Supported Learning students • Samantha Spink, Lucy Killington, Kishan Patel and Caleb Barwick-Francis at Tesco in South Tottenham.

Students with special educational needs will be undertaking eight weeks’ work experience at Tesco this autumn.

Around 15 Supported Learning students from the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL) will be working at the South Tottenham branch from 12 October.

They will be employed in different areas of the business including customer services, groceries, produce, dairy and warehouse deliveries.

The students visited the store for a staff induction on 2 October, which included learning about health and safety, including cleaning up spillages, handling heavy goods, fire prevention and food hygiene.

Student Rilwan Yusuf, 24, added: “I am looking forward to working at Tesco because it is going to be a different experience and give me confidence.”

Student Kevin Ockan, 22, said: “I feel great about having a job. I am looking forward to working with the staff and helping the customers with their shopping.”

Supported Learning students at Tesco with Store Manager Bernard Osei-Tutu and HR Manager Sacha Prior.

The students are all studying Employability courses at the college, which cover work skills, job interviews, managing money, computing, English and maths.

Store Manager Bernard Osei-Tutu said: “We saw this as a great opportunity to give these students a head start in their careers and support the local community.

 “As a company, we’re keen to give opportunities to anyone regardless of their background, and hope these placements will provide them with a good experience of working in retail and develop their skills for employment.”

Call 020 8442 3055 or click here for more information on Supported Learning courses at the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London.

Science teacher, Minas Mina teaches Biology at Levels 3, 4 and 5 and has done so for the past ten years at CONEL’s Enfield Centre.

A man of letters, Minas has a BSc in Physics and Physiology from Kings College London, and progressed straight to a PhD there where he specialised in research relating to cystic fibrosis. But this was by no means an easy feat.  Minas worked day and night in restaurants and hotels to finance himself and recounts that he once fell asleep standing up while waiting for a train at Victoria.

His studies in the early eighties looked at how the movement of electrolytes in the body are affected by cystic fibrosis fluids.  A decade later, the mutated gene leading to cystic fibrosis was discovered by scientists in Canada and it is believed that the disease affects mainly chlorodions, an element Minas discovered was being distributed throughout the body in his research doctorate.

Minas worked as a postdoctoral research associate at Imperial College for 5 years after completing his PhD, studying electrophysiology, primarily, the effects of currents and electromagnetic fields on the growth of cells, specifically in plants.

Minas also worked for seven years for the Open University as a demonstrator for Biochemistry and Physiology experiments at summer schools.

This year, Dr Mina returned to study at Queen Mary College to update his professional practice with the latest thinking in scientific research and teaching practice.

He said of the experience: “I jumped at the chance to go back to university to establish relationships with Queen Mary that could help our students, such as, guest lecturing and collaboration.

I wanted to find out what medical university students are doing at the moment and I observed and attended lectures with students.”

Dr Mina is planning to introduce partnering Queen Mary medical students with CONEL’s science learners to carry out experiments, helping to bridge the gap between college and university as many CONEL students choose to go into biomedicine.

Dr Mina concluded: “There are good opportunities for shared facilities and contacts, as some of the medical scientists have agreed to guest lecture at CONEL, as well as offer our students visits to the Queen Mary medical school.

The future is bright for Science studies at CONEL, it’s a great environment and we do an excellent job in training our students to analyse and present their findings in clear and engaging reports.  I am sure we are producing many brilliant scientists at CONEL.”

If you’re interested in enrolling on a Science course at the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL) click on this link or visit www.conel.ac.uk/science

Principal Andy Forbes cuts the ribbon with Jackie Chapman, Director of Employability and Employer Engagement, left, Ian Dean, Director and founder of Nationwide Training Services, right, amd guests at the launch of CONEL's new Smart Meter Installation Academy.

Energy experts have hailed a new Smart Meter Installation Academy as an “innovative development” that will create jobs in the industry.

The academy at the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL) was launched in response to the Government’s commitment to install 50 million smart meters by 2020.

Tottenham and Enfield are also undergoing huge regeneration, including the Meridian Water project and developments at the Electric Quarter and Alma Road estate.

Run in partnership with Nationwide Training Services (NTS), the academy will offer a 14-month Dual Fuel Smart Meter Installer apprenticeship or a short 14-week course.

College Principal Andy Forbes cut a ribbon to launch the Academy and open a new smart meter workshop at CONEL’s Tottenham Centre on 5 October.

Academy will support Government commitment to install 50 million smart meters by 2020.

Guests from across the energy and construction industries and public services providers including Smart Energy GB, Amey and Homes for Haringey, attended the event.

Hyacinth Foster, Employment and Social Regeneration Manager for Homes for Haringey, said: “In terms of job creation there will be plenty of opportunities with the regeneration of Tottenham over the next 20 years, which will require the installation of smart meters.

“We’ll be promoting the academy to our tenants that this is something they could take up.”

Also among the guests was Professor Titus Olaniyi, an energy and engineering specialist from the Afe Babalola University in Nigeria.

He said: “What I see here is an innovative development in meeting the Government’s target for smart meter installation.

