City of Westminster College held a celebration and plaque unveiling at the Cockpit Theatre to cement its status as a Founder College of the National Skills Academy for Creative & Cultural Skills. The event was also an opportunity to mark the College’s membership of the Get Set network.
The National Skills Academy for Creative & Cultural Skills (NSA) is a network of employers, trade associations and freelancers working with a select group of 20 Founder Colleges to improve skills development for those entering or working within the creative and cultural industries.
Get Set network is a community of colleges, schools and other learning providers that are involved in the official London 2012 education programme and integrate and promote Olympic and Paralympic Values across teaching, strategy and culture.
The celebration event at the Cockpit included presentations by representatives of the National Skills Academy and Get Set network and performances by BTEC National Diploma Year 1 students, supported by City of Westminster College’s technical theatre apprentices.
One of the highlights was a live video link with Technical Director of Sadler’s Wells Emma Wilson (also with technical support provided by College apprentices) describing the employer’s perspective on the vital importance of training young people to work at the highest level in the creative and cultural industries.
Paul Latham, Chief Operating Officer, International Music for the world’s largest concert promoter Live Nation, attended in his role as Chair of the NSA. He said: “City of Westminster College is leading by example in its role as a Founder College of the National Skills Academy for Creative & Cultural Skills. The College is an employer – through its Apprenticeship scheme at the Cockpit Theatre – and it is also a leading training provider.”
Gareth Smith, Head of Podium (the Further and Higher Education Unit for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games), represented Get Set network. He said: “The College is promoting the Olympic values through its teaching and culture – and ensuring its students feel involved in the excitement of London 2012. We look forward to many more opportunities for them to be inspired in the run up to the Games and beyond.”
Keith Cowell, Principal of City of Westminster College, said: “This event was a chance to celebrate the College’s role in two key education initiatives. Membership of the National Skills Academy for Creative & Cultural Skills provides an exciting opportunity to work with the best in the business and ensure students gain skills to support careers in the exciting and highly competitive creative and cultural industries.
“Get Set network is an inspirational learning community that we are proud to belong to. City of Westminster College students are working with the Olympic Values in order to develop knowledge and approaches that will be invaluable in their future lives and careers.”