An innovative back warm-up initiative developed by two Forth Valley College Departments has been shortlisted for a TES Further Education award.
The ‘I am the Machine’ back care programme - a team effort between the staff and students of the Departments of Care, Health and Sport and Construction – has been shortlisted in the Best Teaching and Learning Initiative category of the 2018 TES FE Awards which will be held at the prestigious Grosvenor House Hotel in London’s Park Lane on the evening of Friday 23 February 2018.
The initiative aims to change the mind-set of tradesmen and women so they recognise that pre-work warm-up and post-work cool-down - along with back care exercises - are vital to reduce the amount of back or joint injuries to Modern Apprentices (MAs) and young people working in labour intensive industry.
Developed jointly by Sports and Fitness Lecturer Michelle Hamilton with the help of Construction colleagues Peter Nally, Colin Scott, Graeme Williamson and Kevin Bonner – the scheme has now been successfully piloted with all bricklaying and painting and decorating MAs and full-time students, as well as with the learners on the Skills for Work programme. FVC’s Leisure Facilities Coordinator Waimun Lee has also been helping Sports students help the Construction students with exercise programmes if they attend the gym.
Forth Valley College Principal Dr Ken Thomson, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have been shortlisted for this award. We feel it is great recognition for a wonderful teaching and learning initiative developed through close inter-departmental collaboration, which Forth Valley College is becoming well known for through our Making Learning Work ethos.
“Initiatives such as these show how forward thinking we are here at Forth Valley College. We are proud to offer excellent academic and vocational training and qualifications, but it is also very important to help our Modern Apprentices to look after themselves in the workplace. Michelle and the Construction lecturers should be congratulated on developing this innovative warm-up and cool down programme, that will help prevent back pain in the next generation of Construction professionals.”