Green Skills Academy event brings together employers and students, enabling access to job vacancies, learning opportunities and supporting Green careers.
Capital City College Group’s (CCCG) Green Skills Academy hosted an Employment and Training Fair, allowing students to connect with employers and explore exciting Green Career opportunities.
The Employment and Training Fair took place at The College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London’s (CONEL) Tottenham Centre on 17 April and was organised by Mishary Alfahad, Head of the Green Skills Academy. The Green Skills Academy is one of CCCG’s Mayor of London’s Skills Academies, which works to support Londoners as they enter Green Careers and address skills shortages in the construction sector.
Around 80 learners from across the college group attended the event, with many learners coming from the Green Skills Academy and Construction courses. With over 20 employers in attendance, students were able to connect with employers, access essential information about current vacancies and apply for jobs on the day.
Before the Employment and Training Fair opened to students and the general public, the Green Skills Academy hosted a breakfast networking session for employers followed by a tour of CONEL’s Green Labs. During the event, students were able to attend expert panel talks, network with employers, explore training opportunities and receive support on training and employment matters.
The ongoing collaboration between CANDI and Maldron Hotel allows students to access unique learning experiences. The hotel’s work experience programme provides students with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience within the hospitality industry.
During the work experience placement, Oleh worked in reception, the restaurant and bar areas and gained valuable experience of working life within a four-star hotel. He was responsible for showing guests to their tables, taking food and drink orders and liaising with kitchen staff. He also served food, assisted with stock management and performed housekeeping duties in the restaurant and bar area.
Oleh was supported by the hotel’s reception and restaurant staff, who treated him like a member of the team and supported him with kindness and courtesy. Oleh said: “[The] place was very organised, staff were very polite, policy and procedures were in place. Everyone was working professionally, in harmony. The staff were very friendly, and the atmosphere was very warm and pleasant.”
The work experience placement enabled Oleh to improve his confidence while helping him to learn about customer service, teamwork and collaboration, and the importance of workplace organisation. Oleh has been very positive about his experience at the Maldron Hotel. He said: “[There were] very kind and helpful people around me and I felt confident. I tried to learn many things to improve my skills and add on new ones willingly. The vibe was great, and I enjoyed working every minute of it.”
The team at the Maldron Hotel were equally impressed by Oleh’s positive attitude and willingness to work. He was also commended for his seamless adaptation to the workplace, listening skills, timekeeping, and positive impact on the team.
Carlean Sam-Orhin, a Human Resource Graduate working at Maldron Hotel, said: “Throughout Oleh’s work experience, he consistently demonstrated a strong work ethic, attention to detail, and a proactive approach to his tasks. His contributions not only met but exceeded our expectations, and he showed a remarkable ability to adapt and thrive in the Food and Beverage department.”
As a result of the work placement, Oleh has been offered a permanent paid part-time role at the Maldron Hotel working as a waiter and bartender in between his studies. Oleh is looking forward to starting his new role and continuing his studies at CANDI.
Congratulations on completing your placement and your new role Oleh!
We offer ESOL courses for students of all levels. Full-time students benefit from carefully organised work experience placements, which give them insight into their chosen fields and help prepare them for the world of work.
Performing Arts teachers from CANDI visited a Hungarian Performing Arts school to deliver workshops and create new international connections.
A group of teachers from City and Islington College (CANDI) took a four-day trip during the Easter break to explore a new opportunity for creative and educational exchange with a school in Hungary.
From 7 to 11 April, the teachers spent time at Nemes Nagy Ágnes Művészeti Szakgimnázium (NNA Performing Arts School) which specialises in drama and dance. The school is the former training ground for CANDI teacher Blanka Molnar and offers performing arts training to both secondary school students and adult learners.
The trip’s main purpose was to form working partnerships with the staff and students at the school and assess how future exchange trips between the two schools might work. The teachers hope that CANDI students will have the opportunity to visit Nemes Nagy Ágnes Művészeti Szakgimnázium next academic year and work with their Hungarian counterparts on a project as part of a continuous exchange programme.
The programme will allow students and teachers to develop their artistic and professional skills, further equipping them for the international aspects of the Performing Arts industry. The partnership between the two schools will also give students the opportunity to study and learn within a different cultural context.
During the visit, the teachers stayed in the Hungarian capital, Budapest, and commuted to the school each day. They observed classes and worked together to deliver workshops on acting, voice work and dance. In the evenings, they attended various productions including a contemporary dance theatre production and a musical. The trip enabled staff to develop their teaching practice and consider ways to innovate course design and sequencing.
