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Five Southern Regional College students from Newry along with three from Portadown have just returned from a two week mobility work placement in Denmark. The work placement, which took place from 4th to 18 June 2023, was made possible through the Turing programme. The students from the Faculty of Building Technology & Engineering (BUTE) at the college were accompanied by five dedicated SRC staff members.
The mobility work placement provided the students with a unique opportunity to gain valuable work experience abroad and explore the construction techniques in Denmark. The initiative was organized by EUC SYD, a Vocational Education and Training (VET) College in partnership with SRC. These Level 3 students are currently pursuing courses in Construction and the Built Environment at SRC.
During their placement, the students immersed themselves in various construction techniques, including tiling and bricklaying. This hands-on experience not only provided them with valuable insights into working abroad but also exposed them to different approaches to construction.
In addition to the work experience, the students had the privilege of immersing themselves in the Danish culture, history, and attractions. They explored the Danish town of Sonderborg, ventured into the German town of Flensburg in Northern Germany, visited a state-of-the-art recycling centre to witness sustainability recycling in action, learned about the Vikings in Denmark, and even tried their hand at rowing at the German Rowing Club in Aabenraa.
The entire project was fully funded by the Turing Programme, and the College's International Affairs Team played a crucial role in organising the initiative. The Turing Programme is a UK government programme providing international opportunities for education and training across the world. To learn about available international opportunities, please reach out to the External Funding & International Affairs Team at Southern Regional College by email at internationalaffairs@src.ac.uk
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Southern Regional College and Clanrye Group have partnered for the new ‘Employ Me’ programme which launched in June. The initiative is a new and innovative employability project providing training and wraparound support to economically inactive persons aged 16+ in both the Newry, Mourne & Down, and Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Council areas to help participants achieve their career aspirations and personal goals.
Specialist support is available to persons facing additional obstacles returning to the workplace. This includes carers and single parents, individuals with a disability, women returning to work, individuals aged over 50, and those involved in the justice system or at risk.
Clanrye Group will provide employability support consisting of help with CVs, job applications, transition to the workplace and in-employment support, alongside qualifications in Essential Skills, Customer Service and Business Administration. Wraparound support is also provided by Clanrye Group and community delivery partners Community Advice Newry, Mourne & Down and Women’s Aid Armagh Down.
The College will provide upskilling and entry level qualifications in the four targeted sector areas of Construction, Engineering, Hospitality and Domiciliary Care.
Alongside core qualifications, participants may take on range of additional complementary qualifications, depending on the core qualification. These include Abrasive Wheels, Manual Handling, Working at Heights, Food Hygiene and Barista Training and First Aid. Courses will be offered on SRC’s campuses of Armagh, Newry and Portadown to make opportunities available to as many participants as possible.
With 200 places on offer, courses at the College will be running from mid-September 2023 until December 2023 and then again from January 2024 until early April 2024. Clanrye Group will provide on-going support throughout the year.
Brian Doran, Principal & CEO of Southern Regional College commented “SRC is delighted to be partnering with the Clanrye Group in the new and exciting Employ Me programme. The programme aims to help individuals achieve the skills, qualifications and experiences that will enhance their employability prospects. The programme starting in September will offer four pathways in the areas of construction, engineering, domiciliary care and hospitality and I urge anyone interested in finding out more to apply early.”
Liam Devine, CEO of Clanrye Group commented “The collaboration between programme partners allows us to provide top quality training and support to the individuals on the Employ Me programme, no matter the circumstances. We are very proud to be a partner in this programme.”
To find out more about courses or express an interest, contact a key worker to discuss opportunities:
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A proposed new Innovation Centre on the site of the former Newry Sports Centre has been awarded 'Highly Commended' for the ‘Most Innovative Public Sector Project’ in the 2023 Digital Construction Awards. The Centre is being advanced by the Southern Regional College opposite their West Campus.
The Digital Construction Awards recognise excellence across the construction industry. During the early concept design stage, innovative tools were used to automatically generate design solutions to assess their impact on energy use, cost and visual impact on Patrick Street. McAdam used Building Information Modelling (BIM) to create 3D versions of the design and incorporated virtual reality to enable a walk-through experience of the proposed design for SRC staff and students. The project was also innovative in its management of information through the creation of an industry leading Project Dashboard which monitored the progress of the project regarding the scope of works, design and validation of information.
