We have been awarded £16m of government funding to transform our campus.

The money, from the Department for Education’s Further Education Capital Transformation Fund, will allow us to completely replace the main building.

The £20m project (the £16m will be combined with an existing, £4m budget) will result in a sustainable new purpose-built facility for technical and vocational education.

This will support priority growth sectors for Harrogate and North Yorkshire such as advanced manufacturing, low carbon construction, retrofit, sustainable energy and bioeconomy, health science and hospitality.

The energy-efficient new building will include a workshop unit that provides large scale facilities aligned to industry needs. This will complement the college’s existing tech centre which is home to its motor vehicle, electrical, joinery and welding workshops.

A complete rebuild focused on supporting key sectors

Danny Wild, Principal at Harrogate College, welcomed the funding and said it will go a long way in improving the college’s facilities.

“Being able to work towards having a net zero carbon building, alongside a learning environment that will help our students progress on to university or the workplace, is central to our strategic priorities. This funding will be key to helping us achieve this.

“The development will also help us deliver a wide range of T Level qualifications which will not only close the skills gaps, but reinforce the government’s nationwide plan to strengthen technical education and give it the credibility it deserves.

“This upgrade will strengthen the work we are doing with businesses in the district to deliver an employer-led curriculum. It will also support Harrogate Council’s aims of prioritising and supporting ‘good growth’ and achieving a sustainable economy.”

As part of the project, there are also plans to install green electric-based heating systems, as well as a soft landscaped social hub, which will improve biodiversity on site.

The £1.5bn Department for Education’s Further Education Capital Transformation Fund was set up last year to pay for upgrades to further education buildings.

A trio of artists from Harrogate College are celebrating achieving their MA Creative Practice degrees.

For Tom Ransom, Irene Vassiliou and Douglas Thompson receiving their degree certificates in July marked the successful conclusion of a two-year creative journey.

They are now looking forward to putting their honed artistic talents to good use – and full of praise for the college and their tutors.

Pandemic support and new horizons

Douglas Thompson, who specialises in paper cutting, said: “I really loved the course. Programme manager Annabel Smith was so supportive throughout the pandemic, providing zoom sessions.

“All of my tutors’ support has boosted my self-confidence so much and created a rigour in my practice that wasn’t there before.

“I work four days a week for Henshaws Arts and Crafts Centre and the degree has improved the standards of my practice with differently-able artists there. Several of the staff from the centre have now also joined the programme as a result.

“At the end of my degree I was accepted into the UK Creative Communities Fellows programme and am off to the US this year, on a retreat funded by the Arts Council.

“I have also joined the Knaresborough arts festival (FEVA) committee to help programme arts events for this summer’s festival, and have an exhibition at the Black Mulberry cafe in August.”

Douglas will also be holding a number of paper cutting workshops this year, and producing commissioned work for various arts organisations including Harrogate Theatre.

Dramatic skills improvements

Irene saw her photographic skills – which she uses to shine a light on the issue of food waste – improve dramatically during the course.

She said: “Looking back, my skills as a photographer have improved so much, especially in my studio work which I had done very little of before.

“Looking forward, I have been applying for photography jobs and have been in contact with a community centre who are looking to put up some of my images on food waste.”

The Covid-19 restrictions created extra study challenges for Irene, just as she was beginning to focus on strengthening her studio and video work. 

She ended up having to build a studio at home, but says regular phone and online contact from her tutors was ‘a great help’ and enabled her to produce top-quality work.

Tom, meanwhile, is a painter who also works with printmaking, and studied Fine Art at Harrogate College before going on to do his MA.

It is one of his works, Knaresborough Viaduct from the Riverbank, that is the main image attached to this article.

He said: “The MA helped me to broaden my creative horizons and push my practice forward to the next level. I was encouraged to experiment with a range of mediums and to search for a deeper contextual understanding.

“After completing my degree I felt ready to pursue a career as a practising artist, which continues to this day.

“I am also due to start a PGCE in September which will enable me to pursue my dream of becoming a teacher.”

A showcase for fellow artists

The creations of three other artists who have completed the MA Creative Practice course, meanwhile, will go on show in Harrogate from Thursday 28 July.

