities for apprentices:

n Charity Quizzes – held at Yarnfield Park, supporting local and big charities. All reps help to create the quizzes and TAN pays for the prizes. All donations go to Charity.

n Lunch with Learners – held across the UK with one senior manager and ten apprentices in a comfortable and non-threatening environment where apprentices and managers can ask each other questions. Lunch is provided and usually last for 1hour 30 mins.

n Mentoring – TAN Created their own mentoring scheme and introduce this at Apprentice Induction Events

n Competitions are held a few times a year for apprentices to win a prize, such as MP3 players.

n Green Week – to support BT’s Green Week and raise environmental issues with apprentices. Also provides a guide to apprentices/managers about what they could be doing for the environment.

n What Next – a yearly event held at BT Centre with key note speakers, both in BT and out with BT. This event aims to provide apprentices with career path ideas and guides.

The network also promotes other events and opportunities that are open to apprentices including:

n Adastral Parkn India Trekn Challenge Africa

In the future, TAN hope to make more apprentices active with TAN events and opportunities and get them involved with helping to run events and suggest ideas.

In the college where the Apprentices undertake the academic part of the scheme, we have notice boards and regular updates on events that are going on. This has been successful in raising the activities of the TAN as there are normally circa of 130 apprentices at college each week.

THE COMMITTEE MEET EvERY 3 MONTHS AND HAvE BI-WEEKLY CONFERENCE CALLS, WHERE THEY DISCUSS PROGRESS OF EvENTS, COMMUNICATIONS, NEW IDEAS AND THE BUDGET.

Reps communicate with apprentices regularly through events held and also online. There is a monthly newsletter send out to all apprentices and all managers which lets apprentices know what they can get involved in, and other relevant apprentice news. They are also there to support apprentices by providing an impartial ear to listen to any issues that the apprentice may have whilst also attempting to answer any questions that the apprentice is unsure about.

vISIT US AT WWW.BT4ME.CO.UK

At only 18, Amy Liston has her future all mapped out – thanks to an innovative Media Apprenticeship Scheme, which she embarked on just 14 months ago. “Before I started my Apprenticeship, I really didn’t have any ideas about what I wanted to do – but now I know exactly where I want my career to go,” she says.

Amy, of Eccles, Manchester, is one of 17 young people currently taking part in the UK’s first-ever Advanced Apprenticeship in Media Production, run by Northwest Vision and Media, which works on behalf of the digital and creative industries in the Northwest to grow a world-class digital and creative economy within the region.

Major companies including the BBC, ITV Granada, Lime Pictures, Channel M and Sumners joined forces with smaller companies like Flix Facilities, Channel K and Mange2Media to give young people the chance to work behind the scenes of the broadcasting industry, and take their first steps on the career ladder.

For Amy, the Media Apprenticeship Scheme was the big break she’d been looking for. She’s excelled in her new role, leading to her

manager at Lime Pictures to recently comment that Amy was the best work experience placement he’d ever worked with!

“My placement at Lime Pictures in Liverpool was brilliant as I was based in the Design Department working on Hollyoaks,” says Amy. “My friends are completely gob-smacked when I tell them what I’ve been doing, some of them just don’t believe me.”

The Advanced Apprenticeship in Media Production is open to 16-22-year-olds, living in the Northwest, and is designed specifically for people who wouldn’t usually get the chance to break into broadcasting. A second Apprenticeship Scheme was launched in September 2008, and it’s hoped the scheme will be extended in future years. For more information, check out the Northwest Vision and Media website at www.visionandmedia.co.uk/page/media-apprenticeships

“It’s my ambition to become an Art Director one day, working in either film or TV, but to do that I want to start out by picking up experience as a Design Runner, then maybe progressing on to becoming a Set Dresser. I also want to get some theatre experience,

mixing it with my TV work, and maybe doing some work for an independent production company. I also need to keep expanding my contacts, networking with other people in the industry.”

After a few weeks back in college, Amy has one final placement to complete before she graduates next year and applies for her first full-time job. “I’m really hoping my next placement will be another one in design,” she confides.

For now, though, Amy is concentrating on her college work, learning about the process of radio production. “There’s always something new to learn, and it’s always really interesting,” she says. “The Apprenticeship has been really enjoyable and it’s allowed me to get the kind of experience that other students just wouldn’t find at college or university – and even better, I’m getting paid to learn, so there’s no student debts to worry about!”

