Colors: Green Color

Nearly 100 students interested in working in the legal sector attended a Careers Fair at the University of Wolverhampton.

Current students and graduates visited the Fair on Wednesday, 21 November 2018 at the University’s City Campus for the chance to discover more about these sectors from a variety of employers.

Organised by the University of Wolverhampton Law School, the Fair was attended by a number of employers across the legal services sectors. Attendees included local, national and international firms of solicitors, Huw Jones a leading barrister specialising in Family Law for St Philips’ Chambers, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and Citizens’ Advice Bureau.

The employers had the opportunity to network with students and graduates and build relationships with the University. Jason Perrin, a Barrister with No 5 Chambers, gave a talk providing advice on starting a career as a barrister, and Carl Mconie a Team Leader at AM City Grad, a platform that allows graduate employers to connect with students, explained how to maximise your chances of obtaining graduate level legal work.

Attendees also had the opportunity to find out about academic and vocational postgraduate study options at the University of Wolverhampton, including the Legal Practice Course and a range of Master’s degrees, and to hear about legal research tools offered by Lexis Nexis and Westlaw. Students and graduates could also access support from the Careers Clinic, where careers advisors were on hand offering advice on CVs and application forms, and could find out what the students’ own Law Society have to offer.

Sukhninder Panesar, Head of the University’s Law School, said: "The Law School has a very strong commitment to employability which is enhanced by events such as this Law Careers Fair as well as employability embedded into its new curriculum which provides legal education and training for tomorrow’s lawyers. This year’s fair saw two key guest speakers offering important details of career opportunities in law including as a barrister, and of events and employment opportunities to help encourage diversity in and access to the legal profession."

Employers in attendance included: FBC Manby Bowdler LLP, Keoghs, Mills and Reeve, Lanyon Bowdler LLP, St Ives Chambers, Thornes Solicitors, Talbots Solicitors, Wolverhampton City Council, and Telford & Wrekin Citizens’ Advice.

City of Birmingham Swimming Club has joined forces with Birmingham City University in a new partnership aimed at boosting the opportunities available for swimmers and students.
 
The collaboration will see university students secure work placements with the club, where they will gain valuable experience working with elite athletes in areas such as sports massage, nutrition and fitness.
 
Swimmers will also benefit, with the partnership set to create a new scholarship to support high-achieving swimmers to train and compete throughout their studies at the University.
 
The University is home to a wealth of sports clubs and societies and students regularly compete in British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) competitions, however the partnership is expected to attract keen swimmers, thanks to the new opportunities it presents.
 
Mark Jeffreys, Birmingham City University, said: “We are delighted to join forces with the City of Birmingham Swimming Club. Being based in the city that is set to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games, it is no surprise that Birmingham is full of sport enthusiasts, and this partnership will open up fantastic opportunities for both swimmers and our students.
 
“The chance to gain experience working with elite athletes is a unique and fantastic opportunity for our students to put skills learnt in their degree studies into action and gain vital experience to prepare them for life after graduation.”
 
The City of Birmingham Swimming Club was formed by Birmingham City Council in the 1980s and is one of the very few swim programmes to have consistently developed international swimmers throughout its entire history.
 
Carl Grosvenor, Head Coach at City of Birmingham Swimming Club, added: “This is a hugely exciting partnership that we know has great mutual benefit to both organisations. The process of working with Birmingham City University has been so seamless and all the staff involved have been so willing and motivated to create this link. With Birmingham hosting the 2022 Commonwealth Games, sport in the city is front and centre and the time to develop this new way of working is now.
 
“The expertise and facilities available in the University’s new Sports Department offer an outstanding opportunity for our swimmers, coaches and programme as a whole to take it to the next level. The offer of a swimming scholarship aimed at elite athletes looking to gain a degree while maintaining elite level performance, is a game changer for us and puts another fantastic option on the table for all elite swimmers approaching university age.”
 
The partnership plans to announce its first scholarship September 2019 and offer placements to current students from February 2019.
 
Find out more about sport at Birmingham City University at the Open Day on Sunday 25 November.
 

BMet’s 2018 Alumni Awards were presented to early years professional, Faraza Anderson and structural engineer, Asha Devi.

The former Sutton Coldfield College and Matthew Boulton College students received their awards at BMet’s Higher Education Awards ceremony at Birmingham Town Hall.

BMet Principal, Cliff Hall said: “Our Alumni Awards put former students under a ‘then and now’ spotlight, congratulating them on their remarkable careers.  They also show how further education transforms peoples’ lives, putting them in a position to inspire and support others.