Works by Claire West, Lisa Lundqvist, Clare Paul will be exhibited at St Peter’s Church, on Cambridge Road, under the title of Masters Art Exhibition.

An invite-only preview will take place from 6pm to 8pm on Thursday 28 July; after that the works will be on show at the venue, between 10am and 4pm, from Friday 29 July to Sunday 31 July.

Almost a year after finishing college, Mollie Blakey is more determined than ever and is pursuing her dream of one day opening her own bakery.

Now studying for a degree in business management and marketing with the Open University, Mollie is working at Bettys Cafe Tea Rooms, in Harrogate, and hopes to climb the ranks. However, her confidence didn’t come overnight and she had to overcome a number of challenges.

Finding her confidence

Mollie, who wanted to become a veterinary nurse when she was younger, struggled at school and felt she didn’t fit in. It was not until she started at college that she got the support she needed and discovered that she was dyslexic.

“I have loved animals all my life and it was a natural choice for me to work with them. However, after my GCSE results I had to look for an alternative and I’d enjoyed food tech at school.”

Shortly after her GCSEs Mollie had a conversation with one of her teachers which led to her applying for a food preparation course at the college.

“The support I received from my tutors throughout my two years at college made a massive difference academically as I really struggled at school.

“My tutors were able to help me and identified that I have dyslexia. It boosted my confidence massively as I was now aware of why I was struggling, and I was able to have one-on-one support at college, where a tutor helped during my lessons and throughout the pandemic.”

Improving her overall experience

Speaking about her overall experience at college, Mollie said that if it were not for the support she received she would not have been able to get her ‘dream job’ at Bettys.

“I don’t think I would have landed a job at Bettys if I had not received the support I needed. College gave me the confidence to believe I could do what I wanted and achieve what I wanted to achieve.”

Determined to get things done, despite the challenges.

Last year, Mollie was diagnosed with autism but has never let this get her down. Instead, she has felt empowered to speak out and support others.

Plans for the future

Inspired by Horticap Harrogate, Mollie would like to open her own cafe, run by people with learning difficulties and autism, to show that these conditions don’t define who you are.

“Horticap works with young adults with learning difficulties and they have inspired me, in a way, as a person with autism and dyslexia.

“I have been rejected by a number of companies as a result of my disabilities. However, I would like to think I have proved those who didn’t believe in me wrong because, despite being told that I may not be able to get through a level 2 course, I achieved a distinction.”

Message for others wanting to pursue their dreams

“I want to encourage others, especially those who may have a disability, to follow their dreams and pursue what they are passionate about. Don’t ever let anyone ever tell you that you are not capable of achieving what you want.”

Two Motor vehicle students recently put their skills to the test – by creating their own e-bikes.

The Level 2 students were looking for a more reliable mode of transport. So when an opportunity to convert their bicycles into e-bikes presented itself at college, they seized it.

Student Aidan Stone said: “I converted my bike by taking off the back wheel and fitting a new one with the motor attached to the wheel, then I fitted the battery and controller to the frame and wired everything up.

“I needed a more reliable mode of transport than an e-scooter. This helps me get to work and to college, and it has better range.

“We learned about the electrics of vehicles which helped me a lot when wiring my bike up. Our technician, Chris Poole and lecturer, Howard Wallace were a great help.

“I have found my course brilliant and we’re always learning new stuff. Once I’ve finished, I’m hoping to go into a garage.”

Harrogate College is focused on supporting the green economy by providing the green skills training our district needs. As part of that commitment, we will be introducing a new electric vehicle infrastructure training course this September.

We have also teamed up with a number of local experts to promote the sustainable agenda. Those include eDub Conversions, a North Yorkshire company that specialises in electric vehicle conversions.

When it came to his bicycle conversion, student Eddie Gibbs took inspiration from the local business’s example. He said: “What eDub is doing is trying a completely new thing in the area of vehicles, and helping to expand the motor vehicle industry.”

Eddie is hoping to land a job in the motorsport industry.

Programme Manager for Business and Professional at Harrogate College, Deborah Redman, taught both students English over the past two years.

She said: “We are all really proud of the progress they have made while they have been here. They are both passionate about cars, and showing an interest in the green agenda.”

