Scaffolding safety experts, Simian Risk, has recently partnered with Weston College to open their latest training centre.

Based at the South West Skills campus, the new centre will drastically increase the accessibility of expert scaffolding safety training to those living in and around the South West, where as previously they would have had to travel significant distances to access a training centre.

Established in 2005, Simian Risk has cemented their position within the scaffolding industry as experts in safety and best practice, helping scaffolding professionals to improve safety standards through training and consultancy services, thus reducing the risk of accidents when working at height.

The new centre will deliver CISRS ‘core’ courses which will include CISRS part one and two, as well as scaffolding apprenticeships.

Business Development Manager at Simian, Simon O’Donnell, stated, “We are very pleased to be offering high quality training over an increased geographical area in the excellent facilities that Weston College has. Our ability to hold training courses in this region means that more and more scaffolding professionals can access the appropriate training they need to work safely at height.”

Speaking of the partnership, Simian Risk Managing Director, Simon Hughes said: “These are exciting times for Simian and we’re delighted to be playing our part in upskilling the workers that operate in this area of the UK. Particularly as the need for skilled apprenticeships will be rising over the next few years as the government carries out a number of construction initiatives, we look forward to working with Weston College to ensure the next generation of scaffolding professionals is fully qualified to advance their careers in the industry.”

Steve Caldwell, Head of Faculty for Building, Automotive and Civil Engineering at Weston College, added: “Weston College has worked hard to identify a strategic partner for its new Construction Skills Centre which is due to open in Spring 2019. We are delighted to be working with Simon and the team at Simian who are nationally renowned as leaders in the field of CISRS accredited scaffolding training and assessment.

“With such a buoyant construction and civil engineering industry across the South West, Weston College will be ideally positioned to train future generations of construction specialist in the high demand areas such as scaffolding and plant operations.”

On Monday (14) January, five of Bristol’s most highly-skilled chefs helped 40 young people from three catering colleges serve up a mouth-watering meal for 70 extremely discerning diners in one of the most famed catering colleges in the country. Nearly £500 was raised to support young people with travel costs in accessing work experience, essential equipment and helping colleges to fund employer trips, visits and feeder school travel to college events.

Heads of School for service industries, catering and hospitality from three colleges: Weston College, City of Bristol College and Coleg Gwent, each brought a team of front of house and kitchen students to work in the kitchens with the visiting chefs and a thoroughly inspirational day was had by all.

The Chefs’ Forum bridges the gap between industry and education and by hosting the Chefs’ Lunch in what is now the seventh year of The Chefs’ Forum. 

Guiding the students from the three participating colleges on the day were Elisabeth Julienne from Gambas on the starter, Saravanan Nambirajan and Raju Raju from The Mint Room on the fish course, Louise McCrimmon from Harvey Nichols on the meat course and Istvan Ulmann from Berwick Lodge on dessert. Presiding at the occasion ‘front of house’ was the fantastic Sarah Arikan, Owner of Berwick Lodge and Front of House expert.

All ingredients and drinks for the lunch were kindly sponsored by Koppert Cress, Fish for Thought, Walter Rose & Son, Brindisa and Santa Maria.

Together, the chefs and students created and served a four-course meal for around 70 professionals from the catering industry who were all there to get in touch with the next generation of talent whilst catching up with their peers and suppliers.

Catherine Farinha, Chefs’ Forum Founder, said: “It is great to have so many fantastic chefs here today and bring three colleges together. It is fantastic to return to City of Bristol College for the seventh year later to work with another new cohort of students and the next generation of top chefs. The chefs and students did a fantastic job today, they really stepped up to the task and it’s so important that we nurture and support the next generations of hospitality professionals. It’s important they have the opportunity to work with industry on the practical side, as well as on theory. For the three colleges that took part today, this event was an excellent opportunity to build on important networks and partnerships in the hospitality and catering industry.”

Photography by: www.jamesaphotography.co.uk

The talented soap makers at HMP Eastwood enjoyed a bumper day at the Gloucestershire WI’s AGM last week.

They sold their entire stock of 100 bars of Eastwood Soap before lunch-time at the event held at Cheltenham Town Hall.

Eastwood Soaps produces a range of luxury and novelty glycerine soaps, handmade by the women at HMP Eastwood Park Prison. The women enrol on a four-week craft and retail course, and once they are trained in soap-making they get the chance to make some of the luxury soap, which then goes out for retail sale.

The soaps are sold by three retailers:

• Berkeley Castle (GL13 9PJ)
• Leyhill Grounds Coffee Shop (GL12 8BT)
• Jail House Café, The Verne (DT5 1EQ).

To find out more about Eastwood Soaps, click here