FVC - Highlights Report 2023/24

HIGHLIGHTS REPORT

2023/24

WELCOME TO OUR HIGHLIGHTS REPORT FOR SESSION 2023/24

Dear Colleagues,

Academic year 2023/24 has been another busy one for Forth Valley College and our annual ‘Highlights Report’ reflects on our activities over the past session.

It provides an opportunity to look back on the many exciting events, initiatives and projects our staff and students have been involved in throughout the year and importantly, recognises success and achievement.

I am so proud of everyone for continuing to pursue our ethos and the way in which we continue to make learning work together. This is undoubtedly a challenging time for both the College, and the sector as a whole, however I want you to know that I remain positive about what the future holds for Forth Valley College and what we can achieve together going forward.

As ever, we have also continued to build up a strong community spirit among our neighbours, partners and stakeholders and we continue to adapt, evolve and look forward.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your ongoing support to Forth Valley College. It is genuinely appreciated and I, my Senior Management Team, and the rest of the College leadership team, are looking forward to working with you in session 2024/25.

Have a great summer.

Best wishes,

Kenny MacInnes Principal

JULY 2023

New FVSA President & Vice President start work

Forth Valley Student Association’s (FVSA) new sabbatical President and Vice-President started in their new roles at the Falkirk Campus.

Green Gown Award nomination for College Collaboration

Forth Valley College were selected as a finalist at the Green Gown UK and Ireland awards for the second time in three years.

Niamh’s paintings are a breath of fresh air

Former Forth Valley College student Niamh McFarlane’s work has become much sought after, since a fresh career start transformed her into a budding artist.

Gym Team encouraged pedal power for wellbeing and a good cause

Forth Valley College’s Gym team encouraged staff and students to turn to pedal power to raise money for a worthy charity and improve their fitness and wellbeing over the summer.

Scotland’s college marketing teams shortlisted for top award

Forth Valley College’s Communications & Marketing team, as part of the CDN Marketing and Communications Network, were shortlisted for a Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) Award for its Choose College campaign.

AUGUST 2023

INEOS sponsored STEM Summer School was a winner for kids

An exciting STEM Summer School based at Forth Valley College’s Falkirk Campus once again proved to be a winner for school pupils during the holidays.

Staff Development Workshops held at Falkirk and Stirling Campuses

Three days of Staff Development workshops were held at Forth Valley College’s Falkirk and Stirling Campuses.

College Shortlisted for three CDN awards

College Development Network (CDN) shortlisted Forth Valley College for three of their annual awards.

Installers can now receive certified heat pump training anywhere in Scotland

Commercial Training experts from Forth Valley College visited South Lanarkshire College to see Graeme Dey - Minister for Higher Education, Further Education, and Minister for Veterans - launch a new mobile heat pump training unit.

Minister for Higher & Further Education visits Falkirk Campus

Forth Valley College’s Principal Kenny MacInnes and Interim Chair of the College Board, Trudi Craggs, welcomed the new Minister for Higher and Further Education and Minister for Veterans – Graeme Dey MSP – to the College’s Falkirk Campus.

SEPTEMBER 2023

High praise from the Scottish Ambulance Service

Two groups of Forth Valley College students who came to the aid of Falkirk Ambulance Station to revive the décor in their mess room – were praised by the Scottish Ambulance Service management.

Ben shows he’s a bright spark

A young Stirlingshire electrician – and former Forth Valley College Modern Apprentice - was recognised for his exceptional talent by being crowned the 2022 Scottish Joint Industry Board (SJIB) Apprentice of the Year, in conjunction with Edmundson Electrical.

Students

film & record ‘AI in College Education’ conference

A team of talented Forth Valley College Media and Sound Production students showcased their skills by spearheading the Audio-Visual operations at a College Development Network (CDN) conference.

FVC leads the way with four Microsoft Innovative Educator Experts

Four Forth Valley College colleagues celebrated their recognition as Innovative Educator Expert status with Microsoft for the academic year 2023/24.

