Work Placement – John Fiddies & Co

Task – Design software to calculate costs for a variety of floorings.
“The standard of work produced has been exemplary and has exceeded my expectations of what would be produced”

John Cheshire, Managing Director/Proprietor

Darren Evans/Michael Donnelly/Andrew Boyd

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Work Placement – BIC’S TOOL HIRE  

Task – Conduct a systems analysis and implement a database for tool hire.
“A difficult task, which the students have completed to a high standard.  The students were a credit to the college.  I am hoping to implement the database before the end of the year.”

Carl Watts, Proprietor

Lisa McDermott and Neil Osborne

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Paul Jackson

Task – Produce an Application Processing Database for the St. Helens Affordable Warmth Unit.

“The database developed and implemented by Paul Jackson for use by the St. Helens Affordable Warmth Unit has proved to be of great assistance in assessing and processing applications. The level of work produced is of an extremely high standard and I am very pleased with the outcome.”

Chris Birkett, St. Helens Council Energy Efficiency Officer

“The skills that I have developed through undertaking the Computing course have given me the ability and confidence to produce a comprehensive database system for use by the St. Helens Affordable Warmth Unit. These skills have provided me with many new and interesting opportunities.”

Paul Jackson, St. Helens Council Energy Efficiency Advisor

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Foundation Degree Computing Students
Work based Project – Develop CD Rom and Website.

From: Stan Afflick, Development Manager, Natural Breaks Merseyside

I’ve been very impressed at their levels of knowledge and skills and the way they presented themselves at all times. 

I think they have gained very good experience of working within an organisation, in a small team, working within constraints on a project that had genuine aims and objectives to meet and a finished product to deliver.

Natural Breaks Merseyside would have no hesitation to deal with Knowsley College again in any capacity after what has been a very positive networking experience.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Nigel Smith – Foundation Degree in Business & Management
Work Based Learning with National Museums Merseyside.

Project title – “To investigate the nature and scope of National Museums Liverpool with a view to evaluating the internal formulation and delivery process of Strategic Planning, applying motivation and Performance Management perspectives.”

From:  Dr Victoria Moody.

Dear Nigel

I have now completed reading your dissertation and am delighted with the strength of the recommendations backed up with rigorous academic theory.

It represents the type of considerative/academic approach, which we at NML are not generally resourced to develop and I plan to propose to the Executive Team that the recommendations are reviewed for building into the planning process going forward. I shall send a copy to Irene as the amended FJPs will be of real value in any review and as we move towards a competency based appraisal framework. Under the Comprehensive Spending Review, we are currently refining and streamlining our corporate objectives for an interim Plan and Karen is establishing a Staff Suggestion Scheme, which will hopefully, as a result of your recommendations, be fed into the initial Strategy Forum Planning meeting at the start of the cycle, which you propose.

Many thanks for all your hard work, it has been a real privilege to work with you over the last year.
Best regards

Victoria

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MERSEYPRINT – UNDERGRADUATE PLACEMENTS

At Merseyprint, we had never considered the option of having a Foundation Degree student working and training along side our team. However, after our Business Development Manager met with the Knowsley Community College it became apparent how beneficial this opportunity would be for both parties. Not only have we hopefully aided in developing the student’s skills necessary in future employment and possibly offered a new career direction to consider but we have now struck a very good working relationship with the college. 

The student, Ibrahim Idowu, completed a six week placement with us as a Trainee Graphic Designer and proved to be an excellent candidate for any company. Although at the start of the placement he had little knowledge of the design packages we use, by the end he had not only experienced a busy office environment but succeeded in understanding the software and implementing this by creating various products. One of which was an A4 Document Folder for the college.

Although you may expect it, having a student placement that is suited to the field he or she would be working in, did not take up much of your own time, which of course needs to be directed at the business. The saying ‘Learn as you work’ proved to be true, when given directions, Ibrahim was able to carry on with his role independently and sought advice when needed. In doing so he became a valuable asset to the Design Team and was able and willing to help when the work load grew.

By taking part in a work placement scheme we believe strongly that this benefits young people whilst completing their education. By being on site of a working environment the student both learns and becomes prepared when entering into full time employment. It also gives them an opportunity to be involved in job roles they may have never considered yet come to enjoy, therefore widening their choices after completing their degree. For the company, you are able to build working relationships with the Knowsley community and the college, which has now opened up new avenues for Merseyprint. It is also an excellent opportunity for you to stretch out your training skills, which will bring a sense of achievement to your team. Therefore I would highly recommend working along side the Knowsley Community College and taking part in a work placement for a Foundation Degree Student.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BRAINBOXES – David Underwood, Second Year Undergraduate

David was assigned three different projects and handled working on multiple assignments well. He continued to be involved in the development of test plans and testing of new software. In addition, David also chaired the daily team meetings.
During his short time here he has proved to be an asset to the workforce. He excelled at organisation and time management and has managed to settle into a demanding role with ease.  I was particularly impressed by his ability to use his initiative to take ownership of technically complex issues and resolve them on time to meet challenging deadlines. His contribution has enabled R+D to complete project activity ahead of schedule and realize benefits earlier.
In summary, David made his short stay a memorable one with his excellent performance. I hope that he will benefit from the experience as much as we have enjoyed working with him.

Dominic Bradley B Eng (Hons), Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, PRINCE2™ Practitioner.
Research and Development Manager -