Dates confirmed for the BAC Stage Music & Arts Festival 2012

This year’s Festival will take place on Friday 29th and Saturday 30th June with The PROMS on Sunday 1st July. 

The event has once again been kindly sponsored by Bishop Auckland Town Council and STAR Radio. Watch this space for further details!

Cookery

Company Description:
Bishop Auckland based public house / restaurant

Weekly Hours:
37hrs

Weekly wage:
£96.20

Job Role:
To assist the head chef in the kitchen with a wide range of duties including:
·         Preparing food
·         Cooking food
·         Washing up
·         Cleaning
·         Any other duties expected from working in a busy kitchen environment

Closing Date:
01 March 2012

How to apply:
Email your CV through to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and quote ‘0022’ in the email subject bar.  If you would like more information please contact David Brough on 01388 825182.

Level:
Non-accredited

Length:
5 weeks

What will I do on the course?
·      Understand the controls of your digital camera.
·      How to view images on your digital camera.
·      How to download the images to your computer.
·      How to manipulate/improve the images by cropping; adjusting brightness, contrast and  colour casts; remove red eye etc.

What will the course give me?
Basic knowledge of manipulating images from your digital camera.

What qualifications do I need?
The course is designed for beginners with no previous knowledge other than how to operate their own digital camera.

Functional skills
None required

How will I study?
Taught session with instruction and handouts using your own digital camera.  This will not provide instruction on how to operate individual cameras

Uniform/kit or equipment required
Your own digital camera and USB leads to connect to a computer.

How long will I spend in College?
These courses are primarily offered in Community venues at 2 hours per week.  Please check with the Community Team for your nearest venue.

Where can I go next?
NOCN Level 1 Award in Creative Camera.

What careers can I go into?
With further training & higher level qualifications there are a variety of career paths in Photography/Digitial Media. Please speak to our Careers Advisors for Information, Advice and Guidance

To find out more, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 01833 696 616

College “relentless” in pursuit of excellence says Ofsted

Students enjoy learning at a County Durham college which is “relentless in its pursuit to drive up the quality of teaching and learning”.

That is the verdict of Ofsted inspectors, who found students liked the friendly support from teachers, the excellent facilities and the financial support and free transport offered by Bishop Auckland College.
Good provision in literacy and numeracy is increasing students’ employability skills, aided by the development of good social and personal skills and punctuality, inspectors found.
Employers who work with the college praised good communication, the quick response to any queries, staff expertise, knowledge and professionalism, regular visits to the workplace and the help and advice provided.
The team of nine inspectors, led by Josephine Nowacki, carried out a five day visit in late November and their report was published today by Ofsted.
It concluded: “The Principal provides strong and energetic leadership and, together with senior managers and governors, has created a culture that is raising expectations among staff and students. A clear vision and strategic direction is clearly communicated and understood by all staff. ”

The report continued: “Through strong leadership, the governors, Principal and senior managers have transformed the college into one where expectations are high. Success rates have improved for nearly all
students.”

It added: “The college has focused relentlessly on improving the quality of teaching and learning. Much teaching is now good or better and this is impacting positively on student outcomes. Learners enjoy college and the majority make good progress...students get on well together and a culture of respect and tolerance permeates the college.”

Other findings included:
• Pass rates are high or very high in the majority of subject areas.
• Outcomes are good and improving quickly for the majority of students.
• The overall success rate is high and the rate of improvement is faster than the national average.
• Success rates for students on short courses and Train to Gain courses are consistently outstanding.
• The standard of students’ work is good.
• Extensive provision in community venues meets the needs of adult students in rural and isolated communities very successfully.
• Financial management is strong.