“Faraza and Asha embody this and much more besides.  Congratulations to both of them.”

A former journalist for The Sunday Times in Sri Lanka, Faraza Anderson worked in publishing before pursuing an early years career to fit around the needs of her young son.  She studied a Foundation degree in Early Years at Sutton Coldfield College and then gained a First in her full honours degree in Integrated Working with Children and Families at the University of Worcester.

Faraza came to the University of Worcester’s attention on more than one occasion, receiving an Academic Achievement Scholarship Award and having her work quoted in an international publication about pedagogy in early education.

She now works in an independent school in Edgbaston and plans to pursue a Masters in Policy, Superdiversity and Migration so she can progress into a role advocating for children’s welfare and rights.

Commenting on her award, Faraza said: “It is an incredible honour.  As a mature student changing careers, I never expected to be singled out for recognition.  It’s something that will motivate me to continue achieving.

“What I have really taken away from being a BMet student is that it is never too late to study, whatever your age, background or circumstances.  All you need is ambition, determination and passion to realise your dreams. I am still beaming with pride for everything I have achieved.”

After completing A levels in pure and applied mathematics, physics and computer science, Asha Devi studied engineering at the University of Birmingham. From there she joined Arup where she has worked for 27 years. During the 1990s she worked on projects in Brindley Place, Birmingham Children’s Hospital and the HSBC Bank building at Canary Wharf.

Her career has also taken her to New York, where she worked with the search and rescue teams at the world trade centre site following the 9/11 attacks in New York and to Tanzania where she worked with a NGO in the development of a new hospital project.

Asha has been included in a newly-published book called ‘Once Upon A Time in Birmingham: Women who Dared to Dream’.  She is featured alongside campaigner Malala Yousafzai and trade unionist Jessie Eden.

 “I’m thrilled to accept the award,” said Asha.  “My time at college shaped my ambitions.  By sharing my career journey I want to encourage others to study STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) subjects, and go on to do life-changing work.

“Inspiring the next generation of engineers is something I’m passionate about.  I hope to spend more time with BMet students raising awareness of career opportunities out there.”

Faraza and Asha received their awards at BMet’s Higher Education Awards ceremony where over 300 students celebrated the completion of their higher and university-level qualifications.

To help improve road safety, an update to the hazard perception test, taken by learner drivers as part of their theory test, has been announced by DVSA today (19 November).

A series of new computer-generated imagery (CGI) clips have been added to the test. The 23 realistic scenarios, simulate adverse weather conditions, including snow, wind, and rain along with clips showing the type of low-level lighting experienced at dusk and dawn.

In 2017 there were 16,406 accidents in rain, sleet, snow or fog. 205 of the accidents were fatal.* Of the 16,406 accidents;

  • 15,042 accidents were in rain. 179 of which were fatal.
  • 740 accidents were in snow. 9 of which were fatal.
  • 624 accidents were in fog. 17 of which were fatal.
The Hazard Perception Test has been shown to reduce post-test at-fault collisions by new drivers by at least 11%**. DVSA has introduced the new clips to help further reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured in accidents.

Road Safety Minister Jesse Norman, said:

“The UK has some of the safest roads in the world, but we’re always looking for ways to make them safer.

“These new hazard perception clips offer more realistic driving conditions to test a learner driver’s ability, preparing them for overcoming the real-life challenges they will face on the road – something that should benefit all road users.”

DVSA Chief Driving Examiner, Mark Winn, said:

“DVSA’s priority is to help everyone through a lifetime of safe driving.

“Every year too many people are injured on our roads by hazards frequently encountered by drivers and we are determined to do more; we know the theory test helps saves lives so we are using CGI clips to further improve road safety.”

Hazard perception test (HPT) clips are an important part of the theory test and allow learner drivers to prepare, in a safe environment, for identifying and responding to developing hazards.

DVSA will be introducing the new CGI clips to the motorcycle theory test from 1 December 2018. LGV and PCV theory tests will feature the new clips from 1 January 2019.

Leading national cancer charities, Orchid and CoppaFeel!, are launching a new campaign to deliver breast and testicular cancer education in schools as the Department of Education prepare to put health education on the national curriculum.

‘Balls, Boobs, Pecs – They all need a check’, is aimed at informing young people about the importance of getting to know their bodies and noticing any unusual changes that may be breast or testicular cancer.

The campaign follows new public polling by the charities that reveals significant support for cancer education in secondary schools.

