Forty eight year old Ally Muhinda, Bed and Breakfast Proprietor from Drymen told us how his Learning Links Hospitality course has assisted him with not only his cookery skills, but his business too.
Ally said, ‘Most people dread Monday after having a weekend off – but we all looked forward to it as we had class. It’s been great to meet other and definitely college has been the best decision I’ve ever made. To apply to study Professional Cookery next year just seemed like the obvious choice. I have to cook every day, but I’d say I’ve become more adventurous with my meals – the guests’ plates are all empty at the end of meal time!’
(Pictured: L-R Allan McFeeters, Theresa Harvie, Caroleanne Mundie, Ally Muhinda)
The revised Learning Links programme which launched in 2012 offers certificated and non-certificated courses within Computing, Beauty, Hospitality and Sport. The courses, which ran for one day a week for 12 weeks have been hailed a success due to their flexible offering.
Learning Links Advisor Zvetlana McCartney said, ‘The taster courses are excellent for students to see if they enjoy their chosen subject area enough to progress onto further study. Not everyone who has enrolled has gone onto further study, although it’s great to see people enjoy their course that much that they do take it on to the next level or even get a job out of it.’
The diversity of students on the course has been far ranging, from mature students who have been out of education for many years to those who have just left school.
Sixteen year old Jack Streeter from Helensburgh said, ‘I’ve got a lot fitter since doing the Learning Links Sport course - it’s been good fun as well as interesting. I’m joining the Army in September this course has been perfect to keep me focused until then. It’s been challenging, but it’s been great to meet new people.
Returning to education Learning Links Sport Student, Patrick Dill from Blackhill said, ‘I’ve certainly become a lot fitter since studying this course. It’s taken me a while to return to education as I had quite a chaotic lifestyle but I knew something needed to change. To be back in a classroom setting has been an enjoyable experience. I thought I couldn’t do it – but I did. Maybe it’s because I’m older, when you’re younger you have more things to distract you. I’m glad I took the risk and tried something new.
Pictured: Back (L-R) Gareth Charles, Gerry McMonagle, Course Lecturer, Patrick Dill. Front (L-R) Jack Streeter , Francis Coats, Zanya McCartney, Jan Frame, John Paul McNaught.
The positive remarks don’t stop with the students, the lecturers are pleased with the outcomes too.
Lecturer Gerry McMonagle, who looked after the sports students said, ‘As part of my TQFE placement I had the opportunity to tutor the Learning Links programme. I had been out of education since 2004 and had worked for British Gas for 14 years; I felt it was time for a change and I wanted to give something back. The students have been dedicated and motivated to do their best. They set their expectations and we’ve empowered them to achieve their goals.
We’ve benchmarked across the duration of the course and the outcomes have been very encouraging.
Theresa Harvie, Hospitality Lecturer added, ‘The quality of work has been superb and everyone has performed very well. Individually students have got a lot out of it.’
Speaking to the students as a group, they all agreed that overall the course had been a really positive experience for each of them and has given them the confidence to pursue main stream courses and jobs.
Forty two year old Fiona McIntosh from Clydebank who has gained a place on one of the College's Beauty Therapy courses decided she wanted to do something for herself.
Fiona commented, “I have really enjoyed the course and I’m sad to see it come to an end. We’ve been lucky with our group; although a diverse group of women all ranging in age we have got on really well. You could say we are bit like a family now. The course gave me an insight into Beauty Therapy but most of all it’s given me the confidence to apply for a full-time course, something I would never have dreamed of. The lecturers have been fantastic and will really miss coming to class every Tuesday.”
Following on from this huge success the College is excited to launch a new programme in September. A new range of taster courses will be offered with the opportunity to gain qualifications in a chosen subject.
For more information on this new exciting programme contact Zanya McCartney on Zvetlana.McCartney@wcs.ac.uk.