Study Visits
Archived information about the 2011 Study Visits can be downloaded here
The WorldSkills Premiere Experience Study Visits took place on Tuesday 4 October, Wednesday 5 October, Friday 7 October and Saturday 8 October 2011.
The Study Visits set out best practice and innovations in the English College sector and showcased a specific skill to link in to the WorldSkills Competition. The Study Visits demonstrated how Colleges are responding to curriculum, educational and funding challenges as well as the policy priorities of the UK Coalition Government and inspire and motivate international delegates.
Tuesday 4 October - Morning
Creative Arts and Fashion - Newham College
The Study Visit included skills demonstrations in tailoring and fashion design tailoring. Participants were able to interact with students showing their craft skills in pattern development and stitching techniques. Fashion design students demonstrated creative and technical fashion skills in the design process, garment construction and project work.
Social and Personal Services - Newham College
The Study Visit included skills demonstrations in Hairdressing and Beauty (Nail Art). Participants were able to see students working on clients demonstrating creative hair designs, plaiting and twisting and spiral winding. Beauty students demonstrated nail art, hand painting, 3D design and mood boards. This overview provided participants with an opportunity to see how the curriculum is designed to enable students to excel in their chosen vocational area.
Manufacturing (and Engineering) Technology - City and Islington College
This Study Visit presented City and Islington College's new Centre for Applied Sciences and its exemplary work in the Applied Sciences such as forensic science and ophthalmic dispensing. The Study Visit showcased a wide range of higher education provision including the partnerships with major London Universities. The Centre was recently granted NEF Assured status for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) subjects by the New Engineering Foundation in addition to being named as the first ever Centre of Excellence for Biotechnology by the National Skills Academy Process Industries. The Centre also delivers environmental and land-based science courses and will soon start advanced apprenticeships in veterinary nursing.
Tuesday 4 October -Afternoon
Information and Communications Technology - Bromley College of Further and Higher Education
The study visit focused on the College's ICT provision. There was an opportunity for participants to visit the College's specialist computer labs and facilities. This was followed up with a presentation explaining how the College is driving forward developing unique and distinctive provision in this vocational areas, and also how the College is embedding ILT as a fundamental part of the teaching and learning strategy. Participants had the opportunity to attend specialist demonstrations in digital media and see how the College is using its VLE, e-assessment and second life.
Manufacturing (and Engineering) Technology - Bromley College of Further and Higher Education
The study visit focused on the College's motor vehicle engineering. There was an opportunity for participants to visit the College's specialist industry standard motor vehicle workshops. A presentation explained how the college is driving forward developing unique and distinctive provision in this vocational area, and also how the college is embedding ILT as a fundamental part of the teaching and learning strategy. There was a specialist demonstration which covered the theme of how the college is using ILT to deliver and assess specialist vocational provision as well as a showcase of the ILT software used where participants had the opportunity to see and use a range of different software packages focusing on virtual engine diagnostics.
Construction and Building Technology - College of North West London
This Study Visit focused on refrigeration and air conditioning in a green environment. Participants visited the state of the art industry standard facilities for gas in the gas arena followed by a demonstration of Second Life innovative teaching material promoted by Ofsted in Talisman. There was a refrigeration and air conditioning workshop before a final tour of the Environmental Technology Arena. Participants had access to a range of demonstrations on solar thermal, solar PV, heat pumps and other green technologies.
Wednesday 5 October - Morning
Social and Personal Services - Westminister Kingsway College
This interactive and highly visual Study Visit illustrated the practical development of a wide range of skills and techniques in all aspects of hospitality services. Participants were able to visit a live integrated realistic working environment featuring the Vincent Rooms Restaurant and Cocktail Bar; production kitchens, butchery, larder, smokery, bakery, patisserie and confectionery areas, as a number of teams of students work towards the deadline of a lunchtime restaurant opening. There were also opportunities to see how the virtual learning environment was used to support these lessons.
Creative Arts and Fashion - Ealing, Hammersmith and West London College
The Ealing Institute of Media (EIM) is based at the Ealing Campus and makes much of the rich film and media heritage of this part of west London with Ealing studios within walking distance. The EIM has a special link to the skill set, the industry body that represents the UK film industry. The Study Visit to EIM included a visit to the state of the art editing suite and TV studios as well providing the chance to hear about Grade 9 which is a nationally recognised recording label set up by tutors at EIM.
Construction and Building Technology - Hackney Community College
This Study Visit included a tour of the campus and facilities at Hackney Community College (HCC). The main focus of the visit was around Construction and Building Technology and included demonstrations and taster sessions for participants who got the opportunity to meet with students and staff to discuss what life at HCC is like. The visit also gave participants the opportunity to find out how Academies are built into curriculum Student guidance and support offer Learning Resources Centre Employer link.
