North East Scotland College graduates celebrated at ceremony
A college has celebrated the achievements of its graduates at a special ceremony.
The Fraserburgh Campus of North East Scotland College (NESCol) held its graduation event which was attended by the newly-qualified students, families, staff and guests.
It is always a milestone day in the NESCol calendar and an opportunity to highlight what has been achieved in the past year.
Twenty-year-old Shania Thom, from Banff, has completed her HNC Childhood Practice and is ready to start a career in childcare as an early years practitioner.
Shania came straight from S4 at Banff Academy to NESCol in 2020. Shania has dyslexia which made school difficult, so she decided it was time for her to leave and continue her learning at college.
Initially, she was not sure what she wanted to study. However, after looking at courses on the NESCol website, she realised that childcare would suit her skills.
Shania had enjoyed helping out with the pupils in her school’s Additional Support for Learning (ASL) department during breaks in her timetable, so childcare appealed to her caring nature.
Shania first applied for the SCQF Level 5 Childcare and Development course, but lecturers recommended she start with the SCQF Level 4 Introduction to Childcare course.
This turned out to be a better fit, especially as she joined college during the uncertain times of the Covid pandemic.
She said: “The lecturers at NESCol help you work your way up, starting at the right level for you.”
The introductory course allowed Shania to build up a foundation of knowledge before progressing on to further levels of study.
She found that she preferred learning in a college environment more than she had in school.
She said: “I enjoyed the freedom of college as everything is more relaxed than in school. There is a lot more support and you’re treated like an individual and an adult.
“I struggled with school and all the different subjects you had to learn – it was overwhelming. I found it a lot better to focus on one course. I also had one day a week for studying so I had time to do my work.”
Shania completed childcare courses at SCQF Levels 4, 5 and 6, before achieving her HNC Childhood Practice this year.
NESCol staff were a huge source of help and encouragement for Shania throughout her studies.
She added: “Lots of my lecturers have really supported me and I’ve grown bonds with them. I had three or four lecturers with me for my whole time at college and this helped as they understood me and how I write and they accepted me for that.
“They want to help you if you’re struggling, even if you don’t tell them. For example, if your work is late, they want to find out if there’s anything going on that you need help with.
“The Student Advice Centre (SAC) also provided me with support for my dyslexia.”
Shania graduated from NESCol at the Fraserburgh Campus ceremony. She was also chosen as the winner for the Rotary (Endeavour) Award, in recognition of her outstanding dedication to her course, academic success, and willingness to help her classmates.
Currently working with Flexible Childcare Services Scotland at the weekend, Shania is on the lookout for her first full-time early years practitioner role.
She said: “I’d like to be a childcare practitioner for now, but one day I’d consider doing a management course so I could go into a lead practitioner or nursery manager role.
“I’d also be interested in working as a nursery nurse in a hospital environment.”
Shania has had an extremely positive college experience.
She added: “I would definitely recommend studying at NESCol. The college environment is welcoming, and the community is diverse with different cultures and ages.
“The information you get sent to you before you start is helpful, and the amount of support available for dyslexia, mental health and funding is also great.
“There are so many courses and opportunities at NESCol.”
For those thinking of going to college, Shania’s advice is to seek guidance to find a course that matches their interests and is at the right level of study for them.
She said: “Just have a look on the NESCol website and all the courses. It’s really easy to contact the college and speak through your options if you don’t know what you want to do.”
Logan Skene was announced as the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) Award winner at the graduation ceremony after being nominated by college staff.
Logan started at NESCol in 2021 after securing a Modern Apprenticeship with a local company, FAL Scottish Propeller Services, a family-run business based in his home town of Buckie, which specialises in manufacturing propellers for the marine industry.
Logan studied the PEO in Mechanical Manufacture at NESCol’s Fraserburgh Campus but also needed his Level 3 work-based assessment qualification to complete his SVQ Modern Apprenticeship in Mechanical Engineering.
NESCol assessor, Rob McIntosh, was very impressed with Logan both on a personal and academic level and said: “Progressing Logan through his Level 3 was a pleasure, his work was of a very high standard and his detail was excellent, as he was working for a small company they relied heavily on each employee and Logan came through for them.