Freshers’

Fairs

attract students

Fun, freebies stalls and activities attracted students to Forth Valley College’s three campuses in Falkirk, Stirling and Alloa for September’s annual Freshers’ Fairs.

ECITB Chief Executive hails apprentice programme as ‘great example’ during induction day at Forth Valley College

New Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) Chief Executive Andrew Hockey was on hand to welcome the latest cohort of learners on to the Oil and Gas Technical Apprentice Programme (OGTAP) during their induction day at Forth Valley College in Scotland.

Events students serve up hospitality at Parliament

Scotland’s Parliament was the venue for a reception hosted by Colleges Scotland, with Forth Valley College Events students providing the hospitality service.

OCTOBER 2023

Graduation ceremonies held at FVC’s Falkirk Campus

Forth Valley College’s Falkirk Campus hosted three successful graduation events on Friday 6 October.

Fern is Student of the Year

Forth Valley College’s Student of the Year award for 2023 went to Fern Ford from Alloa.

Green

Apple Award shows how FVC has sustainability at its core

Forth Valley College – in collaboration with the EAUC Alliance for Sustainability Leadership in Education, West Lothian and Border Colleges - won an International Green Apple Environment Award in the campaign to find the greenest companies.

A ‘brand new’ section of Stirling City Walls uncovered by FVC students

Despite heavy rain, students from Forth Valley College’s ‘Digging Stirling’ evening course put their new skills to the test, on the first ever official archaeological dig on the Stirling City Walls.

Logan

Joanne uses her illness journey to inspire others

Hair and Beauty Technician Joanne Ellis, used her cancer experience to help and inspire others who are suffering from the condition.

pushes skills to a lifesaving level

Hero Fire Cadet and Sound Production student Logan Robertson, pushed his skills to a whole new level by helping to save the life of a woman in need.

College

graduates will boost Scotland’s economy by £52 billion over their working lives

Forth Valley College welcomed new research showing the Scottish economy will be £52 billion better off cumulatively over the 40-year working life of college graduates.

NOVEMBER 2023

Project SEARCH finds another home in Stirling

Forth Valley College’s Project SEARCH has proven so successful that a second initiative was rolled out at The Stirling Highland Hotel.

College scoops prestigious ECITB prize

Forth Valley College celebrated winning the prestigious ‘Approved Training Provider of the Year’ award at the engineering construction industry’s (ECI) prize-giving ceremony, held at the Cutty Sark in London on Thursday 2 November.

FVC Food to Go service launches

Forth Valley College’s Hospitality Department launched another ‘cost of living’ beating initiative on Monday 20 November, to help students access healthy food for free.

Gallery

Restaurant serves up top tourism award once again

Forth Valley College’s Gallery training restaurant was awarded VisitScotland’s Taste Our Best accreditation once again.

Katie presented with first ever FVC Painting & Decorating award

Painting and Decorating Modern Apprentice Katie McLaren became the first recipient of the James Park Award for Excellence.

James gets to grips with FVC gym team

A desire to give the gym a try helped an Access to Creative Industries student reap the benefits of a tailored exercise programme at Forth Valley College.

Project SEARCH get their finger on the Pulse Award

Forth Valley College’s Project SEARCH initiative won an internal recognition award from massive public services provider Serco – who give placements to the College’s Forth Valley Royal Hospital interns.

FVC supports Bio-based Manufacturing Launchpad

A partnership led by Scottish Enterprise - with support from Forth Valley College - was announced as one of eight new Innovate UK Launchpads across the country.

Christmas dinners prepared by FVC students and staff

Forth Valley College’s Hospitality Department once again stepped up to the plate to prepare 800 charity Christmas takeaway meals for the Start-Up Stirling Foodbank and Barnardo’s.

DECEMBER 2023

College welcomed SERC as CompEx satellite training centre

Forth Valley College welcomed South Eastern Regional College (SERC) in Northern Ireland, as its new satellite training centre to deliver a range of CompEx safety courses.