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
This Study Visit was an opportunity for participants to hear about the Department's Skills Strategy and skills policies in England. The Study Visit also covered links between Further and Higher education. Participants were given the opportunity to ask questions during the seminar which was followed with a visit to the Palace of Westminster to understand the links between a Government Department and Parliament.
Wednesday 5 October - Afternoon
Information and Communications Technology - Stanmore College
The Study Visit looked at information and communications technology education and training at Stanmore College as well as the way that information and learning technology is used across the curriculum. This included a visit to the networking and communications laboratories as well as a range of classrooms which have been set up with various configurations or concepts to facilitate different teaching and learning strategies. There was a demonstration of robotics, software development and a special IT "table" built by students plus the use of an IT system for improving lesson observations. Finally, there was a demonstration of the use of information technology across the curriculum.
Manufacturing (and Engineering) Technology - Bromley College of Further and Higher Education
The Study Visit focused on the College's engineering provision. There was an opportunity for participants to visit the College's specialist industry standard engineering workshops. A presentation explained how the College was driving forward developing unique and distinctive provision in this vocational area, and also how the College was embedding ILT as a fundamental part of the teaching and learning strategy. There was a specialist demonstration covering the theme of how the College is using ILT to deliver and assess specialist vocational provision as well as a showcase of the ILT software used where participants had the opportunity to see and use a range of different software packages focusing on virtual engine diagnostics.
Creative Arts and Fashion - Tower Hamlets College
The study visit included a tour of the Creative Arts Facilities as well several student led workshops. Delegates were able to observe or participate in some of the workshops if they wished. The focus of the teaching and learning was technical vocational skills alongside industry simulation and entrepreneurship. The Faculty of Creative Arts at Tower Hamlets college is in the process of building links with employers and showcased some of last year's activities which included photographic commissions for music companies, iphone application designs for the Met Police and web site commissioning. The other focus of the workshops was around active learning techniques and how these, alongside entrepreneurship, can be used to motivate young people. A presentation following the tour explained how the Arts Faculty wishes to build on entrepreneurship and there was an opportunity for teachers and managers to share views and experiences in order to develop this concept further. Student led workshops included studio lighting & digital photography, digital video with green screen, craft & print and digital graphics - animation & print.
Manufacturing (and Engineering) Technology - Transport for London, Tubelines Training Centre
What does it take to be able to keep the tube running? This visit took place at the Tubelines Training Centre in Stratford where apprentices and adults are trained and gain the skills they need to maintain and improve the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly Lines of the London Underground. Once qualified, employees work on the track, signalling, and other equipment that make it possible for the tube to move millions of Londoners around the Capital each day. Participants got an insight into the great careers that are available and how people are trained. Participants will have the opportunity to hear how many of the senior Tubelines staff began their careers as apprentices and what exactly makes the Tube tick.
Transportation and Logistics - Royal Navy
The captain and crew of a visiting Royal Navy ship hosted visitors, taking them on a detailed tour of the vessel. The aim of the Study Visit was to explain the ship's operational capability and how it is achieved through its reliance and trust in the skills and on-going training of its crew. There were many opportunities to talk to the ship's company from the youngest and most junior members to the Captain himself. Each person told their story of how they came to join the Royal Navy, their experiences at the Royal Navy's training establishments and the subsequent paths they have taken in order to progress in their chosen specialisation. The ship's Education Officer explained how personnel develop their skills and achieve civilian recognised qualifications whilst deployed at sea. Participants had a privileged insight into a little known work environment that demands the highest skills and professionalism from the team. Participants left the ship with a clear understanding of the academic, vocational and personal skills that the Royal Navy seeks in its people and how it continues to invest in them throughout the sailor's career.
Friday 7 October - Morning
Creative Arts and Fashion - Barking and Dagenham College
This Study Visit included visits to Fashion, Graphic Design, Fine Art, Art & Design, 3D Design, Animation, Interactive Media and Media and Photography workshops. Demonstrations and interactive class sessions were also available so participants had the opportunity to interact with or observe the learning process and skills. This was an opportunity to see how Barking & Dagenham College has prepared for three of its showcases to be performed at WorldSkills 2011 in Media, Performing Arts and Photography and how other creative curriculums have supported these areas.
