HIGHLIGHTS REPORT
2024/25
WELCOME TO OUR HIGHLIGHTS REPORT FOR SESSION 2024/25
Dear Colleagues,
Academic year 2024/25 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 extremely proud of everyone for continuing to deliver on our College purpose and values 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 2025/26.
Best wishes,
Kenny MacInnes Principal
JUNE & JULY 2024
New Chair appointed to the Board of Management of Forth Valley College
Dr Abhishek Agarwal was announced as Chair of the Board of Management of Forth Valley College, on Friday 28 June.
Hubert leads the way in plumbing competition
Modern Apprentice Hubert Parysek – who trains at Forth Valley College - took first place at the Scottish Plumbing Apprentice of the Year’s lead competition.
Goldsmiths beckons for Niamh
Exciting artist and former Forth Valley College student Niamh McFarlane was accepted onto a Masters course at the prestigious Goldsmiths, University of London.
College to deliver new ECITB qualifications to MAs
Forth Valley College will be delivering the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board’s (ECITB) new engineering construction qualifications for Modern Apprentices.
AUGUST 2024
Two new degree courses will build on strong foundations
Two new partnership degree courses will provide strong foundations for student career prospects while also strengthening the relationship built between Forth Valley College and HeriotWatt University in recent years.
Results Day 2024 Celebrated at FVC
Students at Forth Valley College celebrated receiving their National and Higher qualification results on Tuesday 6 August, with the College once again maintaining its impressive recent success rate.
Free accommodation on offer with new partnership degrees will widen access to university for prospective students
A range of exciting new partnership degree courses being offered by Forth Valley College and the University of Aberdeen, will provide free accommodation to students in their third and fourth years, in order to widen access for students to pursue pathways to further study in key employment sectors.
INEOS sponsored STEM Summer School proves popular
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.
Film and Screen Teacher Summer School at FVC’s Stirling Campus
Forty primary and secondary school teachers from local authorities across Scotland took part in a unique summer school aimed at introducing filmmaking as a newly available subject in Scottish schools.
SEPTEMBER 2024
Remembering together celebration event
Forth Valley College hosted a celebration on Thursday 5 September marking the culmination of Stirling’s ‘Remembering Together’ Covid Memorial Project.
Lenswork: The Forth Valley College Collection
Seven current and former Forth Valley College students collaborated on a fascinating photographic exhibition, as part of the Stirling Photography Festival.
Career Ambassador Project aims to make a difference
Funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund has helped the Forth Valley University College
NHS Partnership launch a project to make a real difference to the careers of students from a wide range of backgrounds, who may have had a disruption to their education, work experience and career journey so far.
Welcome Week event attracts students
Fun, freebies, stalls and activities attracted students to Forth Valley College’s three campuses in Falkirk, Stirling and Alloa for the newly launched series of fairs over Forth Valley Student Association’s (FVSA) ‘Welcome Week’.
School pupil who attended FVC BAFTA event wins presenting competition
A school pupil who found inspiration for a career in TV presenting at a Young BAFTA event hosted in collaboration with Forth Valley College, won a prestigious BAFTA competition.
OCTOBER 2024
Murray is Student of the Year
Student of the Year award for 2024 went to Murray Hill from Dunblane.
Graduation ceremonies held at Falkirk Campus
Forth Valley College’s Falkirk Campus hosted three successful graduation events on Friday 11 October.
Recording session experience pays off for Sound Production students
An enthusiastic group of HND Sound Production students helped put the finishing touches to a track on a newly released debut album.
College received funding to support skills and training for Grangemouth workers
Forth Valley College received funding from the Scottish and UK Governments to support Grangemouth workers at risk of redundancy with skills and training.
Mentor films show how successful Career Ambassador Project has been
Six engaging short films starring various NHS Forth Valley staff –who mentored Forth Valley College students through the successful Career Ambassador Project – hoped to encourage more students to apply.
NOVEMBER 2024
Project SEARCH 2023/4 cohort graduate
Young people with additional support needs in the Falkirk area who are on the hunt to find a job with the help of DFN Project SEARCH – graduated from their one year internship programme at Forth Valley Royal Hospital.
College ready for major role in Falkirk and Grangemouth Growth Deal project
Forth Valley College is playing a major role to help the Falkirk and Grangemouth Growth Deal – which was officially signed on Thursday 14 November – become a success.
Wood Group win big at ECI Awards
The Wood Group – who have 33 Modern Apprentices currently training at FVC –picked up the Large Employer of the Year Award at the 12th Annual ECI Training and Development Awards held in Marleybone, London on Tuesday 4 November.
Intern
partnership between CIEE and FVC is a UK first
A renowned not for profit organisation, which provides students with paid internship opportunities in the USA aligned to their studies, partnered with a college in the UK for the first time in a pilot programme with Forth Valley College.
Green Gown Award success for College
Forth Valley College – working in partnership with Forth Valley Food Futures and Forth Valley Food and Drink - scooped an award at the 2024 Green Gown UK and Ireland awards.