“It will create job opportunities for people in this country and further afield. It’s not just about installing smart meters, but making more creative and efficient use of energy.”

The academy will provide training in the installation of smart meters, gas and electrical testing procedures, customer guidance on energy efficiency and health, safety and environmental legislation.

Mr Forbes said: “We’ve found a great partner in NTS and we’re grateful for their investment in ensuring CONEL continues to provide first class, technical training, leading to more skilled sustained jobs in the community.”

Call 020 8442 3442 or click here to find out more about apprenticeships at the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL).

Ackley Da Silva appeared in ITV London News to talk about a film she made with Fixers on speaking out against sexual abuse.

A student at the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL) has appeared on ITV London News urging people to speak out against sexual abuse.

Ackley Da Silva, 17, featured in a report on the programme on 13 September to talk about a film she made with Fixers, an organisation that gives young people a voice to make a positive difference on issues important to them.

The powerful film called Step Into the Light features an actor portraying an abuse victim struggling to talk about what happened as they relive their ordeal through flashbacks.

Ackley explained in the ITV report how she hopes it will empower young people to speak up if they have been going through sexual abuse.

She said: “The idea of this project came from discovering that so many young people have been through this in the North East London community.

“People tend not to speak about sexual abuse because they feel they might not be believed, they might feel ashamed or guilty about what’s happened to them.”

In the report she interviewed two anonymous victims about the horrific ordeals they endured and how they struggled to tell anyone about the abuse.

One said: “It ruined any relationship I tried to get into because it’s always the memory of it being there.

“I did in a way blame myself for going to someone’s house I didn’t know, but after that I realised I was just a kid.”

Another said: “I couldn’t tell anyone, I couldn’t do anything, and when I had the courage to tell someone the person I told didn’t believe me.”

Ackley is studying an Applied Science Diploma Level 2 at CONEL following a Prince’s Trust course during which she got involved in the community project.

 “We want to encourage young people to tell their story and seek expert advice,” she told ITV News.

If one person speaks out about what they’ve been through, it has been a mission accomplished for me.”

Step Into the Light is currently in post-production and expected to be completed in the next few weeks.

Former rail track engineering apprentice Amir Bernasko at CONEL.

A rail track engineer has told how an apprenticeship at the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL) kept him on the right track.

Amir Bernasko, 21, secured employment with rail contractor Ganymede Solutions after completing his apprenticeship in 12 months.

He told his story as CONEL celebrates Rail Week from 9-13 October, a national initiative run by Young Rail Professionals that brings the industry together for a week of rail events, visits and talks.

Amir now works as Controller of Site Safety (COSS) for the company and was promoted within 18 months of landing his job as a Railway Technician, having started his training on a pre-apprenticeship with CONEL.

Pre-Apprenticeships are short courses that provide a fast-track onto apprenticeships by training students in essential skills for their chosen career.

“There had been a lot of setbacks in my life, and I was struggling to find work when I found out about the pre-apprenticeship,” said Amir.

“A friend told me about it and I thought it was a good opportunity for me to get a career where I can keep going onwards and upwards.”

Amir was accepted onto the pre-apprenticeship in June 2014 and began his apprenticeship with Ganymede later the same year.

“I gave up my summer holidays, but it was worth it,” he said.

“I was never one to sit in a classroom. I love practical work, so going on an apprenticeship was ideal for me. My teachers taught me everything I needed to know and more.

“The apprenticeship prepared me well. I learnt things that my employer didn’t expect me to know. I now work 50 hours a week full time and have found a career. This is the reality for me now.

“It’s changed my life. It’s shown me if you work hard you can achieve your goals.”

Call 020 8442 3442 or click here for more information on the Level 2 Pre-apprenticeship in Rail Engineering at the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL).

Rail track engineering pre-apprentice Kai Shepherd at CONEL.

A young engineer is hoping to emulate his family’s proud track record of working on the railways.

Kai Shepherd, 18, is set to become the third generation in his family to work in the rail industry by following in the footsteps of two of his uncles and his great uncle.

Between them they work in the sector for London Underground, global engineering giant Thales and construction and engineering consultancy TPS.

Kai is studying for a Pre-apprenticeship in Rail Track Engineering Level 2 at the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL), which is celebrating Rail Week from 9-13 October.

Pre-Apprenticeships are short courses that provide a stepping stone to apprenticeships by training students in essential skills for their chosen career.

Kai said: ““I’ve been around railway engineering all my life. It feels like it’s in my blood.

“My first inspiration is my uncle who works in signalling on London Underground. My other uncle works for Thales and my great uncle works for TPS.

“They told me it was a good trade to be in and gave me some guidance. Without that, I might not be here now.

“I did some research of my own and found the course at CONEL. I got some information and was sold immediately. The next day I came in and enrolled.”

Kai praised his tutors who communicated different aspects of the course clearly with examples from their own experience of working in the industry.

“I’m not the type to sit in an office. I love physical work and using my hands, which is why an apprenticeship appealed to me,” he said.

“This is the first step in helping me to get to where I want to go. It’s given me everything I need, and hopefully I can do my family proud and work my way up.”

