Success for students

WL College Awards ceremony

The hard work of West Lothian College students has been recognised at the annual Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQ) Awards Ceremony at West Lothian College.

Staff and students were joined by family, friends, employers and other guests for an event to celebrate their successful completion of work based SVQs from a host of sectors covering Health and Social Care, Childcare, Management Retail and Customer Service.

The ceremony was opened with speeches from College Principal and Chief Executive Mhairi Harrington and Sue Cook, Acting Chair of the Board of Governors.

Mhairi said: “On behalf of West Lothian College, I am delighted to offer my genuine congratulations to some of the most committed learners we have.

“It takes a huge amount of dedication to juggle the demands of working whilst studying, so those that have gone that step further to exceed their course requirements.”

The event also celebrated those who excelled in their studies. Three awards were given out, with Dorine Moir, receiving the Outstanding Achievement award, Armadale’s Aaron Mackay picked up the Excellent Practice award with the Candidate of the Year award going to Noreen Thomas.

Armadale’s Aaron Mackay received the Excellent Practice for his work in West Lothian College as a Modern Apprenticeship. Aaron has worked across a range of different disciplines throughout his time at College, now specialising in the area of Management Information Systems where his IT specialist skill-set is put to great use. Aaron creative thinking and his willingness to continually going above an beyond in his role were recognised, as was the personal development journey that Aaron has undertaken during his apprenticeship at West Lothian College.

The Candidate of the Year award was presented to Noreen Thomson for her excellent work on the SQV 3 Social Services, (Children and Young people) course. Noreen shows a great passion, enthusiasm and caring manner for the education and well-being of the children within her setting. She now works within the Nurture unit of a Primary School in the West End of Glasgow providing help and support for the children. Noreen’s portfolio was of an exceptional standard and was testimony to vocational qualification and work-based learning at its finest.

Dorine Moir received the Outstanding Achievement award for her commitment to learning and working with Children and Young People in the communities. Her impressive commitment to excellence has seen her complete her Social Services Children and Young People qualification this year. Dorine demonstrated how SVQ learning has helped her secure her dream job. In working with Fife Council in various settings for babies, nursery children and children with special needs.