“It was great to see the progress he was making with his work, retaining information and gaining experience.”
Rob added: “During my observations, he carried out tasks showing a great deal of competency and listened to any advice I gave him from my own experience, which I could see he appreciated.
“Logan completed his Level 3 and in June this year, his portfolio was chosen to be externally verified by the EAL verifier who highly commended his work.
“His colleagues at FAL all praised Logan for the progression he has made in his role, he’s a very valued member of the team.”
Talking about his experience, Logan said: “I enjoyed my days in college. The staff were helpful and friendly and it was good to see my classmates each week.
“The campus is modern and the facilities you learn in are first class. As a bonus, you get a nice lunch in the canteen for a decent price.”
Learning does not end there for Logan, he decided to keep studying and is now halfway through his HNC Engineering Practice and is completing it part-time while still working at FAL as a precision machinist.
Adult returner Jenny joined NESCol at a difficult time in her life when she was struggling with depression.
With the support from college and a new passion for art and design, she found that it is never too late to follow your dreams.
Sixty-two-year-old Jenny Ross was born in London and has an interesting work history. After being a machinist for many years, she made the move up north when her parents bought the Fife Arms Hotel in Turriff.
As well as working in the family bar and restaurant, Jenny has worked as a cleaner and even a door attendant for a local football club.
Jenny had always helped out with her brother who had Down’s syndrome and after sadly losing both her parents, she became his full-time carer.
Jenny looked after her brother for 15 years, until he passed away in 2015.
Losing her sister the following year and now facing her own health issues and disabilities, Jenny started to struggle with her mental health.
She said: “When my brother died, I was totally lost in life. My children were grown, and my two sons were living abroad.
“I had considered giving life up, but I started going to a mental health group and saw a leaflet for the NESCol Open Day. I have never looked back.”
Jenny joined the SCQF Level 5 Art and Design course at Fraserburgh Campus in 2020.
She said: “I started college during lockdown – it certainly beat sitting at home doing nothing.”
The support from her tutors and classmates was a real highlight of college for Jenny.
She said: “I think what I have enjoyed the most is the fabulous tutors, and how they push you through your course.
“There were times when I felt like I just could not do it, but my tutors never gave up on me once.
“I have also made some wonderful friends who I am now remarkably close to. We were a very close-knit group and worked so well together.
“We were all different ages, but we supported each other and looked out for each other.”
The nurturing college environment and support available to students helped Jenny when her mental health was deteriorating.
She said: “In my first year, the college was my lifeline. I was extremely depressed and did not know how to get help, but the tutors were fantastic.
“I was given counselling by the college which was something I truly needed and the help I received was outstanding. NESCol went above and beyond for me.
“I was also given help for my disabilities. Fraserburgh Campus is extremely accessible for all, with lifts and ramps to help get about."
Jenny studied at NESCol for four years, achieving her HND in Art and Design in 2024. Over the summer, she spent two months in Canada visiting her grandchildren and returned in time for her graduation at Fraserburgh Campus.
With plans already in the works for art exhibitions and fairs, Jenny has an exciting few months ahead of her.
She said: “Myself and the HND Art and Design group are planning our own exhibition in Turriff soon. We are also busy making paintings and crafts to sell at Christmas fairs.
“I have joined two art groups in Banff and Cummingston with one of the other students. I would like to keep showing my art and hopefully sell it at some point.
“I am simply happy that I can now sit and paint when I need to relax.”
Jenny loved being part of the college community and has fond memories of her time studying.
She added: “I would certainly recommend NESCol to anyone and everyone. It really is the most amazing experience, and one I wished I had the chance to do so much earlier in my life.
“I still miss my brother, but how proud he would be of me now.
“My advice for future students would be, start with an open mind, do not feel like you do not fit in (we all feel that), as you will.
“Have fun but also remember you are there to learn. And please do not take your tutors for granted as they are there for you and they will get you through it if you just let them help.
“Enjoy every moment of college, as it slips by so quickly and before you know it, it's over.”