DECEMBER 2024
FVC supports Babcock with their International Apprentice Exchange Programme
Babcock Apprentices gained international experience through an exchange programme connecting Babcock’s Rosyth site with academic institute CKZiU in Gdynia, Poland, and supported by Forth Valley College.
College
teams up with Start Up Stirling to provide Christmas cheer
Staff and students from Forth Valley College’s Hospitality team at both the Falkirk and Stirling Campuses, once again stepped up to the plate to provide meals to vulnerable people at Christmas.
Honorary Fellowship presented to Ken Richardson
A valued former Forth Valley Board of Management member was officially bestowed with his College Fellowship award on the 5 December after being unable to attend the 2024 Graduation ceremony in October.
Science
equipment donated thanks to former student
A former student, now a science industry professional, was instrumental in helping Forth Valley College receive a valuable donation of equipment.
JANUARY 2025
New Skills Simulation Suite at our Alloa Campus
A new Skills Simulation Suite opened at Forth Valley College’s Alloa Campus, offering a state-of-the-art facility designed to provide the next generation of care providers with hands-on experience in a realistic, simulated environment.
Exciting new free online courses launched at FVC
A range of free fully funded online introductory courses launched in January to help prepare people for new careers and improve existing skills.
New Rural Skills course helping students to grow
A new Rural Skills course laid down roots to help students with additional support needs to grow their interest in practical outdoor skills.
SCAN OR CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL STORY
SCAN OR CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL STORY SCAN OR CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL STORY
FEBRUARY 2025
Forth Valley College launches ambitious Strategic Plan
Forth Valley College launched an ambitious new five-year strategic plan for 2025-30 in February, setting out a bold vision for the future.
Trip to Roof of the World changes the lives of students
Hospitality, Events and Tourism students from Forth Valley College embarked on a once in a lifetime 17–day trip to Nepal thanks to funding from the UK Government’s Turing Scheme.
Exciting MoU signed with Chinese university
Forth Valley College signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Zhongyuan University of Technology (ZUT), signalling the start of a new era in the global ambitions of the College.
Photography
students
show their work at
Stirling Campus
First and Second Year HND
Photography students proudly showed off their best work at an exhibition held in the Creative Industries Department at Stirling Campus.
Skills Transition Centre Approved
A £4 million Skills Transition Centre at Forth Valley College had its business case approved by the Scottish Government as part of a package to support students into sustainable employment in the region.
MARCH 2025
FVC is a Launchpad partner for Bio-based Manufacturing growth
Innovate UK’s Launchpad programme is supporting research and development initiatives designed to accelerate bio-based manufacturing in Scotland via £7.5 million of funding.
New Drone training course taking off at FVC
An innovative and well respected drone training course which began at Forth Valley College on Monday 24 March, is the first of its kind in Scotland.
Hospitality Students Excel at ScotHot 2025
A group of Hospitality Management and Professional Cookery students from Forth Valley College served up success at ScotHot 2025.
Student Mental Health Agreement Launched
A refreshed and updated Student Mental Health Agreement (SMHA) was launched on Thursday 13 March at Forth Valley College, aiming to continue to raise awareness and promote positive wellbeing for students during their studies, and as they transition out of College.
Big shout out for Kayla on her hospital radio award
A talented Digital Media student was recognised for her outstanding contributions to Forth Valley Royal Hospital Radio, earning a prestigious award in memory of a beloved former volunteer.
College wins Internationalisation CeeD award
Forth Valley College won a top prize at the prestigious annual Centre for Engineering Education and Development (CeeD) Industry Awards.
APRIL 2025
Nahui wins Knorr Student Chef of the Year competition 2025
Nahui Keiss, a student from Forth Valley College, was announced as the winner of Knorr Professional’s Scottish Student of the Year Competition 2025.
ECITB
funding to help Forth Valley College attract next generation of engineers
Forth Valley College received a £259,000 funding boost from the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) to help attract the next generation of engineers in Scotland’s Central Belt.
Made in Stirling set to sell students’ work for charity
Skills for Work Creative Industries students sold their own artwork in the ‘Made in Stirling’ store, with the money raised going to the ‘Creative Stirling’ charity.
Lovely finish from Kara lands her a finals place
Painting and Decorating Modern Apprentice Kara Ashton landed herself a coveted place in the PDA Apprentice of the Year Awards 2025 Grand Final.
Innovation Centre Roadshow to visit FVC’s Falkirk Campus
Scotland’s four national Innovation Centres converged on Forth Valley College’s Falkirk Campus for an exciting regional roadshow event.
MAY 2025
Prizes for Painters and Decorators on awards night
Painting and Decorating Modern Apprentices were recognised at the first ever annual awards ceremony held at Forth Valley College’s Falkirk Campus in May.
FVC celebrates STEM @ The Helix event
Pupils from five local primary schools got stuck into Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths experiments at a Forth Valley College event to help celebrate STEM @ The Helix 2025.
META Skills project at FVC to benefit from SLIC funding
Forth Valley College’s Learning Resource Centres are set to benefit from funding for a project to promote and encourage META skills.
Campus Crafts - Sustainable Textiles for Wellbeing and Ethical Enterprise
A new crafts project, funded by the Communities Mental Health & Wellbeing Fund for Adults, is proving successful at Forth Valley College.
From Woodland Canopy to Hollyrood Canapés
Workstart Rural Skills Students donned their PPE and passed their Lantra Petrol-Driven Brush-Cutter and Strimmer operator tickets, before heading to the Scottish Parliament for a skills showcase event, to celebrate recently.
MAY 2025 (CONTINUED)
2025 FVSA Student Award winners announced
Award winners were announced on Thursday 22 May as Forth Valley Student Association (FVSA) celebrated achievements and success across the College.
Hairdressing Students Celebrate Graduation in Style
City & Guilds VRQ Hairdressing Level Three students gathered in the salon for a morning of celebrations as they marked the end of their course with a special graduation ceremony.
A Brighter Future with funding award
A transformational project developed by Forth Valley College was successful in receiving funding from the fourth round of the Falkirk Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund.
College attains CIPD Platinum status
Forth Valley College were awarded the highest levelPlatinum Status – by the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (CIPD) in May.
JUNE 2025
New Milestone for Skills Transition Centre
Forth Valley College’s flagship Skills Transition Centre (STC) project achieved a new milestone, with approval received from the Falkirk and Grangemouth Growth Deal through a formal grant offer.
Falkirk Bakery Students Rise to the Challenge in ‘Ready, Steady, Bake!’ Competition
Aspiring bakers at Forth Valley College’s Falkirk Campus showed off their skills and creativity in a highpressure challenge inspired by popular TV cooking competition.
Dawid’s poster claims top SQA national prize
NC Creative industries Graphic Design students took part in the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) poster competition to Show Racism the Red Card – and took the top two places for their efforts.
No One Left Behind funded course leads to jobs for students
A course supported by the ‘No One Left Behind Fund’ – and run in Scotland for the first time - has led to jobs for half of the ten students who took part.
Cycling UK fund ten bikes for use at FVC
Ten new bikes funded through Cycling UK, will allow Forth Valley College to offer various cycle sharing schemes to staff and students at the Falkirk Campus.
MAs play it cool by creating new plant lab system
Second year ECITB Engineering Modern Apprentices at Forth Valley College created a new system to enhance the Falkirk Campus training facilities.
2025 Student Presidential election results
announced
Forth Valley Student Association (FVSA) announced their new part-time sabbatical officer roles of President and Vice President for 2025/26.
PERSONAL HIGHLIGHTS
We also asked staff across the College to share their standout moments from this academic year — whether it was a college-wide achievement, a team success, or a personal milestone.
Some highlights below:
“ The Early Years Group for SCOTS winning an award at the Student Awards 2025 was a big highlight for the School Partnership Team. That was huge and shows a big shift in the work that can be done with SCOTS pupils.
“The other highlight would be the work done on Sharepoint for Listening to Employees – launching a new page and making the group much more accessible. And of course, the fantastic Chat FVC to help promote it.”
“One of the standout achievements for the Communications and Marketing Team has been the successful delivery of a major upgrade to the college website – a significant project and a real team effort.
“The transition to a newer version of the content management system (CMS) has meant a range of technical benefits, making content management easier and boosting the site’s overall performance and reliability. Alongside these enhancements, the new website features a more intuitive design and improved navigation, helping students and staff find important information quickly and efficiently.”
Laura Riley Communications & Marketing Manager
“There were a few highlights for me over the past academic year including the launch of the Listening to Employees SharePoint page, Chat FVC and the new suggestions tab. Notable events were with the ‘Working with Communities Collective Event’ and staff and students from the Workstart programme attending the Parliamentary Showcase in May.”
“A final highlight was getting the entire CSBC team together during the academic year for two staff development sessions to discuss where we are in terms of trauma informed practice within the college.”
Helen Leslie Director of Curriculum – Care, Sport, Business & Communities
“Session 2024/25 has been an amazing year, with students gaining incredible real-world experience and national recognition. A major highlight was the Turingfunded trip to Nepal, where learners explored global hospitality and tourism practices while developing valuable cultural insight. We were also thrilled to see one of our Professional Cookery students Nahui Keiss winning the Knorr Young Student Chef of the Year Award, a fantastic achievement that reflects the talent and dedication we see across all our programmes.”
Paul Cunningham Curriculum Manager
“A key focus for our team this year was supporting the implementation of the new applications and booking system through Unite Online Services. By working closely with colleagues in Business Transformation and Communications & Marketing, we contributed to the successful rollout of the system, which has enhanced the digital experience for applicants across all modes of delivery.”
Mhairi Archibald
Student Administration Manager
Kim Reid School College Partnership Manager