The survey of 1000 Brits, concerning secondary education, showed that:

  • 69% think cancer education should be mandatory
  • 73% think that young people should be signposted to information about breast and testicular cancer
  • Only 21% think schools already have enough resources to start conversations about cancer with pupils
Orchid and CoppaFeel! both advocate regular checking as an effective means of detecting unusual changes earlier as both breast and testicular cancers have improved chances of successful treatment when detected early. If caught in stage 1, both breast and testicular cancer have excellent 5-year survival rates of 99% and 98% respectively.

 

Research from the charities shows that regular checking is still not something the majority of young people do, despite it helping to aide detection of new irregularities or abnormalities. In women aged 18-29 only 30% report regularly checking their breasts and in men aged 16-35, only 24% report regularly checking their testicles.

The Department of Education has highlighted the importance of health education and intend to include it in the national curriculum from 2020 with teaching expected to begin from September 20195. Orchid and CoppaFeel! have partnered to launch ‘Balls, Boobs, Pecs – They all need a check’ which will provide schools and teachers with the information they need to advise and advertise the importance of self-checking when it comes to breast and testicular cancers. The campaign will see posters distributed to thousands of schools and teachers and promoted on social media, as well as available to download from the charities’ websites.

Rob Cornes, Orchid Male Cancer Information Nurse Specialist says:

“I’ve spoken to too many parents who were shocked their son got the testicular cancer at such a young age and wished they’d encouraged them to check for lumps, that’s why it is so important to get into schools and educate young men about their risk, the signs and symptoms and what to do if they find anything”.

Kris Hallenga, CoppaFeel! Founder explains:

"CoppaFeel! was started to ensure young people are equipped with the tools and knowledge to detect cancer early, as 1 in 2 of us will face a cancer diagnosis during our lifetime in the UK. I was diagnosed at 23 with secondary breast cancer and had never been told to check my boobs. CoppaFeel! aims to right this wrong and start conversations with all young people about the importance of knowing their bodies. We are pleased to be able to create a joint resource with Orchid to help teachers talk boobs and balls with their students"

Work has this week started on building the new Loxdale Primary School at Bilston Urban Village.

Bowmer & Kirkland are constructing the purpose-built facility as part of City of Wolverhampton’s school expansion plans and it is expected to be open in time for the start of the new school year in September 2019.

It will help meet the extra demand for places from the new housing development.

The school will move from its current building in Chapel Street to the new location on land between Dudley Street and Bankfield Road.

It has enabled reception class admissions to double from 30 to 60 each year.

Up to 500 homes are being built across the Bilston Urban Village site, with Countryside named as the preferred developer for the 27-acre site off Coseley Road.

Kier has completed their development of 78 homes, comprising one, two, three and four-bedroom properties, on two other Bilston Urban Village plots either side of the entrance to Carder Crescent.

Loxdale Primary School Headteacher, Patricia Scott, said: “The children, parents, governors and staff of Loxdale Primary school are all very excited and proud to be part of such a fantastic venture, where we will continue to have the privileged opportunity to work together to shape and develop the future citizens of Bilston in a brand new, purpose-built facility.

“This is a once-in-a lifetime opportunity, where our school and its children will continue to grow together in this bold new chapter of Loxdale’s history.”

City of Wolverhampton Council Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, Councillor Lynne Moran, said: “Demand for places in our schools has increased significantly in recent years, showing people want to live and be educated in our growing city.

“Despite the successful creation of over 2,500 additional primary school places since 2012, further expansion is required and the development of the new Loxdale Primary School has an important role to play in meeting the needs of our growing population.”

City of Wolverhampton Council Cabinet Member for City Economy, Councillor John Reynolds added: “The development of almost 500 homes on the Bilston Urban Village site will make a significant impact in achieving our housing targets in the City of Wolverhampton.

“The programme is more than that though. It is about creating a sustainable place where people want to live and work. The council has spent a lot of time making sure there is good road access and ensured that the new housing will be well connected to the town centre with a bus-only link, cycleways, pedestrian routes and green spaces.

“It is an ideal location for the new Loxdale Primary School, which will provide excellent facilities for all pupils.

“The urban village is a key part of the wider regeneration of the city, bringing new homes, new jobs and more investment. It demonstrates our commitment to Bilston and ensures it will continue to be a thriving area.”

Bilston Urban Village will be connected by around 14 hectares of land designated for public open space and nature conservation, with walking and cycling routes.

The first phases of Bilston Urban Village produced significant investment in the building of the Bert Williams Leisure Centre and South Wolverhampton and Bilston Academy – improving health and increasing opportunities. A commercial development plot fronting the Black Country Route and the newly-named Bert Turner Boulevard linking the site with the town centre was also created.

This has been followed by the opening of the Marston’s family pub/restaurant, the White Rabbit.