NEWS


Capita extends ICT support services to Northern Ireland schools


Capita Managed IT Solutions has been appointed to provide additional support services to schools across Northern Ireland, in a competitive contract awarded by the Education Authority (EA). The new contract with a value of almost £500,000 over three years will see Capita provide additional technical support to schools outside of the core C2k service it is already delivering. The new contract will see Capita provide


scheduled technical support engineers to schools, providing frontline support services such as assistance with IT projects, hardware management and end user training. The range of services will be delivered by Capita’s experienced technical staff who already work closely with all 1,100 schools in Northern Ireland. John Collings, EA director of education, said:


“Capita has a tremendous amount of experience delivering vital technical support and infrastructure services across Northern Ireland’s education estate. This new contract will extend that relationship, leveraging Capita’s great technical expertise and education specialism to deliver cost effective support for non-core IT services in schools.” Ed Brown, managing director of Capita


Managed IT Solutions, said: “Capita has delivered services and support to NI schools for over 15 years. Our engineers are in schools on a daily basis and the new EA contract enables schools to receive additional support from those that know the C2k network and infrastructure best. We are delighted to be awarded the contract and look forward to supporting NI schools with additional IT projects and assistance where they need it.”


Testing students studying up to Level 3 in the refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump (RACHP) sectors, the national SkillFRIDGE competition, sponsored by Toshiba, has concluded its regional heats, with the top scoring students invited to take part in final at The Skills Show this November. Three regional heats, hosted by The Institute


of Materials in Grantham, Bath College and South East Regional College (SERC) in Lisburn; saw students from across the UK compete under the scrutiny of industry based judges. Competition operating partner and organiser, Datateam Business Media is delighted to reveal that the following have been invited to take


SkillFRIDGE finalists announced


part in the final: Chad Meechan, Glasgow College; Chandler Davidson, Bath College; Chris Hoy - SERC College; John Thompson, Glasgow College; Luke Courtney, SERC College and Steven Monk of Bath College. Throughout the heats, competitors took part


in a variety of test projects, designed to challenge them in the use of materials, tools and equipment. Students had to follow detailed instructions, applying industry standards and safe working practices, whilst demonstrating good time management, planning and problem solving in order to gain enough points to qualify for the final. Equipment suppliers Advanced Engineering,


A-Gas, Fieldpiece, FSW and Lawton tubes, all provided the tools necessary for the competitors to complete the tasks successfully. The six apprentices now have the


opportunity to compete in the final at The Skills Show, organised by WorldSkills UK, from 17- 19 November 2016 at the NEC Birmingham. Success at the national final can lead to an


invitation into the WorldSkills UK international competition cycle. SkillFRIDGE sponsored by Toshiba, aims to highlight the skills importance in modern life and careers paths available through industry events and media awareness.


Sponsored by


uwww.skillfridge.co.uk uwww.datateam.co.uk


uwww.capita-mits.co.uk


Nottinghamshire pupils complete Machu Picchu trek


Seven pupils from The Dukeries Academy in Ollerton embarked on a summer trip of a lifetime, as they joined a team travelling around the Peruvian Andes. Forming a team of 21, including three teachers and a leader from the


organisers, Camp International, they aided poor rural communities by working on projects to benefit the residents. The pupils, aged 16-17, worked with local professionals and camp staff in


installing clean water pipes, laying foundations for a school dining hall and building stables to help protect animals from the harsh climate. Alongside supporting the local infrastructure, the pupils took part in a


number of cultural activities such as chocolate, bracelet and pottery making, and Spanish lessons. Gaining first-hand experience of rural Andean culture, the pupils were


accommodated in tents and dormitories for their one month stay, and assumed the diet of the local people, including alpaca. They took full responsibility for their washing up and laundry, and were encouraged to stay away from their mobile phones – making the experience as authentic as possible. The team then embarked on one of South America’s most famous trails,


the challenging five-day Salkantay Trek, which culminated in the climb up to Machu Picchu at 5am. They were also lucky enough to trek to see wild condors, which are only around 900 away from extinction. Jacqui Ferris, vice principal of The Dukeries Academy said: “This was a


October 2016 www.education-today.co.uk 11


fantastic opportunity for our students who were able to gain experience of another culture and make a contribution to society on a global scale which fits with our academy values to 'Aspire, Achieve and Contribute.”


udukeries.attrust.org.uk


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