Rail Week is a national initiative run by Young Rail Professionals that brings the industry together for a week of rail events, visits and talks.

Call 020 8442 3442 or click here for more information on the Pre-Apprenticeship in Rail Track Engineering Level 2 at the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL).

The National Skills Academy for Rail (NSAR), published a quality provider approval report this week (Monday 9 October), coinciding with Rail Week (9 – 15 October 2017), which praised the College for its clear strategy and vision for rail engineering.

In its summary, the NSAR report said: “The College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London is in a good position to deliver rail related qualifications and its well-established suite of programmes.”

The report also concluded that: “The college senior management fully embrace Rail and have specific plans to consolidate the programmes and relationships they have already made within the Rail Industry and further expand in the near future.”

Commending the college further, the report went on to say: “Senior managers, staff and learners we spoke to were very enthusiastic regarding the Rail Provision and the prospects of a career in rail.

“The range of facilities available and soon to be expanded will enhance the learning experience of learners, whilst preparing to be extensively work-ready for opportunities within the industry.”

The report added: “From evidence displayed, conversations held and documentation reviewed, we conclude that CONEL is ready to deliver Rail qualifications and should be included in the National Network of Colleges.”

Kurt Hintz, CONEL Vice Principal said of the NSAR findings: “The NSAR report is a wonderful industry endorsement of the excellence CONEL currently provides in rail education and gives us a strong recommendation to expand and develop our rail provision into the future to provide a centre of excellence for our region.”

CONEL currently offers a Pre-apprenticeship in Rail Track Engineering as well as, apprenticeships with big rail companies, including VGC Group and Kelly Rail, with plans to launch more courses in the new year.

For more information about Rail Week visit: https://www.railweek.com/

Call 020 8442 3442 or click here for more information on Rail Track Engineering at the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL).

Editor’s Notes

CONEL currently works with around 370 employers to train 1,000 apprentices across a range of industries each year.

The College was recently named the best in England for learner satisfaction and was the best in London for employer satisfaction in 2015/16.

Student Carlene Francis takes part in a mock job interview with Goldman Sachs volunteer Ben Armstead.

Students at the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL) boosted their job prospects when they took part in a workshop with global investment bank Goldman Sachs.

Around 100 learners took part in the employability skills event with staff volunteers from the financial giant at the College’s Tottenham Centre on 4 October.

The workshop began with an exercise in which students were asked to create the tallest tower out of newspaper to support an apple to develop their business skills, such as teamwork, creativity and communication.

The students then discussed with their mentors from Goldman Sachs what a business is, what motivates them when it comes to work and how to make a good first impression.

They then heard more about working at Goldman Sachs before looking at what makes a good CV and taking part in mock job interviews.

Accounting student Martin Chinaka, 22, said: “It was good to talk to the people from Goldman Sachs and find out how they got to where they are and what motivates them, which will help when I am getting ready for interviews.”

Kassandra Jean-Baptiste, 23, who is also studying accounting, said: “It was good to get some interview practice and know how I can improve when I’m looking for a job, like the importance of good body language when you present yourself to a potential employer.”

Goldman Sachs volunteer Sanna Sharif talks to student Tuley Ucar about employability skills.

The Goldman Sachs staff were all part of the bank’s Community Teamworks scheme, which encourages employees to take time off and volunteer to support the areas where they live and work.

Omar Bouabdallah, Business Intelligence Specialist for Goldman Sachs, who was headed up the volunteer group, said: “It’s about making education relevant to the workplace and relating our professional experience to help students understand what businesses are looking for in the real world.

“These students could be our future employees, and events like these also help us to ensure they can translate what’s in their head and express their answers well so we can find out where the potential talent is and ensure we spot it.”

Call 020 8442 3055 or click here for more information on courses and apprenticeships at the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL).

The College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL) is offering Fast, Easy and Free courses in construction, hair and beauty, health and social care and childcare this autumn.

Students will be able to study a wide range of exciting courses from Entry Level to Level 3 that normally take a year in just four to 15 weeks.

The courses below will run from 30 October and give students the skills, confidence and experience they need to work in any of these industries or for those already working to get extra skills that will enable them to advance within their sector.

• Working in Hair and Beauty
• African Caribbean Hair Styling
• Cutting Women's Hair
• Waxing for Work in a Salon
• Aromatherapy Massage
• Stone Therapy Massage
• Swedish Massage
• Work as a Plumber
• Introduction to Brickwork
• Home Maintenance and DIY
• Working in Childcare
• Working in Health and Social Care

The College is launching the courses to encourage people in Haringey and Enfield into employment, and in response to Tottenham MP David Lammy’s campaign to increase opportunities for adult education.

Earlier this year Mr Lammy called on the Government to ensure “all adults must have access to flexible, affordable and accessible education and training that will equip them for the modern jobs market” while taking into account their other commitments as employees, parents and carers.

Kurt Hintz, Vice Principal for Curriculum and Learner Experience, said: “These courses provide a fast-track into employment and extra skills for those already employed so they can advance quickly in their sector.

