Kristie McIntosh (39) from Grangemouth completed both the NC and HNC Working with Communities courses at Forth Valley College, and it helped her secure a managerial position.
She said: “I chose Forth Valley College as I had heard good reviews about the course and it was also was local to me. The Falkirk Campus facilities were fabulous as it was brand new building and the lecturers were amazing. Everyone was very passionate and inclusive, and in my opinion, they all went above and beyond. I still keep in touch with them since I left in 2022.
“My experience of studying at the College has widened my knowledge on society as a whole, and I have learned new skills that have helped me secure the manager’s position within the Prison System.
“Forth Valley College helped me gain skills and knowledge and also encouraged me to further my skills in future. I would recommend the course to others as it focuses on many different factors in society and not solely on one specific thing. It’s a great range of modules that help look at society in a different way.
“I enjoyed the full experience, I met people who all had passion that I would never have met or engaged with, unless I was on this course. I would also recommend it for the experience, for me it is about networking with others to bring best practices. The College provided this in every way.
“I loved meeting new people, and getting to widen my knowledge on how important community work is. Community work is essential…by having a community, you are reducing poverty, stigma, and crimes rates etc.
“Working within the prison system and engaging with prisoners as I now do, I have discovered that if there was more for them to do in their community, this would have made such a difference in their choices and life paths.”