The college, which has a £32m main campus in Bishop Auckland, an £8m construction and apprenticeship centre in Spennymoor and community learning centres in Crook, Newton Aycliffe and Teesdale, has around 8,750 students. Long and short courses are offered in subject areas including construction & engineering, art & design, catering & hospitality, childcare & education, sport, computing, health & social care, music technology, performing arts, travel & tourism and uniformed services. Students include 14-16 year olds on part time courses, sixth formers on full time courses, apprentices and adult learners. Ofsted awarded the college a Grade 2 overall including teaching and learning, leadership and management and for overall success rates, the second highest of four possible grades where 1 is outstanding; 2 is good; 3 is satisfactory; 4 is inadequate.

The inspectors highlighted areas for further improvement which included:
• Ensure that the rate of improvement, particularly in retention, is accelerated and sustained in all areas of provision.
• Improve attendance by devising more robust ways of recording and monitoring.
• Ensure all lessons include activities that stretch and challenge the abilities of all students.
• Improve links with employers to increase the work-based learning provision and to improve students’ opportunities to gain work experience and improve their job prospects.

Principal Anne Isherwood said: “This is an extremely positive report which highlights and praises the quality of the whole learning experience at Bishop Auckland College. Both staff and governors are really pleased with the supportive feedback from students and employers, as well as the Ofsted inspection team. It has given us a great start to 2012, a year in which we will be working hard to further improve our service to the community of South West Durham.”

Brian Allen, Chair of the College Corporation, added: “This is excellent news for the college, its learners, staff and governors. Everyone associated with the college should be delighted with this inspection result, which recognises the commitment and dedication of staff, and be assured that we are determined to continue improving the learning experience.”

The full report can be viewed on the Ofsted website at:
http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/inspection-reports/find-inspection-report/provider/ELS/130657

Level:
Non accredited

Length:
5 Weeks

What will I do on the course?
Each person who enrols onto the CSCS Programme will undertake bespoke construction site knowledge of site health and safety.
The course entails;
·      Taught session on various safety signs and fire extinguishers
·      Interactive PC-based practice test(s)

What will the course give me?
An understanding of the issues surrounding Health & Safety in construction environments.
On completion of the course you will have the opportunity to sit the Construction Skills Health and Safety Test.

What qualifications do I need?
·  A basic understanding of Literacy
·  Basic knowledge of using a computer

Functional skills
Literacy and the use of ITC play a large part in this course as clients will have to complete a basic workbook and CD Rom test

How will I study?
All study undertaken will take place at one of the Colleges Community Learning Centres. Study will be a mixture of tutor led classes, group and one-to-one tasks. 

Uniform/kit or equipment required
None required

How long will I spend in College?
These courses are offered in Community venues at 2 hours per week.  Please check with the Community Team for your nearest venue

Where can I go next?
CSCS card is a statutory requirement for those seeking employment within the construction industry.

What careers can I go into?
·  Whether you are a trade’s person or a labourer you need this card as proof of occupational competence.  Please speak to one of our Careers Advisors for Information, Advice & Guidance

Student success
2010-2011 90% of learners passed their test.

To find out more, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 01833 696 616

To find out more, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 01833 696 616

To find out more, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 01833 696 616

To find out more, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 01833 696 616

BPEC Renewable Energy Awareness
This course is ideally suited to householders, housing associations, teachers, local building control officers, housing developers, and installers wishing to know more before committing themselves to a full course.
In the light of rising fuel bills and average gas bills exceeding £1000 a year, BPEC has introduced a course designed to educate and inform individuals about renewable energy heating and energy technologies
What will I study and how am I assessed?
There are no pre-requisites to undertaking this course
The content of the course is as follows:
• Getting started 

• Cost of fuel 

• Climate change and energy efficiency 

• Solar thermal water heating 

• Domestic scale biomass systems 

• Heat pumps 

• Wind power 

• Photo-voltaic systems 

• Micro-hydro
You will then be required to complete open book assessments.
Duration
2 Days
Investment
Open Programme:   £200