“We want to encourage as many people as possible to take them up and get trained by our professional, industry experienced tutors in a matter of weeks and really boost their employment prospects.”

Call 020 8442 3055 or click here for more information on Free Courses for Work at the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL).

CONEL director Marcia Summers is ‘proud to work for an organisation that pays its employees fairly’.

An independent report has found the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL) offers equal pay to both men and women.

The report commissioned by the College and conducted by employment lawyers Menzies Law found that the average hourly gender pay gap was 0%.

Auditors praised CONEL, describing this figure as “something to be proud of” with the UK national average for full-time standing at 18.1% employees, and 12.4% for the education sector.

The report, which looked into pay of nearly 500 staff, read: “The median gender pay gap figure suggests you are exposed to a very low risk of equal pay claims.”

Marcia Summers, Director of Technical Industries and Skills for Life, joined CONEL in 2016 having spent most of her career in the education sector.

She said: “In a world where inequality exists in many forms I feel proud to work for an organisation which pays its employees fairly whatever their gender.

“CONEL is a great place to work, not just because of its equal pay treatment but because it’s truly representative as an organisation of its local community and does not judge or discriminate against any minority group.

“I love working at CONEL as it is a vibrant, well-organised, professional and friendly. It’s a college which focuses on improving learner success in the ever changing climate of Further Education.

“CONEL enables me to continue to develop as a manager/leader by giving me regular, varied and new opportunities and challenges which keeps me interested and motivated.’

The report made several recommendations to the College relating to recruitment, reviewing pay gaps, developing policies, further analysis and equality.

Geoff Mitchell, Director of Human Resources, said: “This report highlights the fact that here at CONEL we are committed to ensuring equal pay among our staff, regardless of gender or background.

“We’re delighted to have 0% average hourly pay gap and take great pride in knowing that we’re so far ahead of most of the sector in terms of equality among our employees.”

Construction apprentice Huseyin Bozdogan receives his award from Alison Dowsett, Managing Director of St William, a regeneration project between Berkeley and National Grid.

A construction apprentice from the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL) has been hailed as the best in the Berkeley Group.

Huseyin Bozdogan scooped the Best Apprentice within the Berkeley Group at the company’s annual Apprentice Awards at a ceremony on 10 October.

The 28-year-old is completing an Apprenticeship in Dry Lining with the construction group, which currently builds 10% of London’s private and affordable housing.

Huseyin was described by his supervisors as “the best apprentice they’ve ever seen” and has been offered a job with the group when he finishes his training next year.

He was presented with his award by Alison Dowsett, Managing Director of St William, a regeneration project between Berkeley and National Grid.

“This award means a lot. It’s great to know that my hard work and dedication has paid off and it’s been recognised,” said Huseyin.

“I gained some experience with my uncle who works in the trade, doing some extensions and roof work, and had been looking for an apprenticeship.

“When this opportunity came up I was really pleased. I’ve been getting new skills, a qualification and paid at the same time.

“The training has been very good. I am learning things in the workshop all the time and my tutor is always giving me advice.”

Nine awards were presented at the ceremony held at Pennington Street Warehouse in London Dock, Wapping, where the special guest was Joseph Valente, the 2015 winner of BBC TV show The Apprentice.

The winners were chosen from 120 submissions by a panel of representatives from the Construction Youth Trust, Greater London Authority, Hackney Council and the Royal Borough of Greenwich.

Recalling his own vocational training, Mr Valente said: “My apprenticeship was the beginning of an exciting journey that contributed to success in life and business.

“It’s vital that we raise the profile of apprenticeships as a worthwhile and rewarding career choice for young people to consider seriously.”

CONEL works with many big name employers to offer a wide range of construction apprenticeships in brickwork, carpentry plumbing, electrical installations, property maintenance, dry lining, painting and decoration.

The company is keen to work even closer with colleges to increase skilled labour in the industry with 400,000 workers set to retire over the next 10 years.

Berkeley had 783 apprentices at its sites and offices over the last 18 months and has pledged to have 1,500 more people in apprenticeships and training by 2018.

Rob Perrins, Chief Executive of the Berkeley Group, said: “We need the right courses, in the right places, delivered by talented teachers given real support by employers who offer genuinely useful work experience.”

Call 020 8442 3442 or click here for more information on apprenticeships at the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL).

Jackie Chapman, Director of Employability and Employer Engagement, talks to employers about the Apprenticeship Levy at our #ApprenticeshipsNow event in May.

The College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL) has been named the best in the capital for employer satisfaction two years running.

The FE Choices Employer Satisfaction Survey 2016/17 found 95.8% of the College’s business partners would recommend CONEL to another employer.

The survey undertaken by the Education and Skills Funding Agency between March and July 2017 also found the College was above the national average for England at 86.7.

The research looked at the responses across all public and private post-16 training providers, including sixth form colleges and specialist colleges.

The results follow CONEL being named as the best further education college in England for student satisfaction in the FE Choices Learner Satisfaction Survey in September.

The College was also re-accredited this year with the matrix Standard, an international quality standard that recognises an organisation’s support to individuals in their choice of career, learning, work and life goals.

