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Newbury College re-launched its Calcot IT Training centre on 15 February at 12pm as a new Community Learning Centre. The event recognised the investment received from West Berkshire Council, which has provided new equipment and resources for the centre. Councillor Irene Neill, West Berkshire Council's Portfolio Holder for Education, opened the newly furbished Community Learning Centre by unveiling a commemorative plaque.

West Berkshire Council saw the opportunity the centre has, and working with Newbury College, has invested resources to make it a centre that can be utilised and a benefit to the local and surrounding communities of West Berkshire. The centre will now be able to offer a wider range of courses and training programmes, including Business Workshops, and a wide range of the College's professional programmes as well as leisure and IT courses.

Councillor Irene Neill, was delighted to open the refurbished centre and said, "The Council has invested in a number of Learning Centres across the district which has proved invaluable for those looking to access learning locally. The facilities at Calcot will provide an excellent opportunity for residents and businesses to develop their education and training in the heart of their community."

The funding from West Berkshire Council has meant the College has been able to purchase brand new state of the arts facilities. The equipment included in the refurbishment includes, PCs and WAP for Laptops, printers, monitors, new licences resources to deliver the latest technology training and new interactive whiteboards for the conference rooms.

Principal of Newbury College, Dr Anne Murdoch OBE said, "We are delighted to re-launch the Calcot Centre with the support of West Berkshire Council who saw the benefit that a centre like this can offer all members of the local community.  The facility will be used by both individuals
and businesses to access training at a location convenient to both the Reading and the Newbury areas and very close to the M4 corridor. The new equipment and resources being invested in the centre means we are able to offer a broader range of both vocational and professional training for young people and adults in this part of West Berkshire."

Calcot Community Learning Centre will service the West Berkshire community and surrounding areas offering training opportunities on peoples' doorsteps and a local space for businesses and professionals. The centre is also available for room hire, perfect for meetings. If you should be interested in finding out more about the training and courses that the Calcot Community Learning Centre has to offer, or are interested in hiring the facilities please call us on 01189 427040 or pop in to the centre above Sainsbury's off the M4, J12.

Four teams of eager students, braved the freezing conditions and represented the College this year as teams from across the town battled it out for a place on the annual Pancake Race podium.

Students from Child Care, Public Services, FENNS (Functional English for Non-Native Speakers) and First Steps competed against tough opposition from Ross Brooke, English Provender, Charles Lucas & Marshall, John Lewis, Newbury Building Society, Swift Couriers, Swings and Smiles, The Breeze and Thomas Eggar.

Although no Newbury College team was fortunate enough to get the top spot, all was not lost. After the running race, pancakes were then tossed into the crowd from the town hall balcony by the mayor of Newbury, Arthur Johnson. The winning pancake was caught by the Newbury College First Steps team.

Course Leader for Child Care, Julia Reveler said "The students have been practicing really hard and have all thoroughly enjoyed the event. Next year we want to put a staff team together as well and show them how it's really done!"

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Success literally speaks for itself this week as Newbury College brings the Newbury & Thatcham Advertiser to life with the help of a new smartphone app. The 'Augmented Reality' application allows users to watch videos of real Newbury College learners talking about their experiences by hovering their phone or tablet device over special images.

Marketing Manager, Una Lutwyche said "We have always promoted the great experiences our learners tell us about through our printed materials but we are really excited that by using the latest technology, they are now able to share even more of these success stories."

As a progressive and forward thinking education provider, Newbury College is always making use of the latest technologies to improve communication and benefit learners.

Communications and eLearning Development Officer, Shaun Daubney said "Investing in technology is a key strength of the College. Whilst the application will be a fantastic marketing tool, we also hope to develop it even further, enhancing our teaching and learning and complementing our award winning virtual learning environment."

The 'app' is currently available from Google Play for Android smartphones and tablets. A version for iPhones and iPads is expected to launch soon.

Click here for more information

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Trainee plumbers from Newbury College donned helmets and high-visibility jackets for a first-hand look at the construction site of a privately funded £8 million dementia care home in Lymington.

More than 20 learners, aged 16 to 19, saw behind-the-scenes progress on what will be Colten Care's 20th home when it opens later this year. The 4,000 sq meter Linden House will incorporate exceptional design standards and facilities to help individuals maintain their independence when living with dementia.

Brian Evans, Curriculum Manager Technology at Newbury College, said "the learners are following a nationally recognised Level 1 domestic plumbing course and hoping to progress into apprenticeships and full-time jobs. Plumbers are not necessarily first on site during a construction project so it has been helpful for the learners to get a feel for the way all the different trades and sub-contractors work together. We're grateful to Colten Care for hosting the visit by these new recruits to the building industry."

The visit gave many of the students their first taste of a 'live' building site, with advice from project teams on health and safety, tool boxes and equipment and the links between plumbing and other building trades.

George Colwell, Joint Managing Director of Colten Developments, said: "This is our biggest building project to date involving more than 150 bricklayers, plumbers, electricians and other trades. On any one day more than 50 people can be on site. We were more than happy to welcome the students and show them first-hand what site management is all about."

Construction work on Linden House began in April 2012 following the demolition of what had been a former local authority home in New Street. Site work has progressed under the shadow of a 100ft crane visible from many approaches to Lymington town centre. The new Colten Care building will be 'L' shaped and have three storeys.

Due to open in autumn 2013, the home is expected to employ more than 80 people at full capacity. Residents will be housed in small house groups with a focus on retaining practical life skills and independence for as long as possible through shared daily activities, memory stimulation, 'person-centred' care and leading-edge nursing. Linden House will be Colten Care's fourth dedicated dementia care home following Fernhill in Ferndown, The Aldbury in Poole and St Catherines View in Winchester.