“MY FRIENDS ARE COMPLETELY GOB-SMACKED WHEN I TELL THEM WHATI’vE BEEN DOING, SOME OF THEM JUST DON’T BELIEvE ME”

OUTSTANDING AMY MAKES HER MARK

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OUTSTANDING AMY MAKES HER MARK

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ROUTES INTO LANGUAGES NORTH WEST

COMMUNITY AND LESSER TAUGHT LANGUAGES (COLT) PROJECTRoutes into Languages is a national programme that aims to

encourage the take-up of language courses in England. The project

in the North West focuses on community languages, such as

Arabic, Mandarin Chinese and Urdu, and languages that are less

commonly taught in schools, like Italian.

Five universities in the North West (Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester University, Salford University, Bolton University, and the University of Central Lancashire) are working together with local schools and colleges, to promote these languages and increase opportunities for pupils to study them.

WHY DO I NEED TO STUDY FOREIGN LANGUAGES AT ALL WHEN EvERYONE SPEAKS ENGLISH?

Lots of people ask this question, but did you know that 75% of the world’s population do not speak English at all? In fact, there are nearly 7000 known living languages in the world, and in Manchester alone there are over 120 languages spoken! In other words, we live in a really multi-cultural society, so knowing more than one language will turn out to be an asset to you on more than one level: personally, socially, culturally, and professionally.

STAND OUT IN THE CROWD

You might already speak one of these languages at home. If so, did you realise you have a great advantage in life? Nowadays, employers are crying out for people with language skills, and it’s not just teaching and translating that you can go into if you choose to study languages. You might want to go into

nursing, travel the world as an international business person, work in imports and exports, or set up your own business as a hairdresser. In all of these jobs and lots more knowing more than one language will help you get on and be successful at work. Also, with the Olympics coming up, people with language skills will be in high demand, to deal with all the athletes and tourists that will descend on London.

EvENTS FOR SCHOOLS

As part of our project, a number of events for schools are being organised. Last year, Language Enrichment Events for Year 8 pupils were held at all of our partner universities across the region. These proved to be hugely popular. Each event began with a talk entitled Why Study Languages? which called on pupils to think about the positive aspects of learning a language. Pupils then went on to experience language taster sessions in Arabic, Chinese, Urdu or Italian.

The most popular part of the day was the Multi-Cultural Market, a collection of stalls and activities hosted by local organisations and university language students.

Pupils participated in Chinese Tai Chi demonstrations, made Italian masks, tried on Pakistani clothing, created henna designs, practised their chopstick ability and much more.

This year, we will be offering more Language Enrichment Events for Years 8 and 9, as well as A-Level days for Year 12 and 13 pupils studying Arabic, Italian, Mandarin Chinese and Urdu.

We also want to support schools that wish to set up after-school language clubs in these languages, so if you are interested in learning a completely new language let us know! In addition, university languages students will be going into schools to support teacher and pupils. These student ambassadors are great at helping out in language lessons and talking to pupils about life at university and opportunities with languages.

For more information on all of our events and how to get in touch please go to www.routesintolanguages.ac.uk/northwest

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ROUTES INTO LANGUAGES NORTH WEST

COMMUNITY AND LESSER TAUGHT LANGUAGES (COLT) PROJECT

WWW.ROUTESINTOLANGUAGES.AC.UK/NORTHWEST

“did you know that 75% of the world’s population do not speak english at all?”

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Most universities have accommodation on campus or nearby, either Halls of Residence or privately-run housing - you should find details in your prospectus or from Student Services.

If you are looking to privately rent a shared house, bed-sit or flat, ask Student Services for a list of recommended housing that is available.

WHEN TO LOOKAs you can imagine, in August and September each year, lots of students are going to be looking for accommodation. When you have had your place on your course confirmed, you need to sort out where you’re going to live as soon as possible.

Most first year students choose to live in halls on campus or in university managed accommodation, it’s easy to meet people, safer and you won’t have utility bills to worry about so it can be easier to manage your finances too.

After the first year you may decide to rent a house with your friends, it can be lots of fun, but you’ll need to learn to live with other people and to budget as a group.

WHAT TO LOOK FORWhen you’re looking at places it’s important to check:n You’ll be near to where you need to get to - lectures, shops, nightlife. n Public transport or parking is easily accessible. n The rent is within budget - be prepared to pay a bond, deposit and rent up front, and don’t forget to allow for bills in your budget too. n Appliances such as gas and electricity have the relevant certificates and are well maintained. n Smoke alarms are fitted and have batteries. n There are no damp or unpleasant smells. n Check your contract carefully. Don’t sign on the spot, take it away to read and if in doubt go to your Student Union for advice - once you’ve signed it’s too late to get anything changed.