CONEL works with a wide range of employers to enhance students’ studies and prepare them for the world of work, through internships and other work experience and enrichment activities.

The College also has a highly successful apprenticeship programme and currently works with around 450 companies to train more than 1,500 apprentices a year.

This year CONEL has been proactively running workshops and providing information to employers on new funding reforms including the Apprenticeship Levy.

Among the companies CONEL works with are Siemens, North Middlesex University Hospital, NHS Trust, VGC Group, XPO Logistics, Berkeley Homes, Kelly Rail, Haringey Council, Enfield Council and Notting Hill Housing.

Sambit Sen, Assistant Director for Apprenticeships, said: “At CONEL we’ve always been proud of our commitment to deliver great training to our students and apprentices to equip them for the world of work.

“The result of the survey is a glowing endorsement from our partner employers. It is hugely satisfying to know how much they hugely appreciate the exceptional work and support the College provides to meet their employment needs.

“To be top in London once is a great, but to reach that height again for a second year is a fantastic achievement.”

Capital City College Group (CCCG) has today (1 November) announced that it is merging with The College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL), making the Group the largest further education and training provider in London.

With CONEL joining, the Capital City College Group will provide learning to 37,000 students aged 16 and over, in 11 sites across London and the South East, as well as providing a high-quality training service for employers.

As part of its overriding commitment to provide the next generation of skilled Londoners, the enlarged Group has nationally recognised specialisms in areas crucial to the UK’s future, such as construction, digital technology, healthcare, hospitality, rail engineering and science, and last year, CCCG’s colleges trained more than 2,000 apprentices on behalf of 1,000 employers.

All three colleges (Westminster Kingsway College, City and Islington College, and The College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London), which currently have ‘Good’ OfSTED grades, will maintain their individual operating brands.

And, with apprenticeships forming an increasingly important part of further education provision, the three colleges’ services will be supported by Capital City College Training (CCCT), launched by CCCG earlier this year to focus on meeting employers’ training needs and provide the widest range of apprenticeships in London.

Andy Forbes, Executive Principal of CONEL, said: “The merger of CONEL into CCCG will create three strong, confident colleges and help each to grow, develop and thrive.

“CONEL is a fantastic college, and we are extremely proud that at the time of joining CCCG that we’re very much on top of our game, having recently been named in the FE Choices Survey as the best college in England for student satisfaction and top in London for employer satisfaction for the second year running.

“Our commitment to deliver high quality vocational training and higher education courses in Haringey and Enfield remains unchanged as we continue to focus on success as part of this new partnership.

“I’m optimistic that we will all benefit from this merger and, most importantly, that the students and apprentices we teach and communities we serve will also benefit.”

Andy Wilson, CEO of CCCG, said: “We are all very excited that CONEL is joining the group – bringing together three of London’s most successful colleges to create an education and training powerhouse and a regional college for London, which will deliver exceptional benefits to local communities and businesses. All our centres are close to transport hubs, making them accessible to our students, adult learners, apprentices and businesses.

“As the country prepares to exit the European Union, Capital City College Group will be in an even stronger position to help to meet the UK’s skills shortage and transform the lives of Londoners through innovative education and training.”

Ex-CONEL student Donna Morris-Davidson who is studying for a master’s degree.

A deaf student who wants to improve the health of disadvantaged people has taken on a master’s degree after graduating with first class honours last summer.

Donna Morris-Davidson, 50, attained a BSc (Hons) in Health Promotion and Public Health at the University of West London after taking an Access to Higher Education Diploma in Nursing at the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL).

She is now studying for an MSc in Public Health at the University of East London.

Donna said: “I graduated with a first class degree with top grades for all modules.

“One of my lecturers has encouraged me to have one of my essays published, and I have also been a keynote speaker at a conference to student midwives. As you can imagine, I am very proud of my accomplishments.

“My MSc work is going to be very challenging, but I am so excited.”

CONEL provided Donna with signers in her classes and she went on to gain a Distinction on her course as well as receiving an Excellence Award from the College.

She said: “I’ve faced many challenges as a deaf student but I had fantastic support from CONEL in helping overcome any barriers to my learning, such as communications and seating arrangements.

“I enjoyed the course so much that I did not want to miss one session.

“I am eternally grateful to my tutors. They showed me how to study at degree level and gave me study methods I still use on my masters.

“My time at CONEL was a gateway to the different world, and proved I could be successful.”

Access to Higher Education Diploma courses provide students without the qualifications to study at degree level with the skills and knowledge to get into university.

CONEL offers these courses in Nursing, Midwifery, Social Work, Computing, Engineering and Science.

Christine Peck, Course Team Leader in Health and Social Care, said: “Donna has gone from strength to strength, achieving not only a first class degree but also regular commendations from her tutors. 

“She’s a really positive role model for anyone wanting a career in healthcare, but especially for those who may feel their disability could hinder their academic studies and chosen career.”

Call 020 8442 3055 or click here for more information on Access to Higher Education Diploma courses at the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL).

Plumbing tutor Paul Oatham with student Rachel Joseph who described his lessons as 'brilliant'.

