Exeter College’s new partnership with Pathfinder Homes provides exciting Apprenticeship opportunities

The Exeter College Apprenticeships Team are delighted to have secured a valuable new employer partnership with Pathfinder Homes, the UK’s leading manufacturer of luxurious residential park homes and lodges.

Pathfinder Homes is known for aspirational and architecturally brilliant designs, with the finest interiors and awe-inspiring exteriors. The company has enjoyed significant growth over the last few years and is expanding rapidly in order to meet increasing demands.

Pathfinder Homes are now seeking the next generation of talent to become part of their heritage and state that their greatest success will always be their people: skilled, passionate, and dedicated to contributing to their legacy.

Exeter College is a leading provider of Construction & Trade Apprenticeships in the South West offering a wide range of training including Bricklaying, Site Carpentry, Bench Joinery, Plumbing, Electrical, Painting and Decorating, Civil Engineering as well as Pre-Apprenticeships, skills development programmes from which learners can progress onto an Apprenticeship. Work taking place this summer will complete the extension of the Exeter College Construction Centre at Falcon House making this a state-of-the-art training facility with new electrical and plumbing workshops as well as improving existing facilities in Carpentry Brick and P&D to enable high class training and education.

This has inspired Pathfinder Homes to take on Apprentices and Pre-Apprentices with Exeter College, providing learners with the opportunity to increase their practical skills whilst working in a thriving construction environment.

“We have chosen Exeter College as our Apprenticeship Training Provider as they offer great courses across all trades. Exeter College are experienced and innovative and have provided us with able and motivated Apprentices who are essential for the future of Pathfinder Homes and for the country’s workforce as a whole.”
Sue Hember, Pathfinder Homes

Exeter College is pleased to have two Apprentices and a Pre-Apprentice currently working with Pathfinder Homes. Wendy Mugford, Manager of the Pre-Apprenticeship Programmes at Exeter College, and Dave O’Connor, Head of Faculty for Construction at Exeter College, were delighted to visit Pathfinder Homes in July to see the team in action.

“I really enjoyed the visit, especially seeing how the homes are constructed and also being able to see all of the different trades in action on each stage of the build. I was impressed with the quality of work and the finish and cannot wait to see what opportunities this partnership will provide for our learners.”
Dave O’Connor, Head of Faculty for Construction at Exeter College

The interior of a Pathfinder Homes unit.

“This was a fantastic opportunity to tour the workshops at Pathfinder Homes and see the brilliant facilities and outstanding work this team has underway.”
Wendy Mugford, Manager of the Pre-Apprenticeship Programmes at Exeter College

Undertaking an Apprenticeship through Pathfinder Homes gives learners the ability to operate in a fast-paced, innovative, and imaginative environment. Pioneering the manufacturing of luxurious residential park homes and holiday lodges means that there is always the ability to increase current skills and develop within the trade. Extra additional benefits include childcare vouchers, an employee assistance programme in accordance with Health Assured and eyesight tests and savings on optical wear.

Keep an eye on the Exeter College Apprenticeships vacancies page to be the first to hear about future Apprenticeship and Pre-Apprenticeship programmes with Pathfinder Homes.

Exeter College of Art alumni shortlisted for prestigious Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize

Exeter College of Art alumni Emily Ball has been shortlisted for the Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize 2021.

Emily studied BA Fine Art at Exeter College of Art between 1986 and 1989, before going on to complete her MA Fine Art at Farnham College of Art between 1997 and 1999. She was the winner of the National Contemporary Art Prize in 2004.

Her selected exhibitions include:

Solo exhibitions:

• Star Gallery, Lewes (2006).
• Atrium Gallery, Seawhite of Brighton (2017 and 2020).

Group exhibitions:

• RA Summer Exhibition, London (2004).
• C’mon and Give us a Kiss’ (with Rose Wylie, Roy Oxlade, and others), Moncrief Bray Gallery, Petworth (2009).
• Nanxi Academy, Wenzhou, China (2019).