Tim Chaundy, Curriculum Leader of Performing Arts and Music, said: “This was a truly amazing and inspiring trip that has sown the seeds of a long-term international partnership between City and Islington College and Nemes Nagy Ágnes Művészeti Szakgimnázium. This partnership will ensure regular opportunities each academic year for the Hungarian and British staff and students to exchange ideas, work in different ways and contexts, form a community and collaborate to create work. It will develop our young people’s understanding of the Performing Arts and open their minds to different perspectives and work that goes beyond mental and physical borders.”
Westminster Kingsway College receives renewed recognition for its Hospitality and Culinary Arts courses and is named a Centre for Excellence in four key areas.
Westminster Kingsway College (WestKing) has once again been awarded a Gold Accreditation for its exceptional school of Hospitality and Culinary Arts. Situated within the college’s Victoria Centre, the School of Hospitality and Culinary Arts comprises specialist facilities such as professional kitchens, a patisserie and a chocolate kitchen. It is also home to the highly regarded restaurant The Vincent Rooms, which consists of The Escoffier Room and The Brasserie.
The award comes from People 1st International, an industry-led skills expert with over 50 years of experience in skills development and technical vocational education and training. The organisation is a trusted partner to employers, industry bodies, skills organisations, donor funders, NGOs, investment banks and governments.
WestKing’s Gold Accreditation is the highest level of recognition awarded by People 1st International. It highlights the college’s progressive and sustainable commitment to matching student skills to employer needs. The award also recognises the college’s proactive approach to staff professional development and its effective and productive collaboration with various industry partners.
Following a recommendation from Andy Doyle, Partnership Manager at P1st, WestKing’s School of Hospitality and Culinary Arts will continue to be recognised as a Centre of Excellence for Food & Beverage Service, Patisserie & Confectionery, Fish & Shellfish and Butchery & Game. These additional accolades recognise the college’s clear pathways for development in each area and its links to specific industry partners
Miranda Quantrill, Curriculum Manager for Hospitality and Culinary Arts, said: “We are, of course, delighted with the accreditation which reflects our commitment to excellence in culinary education and hospitality. We are extremely proud of our excellent lecturers and dedicated students who consistently impress us with their passion and innovative approaches. This all reflects greatly from our wealth of historical knowledge and expertise established over many years, with the support of stakeholders and alumni.”
The 6 students who took part in the visit to The Houses of Parliament are currently completing supported internships at London’s Moorfields Eye Hospital. The world-renowned hospital is one of the largest centres of ophthalmic teaching and research in the world and has been operating for over 200 years.
After arriving at The Houses of Parliament, the students were welcomed by Claire Cookson, Chief Executive of DFN Project SEARCH, the organisation that created National Supported Internships Day. In her talk to students, Claire emphasised the importance of partnerships between educators and employers and highlighted the positive impact this collaboration has on young people with learning difficulties. Supported internships can vastly improve employment outcomes for SEND students – enabling them to develop essential skills and grow in confidence. Research has shown that 70% of students who complete supported internships progress to full-time employment.
During the event, Claire said: “We are thrilled to be able to come together again this year and launch a whole range of celebration and campaigning activities. […] if you choose to take part, know that you are building a fairer and more equitable future for young adults with a learning disability or autism spectrum condition.”
In the afternoon, students were welcomed into Portcullis House where they wrote and sent letters to their Members of Parliament. They also had the opportunity to meet both the Speaker of the House, Lynsay Hoyle MP, and Chair of Disability APPG, Lisa Cameron MP.
Eamon Mahdar, who is currently completing a supported internship, said: “I really enjoyed the Houses of Parliament visit, as I got to meet new people from other internships. It was really inspiring hearing about the Speaker. It was a great opportunity to be there.”
Kam Kalirai, Head of Foundation Learning at CANDI, said: “I’m so proud of our students and grateful for the opportunities they’ve had. It was a day filled with inspiration, learning, and meaningful connection.”
Here at Capital City College Group (CCCG), we are committed to supporting SEND students and currently deliver a supported internship programme in conjunction with Moorfields Eye Hospital. We also have a wide range of Foundation and Supported Learning courses aimed at helping our students develop essential skills and further their knowledge in their area of interest, grow in confidence and prepare them for the workplace.
The Escoffier Room at WestKing’s Victoria Centre has maintained its Highly Commended rating, the highest rating for restaurants in the AA College Rosette category.
Westminster Kingsway College’s (WestKing) restaurant, The Escoffier Room, has once again been awarded a Highly Commended AA College Rosette, the highest accolade available for restaurants in this category.
AA Hotel Services have been rewarding establishments for their range of services and facilities since 1912. Industry inspectors assess restaurants with detailed feedback on their dining experience, covering service, hospitality, the venue and the food served.
