A Childhood Practice course taught at Forth Valley College is providing work ready graduates to fill much needed roles at two local authorities.
The one year HNC course which is taught at the College’s Alloa, Stirling and Falkirk Campuses has seen four students complete their qualification and secure jobs at Clackmannanshire Council and two landing a place at Falkirk Council in recent weeks.
Emma Crowe, Lisa Anderson, Catriona Wear, Amy Wiseman (Clackmannanshire) Amy Scott and Laura Greig (Falkirk) can’t wait to get started on the new careers.
The FVC early learning and childcare curriculum portfolio has increased over the last three academic years to reflect the priority of delivering the HNC Childhood Practice, with an overall target to recruit 180 HNC students being met in 2018/19 and maintained in 2019/20.
This increase has been designed to support local employer workforce requirements in preparation for the increase in entitlement to early learning and childcare funded places from 600 hours to 1140 hours. The national projected increase in this sector’s workforce between 2018 and 2020 is forecast to be 11,000 additional staff and within the Forth Valley area there is a requirement for several hundred additional staff.
Emma Crowe (22) from Alloa, said: “The experience I have gained at Forth Valley College has benefitted me greatly, throughout my courses. I also attended a placement set up by the College and this allowed me to go out and actually do the job that I was studying for. It allowed me to fully understand what was required to be able to carry out the role.
“This also allowed employers to get to know me as a person and a worker and therefore set me up on good ground to seek employment. The teaching at the College is also fantastic and is taught in a way that suits everyone. This benefitted me as it ensured that I was understanding and gaining knowledge throughout my studies, therefore also making me more attractive to employers.
“Without FVC I would not be able to be do the job I love and enjoy. They have provided me with the skills, knowledge and confidence to be a successful early years educator with a fantastic employer. As I loved studying at FVC I am now looking to develop my studies and do my university degree in Early Childhood and the College has provided me with the support to do this.
“I would recommend FVC to others as it is one of the top colleges in Scotland.”
Catriona Wear (45) from Cambus, said: “I was a Childminder for 14 years before I enrolled with FVC in Childhood Practice and it was the best move I have ever made. It gave me the knowledge to take my career in Childcare to the next level. As much as I enjoyed working for myself, I felt that something was missing and attending placement made me realise that I wanted to continue working with young people and families, but in a much more supported role and with a team of like-minded colleagues.
“I would recommend the College to everyone. It is a great place to study with a fantastic level of support and also a great way to meet new people that are studying the same course.
“The best bit for me, well… I would say that I loved to study and learn and I also met the nicest people. I made new friends and most of all, I proved to myself that I could do it and achieve what I really wanted regardless of my age. Going to college gave me the skills to advance my career.”
Lecturer Elaine Stewart, said: “I am really proud of Laura and all that she has achieved, she worked hard throughout the course and always gave her best in class and on placement. I wish her all the best as she sets out in her career and look forward to seeing her progress.”
Lecturer Christina Beamish, added: “Catriona, Amy, Emma, Amy and Lisa have worked extremely hard to achieve their HNC. They have gained so much from their placement experience and linked all that they have learnt in college to their practice. Each of them stepped up when physical classes had to end in March, fully engaging with online learning to complete all of their units. I am so very proud of their determination and commitment. They are going to be an asset to the early learning centres and nurseries. I wish them all well in their career.”
