September 2014

Getting ready for the Skills Show 2014

Read time: approx 1 mins

Special effects make-up and cocktail-mixing demonstrations took centre stage as University College Birmingham held a taster day for the upcoming Skills Show 2014.

UCB hosted the event at its brand new McIntyre House, a state-of-the-art centre for higher education and postgraduate study.

Skills Show guests were the first official visitors to McIntyre House and were welcomed by UCB Vice-Chancellor and Principal Prof Ray Linforth, who reaffirmed the University’s commitment to the show, which is being held at Birmingham’s NEC from November 13-15.

Prof Linforth said: “The Skills Show is the biggest and the best by far. It has the biggest reach of any show. It has an innovative approach that allows young people to experience the careers they are thinking about.

“These young people are going to make up our workforce in the future. UCB will remain committed to the show.”

The Skills Show, which attracts more than 75,000 visitors, was given a ringing endorsement by two award-winning UCB graduates who volunteered at last year’s event.

Jo Davies, who scooped the National Student Make-up Competition 2014, and Jenny Owen, who came third, studied Level 3 Theatrical Make-up and helped out at one of UCB’s busy demonstration areas.

Addressing guests at McIntyre House, Jenny said: “The Skills Show gave us an opportunity to interact with young people and discuss course work and job opportunities. I would highly recommend the Skills Show to anyone who is undecided about the career path they want to take.”

UCB is one of the Skills Show’s Premier Colleges and its participation is set to be its biggest and best ever. The University is acting as lead college for “have-a-go” bakery and food sessions where visitors will get the chance to turn their hands to royal icing and sugar paste techniques.

The mouth-watering sessions will also feature how to make sugar flowers, icing Pudsey Bear cookies (for Children in Need on November 14), cupcake decoration (on November 15) and chocolate piping and moulding.

UCB’s demonstration kitchen will host different styles of cooking while fine dining skills will be showcased at the Skillet Restaurant.

The University’s health and social care courses will come under the spotlight with interactive sessions illustrating the sensory impairment caused by alcohol. UCB will also support hair and beauty “have-a-go” sessions featuring barbering techniques and glitter tattoos.

For the first time, UCB will have its own dedicated stand (Hall 1, D20) promoting the University’s higher education courses. In addition to finding out about the wide range of vocational foundation degrees and degrees, pupils will have the opportunity to look into the future and visualise campus life – by posing in a graduation cap in a fun photo booth. 

For more information about The Skills Show visit www.theskillsshow.com

Back to top