Known as the UK’s most prestigious open exhibition for drawing, the Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize received 3,300 entries from 1,673 artist living in 46 different countries for its 2021 edition. Worth £27,000, the awards will be announced on Wednesday 29 September at Trinity Buoy Wharf in London.

101 drawings by 89 artists were selected for the Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize 2021 exhibition, by judges Sheela Gowda, Artist; Simon Groom, Director of Modern and Contemporary Art, National Galleries Scotland; and Zoé Whitley, Director of Chisenhale Gallery, London.

The diverse exhibition reflects a broad scope of drawing practice, conducted by artists, designers and makers at all stages of their careers – from students to established artists, living and working across the four nations of the UK as well as Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Cyprus, Denmark, Germany, Greece, India, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Spain, The Netherlands, and the USA.

Exeter College of Art alumni Emily Ball's shortlisted drawing, Self Portrait as a Confident Woman, for the Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prizw 2021. — Self Portrait as a Confident Woman by Emily Ball.

The names of the five winners, chosen by the selection panel to share £27,000 in prizes, will be revealed in the Awards Announcement at Trinity Buoy Wharf in London on 29 September 2021.

The Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize 2021 exhibition will launch with the Awards Announcement at Trinity Buoy Wharf in London on 29 September 2021 prior to touring to venues across the UK.

A total prize fund of £27,000 will be awarded:

• First Prize of £8,000
• Second Prize of £5,000
• Student Award of £2,000
• Working Drawing Award of £2,000
• Evelyn Williams Drawing Award of £10,000

The Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize has an established reputation as the UK’s most important annual open exhibition of drawing. Led since its creation by Professor Anita Taylor (Dean of Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design, University of Dundee), the exhibition is known for its promotion and celebration of excellence in contemporary drawing practice.

The Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize provides an important platform for drawing, and for artists and makers as a catalyst within their careers. The annual exhibitions are selected by a roster of passionate and distinguished drawing experts–artists, architects, curators, designers, writers, and collectors.

The Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize is supported by the Trinity Buoy Wharf Trust, and 2021 marks the fourth year of their generous support for the annual open exhibition, which was founded in 1994.

Read more about the Exeter School of Art.

Exeter College shortlisted for “Learning Provider Partner of the Year” award by Chartered Management Institute

Exeter College is proud to have been shortlisted by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) for the “Learning Provider Partner of the Year” award for a second successive year.

The prestigious award recognises a non-higher education partner for their incredible contribution and exceptional positive impact on learner experience, professional development and personal performance as a result of their partnership with CMI.

“We believe that our industry-leading trainers, bespoke learning content and positive impact of learning on learners and organisations makes us one of the best learning providers in the UK. We are incredibly proud that CMI agrees with this too!”
Dee Ceponis, Professional Learning Manager

Speaking on the news that the college had been shortlisted for the award, Professional Learning Manager, Dee Ceponis, said: “Our records show high learner and employer satisfaction levels. We’ve benefited enormously from CMI’s reputation, policy voice and stakeholder reach.”

The partnership with CMI has been instrumental in shaping the relationships that the college has with major employers in the region, including the NHS Foundation Trust, University of Exeter, Devon County Council and Great Western Railway. The college works with over 80 partners, including the college itself, to develop their first line and senior managers through management apprenticeships and embedded CMI Diplomas. Over 350 commercial learners have enrolled on the college’s CMI programmes.

A highlight of the exceptional work that the college does alongside CMI to professionalise existing leaders and develop new talent in leadership and management profession has been an opportunity for one of our Operations/Departmental Manager apprentices, Sue Sanders, to speak at the CMI National Apprenticeship week online round table event. Sue was selected to speak alongside Ann Francke OBE, Gillian Keegan MP, Robert Nitsch CBE, Michael Green on the topic of “The Impact of My Management Apprenticeship”.