McAdam and SRC’s Estates team worked closely to produce a design that balances functionality with aesthetics whilst introducing drama and a sense of openness throughout. On the ground floor, extensive glazing allows public interaction with the building's interior, offering views of the robotics within the Engineering Faculty as well as open plan training spaces. The first floor will host the Science Laboratories and a suite of ICT spaces along with a Student Social space.
The project is an exciting development for the Newry region. The design is focused on ensuring the building remains sustainable and energy efficient, with multiple collaborative and breakout spaces encouraging networking and brainstorming. However, at the heart of the project is the desire to make the building a place where students want to visit and learn.
Speaking about the project design, Chris Watson (Project Architect) and John Herron (Project Manager) commented “It is a massive compliment to be Highly Commended for the ‘Most Innovative Public Sector Project’ at the 2023 Digital Construction Awards alongside the wider Southern Regional College team. With innovative collaboration between an architect and a client, anything can be achieved. The project itself demonstrates how digital construction can help to create innovative design solutions that enhance local communities.”
Peter Monaghan, at Southern Regional College further commented “The Digital Construction Live Awards celebrate and recognise excellence across the Construction Industry. SRC along with our Architects, McAdams Design Ltd. were awarded Highly Commended in the Category, Most Innovative Public Sector Project. The panel wanted to hear about exceptional adoption of technology and digital processes and how far nominees had pushed innovation on a project of this size and complexity. We are delighted to have received this recognition and look forward to progressing the project to the next stage.”
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Getting up that bit earlier on Saturday 6 May for the Pieta House Darkness into Light event at Derramore Wood was more than worth it for pupils from St Malachy's Primary School in Camlough, as they were able to present local charity PIPS Hope and Support with a total of £900, raised through the walk as well as a 'Yellow Day' where children wore something yellow to school.
Over 30 Primary 6 and 7 children and staff had the early start of around 3am on the morning of the walk which took them on a lap around Derramore as the sun was rising, a walk they will remember for years to come. The children also painted colourful 'Positivity Stones' ahead of the event.
The St Malachy’s pupils presented PIPS Hope and Support with a cheque for £600 upon completion of their Yellow Day and a further £300 was presented to the suicide prevention and awareness charity, raised through registrations for this year’s walk.
Primary 7 pupils along with school principal Pauline McEvoy present the donation to Brian Hyland from PIPS Hope and Support.
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The 2023 McManus All Ireland Scholarships Scheme is now open for students in Northern Ireland.
Now in their 13th year in Northern Ireland the annual scholarships, funded by businessman JP McManus, provide financial assistance to 25 top-performing students from low income households who intend to take up full-time undergraduate courses from September 2023.
The value of each scholarship is £5,500 per annum for the duration of the undergraduate degree course.
The 25 Northern Ireland scholarships will be awarded to the top 19 performing ‘A’ level students in grant aided post primary schools and the top six performing Level 3 Extended Diploma students in the further education colleges.
Recognising the excellent opportunities afforded by the scholarships Graeme Wilkinson, Director of Skills Strategy at the Department for the Economy, said:
“I would like to thank JP McManus for his continued generosity in providing these scholarships. The scholarships recognise the importance of higher education in changing lives and help to ease the financial concerns of top performing students therefore allowing them to avail of the opportunity to go on and continue their education.
“I am delighted to note that to date 300 students from Northern Ireland have been awarded a Scholarship.”
Applicants must have been in receipt of the Educational Maintenance Allowance at the time of examination and due to commence an undergraduate degree at a university or further education college in September / October 2023.
The deadline for receipt of applications is 4.00 pm on 31 August 2023.
Further information and details on how to apply can be found at the All Ireland Scholarships page on nidirect.
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Six students from Southern Regional College have been selected to compete and represent Northern Ireland in the SkillBuild National Finals which, for the first time, will take place at Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes on 21, 22 & 23 November 2023.
