Beauty Tutors at Walsall College went back to the classroom this week and received a series of professional lessons in applying make-up from industry experts. Media make-up artist, Jennifer Lenard, who has worked on numerous TV and film productions including Pride and Prejudice, Atonement, Strictly Come Dancing and The Office in her 25-year career, gave staff an insight into a range of techniques used in the media industry to produce different characters and special effects.

Businesses in the West Midlands have been warned that they are in danger of falling behind the rest of the country in the race for growth. Six Steps to Skilling – created by the Semta Apprenticeship Service aims to help the region catch up and keep apace with competitors. The Government has pledged to create 3 million new apprenticeships during this Parliament.

The Beer Academy has launched the Beer Steward qualification, an entry-level online course which enables bar staff to gain a sound understanding of the basics of beer, from brewing to serving customers.

With one million new construction workers needed by 2020 to meet Government house building targets, Walsall College is urging school leavers or adults looking for a career change to consider enrolling on construction courses which can lead to rewarding jobs in an industry where these skills are in high demand.

Do you aspire to become the next Mark Zuckerberg or Karen Brady, or are you sitting on a genius business idea and want to get started? A new 10-week Connect programme launched by Walsall College aims to support budding entrepreneurs in the borough to gain the skills and confidence they need to set up and run their own successful business.

A group of millinery students showed off their handiwork when they joined the crowds for Ladies’ Day at Leicester Races – with one scooping top prize for her efforts. Hats created by Wolverhampton Adult Education Service student Jayne Lightfoot took the top three places in a competition to find the best headwear on show at the racecourse.