Bradford College

From Competence to Excellence

Expert Classes Help Learners Develop Their Taste for Excellence

Bradford College is giving apprentices the chance to develop their skills beyond competence, with a series of expert classes that demonstrate the difference between satisfactory skills and outstanding skills. The aim of the classes - to encourage learners to strive for excellence!

Expert classes focus on a variety of different vocational areas including:  IT and Business Administration, Cultural and Creative Arts, Built Environment and Personal, Social and Hospitality.  Today’s master class was given by professional makeup artist and Bradford College lecturer, Polly Jensen.

Polly treated our students to a makeup master class, revealing some of the most important tricks of the trade.  Polly is an expert in her field and has worked professional as a makeup artist since 1999.  She has worked with an impressive list of clients within the film, television and magazine industries.  Her film credits include, Pride and Prejudice and Dead Man's Shoes.  She has also worked with television production companies the BBC, Lion Television, Celador, Mersey TV, Channel 4 and Sky Sports.  Polly’s work has also been published in magazines such as Bliss, Closer, More and Take a Break.

Speaking to the students, Polly said:  “Makeup is something I am very, very passionate about.  I think there are lots of rules that are meant to be broken. Don’t be afraid to experiment - there is an awful lot you can achieve!”

The class gave our students an insight into the latest techniques and innovation within the industry, underling the world class skills they will need in tomorrow’s workplace.

The From Competence to Excellence programme builds on the success of a series of 500 classes held in 2008.  Expert classes will run throughout England through January to March 2009. 1200 young people across the country are expected to participate in this excellent programme. Through the expert class programme, training providers and employers can share best practice and contribute to a lasting skills legacy. The project is also aimed at introducing potential competitors to the concept of skills competitions and increasing the number of competitors within the regional and national competitions leading up to London 2011.

Bradford College Lecturer, Polly Jensen said:  “The 2009 programme is a great opportunity to follow up and build on last year’s success and take our learners to the next level. By demonstrating the difference between competence and excellence and encouraging learners to strive for this, we are successfully developing the outstanding learners and employees of the future. This totally unique approach brings top apprentices together with the best training providers in the UK, leading employers to discover and achieve true excellence.  Between us we are ensuring that we are sharing and passing on the best skills in the industry to learners.  We are very proud to be part of this initiative.”

Helen France, Director of Apprenticeships at the LSC said: “The LSC believes that this programme will help apprentices and vocational learners to take their skills to world class levels.  Understanding the difference between being competent and excellent is a crucial part of any learner’s journey.  Expert classes also allow trainers to develop better links with employers and really promote world class skills across a range of industries. The expert input that apprentices get in these classes will be a fantastic boost to their learning, demonstrating the real value of an apprenticeship for their future.”

There are currently 240,000 apprentices working in over 130,000 organisations in England alone, across 80 different sectors of industry. Apprenticeships are also increasingly being recognised and used as a pathway to university, often part time and with financial support from their employer whilst they continue to work.

The From Competence to Excellence programme is a stepping stone for participants, helping them move from learners to experts. With the UK WorldSkills event on the horizon, some of our students may even become future entrants to the UK WorldSkills Event in London in October 2011.