The AA College Rosette is awarded to restaurants within educational establishments, and the Highly Commended award signals that The Escoffier Room:
Uses quality ingredients and serves food with care, understanding and skills
Achieves standards that stand out in the local area
Gives guests a dining experience imbued with confidence, a sense of anticipation and attention to details
Has an excellent grasp of commercial sense and competes well with other restaurants
Provides students with an effective learning environment that is appropriate to the target markets
Has a clear brand with excellent industry links that benefit students
Demonstrates highly polished service, with clear support from lecturers and peer-to-peer learning
The Escoffier Room was inspected on 11 March, with the AA inspector noting that guests received a warm welcome, enjoyed positive interactions with the team and experienced prompt and well-paced service. There was a range of positive feedback complimenting each of the well-executed five courses, including Seafood Chowder, Pork Loin Steak and Coffee Cremeaux tart.
The inspector’s report contained many areas of positive feedback and suggestions for development. The AA inspector’s report said: “Both the food and the place continue to offer a “wow” factor, especially for first-timers. My guest was very impressed and will be returning in the future.”
Our Victoria Centre is home to the award-winning School of Hospitality and Culinary Arts. Students benefit from the expertise of an award-winning teaching team and the school’s extensive links with the international hospitality industry. Our specialist facilities provide industry-standard equipment to prepare students for working in professional kitchens including a patisserie, chocolate kitchen and The Vincent Rooms Restaurant and Brasserie.
CCCG invites guest speakers and members of the Ukrainian community to attend a special event providing support for new businesses and advice on UK tax management.
The network of Ukrainian Educational Hubs is dedicated to supporting lifelong learning for Ukrainian children and adults, with the aim of helping them navigate pathways to successful careers. The event, which focused on sharing knowledge and expertise on starting a business in Great Britain and tax management, attracted over 100 attendees from the Ukrainian community.
Jackie Chapman, Executive Director, Growth and Partnerships at Capital City College Training (CCCT), opened the event by giving a short introduction and welcoming everyone on behalf of CCCG. The first guest speaker was Martin Thompson, a British ambassador for Ukrainian Educational Hubs in Great Britain and an experienced entrepreneur. Martin shared his valuable expertise on how to start and manage a business in the UK. The second guest speaker was David Clare, the North London Area Lead and Barnet Facilitator for the Federation of Small Businesses, who delivered a useful and informative presentation on managing taxes in the UK
After the presentations, attendees had time to learn more about the extensive range of free education initiatives offered by CCCG. The event concluded with a highly productive networking session, where guests had the opportunity to meet with other entrepreneurs and broaden their professional network.
Jackie Chapman said: “We were delighted to host the event for the Ukrainian Educational Hub. It was great to see so many attendees seeking to learn how to set up a new business. We hope that the college can help further, providing courses that meet the needs of the Ukrainian community.”
Matt Herman, Head of Multiply at CCCG, said: “Proud to attend a wonderful event, promoting opportunities and sharing information for the Ukrainian community at Capital City College Group.” Multiply is a government-funded programme providing free numeracy courses to help adults improve their maths skills.
We are committed to widening participation in education across all communities and skill levels with our fantastic range of FREE short courses!
Students from across the college group have embarked on an exciting three-week trip to South Korea taking in colleges, culture and the country’s capital.
A group of students from Capital City College Group (CCCG) departed for South Korea on 23 March for a three-week trip as part of the Turing Scheme. The Turing Scheme, which honours the legacy of the British mathematician and scientist Alan Turing, is the UK’s global programme for studying, working and living abroad. It offers unique opportunities to students from all backgrounds, enabling them to study and work around the world.
The Turing Scheme aims to foster connections between organisations, allowing them to forge partnerships that benefit their students. CCCG’s role in this is no exception, and this is the third time that students from CCCG have visited both KMCU and KBC.
Before embarking on the trip, students completed a 10-week course in Korean at CCCG, giving them the opportunity to arrive with some knowledge of the Korean language. Since arriving, in addition to Korean lessons, the students have been able to take part in a range of activities including Taekwondo, creative pottery and painting, visits to various museums and a traditional tea ceremony. They have also had time to practise and improve their Korean language skills, socialise with new-found friends, and explore the local area.
The trip provides students the opportunity to experience college life in another country as well as enabling them to consider employment opportunities outside of the UK. Each student from CCCG is paired with a local student for the duration of their stay at each college, giving them the chance to learn more about Korean life and culture.
