@OldhamCollege has been given the keys to its new £9million Construction Centre by @WillmottDixon – five weeks ahead of schedule.

OLDHAM College (@OldhamCollege) learners have been taking their cue from a star-studded line-up of industry professionals – despite learning remotely.Around 100 Performing Arts students were at the critical stage of preparing their second assessed performances when the latest COVID-19 lockdown hit in January. Online learning represents a huge challenge in teaching skills like acting, music and dance – and this vocation was potentially amongst the hardest hit.Needing to boost morale and ensure learners continued making progress, Miranda Parker, Programme Tutor, reached out to industry stars for help.She called on professionals including university students and staff, theatre company directors, technical staff, and famous faces to deliver an inspirational series of online talks and masterclasses.Universities and drama schools, including University Campus Oldham's Performance department, all joined learners for Q&As about university life, the application process and audition tips and tricks.Oldham Coliseum Theatre, Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) and The Royal Central School for Speech and Drama delivered remote practical workshops.Learners also attended inspirational sessions with guests including ex-student Rob Mallard, who plays Daniel Osbourne in Coronation Street, and household treasure Julie Hesmondhalgh, of Corrie, Broadchurch and Doctor Who fame. Miranda Parker said: “Performing Arts are significantly more challenging to teach and study remotely.”

@OLDHAMCollege is showcasing ‘work ready’ learners whose career hopes have been put on hold by COVID-19 to mark #NationalApprenticeshipWeek 2021 (February 8-14). The FE provider has around 150 young people currently itching to start apprenticeships with local employers across a range of sectors – including construction, health and social care, IT, digital, management and many more. It is sharing daily video case studies across its social media channels to attract potential employers this week. These feature just a handful of the brilliant local talents whose career hopes have been stalled by the economic impact of the pandemic and be viewed at www.oldham.ac.uk/Apps Oldham College is also launching a ‘Build The Future’ apprenticeships campaign today reaching out to invite local employers to make a pledge and give a young person a chance to launch their career. With more than 800 apprentices already learning across 600+ local companies, Oldham College’s apprentices’ results rank second across Greater Manchester, and Employer Satisfaction is 93 per cent. This campaign is also launching as Government is offering unprecedented financial incentives to hire apprentices before March 31. Alun Francis, Oldham College Principal and Chief Executive, said: “National Apprenticeship Week has never been more important than it is in 2021.” “The pandemic has hit every employer’s bottom line and made apprenticeship placements harder to find. That has unfairly hurt young people and adults seeking apprenticeships – and yet their skills and development are vital to the economic recovery we need to see. “Apprenticeships are ‘win win’ for everyone. They give students a life-changing opportunity of hands-on experience and theoretical learning to get industry-recognised qualifications and the skills employers really need. They have a hugely positive impact on communities and the local economy and can help businesses adapt and build after a difficult year by providing additional productivity, competitiveness and skills in a cost-effective way.

@OldhamCollege has given a “warm welcome” to new plans for the future of skills, jobs and training that could significantly transform the prospects of thousands of local adults, young people and employers. The Government’s ‘Skills for Jobs’ White Paper (published yesterday) is the Department for Education’s new blueprint for a post-16 education system it says is designed to ensure that everyone, no matter where they live or their background, can gain the skills they need to progress in work at any stage of their lives.

[email protected] student @kimberly_h_s from @itvcorrie and @Hollyoaks is set to star in @CelebsGoDating 2021. Kimberly Hart-Simpson from  is in the line-up just unveiled for the popular E4 show which is returning in a new format – Celebs Go Dating: The Mansion – airing from 9pm on Monday, January 25*.