To reach the finals, over 90 local construction apprentices competed to win medals at the regional SkillBuild competitions in categories including Brickwork, Cabinet Making, Carpentry, Electrical Installation, Joinery, Painting & Decorating, Plastering, Plumbing and Wall & Floor Tiling. SRC’s six finalists achieved success in the Bricklaying, Painting & Decorating, Plastering, and Wall & Floor Tiling categories.
These competitions are designed to test students’ technical abilities, technique, time management and problem-solving skills while working under pressure completing a range of different test pieces. The prestigious SkillBuild competition series comes with many benefits to students such as improved technical and employability skills, as well as advancing career options. These competitions help students stand out from the crowd and creates many career opportunities within the construction industry.
Students competing at the finals from the Newry, Mourne & Down area are Niall Rice from Castlewellan (Brickwork), Joshua McBride from Kilkeel (Plastering) and Conor Braniff from Portaferry (Wall & Floor Tiling).
Jacqui Hawthorne from the Armagh area will be competing at the finals in the category of Painting & Decorating.
Students competing at the finals from the Belfast area are Patryk Niedoba (Wall & Floor Tiling) and Erin McKnight (Painting & Decorating).
Brian Doran, Principal & CEO of Southern Regional College said:
“I extend my congratulations to our six finalists who will be competing at the SkillBuild National Finals in November. I am immensely proud of their commitment and dedication shown to reach this stage and for them in embracing all the challenges and achievements during their SkillBuild journey. I look forward to hearing of their continued success as they progress to the National Finals. We here at Southern Regional College wish you all the best in November”.
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Planning permission has been granted for the redevelopment of St. Marys Primary School, Barr.
The work will be completed in two phases and includes demolition of principal's office building, external modular classroom and oil storage blocks. A new internal road configuration will include separate car and bus pick up/drop off areas, pedestrian crossing points and additional car parking. The existing access off School Road is to be maintained and upgraded.
A new single storey primary school building will be built with outdoor canopy covered play area, hard and soft play areas, landscaping, cycle stands, security fencing, new underground storm sewer drainage system, solar panelling on roof of new building, relocation of oil tank and provision of bin store and service yard area.
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Students from Newry, Warrenpoint and Kilkeel are heading off on the adventure of a lifetime this month after being accepted onto a US Scholarship programme.
They are among 56 students from across Northern Ireland on the prestigious Study USA programme, which enables students to study business or STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) related subjects in American colleges, across 22 States, helping to develop their career prospects when they return to Northern Ireland.
The British Council, which is the UK’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations, manages Study USA on behalf of the Department for the Economy – and since its formation in 1994, the initiative has sent over 2000 students from Northern Ireland to all four corners of the United States.
Students Matthew Chestnutt, Kilkeel and Kayla Woods, Newry are both currently studying at Queen’s University, Belfast. Matthew, who is working towards a degree in Business Information Technology, is heading to Central Methodist University, Missouri; while Kayla, who studies Business Management, will spend her year at Austin College in Texas.
Meanwhile, Ellen Fegan, also from Newry, is a Human Resources student at Ulster University and is off to Otterbein University in Ohio.
Speaking ahead of their departure, Kayla said: “I applied to the Study USA programme to experience daily life and the education system of another country. I also wanted to make myself more employable, meet new people and form new international connections. I hope to come out of this experience with more confidence. Embarking on this adventure on my own will also change my perspective on the business world and inspire my future career choice.”
Joining them on the programme is Ellen Sloan from Warrenpoint and Padraig Clancy from Newry. Ellen, a Primary Education student at Stranmillis University College, will enrol at College of Saint Benedicts, Minnesota; while Padraig a Business Economics student, will swap Queen’s University for Saint Bonaventure University in New York.
Ellen said: “During my time at university I have lived at home and wanted to step out of my comfort zone and have a totally different university experience. Due to studying Primary education and having placements every year I didn’t have same opportunities as other students, so jumped at this once in a lifetime opportunity to move abroad and study.
“Study USA will allow me to gain first-hand experience of the vast cultures and traditions of America. This programme will also enhance my attractiveness to future employers and possible teaching opportunities in the Middle East. It will also allow me to travel across the US and build friendships and memories for life.”