Tas, whose son Adam Davies-Shahjahan is taking part in the trip, said: “Adam has always been fascinated with the Far East and wanted to travel there, so when this fantastic opportunity arose, he couldn’t wait to apply. It really is an extraordinary and brilliant experience for him – and the staff, students and itinerary of experiences have all been exemplary. I would like to thank the Turing Scheme and the wonderful people in South Korea for this chance of a lifetime. “
The Turing Scheme provides the development of a range of skills and enables students to broaden their understanding of other countries and cultures. The CCCG students currently in South Korea have given incredibly positive feedback about the trip, with each person’s unique experience impacting them in a variety of ways.
Molly Langley said: “My experience so far has been thrilling, amazing and inspiring. I’ve felt so welcomed and cared for but also I’ve felt very independent being away from home and discovering a new country/city. It has made me grow to become more confident and more sociable, especially with my Korean buddies despite the language barrier.[…] I have made so many new friends and have gained so many amazing memories with these new friends that’ll last forever.”
Karen Mukoko said: “This trip so far has been nothing short of exceptional. I knew that coming to another country would bring new experiences but I didn’t expect to have so much fun. We’ve had Korean lessons, gone shopping in downtown Daegu, explored popular tourist spots, learnt Taekwondo and hip-hop, participated in a Korean tea ceremony and done karaoke. The landscapes are stunning and the people are very hospitable and kind. Korea is a beautiful country which I’ll be very sad to leave.”
Michael Martinez Llumiquinga said: “This experience has been amazing to me as it has helped me develop in terms of confidence and personal growth like talking to others and has expanded my knowledge further as I have learned a new language and its culture.”
We hope you all enjoy the rest of your visit to South Korea!
Find out more about college life at CCCG including trips, discount schemes, clubs, societies and sports teams.
Year 11 students from a range of schools get a taste of college life during A Level experience event at CANDI’s Sixth Form College in Angel.
City and Islington College’s (CANDI) Sixth Form College opened its doors to students who have applied to study with them in the coming academic year. On 20 March, Year 11 students hoping to begin A Level courses at CANDI in September 2024 had the chance to explore the centre and gain experience of college life.
The event provided the incoming cohort of students with an informative and valuable opportunity, offering them the chance to familiarise themselves with the college setting and get a taste of what A Level studies involve.
Dominic Eady, Deputy Head of the Sixth Form College at CANDI said: “It’s about giving them the experience of what it’s like to think like an A Level student, to create like an A Level student and to engage in discussion and debate, like an A Level student.”
During the event, one of the CANDI student ambassadors reflected on their own experience of attending a similar taster event at CANDI prior to beginning their studies. They said: “I think days like these are really helpful because they help you make friends and see what subjects you’re going to do before you actually pick them. When I was in Year 11, I came to one of these and I made some friends. It made induction day much easier because I had more people to talk to and it was less scary.”
This week we hosted an A Level experience taster day for year 11 students who have applied to our Sixth Form for next year! 🤩✨ Studying A Levels at one of our colleges with us gives you options and flexibility; a Sixth Form College in Islington, or an A Level centre within 5 minutes of King’s Cross with the perfect hybrid of support and freedom – you are treated as an adult, so you’re ready for university, but given the support you need to succeed in your A Levels. 🙌 Many of our students go on to study at Russell Group universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, UCL and King’s College London. 🎉 Click the link in our bio to learn more. #college#london#alevels#cityandislingtoncollege#lifeatcccg
CANDI’s Sixth Form College offers the widest range of A Level courses in London. Furnished with exceptional state-of-the-art facilities to support student independence and learning, it provides a comfortable student-centred setting, with well-stocked study spaces and a choice of communal areas.
The Sixth Form College provides a nurturing community for people aged 16-18 as well as supporting academic growth – with 91% of students gaining a place at their first choice of university.
If you’re interested in pursuing the next step along your academic pathway through a varied range of A Levels at CANDI’s Sixth Form College, apply today!
The National Saturday Club is an initiative which gives young people the chance to explore a range of subjects and develop their skills for free at their local university, college or cultural institution. National Saturday clubs encourage members to experiment with their talents and discover new ones, meet new people and learn about career and study opportunities.
Saturday Clubs cover one of eight subjects:
Art&Design
Craft&Making
Fashion&Business
Film&Screen
Performance&Theatre
Society&Change
Science&Engineering
Writing&Talking
From April, tutors at CONEL’s Enfield Centre will lead weekly Film&Screen Saturday Club sessions, taking students through the film production process with a range of exciting hands-on activities. CONEL’s experienced and knowledgeable tutors will use their expertise to guide Club members through every aspect of the filmmaking process, supporting them as they embark on projects that develop and showcase their skills and creativity.
Saturday Club members also have the option to take part in National Saturday Club events such as Masterclasses with industry professionals, the Summer Show – a nationwide exhibition of Club member work, and a Graduation Ceremony celebrating member achievements.
