Edinburgh College teams up with EICC to run hospitality takeover event for local secondary school pupils

Local secondary school pupils learned what it takes to become the cream of the crop in the hospitality industry at an event held in Edinburgh’s EICC yesterday (Monday 27 June).

Staff from the College’s Hospitality and Professional Cookery department teamed up with the EICC to welcome 100 third year high school children from schools across Edinburgh and the Lothians for the event.

School pupils were split into groups and had the opportunity to listen to talks from industry experts and take part in workshops to learn more about events and hospitality and about the career opportunities available in the industry.

Industry specialists featuring on the day included EICC’s catering partner Leith’s, owned by global food services company Compass Group, US-headquartered Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants, the Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa, Archerfield in East Lothian, Dakota Hotels, and Dima Recruitment Services.

The participating schools were Gracemount, Queensferry, Castlebrae, Leith Academy, St Augustine and Thomas, Howden Hall and Kaimes School.

Edinburgh College Principal Audrey Cumberford said: “We are delighted that our College is working in partnership with important employers like the EICC to deliver events like this to showcase the many career opportunities within the hospitality sector to school pupils from across our region – ensuring that together we provide a pipeline of skilled workers for years to come.”

EICC Chief Executive Marshall Dallas said: “Scotland has a real shortage of people joining the hospitality industry, so we want to make a positive impression on these young people when they are starting to think about their future careers. Tourism, including business tourism, will suffer in the years to come if we don’t spend time now encouraging a new generation of talent into the industry.”

Automotive team support Sir Chris Hoy at C1 Club 24 hour at Silverstone

Automotive lecturers Brian Alexander, Kerry Dempsey, Martin Tracey, Robert Vass and Grzegorz Dwojak, as well as student Kyle Nisbet have helped Sir Chris Hoy raise more than £20k during 24-hour endurance race at Silverstone – the home of racing in the UK.

The team of mechanics provided car maintenance and pitlane support to Sir Chris and his Racing Lines team who were driving a Citroen C1 car around the famous track used to host Formula 1 and other motor races.

The team provided 24-hour support, including fixing the car during the race following a crash in which the car was rolled over and required a mammoth team effort to fix so that it could return to track.

Brian Alexander said: “It was a great experience, we got to work with Sir Chris Hoy and lots of experienced drivers across the weekend.

“The highlight of the race came after about an hour and a half when the team pulled together to get the car fixed as quickly as possible and back out on the track after it was involved in a crash. The car rolled on its roof, so it was all hands to the pump getting the car ready to go back out to finish the race.”

Robert Vass said: “Getting the car to the end of the 24 hours was a massive achievement.”

Martin Tracey added: “When we managed to get the car back on the road, the other drivers were amazed. An hour and half into a 24-hour race with a crash makes getting the car ready to race again, very difficult but we did it.”

Automotive apprentice Kyle Nisbet said: “It was a brilliant experience, we really had to work as a team and we did that well. We worked from 6am until 6am, more or less non-stop.

“The whole experience was really enjoyable; the layout and format of the weekend was really done well. It was really enjoyable because of all the people involved across the entire event.”

The Automotive team was approached to provide support given their knowledge of Citroen C1 racing, having been part of the College’s Scottish C1 Cup team since 2019.

The Scottish C1 Cup sees Edinburgh College line up three cars on the grid at Knockhill Racing Circuit in Fife, in competition with other teams from across Scotland. Kyle Nisbet is one of the College’s racing drivers.

George hopes design competition is first of many successes as he eyes a career in the industry

An Edinburgh College student has won a creative competition to design a number of posters showcasing projects taking place across Granton and will now have his work on display at the site of the iconic Granton gas tower.

Seventeen-year-old George Kershaw won the creative competition by beating off competition from his classmates to have his designs displayed at the site of the Granton gas tower, which received significant investment last year to turn the structure into an illuminating landmark which lights up the skyline in the area.

The Foundation Apprenticeship (FA) Design student was named the winner of the competition, after the Council challenged his class to come up with a series of designs to help promote projects and events that have happened in the area, such as the Hidden Doors Festival, COP 26 Climate conference, Diwali celebrations and more.

The iconic gas tower located in the Granton Waterfront area of the city is a beacon of light on the Edinburgh skyline thanks to the partnership project between the City of Edinburgh Council, the College, and 21CC.

George said: “Whilst I expected to do well in the competition, I knew there were several other talented designers also entering so I was very happy to find out that I had won and gained such a great opportunity. I wasn’t as happy to realise that I had also given myself a lot more work than I bargained for, as the process took several months to complete!

“Edinburgh Council set our class with the challenge of designing several promotional banners for the events centred around the Granton gas tower. My design was chosen and expanded on and finalised by me and my tutor Chris Hamilton until it was ready to be printed. This involved many conversations between me and the Council and was also my first experience with the many challenges involved in the design process.

