Posted: Thursday 21 January 2010
Keeping ‘IT’ in the Family
Sisters Vicky (34) and Kelly Milloy (30) from Crookedholm, Kilmarnock, and brothers Sean (19) and Scott Farr (17) from Irvine, have more in common than most siblings as they are all currently undertaking computing courses at Kilmarnock College.
Vicky and Kelly will complete their HND Computing (Software Development) course in June and plan to progress on to University.
The girls first came to Kilmarnock College in September 2007 to study NQ Computing, after completing the European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) course at Shortlees Community Centre. Prior to coming to College, Vicky worked full-time as a care support worker while her sister Kelly was a full-time mum. Mother-of-two Vicky, said: “Both Kelly and I did not have the opportunity to learn about computing while at school so decided that we would return to education when our youngest children started primary school.
“It was really good having Kelly with me for support when we first started at the College, and it was great that we could help each other out when it came to studying. After we finished our NQ in 2008, we continued on to HNC level. Although it was more challenging, we really enjoyed it and received excellent support from our lecturing staff.”
Kelly said: “After we finished our HNC, we progressed on to HND level and are on course to graduate in June this year. Vicky and I both hope to study computing together at university.”
Brothers Sean and Scott started their HNC Computing (Technical Support) course in September last year. Scott said: “I came to Kilmarnock College straight from high school. I was always good at computing and after gaining a higher in Computing Studies, I decided an HNC would be the next step.
“I am really enjoying the HNC. It’s quite strange having my brother in my class but a good thing too because we can help each other out.”
Before coming to College, Sean worked with a local delivery company, however was made redundant at the beginning of last year. Sean said: “I decided I wanted to return to education and like my brother, decided to pursue computing. I’m really enjoying the HNC and I have made some good friends. The lecturers are very helpful and have given us the opportunity to study for a PDA in Desktop Support and a Microsoft Desktop Support Certificate during this first year. Scott and I both hope to do well on the course, progressing to HND level and then on to university.”
Julie Maxwell, Kilmarnock College Computing, Administration and IT Curriculum Manager, said: “Sean, Scott, Vicky and Kelly are all hardworking motivated students and regularly produce high standards of work. Often we will see siblings studying similar subjects however rarely do we have two sets of siblings studying in our department at the same time on the same courses. We wish them the best of luck during their time at College and good luck for the future.”
The HNC Computing (Technical Support) course is delivered on a full-time basis and covers areas including Network Technology and Data Communications, Hardware Installation and Maintenance, and IT Applications. Like the HNC, the HND (Software Development) is also studied over a full-time basis. Areas covered on the HND include Multimedia Developing, Multimedia Applications, and Object Orientated Design.
For further information on computing programmes, or any other courses available for study at Kilmarnock College, please contact 01563 523501 or visit www.kilmarnock.ac.uk.
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For more information, contact:
Denise Clark, Halogen Communications, (T) 0131 202 0120 (F) 0131 225 3757 (E) denise@halogencom.com.