Sustainability is a key value for the college, which has published a pledge that sets out its goal of becoming net zero carbon by 2030.

It is also providing carbon literacy training for students and staff, and has taken steps to ensure recycling and sustainability are embedded into all of its courses.

The future success of Harrogate’s economy rests on its ability to attract investment, grow its existing workforce and expand current enterprises with the support of education institutions such as Harrogate College, writes Haddleton’s Chief Executive Officer, James Haddleton 

As part of its ongoing commitment to support the local economy, Harrogate college has set up an employers’ network aimed at delivering the skills and courses local firms need. This initiative has come at an opportune time as the economy continues to recover from the effects of the pandemic. 

Harrogate College is the ‘one-stop shop’ in the district for your skills needs and should be the first place to visit, whether you are in trade or in a profession. People think of apprentices sometimes as tradesmen, but it is broader than that and we need to promote the benefits of apprenticeships and why employers should consider taking a few on. The college is currently part of a ‘100 in 100’ campaign, which aims to get 100 apprentices hired in as many days and the significance of this campaign is one the district desperately needs. 

Currently with the employers’ network, members’ feedback is helping shape the content and structure of the college’s courses to make sure they better reflect employers’ needs and deliver a suitably skilled future workforce. I think it is imperative for businesses to form a relationship with the local college and to establish the gaps they have within their organisations where the college can support. 

What I am hoping for as an outcome, is a discussion about how we can broaden the offer across the district and get more employers engaged with the FE sector to fill the gaps they are currently experiencing. As a small business owner in Harrogate, I wasn’t aware that I have a training need and a need for an apprentice until I engaged with the college.  

Harrogate is a relatively affluent town. The proportion of pupils who go on to study A Levels and then on to university is high. But there is now an increasing trend of pupils veering towards more practical subjects and course options. 

As a provider of T Levels and other Level 3 courses, Harrogate College provides a vocational and technical route into higher education, which will to some extent, result in them becoming employees in many local businesses further down the line.  

This is in addition to providing high level technical education and training, as well as apprenticeships up to degree level. All this combined, makes the college central to bridging those gaps required by a wide range of industries or sectors in the district. 

Through this apprenticeship campaign and the employers’ network, we (both the college and employers) can create those apprenticeship opportunities, help businesses find the right fit and support existing and new apprentices to progress and take their careers to the next level. 

As a small business that is always looking at ways to scale up, ready access to an appropriately skilled workforce is a prerequisite for growth. Now, more than ever, apprenticeships will play a key role in driving growth and helping retain the talent businesses need to level up on a local and national scale. 

With employer leadership or input becoming increasingly embedded within our post-16 skills system, it is important that engagement between employers and further education (FE) organisations such as Harrogate College work closely together to address how they can work together to equip learners with the skills required in the workplace.  

Existing relationships between local employers and Harrogate College appear limited and ripe for further development. Which is why I believe that the work that the college is doing so far to collaborate with employers is a great start.  

Working together with education institutions such as Harrogate College is such an important step forward to tapping into local talent that is committed to the area. Having a workforce with a good transferable skill set is going to enable us to grow without having to spend additional time and money going around the country or using agencies to attract the talent we need when we have them right at our fingertips. 

The advantage of building relationships with the FE sector is that you can drop into your local college and find ways you can work together to support existing and new staff. I think it is about accessibility, commitment to the area and the right connections. 

For more information about Harrogate College and the employers’ network, visit the website.

Harrogate College students have contributed to a stunning art installation at Himalayan Gardens & Sculpture Park.

Artist Anna Whitehouse held collaborative workshops with lots of people, including our Level 2 Art & Design students, to create 1,300 ceramic blue poppies.

Painted by hundreds of hands, the resulting artwork creates an illusion of a ‘poppy river’ flowing down the North Yorkshire attraction’s hillside.

The Himalayan Gardens & Sculpture Park commissioned the installation back in 2019, but it was put on hold due to the pandemic. 

The enchanting Himalayan Blue Poppy (meconopsis) is known for being difficult to grow in the UK, as it needs a certain kind of soil. The species flourishes, however, in the Himalayan Gardens which enjoys a flush of poppies every year.

