Posted: Wednesday 30 May 2012
Trust provides tools of the trade for College graduates
The ceremony - which took place at the Park Hotel in Kilmarnock - saw past students who studied courses in the areas of Beauty and Complementary Therapies, Care and Early Years, Engineering, and Trade Skills, collect awards in recognition of their achievements and to celebrate their hard work and success.
The John Mather Charitable Trust - which was set up to help young people and students in the West of Scotland progress in their chosen career - has provided funding to support Kilmarnock College graduates since 2006. Their generous donations have been used to purchase equipment for students moving into employment related to their college courses. This year 90 tool sets/kits were able to be purchased to support Kilmarnock College graduates who are now working in their chosen careers.
With fifteen graduates now self-employed and the remainder in permanent positions with a range of employers including major organisations such as Gleneagles Hotel, Taylor & Manning Beauty, GE Caledonian, and Land Engineering, the hard-working alumni have certainly benefitted from their time at the College.
Heather Dunk, Principal of Kilmarnock College, commented: "The John Mather Charitable Trust has been working with students from Kilmarnock College for six years now. Each year, the trust donates a sum of money that helps towards buying the tools and equipment that will assist the students in their workplace.
"As well as supporting employability, this funding aids entrepreneurship as fifteen of our former students have already benefitted by setting up their own businesses. I am delighted that we are able to offer the students this great opportunity. Without the help of John Mather, many students would struggle to buy the tools required.
"I would also like to say a special thank-you to all of the employers who help support these young people in their training. We are extremely proud of the progress our former students are making in the workplace and are delighted to be able to support them with the donation of high quality tools of the trade."
-Ends-
For more information, contact:
Sarah Ballantyne, Beattie Communications, 01698 787859/ sarah.ballantyne@onlybeattie.com
Lisa McCafferty, Beattie Communications, 01698 787849/ lisa.mccafferty@onlybeattie.com
Scotland's Colleges Annual Awards 2011 - Winner of Public Value Award.