A construction student has heaped praise on her tutor after he inspired her to succeed within weeks of starting her course.

Rachel Joseph is studying for a Plumbing Diploma Level 2 at the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL) where she previously completed Level 1 last summer.

The 46-year-old was full of plaudits for her teacher Paul Oatham who impressed her with his dedication to supporting his students.

“The last few weeks have been amazing,” said Rachel.

“On the first day of term, Paul made a promise to the whole class to make sure we all passed this course, and it is so very clear that he meant every word.

“When I walked in and saw the way he prepared each desk and student with everything they needed, I was mesmerised, and the lesson that followed did not disappoint. The workshops have been brilliant and I enjoyed every second.

“I made a promise to work just as hard as him to make sure I passed.

“What Paul has done already in a short space of time has been truly appreciated. He’s like no teacher I’ve had before. He makes me look forward to coming to college.”

Student Rachel Joseph and Plumbing tutor Paul Oatham in the Construction workshop at our Tottenham Centre.

Rachel decided to change career and train to become a plumber, having run her own online sports retail business for eight years and spending much of her working life in book keeping and secretarial jobs.

She said: “This is now my second year at CONEL. I had such a good experience that I decided to come back.

“I’d always had an interest in construction and wasn’t sure if I would ever do it, but I decided to take the plunge and it’s been the best thing I’ve done. I’ve no complaints. It’s been brilliant.”

CONEL offers a wide range of construction courses from Entry Level to Level 3, including multi skills, brickwork, carpentry and joinery, plumbing and electrical installations.

Matt Wylds, Head of School for Construction, said: “Paul is a superb tutor with great experience in the construction industry. The praise he has received shows just how highly regarded he is by his students.

“He has shown himself to be nothing short of exemplary in his commitment to teaching at CONEL.”

Call 020 8442 3055 or click here for more information on Construction courses at the College of Haringey Enfield and North East London (CONEL).

Ex-offender Paul shares his experiences of knife crime and prison with CONEL students.

An ex-offender warned students of the serious consequences of carrying a knife after he was jailed for life for stabbing a man to death.

Paul, who preferred not to give his full name, spoke candidly to students at the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL) on 30 October.

He visited the College as part of 10 Stop The Knife sessions run by the charity London Village Network as part of its Don’t Be Me tour funded by the Evening Standard and Comic Relief.

Now released on licence after 22 years, Paul told students about the crime and the violence and harrowing experiences he faced in prison and the impact this had on him.

He said: “Prison destroys you mentally. It takes a piece of you every day. You cannot make up what happens to human beings when they’re locked in a box.

“Every day there is violence. You fear people are going to jump you. Once you’ve put yourself in that environment you cannot turn it off.

“If you’re carrying a weapon you could take someone’s life, or have it taken off you and used on you. You can run off – there’s nothing wrong with that. You do have a choice.”

Paul was jailed for life for stabbing a man to death.

The session started with a video featuring Paul telling his story before he shared more about his time behind bars and answered questions from students.

English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) student Denion Selimaj, 18, was stabbed in his home country of Albania when he was 15.

He said: “I understood all what he said as it happened to me. Listening to him talk about the bad things he went through and had seen in prison made me feel very scared.”

Health and Social Care student Hannah Sherriff, 28, said: “I was shocked to hear about the violence in prison among the inmates and how it affects some of them so much they take their own lives.

“For Paul to go through all he has and tell his story and make people think twice now about carrying a knife was very inspiring.”

London Village Network offers programmes to support young people with their personal development, career advice, gaining new skills and social issues and runs weekly and monthly events in Islington, Camden, Hackney and Brent. 

In 2016 London Village Network received a Metropolitan Police Service Community Engagement Commendation Award for its work against knife crime.

Rachael Box, CEO and founder of London Village Network said: “Unfortunately, there is a generation of young people that seem to be more willing to carry knives, but we cannot sit back and expect them to solve this crisis themselves.

“It was really encouraging to see so many students at CONEL engage in this serious issue. Hopefully, Paul’s message will give anyone affected by knife crime the strength to disassociate themselves from it.”

Helen Camilleri has joined CONEL as Business Development Project Manager.

The College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL) has appointed Helen Camilleri as its new Business Development Project Manager.

Helen has 18 years’ experience in developing apprenticeships and courses for the John Lewis Partnership and been a consultant on the Department for Education’s Retail Trailblazer Steering Group.

She will take the lead in developing CONEL’s first retail management apprenticeships, with the College already offering Level 3 and 5 management apprenticeships and Level 2 and 3 in customer service.

Helen said: “I am really excited about joining CONEL and using my expertise within the retail industry to create a retail apprenticeship offer that is innovative, flexible and reflective of both learner and businesses’ needs.

“I will be meeting with end-point assessment organisations and will work back from there, and also work closely with the Head of Apprenticeships to ensure good systems are in place. 

“My aim is to create good quality apprenticeship programmes with satisfied employers who retain their apprentices as permanent employees.”

Helen joined John Lewis as sales assistant in Brent Cross in 1998 before moving to Head Office in Westminster a year later where she managed and developed NVQ programmes and a team of assessors and verifiers.