Also commenting on the programme, Jonathan Stewart, Director British Council Northern Ireland said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with the Department for the Economy to deliver Study USA, a prestigious scholarship programme that has gone from strength to strength since its inception in 1994.
“Study USA greatly enhances the employability skills of the students taking part in the programme, with many returning to work in Northern Ireland for employers with US and global links. Students get an opportunity to connect with another country, to really get to understand that country through living there for a year, and update their CV by developing new skills in an international setting. While in the US, the students will have the opportunity to enhance their academic skills but also to develop their people and intercultural skills that will prepare them for working for employers in Northern Ireland in the future. This year our students will be spread across 22 US states and we hope that they will build valuable links and develop friendships that will last a lifetime.
“We know that this year’s students will be great ambassadors for Northern Ireland. We wish them every success for the exciting year ahead and we look forward to welcoming them back to celebrate the class of 2024 next year.”
Applications for Study USA for 2024-25 will open in September 2023. To find out more about the programme, and eligibility criteria visit nireland.britishcouncil.org
Study USA continues the British Council’s work, building connection, understanding and trust between people in the UK and overseas through arts, education and English language teaching. To find out more about the British Council’s work in Northern Ireland visit nireland.britishcouncil.org or follow on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.
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From September 2023, Southern Regional College will be offering a new range of flexible courses under the Step-Up (Skills, Training and Employment programme).
Step-Up consists of three strands. They are:
1) College Connect+
2) DARE (Disability Access Route to Education and Employment), and
3) WRAP (Women Returners Access Programme)
The programme aims to help a wide range of participants, from anyone over the age of 16, anyone with a disability, and those seeking to return to the work force and re-skill following a career break. The aim of the programme is to increase the participation of under-represented individuals and encourage individuals to gain skills, education and increase employment opportunities.
Strands will include mentoring, mentoring for work placement and project-based learning, alongside accredited courses.
College Connect+ has two divisions split between learners aged 16-24, and those aged 25 and over, recognising the different challenges these age groups may face. For those aged 16-24, College Connect+ is aimed at helping young students and care leavers who are not currently in education, employment or training with alongside careers advice and employability skills, alongside short courses.
For those aged 25 and over, not in education, employment or training, the College Connect 24+ will provide individual development plans alongside a range of short courses based on the needs of the individual, to support individuals into further training, education or employment. Typical short courses will include (list not exhaustive) CSR card, food hygiene, forklift- counterbalance and telescopic, digger driving, manual handling, working at heights, men’s haircutting, book-keeping, first aid.
For individuals with a learning disability and aged 16 and over, and unemployed or economically inactive, the DARE programme will provide skill enhancement and pathways into Further Education and employment. Support offered through DARE includes mentorship, goal setting and action planning based on the learner’s own needs. Expert advice from other organisations will also be provided, where appropriate.
WRAP seeks to provide unemployed and economically inactive women with the confidence, skills and work experience to progress to employment or return to further or higher education opportunities.
Funding may also be available to help with travel, childcare and equipment needed to complete courses.
Catriona Regen, Head of External Engagement at Southern Regional College commented:
“Many people feel unsure about their future but want to learn new skills and experience new opportunities. If this is you, you are not alone. Many people of all ages face challenges and barriers in their lives. That’s why Southern Regional College is here to help you through the Skills, Training and Employment (STEP Up) Programme.
STEP Up is a friendly and supportive programme that will help you rediscover your potential and achieve your goals. You will have access to a variety of courses that suit your interests and abilities. You will also have mentoring, to guide you along the way and provide you with feedback and encouragement.
Whether you want to find a job, pursue further education, or simply improve your confidence and well-being as the first step towards gaining employment, STEP Up can help you make it happen. Don’t hesitate to contact the College’s key workers today and find out how STEP Up can change your life for the better”.
With funding recently announced by the Department for the Economy, and provided by the UK Government under the New Deal for Northern Ireland initiative, the College will be delivering the Step-Up Programme alongside the five other further education Colleges in Northern Ireland.
For further information on any of the programme strands, visit the College’s website at: www.src.ac.uk
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