Students Shine on Valentines

The students - who are all studying on a step up programme - made cakes, friendship bands and created a raffle to raise around £100.00 for Cancer research over two days.

(The step up programme is a ten week course for students who are not in education but are looking to improve employability, confidence and team building skills).

Head of the programme, Gaynor Marsh, said, “The event was aimed at giving our learners the chance of gaining new skills whilst raising some money for charity.”

“The programme is designed at helping youngsters progress and one of our learners (Josh Cotton) has already starting actively seeking employment and hopes to begin a motor vehicle engineering course at the college from September.”

The learners were joined by an Otley couple who met and fell in love whilst working at the college.

Paul Norris - who works with step up learners - and Kelly Cole have been going out for over two years.

26 year old Norris, from East Ipswich, has only recently popped the question.

The two will be tying the knot on the 10th of June 2011 in Helmingham and they are looking forward to the big day.

College spokesperson, John Nice, said, “Paul and Kelly are two of several people who have got together whilst working at Otley and we wish them well in the future.”

The couple are planning an adventure style honeymoon involving a Safari and Lawrence of Arabia style treks through the desert.

This step up programme concludes at the end of March with the next project starting on 22 April 2010. For those who are 16 to 18 and would like to apply for a place on the step up on the step up programme, please call Gaynor Marsh on 01473 784269 or email gaynor.marsh@otleycollege.ac.uk