She went on to develop the new Retailer and Retail Manager Apprenticeship Standards for branches of John Lewis and Waitrose, alongside IT, pensions, driving goods vehicles, hospitality, warehousing and logistics, sewing machinist and infrastructure technician apprenticeships.

Jackie Chapman, Director of Employability and Employability, said: “CONEL’s apprenticeship provision is constantly evolving to meet changing employer needs.  

“As part of our strategic plan to continue to grow apprentices we ‘ve been seeking feedback from employers about current and emerging needs and received a lot of interest in management apprenticeships following the introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy.

“When we met Helen, we knew instantly from her wealth of experience, her positive attitude and her involvement in the Trailblazers, she would be a great asset to the team.”

If you are interested in finding out more about retail management apprenticeships with CONEL, call Helen Camilleri on 020 8442 2314 or email HCamilleri@conel.ac.uk.

Supported Learning student Lucy Mazur in Wesminster.

An autistic and partially deaf student is spending the next month at the heart of British politics working for a Member of Parliament.

Lucy Mazur, 21, began a two-day a week work placement at the parliamentary office of Kate Green MP at Portcullis House in Westminster on 13 November.

The placement is part of a Supported Internship programme at the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL), which secured the placement with support from learning disability charity Mencap.

During her placement, Lucy will be meeting and greeting visitors, sorting post and emails, attending meetings, undertaking research, making videos and working on social media campaigns.

She said: “I feel very privileged working for an MP. She is a very important person, so this is very special to me.

“I am looking forward to learning more about politics and working on the computer and developing my admin skills, and hope after this I will be able to do other great jobs and have other opportunities in many places.”

Ms Green has been MP for Stretford and Urmston in Greater Manchester since 2010 and was Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities from September 2015 to June 2016.

She said: “I know how hard it is for young disabled people to get employment and get the work experience which means they are more likely to get jobs in the future.

 “It’s really important to me that everybody gets treated equally and gets the same chances to prosper, thrive and fulfil their potential, and that people should have the right to work if they are able to.

“I hope Lucy enjoys her time here and finds it exciting and interesting. We’re going to have her doing lots of things, and we’re really proud to have her here.”

Supported Learning student Lucy Mazur and Kate Green MP at Portcullis House.

Lucy is also carrying out another two-day placement at an office of housing association One Housing in Tottenham and studying Functional Skills in English and maths at CONEL.

In 2016/17 she undertook a placement with the British Red Cross, during which she addressed 500 young people about volunteering at a conference in York, and later spoke about her own experience to senior executives from the charity at its head office in Moorgate.

CONEL’s range of Supported Learning courses and programmes give students with learning disabilities the chance to gain more independence and work and life skills.

Thea Charles, Supported Learning Job Coach, said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for Lucy and proves to other people with learning difficulties that anything is possible, as long as you show confidence and you’re willing to learn.

“Kate is a champion for people who face barriers whether its inequalities, disabilities or some other disadvantage, so it’s great she’s been supportive of helping our students grow.”

Call 020 8442 3055 or click here for more information about Supported Learning courses at the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL).

Tottenham Hotspur FC Ambassador Ledley King cuts the ribbon to launch our new 3G all-weather football pitch in Enfield with CONEL Deputy Principal Kurt Hintz, Head of Sport Jonathan Silman, Stewart Cross, CCCG Group Director Integration and Information, Julie Carter, Chairman of Whitewebbs Eagles FC, alongiside players from CONEL's Football Academy and Whitewebbs Eagles FC.

Tottenham Hotspur FC Ambassador Ledley King officially opened a state-of-the-art 3G artificial grass pitch or the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL) yesterday (Wednesday 22 November).

Ledley King attended the event as part of Tottenham Hotspur FC’s commitment to supporting the local community across the Borough of Enfield, which is home to the club’s Training Centre.

The brand new pitch at CONEL, which recently joined Capital City College Group (CCCG), was made possible thanks to a grant from the Premier League & The FA Facilities Fund, which is delivered by the Football Foundation.

The College’s brand new pitch was made possible thanks to a grant from the Premier League & The FA Facilities Fund, which is delivered by the Football Foundation.

The grant has enabled the College to replace an existing grass pitch, which was no longer able to support the level of usage, with a floodlit all-weather pitch, including a spectator area. This is in addition to CONEL’s other full-size grass pitch and internal sports facilities, supporting the College’s Football Academy, Basketball Academy, Martial Arts Academy and Athletics Academy.

The new playing surface can be used all-year-round, affording CONEL, partner club Whitewebbs Eagles FC and other users much greater flexibility in scheduling training and fixtures. This will also benefit Cheshunt Youth League, who will use the 3G AGP as a key venue. Other users will include Edmonton Rangers FC, Edmonton United FC and Percival Youth FC.

In addition, the West Lea Secondary Disability School hope to use the facility to deliver disability sports activities. The College, which already runs sports sessions for disabled students, will now extend this programme thanks to the new pitch.

CONEL worked alongside the Middlesex FA and the Football Foundation to compile a five-year Football Development Plan, which is a vision of how sport will be played on site with an emphasis on increasing participation.

