#LoveScotlandsColleges is back and Forth Valley College can’t wait to support the national campaign to celebrate the vital role played by further education in Scotland.
The week-long campaign kicks off on Monday 29 November and will highlight the outstanding work of colleges throughout the country and see them showcase all the important courses and training they offer to provide skills and training to the workforce of the future.
As the brainchild of the CDN Marketing and Communications Network, this second annual collaborative campaign is supported right across the college sector. It will highlight national and local examples of how colleges are supporting students, communities, businesses, staff and the economy.
David Swanston from Falkirk a former HND Sports Development student who studied at FVC’s old Falkirk Campus has recently been named in the top ten finalists for the prestigious Varkey Foundation Global Teacher Prize – and is an excellent example of where a college education can lead.
The 34-year-old from Falkirk, cites hard work and an inspirational determination to teach, as the catalysts that saw his career take on a meteoric trajectory over the last 17 years to become the Deputy Principal of the St Vincent's School in Liverpool - A Specialist School for Sensory Impairment and Other Needs.
But he still says that his time at college studying for a HND in Sports Development was the “perfect course” to help him on the road to success and hopes to visit FVC soon to help encourage and inspire the next generation of sports students coming out of the college.
David, who was among 8,000 original nominations for the Global Teacher Prize, said: “The HND I studied at the Falkirk Campus, was the perfect course to give me the foundation blocks to go into teaching and I can’t wait to come into the college to speak with current students and give them the benefit of my experience.”
Dr Ken Thomson, Principal of Forth Valley College, said: “David’s story is yet another example of how a Scottish College education can lead to great career success and we are very proud of what he has achieved. The #LoveScotlandsColleges campaign is an excellent national collaboration from the entire College sector to raise awareness of what is on offer in further education and we are delighted to fully support it.”
Jim Metcalfe, Chief Executive, College Development Network, said: “After the great success of last year’s #LoveScotlandsColleges, the week long campaign is back to raise further awareness of just how important local college are. Colleges are the beating heart of their communities and they are essential to help the flow of highly skilled and professionally qualified new blood circulate throughout our industry infrastructure.
“We help students to achieve their future goals; businesses to survive and thrive; regional economies to strengthen; and they are also helping Scotland to build a sustainable, net zero future. This campaign is a celebration of all that the sector does, and a way to shout about the fantastic, transformative work undertaken by colleges every day.
“Colleges continue to play a vital role in supporting Scotland’s economic, social and educational recovery – supporting industry to rebuild and re-engage its workforce, maximising employment opportunities for our citizens, and addressing the mental health and wellbeing of our communities.
“Online learning and teaching expertise in Scotland’s Colleges, which was a necessity to help us work through the pandemic lockdown, has become a great asset for further education and will be as we move forward, providing daily support to students and their local communities.
“The work of the college sector proves on a daily basis that it is more critical than ever, and I can’t wait to see even more inspiring examples of what the sector does through the #LoveScotlandsColleges campaign.”
Join the conversation - #LoveScotlandsColleges - and find out about the important work of Scotland’s colleges.
#LoveScotlandsColleges 2021 - College Development Network (cdn.ac.uk)