WHO CAN HELPSpeak to Student Services or the Student Union at the college or university that you’ll be studying at. They will be able to tell you what accommodation is available both in Halls of Residence and privately. The accommodationseek website tells you all you need to know about finding accommodation. www.accommodationseek.co.uk

WHEN YOU’RE GOING TO COLLEGE OR UNIvERSITY, YOU DON’T JUST HAvE TO THINK ABOUT YOUR COURSE AND FINANCES, YOU ALSO HAvE TO THINK

ABOUT WHERE YOU’RE GOING TO LIvE - WELL THAT’S IF YOU’RE NOT STAYING AT HOME! FORTUNATELY THERE ARE SEvERAL OPTIONS.

Studying away from home...

WWW.ACCOMMODATIONSEEK.CO.UK

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Andrew joined MBDA as a Young Apprentices in September 2003 at the age of 14, he then applied to join full time at 16 and is now working towards his technical qualifications.

ANDREW FIELDING

“During my development at MBDA Lostock I have worked in many sectors of the business, ranging from electronic manufacturing, production engineering, test and development. For example I have worked with test engineering personnel; conducting simulations of missile flights using state of the art test equipment. The missile is tested to extreme limits of hot and cold, and is vibrated to be absolutely sure of its ability to perform in the field. At present I am working as a production engineer on one of the worlds most advanced missile systems. In addition to these practical elements, all apprentices at MBDA attend personal development programmes, learning about team building, leadership and communication skills. We are actively encouraged to manage work experience programmes and promote MBDA in local school as well as attending courses in company knowledge to support our key skills.

From an early age I have held an interest in engineering; I have always been fascinated by how things work. My dad was a keen mechanical production engineer in the automotive industry and was always ready to pass on his experience and knowledge to me. To begin with I was interested in motorbike electrical systems and I still like to work on motorbike restoration projects at home. This then developed into an interest in electronics; I was intrigued by the complex workings in electronic circuits.

When I saw the Advanced Modern Apprenticeships, on my Young Apprentice Programme, I decided that this was the best option for me. The Engineering Apprenticship has many benefits, such as the combination

of practical experience together with personal development in team building and presentation skills, whilst gaining a recognised further education qualification. I discovered that young people from MBDA had gained global recognition at the World Skills Competition. When I also found out about the extensive training programme and the involvement with schools in the area, I realised that the breadth of experience offered would be a valuable asset in any future career.

After achieving 10 A-C grades at GCSE, and passing the aptitude tests set by MBDA, I was invited for an interview for the Advanced Modern Apprenticeship. I was successful in this, and subsequently was offered one of the valuable places on the scheme. Since joining MBDA I am working towards a NVQ level 3 and HNC. I have become a member of the Institute Engineering Technology and am currently working towards the professional qualification, ENG TECH.

One of the best aspects of being at MBDA is the opportunity to travel just one example of this was where I was able to take part in many vocational careers events within the UK. I have been to the houses of parliament and met David Lamely the Skills Minister is just one example.

MBDA Lostock entered me in the National Skills Competition in the field of Electronics, supported by UK Skills; I have won the Gold Medal, for best in the UK, this would, I’m sure would not have happened without the exceptional training I received at MBDA Lostock and Wigan and Leigh College.

THE ExpERIENCES I HAVE HAD AND THE KNOWLEDGE I HAVE GAINED HAVE pROVED INVALUABLE TO ME. THE TRAINING pROGRAMMES, GREAT ATMOSpHERE AND ENDLESS OppORTUNITIES pROVE THAT MBDA WAS THE RIGHT CHOICE FOR ME.”

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“WHEN I SAW THE ADvANCED MODERN APPRENTICESHIPS, ON MY YOUNG APPRENTICE PROGRAMME, I DECIDED THAT THIS WAS THE BEST OPTION FOR ME”

OUR vISION IS SIMPLE…

To be a world class operator of utility infrastructure.

Focusing on our core skills within water, wastewater, electricity and gas, we will sometimes own but always operate utility assets.

WHO WE ARE, WHAT WE DOn Operating water, wastewater, electricity and gas networks

n Investing £3.5 billion between 2005-2010 to improve our utility infrastructure and the environment

n Providing utility services to over 20 million people in the UK and worldwide

n Working in the UK, Eastern Europe, the Philippines and Australia

n A FTSE-100 company with annual turnover of over £2 billion, employing 9,000 people

EvERY MINUTE…We treat 1.3 million litres of wastewater for our UK customers

EvERY HOUR…We invest £85,000 improving our capital infrastructure

EvERY DAY…We are working to improve our 20,000 hectares of land through our Sustainable Catchment Management Programme

EvERY SECOND…We serve 20 million customers in the UK and overseas

EvERY MONTH…We receive over 150,000 visits to our website: www.unitedutilities.com

EvERY WEEK…We invest over £57,000 in community projects

WWW.UNITEDUTILITIES.COM48