Ceramics specialist Anna, who led the workshop with the students, uses her passion for environmental issues to fuel her art and drive community projects.

The poppy process

Each of the ceramic poppies, which were created by 450 people, were handmade, glazed, fired and painted.

Anna said: “Different people’s hands do different things. There’s the decoration on the back of each poppy, the way they’ve moved the petals to shape them, the kiln reactions and colours.

“Each poppy has been personalised by its maker; with messages of freedom, names of family and friends, and those they have lost.” 

Commenting on how the poppies look on site, she added: “Then it’s seeing them differently, almost like a river flowing down the hillside.”

An insight into the industry 

Level 2 Art & Design student, Keiran Holland-Eadsforth, said: “From doing the workshop I learned how to work on-demand, producing something that a client wants. This gave me an insight into working in the art industry.”

Student Olly Cook added: “I learned how to create stippling on a clay texture at a higher level than I’d done before.”

The Himalayan Gardens are open to the public over the summer. 

A few tips on how to grow a poppy 

Despite the Himalayan Blue’s reputation, other poppies are less tricky to grow. They are best sown in spring where they will flower through to autumn. 

Here are a few tips on how to grow poppies in your garden. 

1. Choose a spot that allows a decent amount of sunlight. 
2. Weed the area and sprinkle your poppy seeds on well-drained soil 
3. Water frequently, but not too often
4. Let the magic begin!

An artist from Harrogate College has teamed up with the National Trust and Henshaws to create a stunning water-based art trail.

Catt van Leijen’s, Waterlogged, features a series of nature-inspired artworks that have been installed in and around Fountains Abbey’s Water Garden and stream.

MA Creative Practice student, Catt, is a long-established artist and a pottery and paper tutor at local charity, Henshaws, where she has worked for 12 years.

So when it came to doing her course’s ‘collaborative project’, she knew she wanted to involve the Art Maker students that she teaches at Henshaws Arts and Crafts Centre.

The results, including everything from colourfully painted bird and animals, to floating Roman goddess heads, went on display on 28 May and have been enjoyed by thousands of visitors.

Inspired by nature and the need to connect

Catt said: “As the brief was very open, it gave me a great deal of scope for my own interpretation on how I would like to lead this project, from an artistic standpoint and as project manager.

“The inspiration was the nature around us, and getting people out into the fresh air to follow the trail. This focus on connecting with nature, I hoped, would be beneficial in so many ways, including physically and emotionally.

“The complete trail itself is a few miles round so it encourages people of all ages and abilities to connect with the sculptures in their natural setting.”

Catt was delighted to get lots of the people she teaches, and works with, at Henshaws involved – both in the initial discussion and then in creating the artwork.

She said: “I really believe that the students at Henshaws deserve their work to be included in projects like this. And it served as a fantastic opportunity to give our Art Makers a platform in a wonderfully open and public space.”

The trail includes boards with fun animal facts along with, in a nod to The Skell Valley Project*, information on recent flooding and the impact of global warming.

A heady experience on the water

One of the most striking features meanwhile, five porcelain floating heads, were made from a mould that was taken of Catt’s own head.

She said: “These are my take on female Roman goddesses. The Moon Pond Garden only seemed to have male statues, based on Roman figures.

“As I am interested in swimming and nature, I thought it would be quite a playful idea to incorporate five swimming heads which are also related to the goddesses Luna, Salacia, Diana, Minerva and Flora.

“The idea being that animals and humans should all be able to enjoy nature and be part of the narrative along the water.”

Displaying much of the artwork actually on the water turned out to be a challenge in itself, but gave the pieces the impact Catt wanted.

Setting the scene

She added: “I decided they needed to be enjoyed from a distance, and what better way than actually on the water? So I sourced two boats, filled the gaps, applied resin, and sanded, painted and varnished them.

“We made two rafts from pond linings and seasoned wood, and used these as a platform for all the artwork. Then, on the second installation day, we put these in the water.

“Due to the risk of cross-contamination from footwear/equipment, the gardener at Fountains Abbey also went in, wearing his own extremely long waders, to secure the vessels.”

 *The Skell Valley Project is a multi-partner initiative, co-led by the National Trust and Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, to safeguard the valley’s cultural and natural heritage.