Students enjoy Simon Weston Visit

Simon Weston OBE a veteran of the British Army visited the college Tuesday 10th March 2015 to talk to students about his journey since suffering severe burn injuries the Falklands War.

His message was to take advantage of all opportunities in life, invest in your future now and be the best you can be.  He also said the world did not owe you a living and nobody owed you anything it was up to you to take responsibility for making the most of your life. He said the only person who can put you down is yourself and do not allow others to do this to you.  He said believe in yourself because if you don’t then nobody else will.

The story of how he faced up to his injuries where he suffered 46% burns to his face and body and as he said came to terms with the loss of the Simon Weston pre-the incident in 1982 where the troop carrier the Sir Galahad was destroyed at Bluff Cove in the Falklands War - to the Simon Weston he is today was absolutely amazing.  He was genuinely a motivational and inspirational speaker and his lovely welsh lilt along with his brilliant sense of humour and his truly remarkable story meant the hour passed all too quickly.

Stafford bricklayer Gareth Smith laying foundations for future

Article first published in The Staffordshire Newsletter.

A BRICKLAYER from Staffordshire is building towards his future career thanks to an award winning apprenticeship scheme run by Barratt Homes.
Gareth Smith, 18, is studying for a Level Two NVQ Diploma in Bricklaying at Newcastle-under-Lyme College.
As part of the Barratt Trade Apprentice Programme he spends one day a week at  NULC, with the rest of his week on site, gaining hands-on experience while laying the foundations for his future career in construction.
During the course of his apprenticeship Gareth will have the chance to work on a number of sites, and he is currently based at Yarnfield Park near Stone.
He said: "I chose the Barratt apprenticeship scheme because it has a good reputation and it's going really well.
"I wasn't sure what I wanted to do at school but I knew that it wasn't for me so I decided to try bricklaying and I'm very pleased I made that decision.
"I like working with others and being on site to actually do the job because it's given me experience of doing all sorts of tasks."
Barratt Developments PLC, parent company to Barratt Homes, has a record of recruiting young people to the business and was recently named as the Macro Employer of the Year at the National Apprenticeship Awards 2014.
Adrian Farr, from Barratt West Midlands, said: "We are delighted to have such a strong and dedicated group of apprentices working across our sites.
"They provide a fantastic contribution while learning and gaining valuable experience every day.
"We are extremely proud of our apprenticeship programme and I would encourage anyone who will soon be leaving school and is wondering what to do next, to think seriously about taking up an apprenticeship."
To find out more about the Barratt apprenticeship scheme visit www.barrattfuturetalent.co.uk or check out apprentice vacancies through NULC.