“I hope that I can find more great opportunities like this one to challenge myself and so that I can also come out of university with a portfolio full of amazing work, which will help me gain employment at a top design agency once I’ve finished my studies.”

Edinburgh College Assistant Principal for Creative Industries Jakki Jeffery said: “This was an excellent opportunity for the FA Creative Digital Media (Graphics) students to work on a live industry brief from our partnership with Edinburgh Council and 21CC lighting up the iconic Granton Gas Tower.

“We were really impressed with the standard of work submitted by all the students, supported by their lecturer Chris. George is a worthy winner and we wish him all the best in his future career.”

Leader of the Council Cammy Day said: “My warmest congratulations to George on his achievement and I’m sure this will be the first of many more to come in his design career. This poster campaign will provide a new and dynamic angle to an already iconic Edinburgh landmark. These posters showcase a wide array of local, national and cultural events. Projects like these in conjunction with Edinburgh College represent the Council’s wider commitment to Granton Waterfront and its long-term regeneration. This regeneration will spearhead the capital’s response to the climate emergency alongside providing sustainable economic growth and empowering local communities”.

Nora Senior appointed as Chair of Edinburgh College Board of Management

The Scottish Government has appointed Nora Senior CBE as the new Chair of the Edinburgh College Board of Management.

Over the course of a 30-year career in industry, Nora has held several senior leadership positions, latterly as Group Executive Chair of global communications and government relations consultancy, Weber Shandwick, and previously with Saatchi and Saatchi. A former Businesswoman of the Year, Nora holds extensive experience at non-exec board level in both public and private sector organisations, having been Chair of the Scottish Government’s independent Enterprise and Skills Board and as President of British Chambers of Commerce.

She was honoured with a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List 2017 for services to UK businesses.

“ I am really excited to be taking on the role of Chair of Edinburgh College Board of Management and working with the Board and Audrey and the team to accelerate the focus, purpose and importance of the college within not only the education sector but as part of the wider innovation and business transformation landscape. I look forward to working with our staff and students to deliver an exceptional teaching and learning experience and placing the college at the heart of our community. My thanks go to Ann Landels for her strong guidance and contribution to the work of the college as Interim Chair.

“ Having had the privilege of working with Nora in her capacity as Chair of the Scottish Government’s Enterprise and Skills Board I am both delighted and excited with her appointment as the new Chair of Edinburgh College, Scotland’s Capital College. Nora’s extensive leadership experience in industry and the public sector, alongside a deep understanding and passion for the role that colleges play in their local communities and wider regions will be invaluable as we strive to realise our full potential and ambitions – Edinburgh College Principal and Chief Executive Audrey Cumberford

Nora takes over the position from Non-Executive Board Member (and Vice Chair) Ann Landels, who acted in an interim capacity for over two years.

“ I am delighted to welcome Nora as the new Regional Chair of the Edinburgh College Board. It has been my privilege to be Interim Chair of the Board since November 2019 and to lead the Board through the challenging times presented by Covid-19. It is a testament to the work of the Principal, the Executive Team and all our staff at Edinburgh College that we continued to deliver high quality education throughout that time. As we anticipate the resumption of a more normal College experience in the 2022/23 session, I am very much looking forward to supporting Nora in her new appointment as I resume my role as Vice Chair – Edinburgh College Board of Management Vice Chair Ann Landels

ECSA Go Green project shortlisted for Green Gown Awards 2022

Edinburgh College Students’ Association (ECSA) has been shortlisted for a national award following the success of its sustainability work with the College’s wider student body over the past two years.

ECSA’s sustainability project, Go Green, has been selected as a finalist in this year’s Green Gown Awards for UK and Ireland in the Student Engagement category.

The Go Green project ran from April 2020 to June 2022 and focused on active travel, climate education, food waste reduction, and clothing re-use. Despite the project running through the global pandemic, almost all original targets were exceeded – engaging more than 3,000 students and diverting a total of around six metric tonnes of food and clothing from waste.

As part of the project, ECSA introduced Go Green Hubs at each of the College’s campuses which comprise of Community Fridges and Clothing and Accessories Swap Shops, allowing students to collect free food, clothing, accessories and books, and as a result have prevented items from going to landfill while helping to alleviate poverty during a financial crisis. The team also delivered Climate Change and Sustainability workshops to classes across the curriculum.

College receives Silver Employer Recognition Scheme Award 2022

Edinburgh College has received the Silver Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Award from the Ministry of Defence in recognition of its support for the Armed Forces.

The College, one of 22 Scottish employers from the lowlands to receive the 2022 Award, has been given the accolade for its work in supporting the armed forces through engaging initiatives such as employing veterans, supporting individuals transitioning out of the forces into a new career and providing flexibility for Reservists.

The Silver ERS Award is the second-highest badge of honour available to civilian organisations that employ and support Reservists, service leavers, Cadet Force Volunteers, Veterans and their families. The ERS was launched in 2014 to recognise employer support for the Armed Forces and the full spectrum of Defence personnel.