Comrie’s pantomime performers are ‘made-up’ by FVC expertise

HND Make-up Artistry students from Forth Valley College stepped in to make sure Cinderella and her ugly sisters were able to go to the ball in style.

Gareth’s a winner at CDN awards

Forth Valley College’s Chef Manager Gareth Davies proved he had all the right ingredients for success after scooping the Professional Services Colleague of the Year award at the College Development Network (CDN) annual awards event.

College launches sustainability plans

Two sustainability plans aim to help Forth Valley College to reach its ambitious environmental targets over the next five years.

JANUARY 2024

Forth Valley University College NHS Partnership praised in Parliament

Forth Valley College and its partners in the FV University College NHS Partnership were praised in the Scottish Parliament.

Robert steps up to run FVC running club

A new Running Club, organised by Forth Valley College’s EPOS Coordinator – and international runner - Robert Myler, aimed to improve confidence and fitness to encourage participants to enter a 10K Trail Race in Falkirk.

ACS gas accreditation course relaunched

Plumbers and heating engineers are able to attain or renew their gas accreditation with the relaunch of the ACS assessment scheme at Forth Valley College’s Falkirk Campus.

Workstart students work their magic at Westfield Park Community Centre

A dozen Forth Valley College Workstart students volunteered to literally brighten up Westfield Park Community Centre and help those who use it.

Strathcarron Hospice thank Estates staff for donation

Strathcarron Hospice thanked Forth Valley College Estates and Front of House staff for a donation of £157, after they made and raffled wooden Christmas decorations.

FEBRUARY 2024

Students flock to Re-Freshers’ Fairs

Fun, freebies stalls and activities attracted students to Forth Valley College’s three campuses in Falkirk, Stirling and Alloa for the annual Re-Freshers’ Fairs.

Campaign survey to help change the way we recycle and dispose of litter

Keep Scotland Beautiful and Coca Cola Euro Pacific Partners teamed up with Forth Valley College to try to help enhance the way students are recycling and disposing of their litter.

FVC provides Falkirk Trail Race with snacks

Runners in the Falkirk 10k Trail Race received sustenance at the event from Forth Valley College’s Hospitality Department.

FVC show the love for CDN campaign

Staff and students from Forth Valley College shared how College Development Network’s (CDN) Love Scotland’s Colleges campaign has inspired them.

College announced as finalists in Veterans Awards

Forth Valley College was announced as a finalist in the 2024 Scottish Veterans Awards.

Emma HITs

it

off on Swiss scholarship

HND Hospitality Management student Emma Leitch spent four days (Monday 26 –Thursday 29 February) on a top class HIT Scotland scholarship in Switzerland.

Sound Production lecturer and students help create album best seller

A local Americana and Country music artist used Forth Valley College expertise to help his album reach number two in the charts – only beaten to the number one spot by Taylor Swift!

MARCH 2024

Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills visits Falkirk Campus

Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills Jenny Gilruth visited Forth Valley College’s Falkirk Campus on Thursday 14 March.

College class shows how to eat well on a budget

In response to the rise of food insecurity and poverty across Scotland, Forth Valley College and Forth Valley Food Futures joined forces to host two free events focused on eating well on a budget.

FVC’s Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2024 round-up

Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2024#scotappweek24 - began on Monday 4 March, and was supported and promoted by Forth Valley College.

Wai is fit for another 25 years!

Forth Valley College’s Leisure Facilities Coordinator

Wai Mun Lee has been helping his colleagues keep fit and healthy for the last 25 years…and everyone’s hoping he has many more to come!

FVC bags £500 from Tesco’s Stronger Starts scheme

Forth Valley College received £500 from Tesco’s Stronger Start scheme, that it used to fund more Paws Against Stress sessions.

FVC event for Big College Open Week

proves popular

Forth Valley College celebrated the Big College Open Week (21 to 28 March) – aka #BigCOW –by hosting an Open Evening on Thursday 21 March at the Falkirk Campus.

