14-19 Reforms
UCA Official Opening in Middlesbrough
Unity City Academy’s Enterprise Centre was officially opened by Rt.Hon Ed Balls M.P on 18th July 2008.
BL Hairdressing have been contracted to deliver hair and beauty qualifications to schools in the local community of the Tees Valley, this state UCA has state of the art facilities.
The event was organised by UCA and all enterprise centre providers were invited to meet Ed Balls M.P, and explain how the enterprise centre will meet the needs of the students. Gail Dalton, Regional Manager explains ‘It was an exciting event for us, and gave BLHT an opportunity to demonstrate the range of hair and beauty courses we can offer to local schools within this purpose built facility.’ BLHT have been providing pre-16 vocational qualifications in partnership with local schools for 8 years.
She goes on to explain ‘Meeting Ed Balls really endorsed all the hard work which has gone into organising and facilitating this process as a worthwhile venture for us. It has given us the opportunity to branch out into beauty and deliver new qualifications to this age group’.
The students from UCA had clients from the local care home booked in for manicures, set and blow-dries. We also had the opportunity to introduce our in-house team of experts who will be delivering these programmes to students. Elaine Batt will manage the hairdressing course and Rebecca Dack the beauty course. The students also got a chance to show off their new uniforms and start gaining valuable experience about ‘working under pressure’ as the local press and TV cameras emerged in the salon.
BLHT also arranged for ‘Hollie West’ a previous level one student from Ormesby School to attend and act as a mentor for the UCA students. Hollie completed her NVQ level one and level one wider key skills with BLHT this year and will be starting her level 2 with BLHT in September. Employed at ‘Deep’ in Marton she is a true ambassador for vocational training within the pre – 16 curriculums.
Double Success – 2008 co-host of NVQ level 1 reaches its highest success rates to date, 92% achieved in June 2008 with the remaining student Danielle Savage attending in July to complete after the birth of her daughter. Again an example of how BLHT supports young mums and encourages them to complete the course. With Danielle’s completion it will take out success rates to 100%!
Gail concludes ‘I would like to thank Abbi Lamb and Joanne Wake for their hard work with this co-host of key stage 4 engagement students. Their determination and support has really helped engage these learners to progress into a career pathway. I’m sure we will continue to be successful with future student in the UCA Enterprise Centre as well as BLHT Centres across the North East.