Two NULC Language students in work placement at EU Automation

For the fourth consecutive year, some Newcastle-under-Lyme Language students completed a week’s work experience placement at EU Automation in Stafford.

EU Automation is a young and dynamic multi-lingual company based in Stafford that supplies industrial automation parts worldwide. Languages skills are essential to the company in providing a unique and efficient service thanks to its multilingual sales and customer teams.

The partnership between NULC and EU Automation started 4 years ago and Mark Proctor, the company director has been at Newcastle-under-Lyme college a few times as a guest speaker to talk about the importance of languages in business. Every year, language students who are interested write a CV and letter of application in the language(s) of study and are interviewed by EU Automation. This year, Charlotte Valles, After Sales Team Leader at EU Automation (fluent in Spanish and French) came to Newcastle-under-Lyme College to conduct the interviews with the languages team, Michaël Lacoult (Lecturer in French) and Edna Acosta (Lecturer in Spanish). “It is a very valuable process for the students and good practice as it is close to a real job interview. They even have a few questions in the language of study during the interview.” Michaël

This year, Tia-Louise Simpson (A Level student in French, Art and English Literature) and Jessica Barker (A Level student in Spanish, Graphic Design and Psychology) have been the successful candidates and they spent the week of the 19^th June 2017 at EU Automation. During the placement, the students have experienced a variety of departments of the company and worked with a variety of people from these areas: French and Spanish sales, Order Fulfilment Time, Finance, Customer service, Marketing and Supplier relations. They are also given the opportunity to choose to spend their last day in their preferred department.

“My experience at EU Automation was very useful and eye opening. Not only did it give me some experience in the trade but gave me greater knowledge on a potential career path for life after university.”Jessica

Tia (on the left) and Jessica (on the right) both working within different teams

”During my week at EU automation I was able to experience the many sectors which make the company work as a whole and gain an insight in regards to what opportunities becoming fluent in a language can provide me. I would have to say that working with people from different cultures was one of the most interesting aspects of the week.” Tia

Both staff at EU Automation and NULC students seem to benefit from the experience and actually Clara Taylor, ex-NULC student and young graduate from Bangor University who did a placement at EU Automation last year has been successfully working for the company for about a year.

Big Biology Day

A Level Biology students Emma Scott and Parawazin Jawadin attended the Big Biology Day at Staffordshire University last week. 

The students ran an activity asking people to create biological cells out of sweets and biscuits.  The activity was lots of fun for all involved.

For more information about studying A Level Biology call 01782 254254, email info@nulc.ac.uk or visit www.nulc.ac.uk

All about paper

Year 1 A Level Textile Designers started their course in September and have just completed their first project 'all about paper'.  Each student worked from the same design brief to complete a hand bound sketchbook, design sheets and a half garment made from paper.  Ideas developed taking inspiration from images of paper garments found on Google and Pinterest.  These young designers were asked to manipulate paper in response to techniques and technical terms choosing which types of paper they would each upcycle.  Papers were folded, curled, creased, scrunched, woven, sewn and gathered.  Design ideas were tried, sketched and photographed on the mannequins before final designs were constructed.  The students also had the opportunity to visit Unit 12, a gallery and studio space, owned and curated by Jennifer Collier.  Jennifer Collier's work is made from paper which she exhibits and sells internationally.  It was such a fantastic experience to meet Jennifer and see her making.

An exhibition of the students work is on display at the MADE Here shop in Newcastle-under-Lyme town centre.  Please pop in and take a look.




For more information about studying A Levels in Art and Design subjects please call 01782 254254, email info@nulc.ac.uk or visit www.nulc.ac.uk.

First Year A Level Textile Design Students Visit Unit 12

First year A Level Textile Design students visited the fabulous studios and gallery ‘Unit 12’ owned by the talented designer maker Jennifer Collier on Thursday 13^th October.

This was a fantastic opportunity for students to get further inspiration for their own projects ‘all about paper’.  A selection of which will be exhibited in our own NULC shop MADE Here in Newcastle-under-Lyme town centre later this week.

Meeting Jennifer Collier and some of the other resident artists alongside seeing work first hand is a really valuable part of their studies.

For more information about studying A Levels in Art and Design subjects call 01782 254254, email info@nulc.ac.uk or visit www.nulc.ac.uk 

Students take study trip to Venice

AS and A Level Art, Graphics, Photography, Theatre Studies and Textiles students from Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) participated in a study visit to Venice in February half-term.

During the three day trip to Venice, staff and students from the College visited a range of galleries including the Guggenheim, Ca’ Pesaro International Gallery of Modern Art and Gallerie dell’Accademia, to allow the students to gather research on artists to help them with their studies.

Natalie Weatherer, Subject Leader in Theatre Studies & Media at NULC, said: “The students have thoroughly enjoyed their trip to Venice. During their visit they visited lots of galleries and significant landmarks making it a really enriching excursion.”

Students hold bake sale

AS and A Level Theatre Studies students from Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) held a bake sale on Friday 11 March to help raise funds for their sets, props and costumes for their upcoming performances.

The students, who baked a range of tasty treats to sell to staff and students at the College, raised over £100.

Natalie Weatherer, Subject Leader in Theatre Studies & Media at NULC, said: “The students have worked really hard over the past few weeks organising and preparing this bake sale. They managed to raise more money than they initially hoped for which will massively help them when preparing for their performances as part of their course.”

Accounting students compete in 2015 CIPFA Sixth Form Management Games

On 24 June seven aspiring  NULC (Newcastle-under-Lyme College) A Level accounting students took part in the 2015 CIPFA (Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy) Sixth Form Management Games at Staffordshire University.

CIPFA is one of the leading professional accountancy bodies in the UK and the only one that specialises in the public sector.

The game involves the students adopting the various roles that make up the management team of a fictitious public body dealing with very real issues such as major cuts in funding whilst at the same time remaining accountable to the communities in which they operate. 

The day was an excellent introduction to the world of work and a way of developing and strengthening teamwork, leadership, management and organisational skills.  The introduction of new and unexpected challenges throughout the game also allowed students to develop the skills required to deal effectively with time pressure, strict deadlines and uncertain outcomes.

Richard Simpson, NULC’s Curriculum Leader for A Level Accounting said: “Our students were fantastic, they engaged with some very demanding problems in a really positive and collaborative way and achieved some very credible outcomes.  All the students found the day a challenging but very rewarding experience."

To find out more about our range of accounting courses, click here.

(Picture from L-R: Andrew Lewis, Stuart Leat, Kain Davies, Maddie Sykes, Elanor Baddeley, Chris Bowers and Amy Moriarty)