Two Bonnybridge brothers – graduated at the same time with similar Modern Apprenticeships - at Forth Valley College’s first ever MA graduation ceremony recently.
Sean (24) and Liam (21) Griffin collected their scrolls at the event held at Alloa Town Hall on Monday 2 March.
Sean who works for INEOS graduated with a Modern Apprenticeship in Instrumentation and Control, a Modern Apprenticeship in Electrical Engineering and also picked up two HNCs and the prestigious INEOS George Hall Achievement Award, along the way, said: “The MA was really good and completing two HNCs over two years has really helped me with my work as it is all relatable. I am very proud of myself.
“It has been good to have my brother doing a similar MA as me, because we have been able to have some good chats to help us understand certain things related to our studies.”
Liam, who works for Sulzer in Larbert and graduated with a MA in Electrical Engineering, said: “It was a good course and I really enjoyed it. I have made some great pals through the MA programme as well and I would definitely recommend it to anyone.
“I would say that had it not been for my brother doing his MA – he started a year before me – I don’t think I would have went down this road. But I am glad I did and he has been an inspiration.”
Mechanical Manufacturing MA Harris (23), from Dunfermline won the MA of the Year award at the ceremony, which forms part of the college’s celebration of Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2020 (2-6 March).
More than 300 MAs were eligible to graduate this year from Forth Valley College and 60 of them chose to collect their scrolls on the night.
Keith Brown MSP for Clackmannanshire and Dunblane and Depute Leader of the SNP, was Guest of Honour and keynote speaker at the event. He was joined by Katie Hutton - Director of National Training Programmes at Skills Development Scotland who gave the vote of thanks and Jennifer Tempany Director of Strategic Partnerships and Business Development at Forth Valley College, who called out the names of the graduands.
A lone piper from Alloa Bowmar Pipe Band was on hand to pipe in the guests of honour at the event.