The College and its partner club plan to establish 14 brand new teams, thanks to the new 3G AGP. This supports an expected 327% boost in football participation across all ages at the site. The College hopes to introduce a new Under-21 girls’ side, increasing female participation across all sports by 175% at the new facility.   

CONEL, which boasts former Tottenham Hotspur FC player Garth Crooks OBE amongst its alumni, worked in partnership with the Middlesex FA to secure a £542,384 grant from the Premier League & The FA Facilities Fund towards a total project cost of £767,384.

Founded in 2000, the Football Foundation is the largest sports charity in the UK funded by the Premier League, The FA and Government, via Sport England. It develops new and refurbished grassroots sports facilities in order to improve the quality and experience of playing sport at the grassroots level. Since it was launched in 2000, the Foundation has awarded around 15,000 grants worth more than £580m towards improving grassroots sport, which it has used to attract additional partnership funding of over £800m – £1.4bn of investment into the grassroots game.

Since 2000 the Football Foundation Funding Partners’ investment has provided 229 grants worth £18.4m towards grassroots sports projects worth over £69.4m across the whole of Middlesex.

By providing more high-quality facilities, coupled with coaching at the appropriate age group, the Premier League & The FA Facilities Fund aims to improve the experience for regular players as well as attracting new players to the game. Many of the new state-of-the-art facilities will serve to strengthen the connection between professional football clubs and their local communities, particularly in the most deprived areas of the country, through the professional clubs’ community trusts’ outreach work.

Ledley King, Tottenham Hotspur FC Ambassador, said: “It’s great to see this state-of-the-art facility up and running and I’d like to thank CONEL for inviting me here to officially open the new pitch.

“During my career, I’ve been lucky enough to have played on some of the best pitches around the world, and I know first-hand the difference this new football pitch will make to players at the College and within the local community who will be using it regularly. I look forward to seeing where it will take them.”

Tottenham Hotspur Ambasador Ledley King signed autographs and took part in a Q&A session at the 3G pitch launch.

Andy Forbes, Executive Principal of the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London, said: “We are extremely grateful to the Football Foundation for their support in securing the finance to build this new 3G football pitch at our Enfield Centre, and for Ledley King for coming to open this fantastic facility. Sport not only provides physical exercise, but gives students skills such as teamwork, as well as focus, discipline and determination to go on and succeed in their studies.

“We’ve already seen our Basketball Academy win the Association of College’s league title this year, and our Martial Arts Academy produce some top athletes, including a triple British karate junior champion. This new pitch is a great deal for both CONEL and the local community in providing one of the best sporting facilities in the borough.”

Paul Thorogood, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, said: “The Premier League & The FA Facilities Fund provides the investment necessary to improve grassroots football facilities. So, I am delighted to see CONEL join thousands of local clubs and organisations who have reaped its benefit, in this case through the opening of a new 3G AGP. I’d like to thank Ledley King for taking the time to unveil it.  

“Having delivered over £1.4bn of grassroots sports infrastructure projects, the Football Foundation has developed a network of accessible, first-class facilities in areas they will have the greatest impact – thanks to money from the Premier League, The FA and the Government via Sport England. 

“These facilities are more than places to play football at, these facilities are hubs of physical activity, the bedrock of local communities and ‘homes from home’ for so many who also use them as social outlets to learn new skills, gain work experience and other qualifications.” 

Click here to find out more about hiring the 3G all-weather football pitch and other sports facilities at the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL).

A group of students have been inspired to study a full-time certificate in childcare after completing a free four-week course.

The Working in Childcare course is among a number of short free and discounted courses run by the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL).

Around two-thirds of the students who attended the course this month are now looking to study for a Certificate in Childcare Level 1 starting in February 2018.

The short course provides an overview of childcare and early years education, and also includes topics on respecting, caring and valuing children and playing in a safe and secure environment.

Sisters Erika and Johanna Sandoval, who have five young children between them, hope to study the Level 1 certificate to improve their prospects of working in the sector.

Erika, 31, said: “My sister told about this course and me how it will help me achieve my goals of working with children in a nursery or as a teaching assistant, and as a parent I want to have a better future for my children.

“I feel drawn towards a career teaching children. I want to help them to grow up in a certain way and educate them so they have a better life.”

Johanna, 25, added: “I’ve already worked as a childminder but I want to support teaching in a school and work with children to help them achieve.

“With the hours they have now introduced for childcare in the UK, it’s a good opportunity as a mum to get into teaching.”

Monalisa Debebe, 41, said: “Over the past couple of years I have been raising my children and now I have more time. I saw the College had a free course here, which runs when they are in school, so it’s been very convenient for me.

“I am looking forward to the Level 1 and a better career. I already look after children after school but I want to do it longer. I love children and it gives me pleasure working with them.”

CONEL also offers short courses in plumbing, brickwork, carpentry, home maintenance and DIY, hairdressing, beauty therapy, aromatherapy, massage, accounting, engineering, music production and Microsoft Office skills.

Call 020 8442 3055 or click here to find out more about Free and Professional Courses at the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL).