Barbie Turnbull (39) from Falkirk graduated with a HNC Construction Management at Forth Valley College, and also picked up the Most Promising Student in the Department of STEM and Construction prize, at the 2024 graduation ceremony.
She said: “I chose Forth Valley College as it is one of the few colleges running the HNC that I wanted to do, and it was an evening course which fitted in well with work commitments and family life. The College is also only 10 minutes away from my house which was very convenient.
“The facilities are modern and appealing to the eye and equipment for practical work was good quality and easy to use, once we’d had a little instruction. Lecturers were on the whole excellent and knew their subjects well, passing on knowledge and expertise in ways that were understandable to all. They were available on TEAMS whenever you needed them, so if you were studying at home you could message them and they’d pick it up when they were online, rather than having to wait until the next session which was very handy.
“I have gained in confidence both in myself as a person and in my role at work. I feel I now have the technical knowledge to make decisions while on site, or during contract management and have the confidence to be bold and take those actions forward. I feel I will be better able to complete my job role having now completed the course which will benefit our clients.
“The course I completed at FVC has given me the technical knowledge and understanding of a construction project as a whole. This has allowed me to further progress in my career already, taking on more responsibility at work with regards to compliance, contract management and procurement, as well as managing more complex and technically challenging on site projects.
“The HNC in Construction Management is an excellent course giving an insight into a construction project from inception to completion, covering not only the legal contractual side of the project but the technical specification, regulations and processes.
“Following completion of my HNC I took part in a practical on-site building experience helping to manage a construction project from 2D plans to a 3D completed build. The HNC course gave me an excellent understanding of how to manage the project, the factors involved and what was required. I cannot recommend this course highly enough for those interested in progressing in Construction. You don’t need to be an A+ student or have any technical knowledge to do this course, you’ll learn all that you need to know to set you on the right path for you. This could be the only course you need to do to get to where you want to be, alternatively it could be a stepping stone to a further qualification. Either way it’s a really good starting point.
“Our class were all working professionals completing the course in the evenings after work. We were a mixture of office based project management inspectors/officers who understood the contract management and administrative requirements better than the technical aspects, as well as tradesmen who were the opposite, bringing more practical experience and on site knowledge. Over the two years we exchanged knowledge and learned from each other, picking up tips and ideas over and above what we were being taught. I have made some very good friends doing this course, and we have helped each other to learn and grow. As well as making personal friendships we now have a wider network of professional relationships which we can take forward in our careers.
“I enjoyed the course and would highly recommend it to anyone interested in Construction. While there are fewer colleges offering this course now, the combination of friendly, approachable and knowledgeable staff with modern facilities in a location that is relatively easy to get to by public transport or car, makes FVC a good place to study.
“What I loved most about my experience was the people I met - both staff and students. I have made good friends through this course, and the laughter and fun we had over the two years made it even more gratifying and enjoyable.”