Funding creates ‘Threads of Resilience’ bridge course at FVC

A total of £7,595 in funding from the Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund For Adults, helped to create an exciting new textiles art course called ‘Threads of Resilience’ at Forth Valley College’s, Stirling Campus.

Inspirational

Zunaira boosts her confidence in the gym

Inspirational student gym user Zunaira Ghazanfar, showed how regular workouts at Forth Valley College’s gyms can improve confidence as well as improving fitness, health and wellbeing.

FAs build playhouses for Forth Valley nurseries

Foundation Apprenticeship Construction students nailed their projects by building wooden playhouses for three nursery schools in Stirling, Clackmannanshire and Falkirk.

APRIL 2024

FVC announced as finalist in Herald Awards

Forth Valley College was announced as a finalist in the prestigious Herald Awards for 2024 in the Widening Access category.

Pupils’ Sports Day organised

by

students

A group of NQ Pathway to Fitness, Health and Exercise students organised a sports fun day for local primary school pupils.

Cycling

Friendly Status

renewed at Stirling Campus

Cycling Scotland renewed Forth Valley College’s Stirling Campus Cycling Friendly Status… with Distinction!

College helps Keep Scotland Beautiful with their successful initiative

An almost 10% reduction of food and drink on the go litter was recorded following an innovative behaviour change project delivered in the Forth Valley earlier in the year.

Graphic Design students show off their work at the Tolbooth

Graphic design students from Forth Valley College became the poster children for an exciting exhibition at the Tolbooth in Stirling.

Collective event proves popular at

Falkirk Campus

‘The Collective’ an innovative event to celebrate and promote community engagement in the Forth Valley area and beyond, wowed visitors to the Falkirk Campus.

‘Threads of Resilience’ students display their work

Students on the ‘Threads of Resilience’ textiles art course began exhibited their work at Forth Valley College’s Stirling Campus from 19 April - 9 May.

MAY 2024

2024 FVSA Student Awards winners announced

Award winners were announced on Thursday 23 May as Forth Valley Student Association (FVSA) celebrated achievements and success across the College.

Engineering apprentices measure up to graduate

Apprentices on the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) APTUS programme, graduated after nearly two years at Forth Valley College.

Final spot is icing on the cake for Jack

A Forth Valley College HNC Patisserie student felt making the final of the Young Pastry Chef of the Year 2024 competition was the icing on the cake of his baking journey so far.

FVC student hoping to make a big splash at Paris Olympics

Art and Design student Keanna MacInnes is hopes her brush strokes will inspire her best butterfly strokes at this summer’s Paris Olympics, after being selected for the Great Britain Swimming team.

MA Painters and Decorators compete for SAPCT prizes at FVC

Talented young Modern Apprentice painters and decorators converged on Forth Valley College’s Falkirk Campus on Friday 24 May for one of Scotland’s most prestigious competitions.

SCOTS pupils receive their

certificates

High school pupils from the Forth Valley area, who completed the SchoolCollege Opportunities to Succeed (SCOTS) programme, were presented with certificates to recognise their achievement.

Student Presidential election results

announced

Forth Valley Student Association (FVSA) announced their new sabbatical full-time roles of President and Vice President for 2024/25.

JUNE 2024

End of Year Art show proves popular

Crowds flocked in to see the innovative artwork on display at Forth Valley College’s celebrated degree and diploma art exhibition.

Beauty Therapy Student of the Year announced

HND Beauty Therapy student Megan Arthur was treated to an impromptu prizegiving after scooping the course’s Student of the Year award.

Award for NC Film & Television students

NC Film and Television students from Forth Valley College recorded an excellent result, by scooping an award in the first year of the new course.

Students and staff have a ‘Ball’ during May and June!

A two month Active Campus Sports schedule encouraged nearly 100 staff and students to take part in new and traditional sporting activities.

MA Joiners nail new Advanced Craft aspect of their course

Modern Apprentice Joiners at Forth Valley College improved their skillset by completing a new Advanced Craft section of their course.