Social and Personal Services - Westminister Kingsway College
This interactive and highly visual Study Visit illustrated the practical development of a wide range of skills and techniques in all aspects of hospitality services. Participants were able to visit a live integrated Realistic Working Environment featuring the Vincent Rooms Restaurant and Cocktail Bar; production kitchens, butchery, larder, smokery, bakery, patisserie and confectionery areas, as a number of teams of students work towards the deadline of a lunchtime restaurant opening. There was opportunities to see how the Virtual Learning Environment is used to support these lessons.
Construction and Building Technology - Ealing, Hammersmith and West London College
The Acton site of Ealing, Hammersmith and West London College houses the construction and technology training centre of the College. Participants were introduced to what is a state of the art construction training resource. The site is already a Centre of Excellence in construction and during the Study Visit were introduced to the building, electrical, plumbing, bench joinery and tiling workshops, with the opportunity of having a go yourself.
Friday 7 October -Afternoon
Construction and Building Technology - Bromley College of Further and Higher Education
The study visit allowed participants to visit the College's specialist construction workshops. This was followed up with a presentation explaining how the College is driving forward developing unique and distinctive provision in this vocational area, and also how the College is embedding ILT as a fundamental part of the teaching and learning strategy. Participants had the opportunity to attend a specialist demonstration covering the theme of how the College is using ILT to deliver and assess specialist vocational provision. There was a showcase of ILT software covering aspects of Green buildings and sustainability. Participants had an on opportunity to see and use an ILT package to calculate thermal and human comfort variables within a virtual building.
Transportation and Logistics - South Essex College
South Essex College has built up specialisms in transportation and logistics and works with major local and regional employers, including the Port of Tilbury. During the Study Visit participants were given the opportunity to meet with learners and find out their views of the College. The visit included showcasing the purpose built forklift truck training centre at the College's Thurrock Campus and the opportunity to observe and experience the training methodologies and assessment methods employed within this sort after area of expertise within the Logistics sector.
Manufacturing (and Engineering) Technology - Southgate College
Participants were given a guided tour of the Mechantronics Suite (the only one of its kind in the UK), Motorsport Workshop (including access to the College's F1 carbon Fibre Race Shell) and the Specialist Automotive Airbrush and Paint workshop. Each part of the Study Visit was interactive and showcased the specialist facilities and student work. The Mechatronics Suite is a working "factory" that produces plastic loyalty cards while showcasing robotics and pneumatic technology. Delegates saw the production of, and received a unique memento of the visit which carrying the WorldSkills London 2011 Logo. The College's F1 project showcases carbon fibre technologies whilst participants were able to try out airbrushing skills in the specialist paint workshop.
Transportation and Logistics - Royal Navy
The captain and crew of a visiting Royal Navy ship hosted visitors, taking them on a detailed tour of the vessel. The aim of the Study Visit was to explain the ship's operational capability and how it is achieved through its reliance and trust in the skills and on-going training of its crew. There were many opportunities to talk to the ship's company from the youngest and most junior members to the Captain himself. Each person told their story of how they came to join the Royal Navy, their experiences at the Royal Navy's training establishments and the subsequent paths they have taken in order to progress in their chosen specialisation. The ship's Education Officer explained how personnel develop their skills and achieve civilian recognised qualifications whilst deployed at sea. Participants had a privileged insight into a little known work environment that demands the highest skills and professionalism from the team. Participants left the ship with a clear understanding of the academic, vocational and personal skills that the Royal Navy seeks in its people and how it continues to invest in them throughout the sailor's career.
Social and Personal Services - Seetec
Participants were taken on a guided tour of our state of the art retail training centre in the heart of the Westfield Stratford City shopping centre within the Olympic park. During the Study Visit participants were able to observe bespoke training sessions taking place to provide staff in a broad spectrum of industry sectors, including retail, for Europe's largest urban shopping town and wider into East London as well as for many of the roles required for London 2012.
Saturday 8 October - Morning
Regeneration Tour - London Borough of Newham
Participants on the Regeneration Tour were picked up at ExCeL, London and taken on a tour South of Newham Borough by mini coach. The tour guide pointed out places of interest with some background information and told participants through the regeneration that is place in Newham. As part of the Study Visit participants were dropped off at the viewing gallery at Holden point (with views of the Olympic Site, Athletes Village and the surrounding area). After the viewing gallery participants were brought back to ExCeL.
Saturday 8 October - Afternoon
Regeneration Tour - London Borough of Newham
Participants on the Regeneration Tour were picked up at ExCeL, London and taken on a tour South of Newham Borough by mini coach. The tour guide pointed out places of interest with some background information and told participants through the regeneration that is place in Newham. As part of the Study Visit participants were dropped off at the viewing gallery at Holden point (with views of the Olympic Site, Athletes Village and the surrounding area). After the viewing gallery participants were brought back to ExCeL.