BPEC Solar Thermal
Is it for me?
This course is aimed at plumbers or multi skilled workers who have solid experience in plumbing / heating engineering and / or a level 3 NVQ plumbing/heating engineering qualification. Anyone attending this course must have already achieved their unvented hot water systems and hold a valid certificate.
If you are intending to certify under an MCS scheme then this course will count towards certification for solar thermal technology.
What will I study and how am I assessed?
The content of the course is as follows:
·      Introduction to solar heating
·      Solar collectors
·      Hot water storage and key installation issues
·      Preparing to install a solar water heating system
·      Fitting solar collectors
·      Plumbing layout and design of solar water heating systems
·      Control and power requirements
·      System commissioning and handover to clients
You will then be required to complete open book assessments and practical assessments.
Duration
3 days
Investment
£500.00

BPEC Rainwater / Greywater
It is estimated that the demand for water is going to increase dramatically, to such an extent that the government is now looking at more sustainable approaches for water conservation. This is a hands-on course with interactive seminars and practical demonstration. On successful completion of the assessment candidates will be able to demonstrate their safety awareness and competency in the contents of the course.
The course is aimed at qualified plumbers, water professionals, civic bodies, policy makers and architects.
The content of the course is as follows:
·      Rainwater & Greywater harvesting in context
·      Legislation
·      Health & Safety
·      Rainwater Harvesting calculations
·      Systems & Components
·      Water Quality
·      Installation & Commissioning
·      Maintenance and fault finding
You will then be required to complete open book assessments and practical assessments.
Duration
2 days
Investment
£370.00 

BPEC Groundsource and Airsource heat pumps
This course suited to Candidates must hold an Unvented Domestic Hot Water qualification as well as one of the following:
A number of years’ experience in either conventional heating engineering or plumbing or an NVQ level 3 in conventional heating engineering or plumbing and To provide the knowledge and understanding required to install, commission and maintain groundsource and airsource heat pump systems.
What will I study and how am I assessed?
The content of the course is as follows:
·      Health and Safety requirements associated with heat pump systems 

·      Regulations and legislation relating to heat pumps 

·      Domestic pipework installation 
·      Installation of heat pumps 

·      Servicing and commissioning of heat pumps 
·      Carrying out safety checks 

·      Checking system stability 

·      Identifying installation faults
You will then be required to complete open book assessments.
Duration
2 Days
Investment
£350.00 

BPEC Woody Biomass
The woody biomass heating training and assessment course has been designed to comply with the requirements of the Microgeneration Certification Scheme.
The course examines modern wood heating with different types of domestic wood fuels, boilers, fuel preparation, chimneys and control systems. There will be practical and theory sessions and full system design will be explored, as well as the legal requirements for installations. This Woody Biomass course includes a BPEC assessment and is certificated on completion.
This Woody Biomass training is an Industry-recognised Certified Course and this BPEC Biomass certificate is recognised under the Micro Generation Certification Scheme (MCS) and can be used by installers as evidence to apply to accreditation bodies such as: NAPIT, BRE, NIC, ARE, ELC, HETAS to have ‘biomass’ added as a category of registration – at this stage it is up to 50kW in dwellings.
This course is suitable for candidates who:
•    Have a number of years’ experience in plumbing or conventional heating or
•    Who are at least knowledgeable about one typical domestic fuel source such as gas, oil, heat pumps or solar as well as experienced with domestic plumbing
or
•    Hold a formal qualification such as NVQ level 3 in plumbing or heating engineering
Duration
4 Days
Investment
£490

BPEC Solar Photovoltaic course
The course is designed for qualified electricians who hold inspection and test qualifications as well as a 17th edition certificate
The content of the course is as follows:
All study materials and practical training for the installation, maintenance, commissioning, handing over, fault diagnosis and fault rectification of solar photovoltaic systems.  Study materials are issued one month prior to the start of the course and candidates are expected to study the contents before starting.
Assessment is by two multi-choice exam papers, one short written answer paper and one practical assessment
Duration
3 Days
Investment
£450.00

For further details contact Rob Richardson, Head of Business Development at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 01388 825 840.