futures APRIL 2009
futures8 HIGHER & FURTHER EDUCATION
CATH
RICHARDSON
PRINCIPAL, LAKES COLLEGE WEST CUMBRIA
A helping hand for long-term unemployed
Unique art show
proves a draw
T
RAINEE art teachers from the
University of Cumbria have been
exhibiting their experimental and
innovative drawings in the Lancaster
Campus's Alexandra Gallery.
The exhibition was a showcase of
analytical and expressive drawings
produced by fourth-year students working
towards qualified teacher status.
In addition to the framed work, visitors
had the opportunity to see student
sketchbooks on display � some of them
educational sketchbooks that were
designed as teaching aids to help children
understand different types of drawing and
how colours and materials can be mixed.
For more information about studying art
at the University of Cumbria, visit the
website at www.cumbria.ac.uk or call 0845
6061144.
I
T was recently announced that the
government was going to invest
�13million in a variety of initiatives to
help those who experience depression or
anxiety caused by the recession, including
a counselling service that will run via the
NHS Direct and other health professionals.
Although the government has created
many useful schemes that get unemployed
people back to work, this was met with
more than a few raised eyebrows from
those in the media who deemed it as
more of a gimmick than an initiative.
Earlier this year Lakes College employed
a workforce development project
co-ordinator to work with those who are
unemployed using a government-funded
scheme called Skills for Jobs.
The college initiative helps those who
are unemployed to access skills and
training for four industries: construction,
catering, retail and sport.
In order to qualify prospective
participants need to be 19 years old or
over and fully unemployed � which means
no form of part-time work.
The first cohort for construction has
already taken part on a 10-week course
that will give an introduction to the
industry.
Included in this programme individuals
will gain a CSCS card (a health and safety
qualification that allows you to work on
building sites). After the 10-week skills
refresher the intention is to then find
them a suitable paid work placement or a
permanent position.
Some of the learners that are currently
enrolled have only been unemployed for a
few weeks, others have been unemployed
for up to four years.
The programme provides the support
for the experience and skills that they all
need to get them back into work.
The only request that the college makes
of applicants is a commitment of up to 16
hours per week for up to 10 weeks and a
real desire to pursue a career in that
industry.
The scheme does not affect any benefits
you may receive and the college will
reimburse any reasonable travel expenses
incurred and will also supply any relevant
equipment that may be needed during
the course.
This pilot scheme is planned to run as a
rolling scheme that will hopefully see 10
to 12 new students per course leave every
10 weeks with updated skills and the real
chance at employment.
Anyone interested in benefiting from
this scheme should call the college and ask
to speak to our project co-ordinator Colin
Thomas to find out more about each area
programme and the next start date for
each scheme.
Vice chancellor's
vision for Cumbria
T
HE University of Cumbria has
appointed a new vice chancellor.
Dr Peter McCaffery, who will start
his position in early July, will be
joining the Cumbrian team from London
South Bank University.
He said: "The University of Cumbria is
a very exciting development. I look
forward to working with colleagues to
establish a new distinctive university
which will make a real difference to
people's lives."
Peter replaces Professor Chris Carr
who leaves the university on April 30.
Peter, 56, was born and raised in
Durham City and attended St Bede's
Grammar School, Lanchester, County
Durham.
He has over 25 years teaching and
research experience in American studies
and history across a range of levels from
GCSE to PhD in a variety of institutions
from further education colleges to U.S. Ivy
League.
Awarded a PhD by the London School of
Economics and Political Science, Peter
was appointed Idlewild International
Teaching Fellow at the University of
Pennsylvania and research associate at
the Greater Philadelphia Project � a US
Federal government initiative on urban
regeneration � where he pioneered new
modes of inquiry into political corruption
in the American city.
His research on international
university innovators, change
management, performance management
and staff development has been published
widely in broadsheet newspapers and
professional magazines and resulted in
him being awarded a Winston Churchill
Travelling Fellowship in 1997-98.
Peter has acted as consultant for a
variety of bodies including the British
Council, Opportunity Now Employers
Federation and the governments of
Botswana and Jamaica, as well as having
been a governor of the most improved
They're off to
a flying start
T
HE University of Cumbria hosted two
events last month to encourage
students and graduates to become the
next generation of successful
entrepreneurs like Sir Richard Branson and
Sir Alan Sugar.
The Flying Start rallies, saw graduates
and students learn more about enterprise
opportunities, network with their peers
and take part in entrepreneurial skills
workshops.
Jo Chaffer is the North West
Development Agency's enterprise
champion at the University of Cumbria's
enterprise service and helps to organise the
Flying Start events.
She said: "Flying Start is one part of the
University of Cumbria's many activities to
support budding entrepreneurs wishing to
start-up as freelancers, in new businesses or
social enterprises."
Anyone interested and wishing to
register should look at
www.flyingstartonline.com or for an
informal chat contact Jo Chaffer on 015394
30354.
To find out more about the University's
enterprise service, visit their website at
www.cumbria.ac.uk/
researchandenterprise/enterprise
secondary school in England, 2004-8.
A Fellow, key associate and advisory
board member of The Leadership
Foundation for HE (LFHE), Peter is a
national lead for the LFHE and the HE
Academy on academic leadership, change
management, equality and diversity and
innovation in the curriculum and student
support, all of which arose from his
international best-selling guide: The HE
Manager's Handbook: Effective Leadership
and Management in Universities and
Colleges.
Peter has been married to his wife
Carol for 30 years and has two sons: Sean,
22 and Kyle, 17.
He is currently pro vice chancellor at
London South Bank University. He was
formerly vice-principal of Bolton Institute
of Higher Education and dean of the
faculty of European, international and
social studies at Thames Valley
University.
Peter is a life-long supporter of
Newcastle United Football Club and an
International Masters' Swimmer still
trying to improve on a personal best of 40
seconds for the 50-metre butterfly. His
other interests include literature, theatre
and music.
DR PETER MCCAFFERY: New Vice Chancellor for University of Cumbria

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