Sue was representing the entire management profession and all apprentices and qualification learners across the nation and beyond. Working at a local NHS trust, Sue was able to share how CMI and Exeter College have been instrumental in supporting the NHS throughout the pandemic and how leadership and management development has paved a path to a successful recovery.

Dee hopes that the award will allow the college to take its world-class leadership training to even more employers and learners.

“We want to work with even more employers and more learners so that we can provide more transformational professional learning that demonstrably makes people better at their jobs and ultimately contributes to the success of organisations and entire UK economy.”
Dee

This isn’t the first time that the college has been honoured by CMI. Back in December, Exeter College Apprentice Joanna Sanders was chosen as the South West Region CMI Apprentice of the Year 2020, following the completion of her Team Leader / Supervisor Apprenticeship. She has also been shortlisted for “CMI Apprentice of the Year”.

The winners will be announced in November 2021.

Apple Mac Museum Opens At Exeter College

Exeter School of Art student Sophie Bruce and her team have created what is believed to be the only exhibition celebrating the history of the Apple Mac in the UK.

The Mac Museum exhibit opened last week at the college’s new Institute of Technology Digital and Data Centre (IoT) and will be on display throughout the summer.

“The Mac Museum is a concept that was originally by my tutor Mike. I got given the project last year, he asked me if I wanted to do it and I said absolutely. It was during the peak of lockdown.”

Sophie Bruce, Graphic Design Foundation Degree student

Sophie had originally gone with a modern design, but after receiving feedback from her tutor, she decided on a more nostalgic theme.

She said, “I’ve gone for the retro rainbow colours which they had initially and I have carried that throughout the logo and all of the designs.”

The exhibit was on display for guests who attended the IoT opening on Thursday 8 July, with Sophie giving the Minister for Apprenticeships & Skills, Gillian Keegan, a tour of the museum.

Exeter College student gives the Minister for Apprenticeships & Skills, Gillian Keegan, a tour of the Mac Museum at the official opening of the Exeter College Institute of Technology Digital and Data Centre. — Sophie gives Minister Keegan a tour of the Mac Museum.

She said, “Giving Minister Keegan and all of the other guests a tour of the Mac Museum was a really proud moment for me. Being able to show off this incredible collection of computer history is absolutely amazing.”

The original concept for the exhibit came from Sophie’s tutor, Michael Krage, who is the Programme Leader for Art & Design at the college.

“The Mac museum has been a very positive and successful project for our Graphic Design Foundation Degree student Sophie Bruce and the supporting team. Sophie was involved in designing, researching and organising the exhibition which is on show at the new Exeter College Institute of Technology until September.”
Michael Krage, Art and Design Programme Leader and Associate Lecturer

Michael said, “Apple Macs have changed the way graphic designers work from the early days of the 80s right up to the present day and this show celebrates this iconic computer.”

Sophie’s team had help from numerous sources across the college and the local community, who all helped her track down pieces for the exhibit.

She said, “It’s become this massive thing and loads of different people have donated, and it’s just really cool.”

Exeter College student Sophie Bruce gives gusts a tour of the Mac Museum at the official opening of the Institute of Technology Digital and Data Centre. — Sophie giving guests a tour of the Mac Museum at the official opening of the Institute of Technology.

“The FdA graphics team of Nigel Lowe, Jason Howells and myself would like to thank Titan Computers, IFixer Exeter, Carol Kennedy, Colin Mallet and everyone who had the foresight to store their retro Macs in the loft!”
Michael

The Mac Museum will be looking for a permanent home in Exeter after September and the team are looking forward to developing the project further.

Sophie will also be leaving the college in September, as she will be going to Plymouth University to complete her third and final year of her Graphic Design degree, after which she hopes to get a job within the industry.

“One day I hope to work for a company like Apple.”
Sophie

The Mac Museum isn’t the last exhibit Sophie will have on display at the college. She is currently working on her next exhibition called ‘Press Start’, which she says “is definitely one to look forward to.”