Students get ahead with career tips

STUDENTS at Macclesfield College have been getting tips from industry experts.

As part of the college’s Industry Focus Week, BTEC Level Three Business and Level Three IT students attended a talk by Nick Bianchi, from Arighi Bianchi.

And students who have dreams of making it on the stage were treated to a special performing arts workshop run by graduates at Liverpool Hope University.

The purpose of Nick Bianchi’s talk was to explain how the business worked and give some background information on the company’s origins and development.

Mr Bianchi entertained the students with humorous anecdotes about the business and outlined his commitment to providing good quality service.

He also participated in an informative question and answer session with the students.

Kate McHale, creative director at the store, also gave some insight on what it is like working from a marketing perspective in a successful local business and informed the students on how Arighi Bianchi market their campaigns.

George Horner, who is studying business at the college, said: “I found the session extremely interesting as I learned information about what has been a rock in Macclesfield’s community for as long as I can remember.”

Fellow classmate, Keaton Smith said: “I didn’t realise there was so much going on in the day-to-day running of Arighi Bianchi.”

The drama workshop, was based on Commedia dell’arte – a form of theatre characterised by masks which began in Venice in the 16th century – was also popular with students.

They were engaged in different activities which encouraged them to use their physicality to develop a story rather than their faces or speech.

Sarah Bacon, lecturer in performing arts, said: “The students thoroughly enjoyed the session and are looking forward to developing their own work based on what they learned.

“The college’s Industry Focus Week is designed to broaden the students’ employability skills and we are very grateful to the graduates from Liverpool Hope University for shar- ing their specialised knowledge with our students.”

Two of the college’s students, Gabbie Boswell and Hannah Turton, have been accepted onto degrees at the university. Gabbie will be studying dance and Hannah, acting.