PRESS RELEASE
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
9th
November 2012
Praise for James Watt College
Two James Watt College HNC
Engineering Systems with Renewables students have been described as a credit to
the College after making their mark on a recent pilot placement programme.
It
was the first time Community Windpower Limited (CWL) have offered students a
work experience opportunity and it has been such a success the company’s now confirmed
they will be continuing their link with James Watt College and aim to run more
placements in the future.
Gary Thomas, from Port Glasgow and Ross Kirkland,
from Kilmarnock, were chosen out of eleven candidates and spent three weeks
with the team
at CWL. This included some time at their headquarters in Cheshire, as well as a
visit to Dalry Community Wind Farm and Calder Water Community Wind Farm
(currently under construction).
Commenting
on the success of the pilot programme, Project Manager at CWL, Emma Rafaluk
said: “I would like to thank everybody involved at James
Watt College for all the work you have put in to enable the student placements
to take place. We believe that they have been a great success and that the
students on the placement are a real credit to the College”.
“This scheme was a pilot to see how the placements
worked for the college/students and CWL. Following this successful placement we
would like to continue with the partnership and to run more placements”.
“The feedback I received from colleagues, about Gary
and Ross, can only be described as excellent. Everyone at CWL would like the
students to know that it’s due to their hard work, commitment and ability to
fit in with the team, that we are so keen to continue offering the placements.”
The
Education into Enterprise (EiE) programme which runs at James Watt College has
been key in setting up this pilot placement. The innovative EiE scheme matches
local employers up to students for specific business-related projects, allowing
the learners to gain valuable work experience to boost their job prospects
after graduation.
Liz McConnachie, Assistant Principal Learning and
Enhancement at James Watt College said: “The work placement opportunities for
our students that have been provided by our partnership with CWL and supported
by the funding received from Scottish Funding Council for the EiE programme, is
fundamental to ensuring our students have the required job ready skills to take
them into the employment market.
“They also contribute to addressing some of the
skill shortages in key industry sectors. We are delighted to be able to offer
our students further opportunities and to continue to strengthen our
partnership with CWL.”
The James Watt College students are currently
working towards completing an HNC in Engineering Systems with Renewables.
This course, which can be taken either full or part time, aims to provide
students with an excellent blend of mechanical and electrical engineering skills
and the necessary knowledge to enter employment at technician level or
alternatively progress onto HND or Degree level study. In 2010 all students who
successfully gained the group award either achieved full-time employment or
progressed to higher education.
-ENDS-
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