The Gambian Festival

Since 2006, our UK students have been helping to fund the running of ITTOG by hosting a festival that includes our learners putting on a performance. In the past has included Lion King, Greece, Mary Poppins and more recently Hairspray. It also allows our UK students to assist in the planning and running of an actual event.

The Gambian Festival covers aspects of many of the students units in a practical manner as well as raising funds for a good cause. The event also contributes too many aspects of the BTEC course that the learners are completing. As part of their conference, events and exhibition unit the learners work as a team to prepare for the festival by not only planning and organising the event, but in addition attending the event where they use their customer service skills to deliver the event to a wide range of customers.

In preparation for the event the students have to design a project plan that includes all the aspects of running an event; this includes choosing a suitable location, choosing the appropriate marketing materials, organising support services and entertainment and furthermore developing a health and safety assessment. By organising a large scale event they develop a wide variety of skills including team building, organisation skills, marketing techniques, the importance of meetings and deadlines, customer service skills, communication skills, problem solving and decision making skills and in addition presentation skills of not only the festival but themselves. Furthermore it enhances their learning experiences at the college by being involved in the departments projects and learning about other cultures and societies as well as learning all the skills required to be an event planner.

A huge part of the festivals ambience is the variety of entertainment provided to the customers. As part of the student's development we feel it is important for them to gain additional skills on top of their core units. In preparation for the event the student groups choose a type of entertainment to perform at the event, it is then their responsibility to practice this piece ready for the festival. Allowing the students to use their own initiative to develop a performance allows them to feel more involved within the college projects; it enhances their motivation and moreover develops their communication and performance skills. Some of the key skills that the students gain from their performances is sense of achievement, an improved confidence , team working skills as well as organisational and time management.