EXETER College is taking part in the first Colleges Week celebrations.

Among the events next week are a students’ awards ceremony and a Skills Challenge to which Exeter MP Ben Bradshaw has been invited.

Colleges Week is taking place from November 10 to 16 to celebrate the role colleges play in unlocking talent in communities and transforming the lives of learners.

The initiative is being co-ordinated by the Association of Colleges (AoC), the Department for Innovation, Universities & Skills (DIUS) and the Learning & Skills Council (LSC).

• On Wednesday, November 12, Exeter College is hosting an awards ceremony for students aged 14 to 16 who come into college to get a head-start on vocational training while still finishing their GCSEs at school. The 14-16 Awards start at 6.15pm in the college’s recently opened training restaurant, @34, at Hele Road.
• A Skills Challenge involving Age Concern and Exeter College’s Health and Social Care students is also taking place on Friday, November 14. The students will be learning key practical skills for working with older people while preparing for a Christmas party they are organising for Age Concern Exeter. This session runs from 9.30am – 12.30pm in the Hele Building.

During next week Exeter College will also be profiling exceptional students and success stories highlighting the key themes of Colleges Week: developing skills; delivering excellence; building strong communities; helping businesses to succeed and transforming lives.

• Transforming lives: Hospitality and catering student Matt King achieved against the odds, overcoming cerebral palsy to gain qualifications and a job in his chosen industry.
• Delivering excellence: Former Exeter College students from the same tutor group have all achieved exceptionally in their field. Nathan Curry is a West End producer who has worked with actor Kevin Spacey, Kelsey Jones is a doctor specialising in malnutrition and child health in the tropics, Claire Lewis is a manager for the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and Jo Danvers is a director for the Gate Theatre in the West End.
• Building strong communities: Exeter College is the one of the biggest employers in Devon with an annual contribution to the economy of £41.3m.
• Helping businesses to succeed: Exeter Business School which is part of Exeter College has provided training to over 1,000 employers since it was launched last year.
• Developing skills: See above Skills Challenge and 14-16 Awards