#ChooseCollege, Choose D&A College

Meet Bryan Cameron, an Animal Care student whose transition from a career in retail to achieving his dream of becoming a veterinary nurse showcases resilience, perseverance, and the ability to overcome obstacles along the way.

From a very young age, Bryan knew he wanted to do veterinary nursing. In his fourth year at school, he did a week of work experience with a veterinary centre, and witnessing the care and compassion shown by the nurses reinforced his passion for pursuing a career in this field.

Bryan worked in the same retail job for 12 years before joining D&A College. His experiences in the retail sector have given him many transferrable skills that are helping him on the journey to his dream career.

Bryan understood the steps he’d have to take to become a Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN). Having successfully completed an HNC in Animal Care, Bryan is on track to achieve an HND in Animal Care. His college experience has taken him into an industry that he had never been brave enough to enter before and has inspired him to continue his education at university to become an RVN.

Bryan has complimented the support he has received from the Animal Care department. Having mild cerebral palsy has meant Bryan has had to find ways to adapt and change certain aspects of life. With this in mind, he wondered how he would get on at college but praised the inclusive and supportive learning environment.

Bryan explained that the department allows students to work towards both academic and personal growth goals, and how they teach and treat their students really does contribute to the experience.

He stated, “The inclusion and support have really made me feel that despite my challenges, I am able to achieve my dreams and work within an industry that I love a lot. The support from the team has also played a massive role in my self-belief and kept my passion and fire alive.”

Bryan advises anyone considering a change of direction, “Always believe in yourself; you can achieve anything you set your mind to, so long as you’re willing to work hard despite any challenge. Keep going and be kind to yourself in those moments where academic life can be taxing. Don’t give up, as you will always feel a massive sense of achievement in the end”.

Meet Claire Halliday, a DFN Project Search programme graduate whose placement experience led to a role as a Learning and Digital Resources Advisor.

Claire has Dyspraxia and Autism, and before joining the DFN Project Search course, had struggled to get a job.

She had tried many work experience roles and volunteer positions and had accessed a lot of local agencies for support, but nothing had worked for her.

DFN Project Search is a transition-to-work programme committed to transforming the lives of young people with learning disabilities and autism.

The programme provides real-life work experience combined with training in employability and independent-living skills to help young people make successful transitions to productive adult life. The goal for each participant is competitive employment.

Claire now works as a Learning and Digital Resources Advisor at Dundee and Angus College’s Gardyne Campus.

Her responsibilities include issuing and returning books, setting up long-term devices that students may need for their coursework, helping with printing issues or issues logging into college systems and more.

Claire has achieved her hope of getting a digital-related job and enjoys helping and supporting students.

Claire explained that the amount of one-to-one support and guidance she received from her lecturer and job coach really prepared her for the world of work after the course.

Her classmates were also supportive; when Claire was at the library desk on her own for the first time, the whole class came down to do their work in the library to ensure she was okay.

Claire’s highlight was giving the vote of thanks to an audience of friends, family and stakeholders at the DFN Project Search graduation, something that she never expected to be able to do before starting the course.

Claire believes that choosing DFN Project Search was the best decision she ever made, as the programme really helps and supports neurodivergent people and people with other disabilities.

She said, “I would highly recommend this course to neurodivergent people, as many of us struggle to get and keep work.”

Claire advises anyone starting college to seek all the support that college can offer to make the most of their time there.

Meet Elizabeth Freeman, whose journey through college enabled her to go directly into the second year at university.

Elizabeth had difficulties during her education journey, and after her fourth year, she left high school with only a few National 4 and 5 qualifications.

At 15, she started an art and design course at college but couldn’t complete it. Later, she tried hairdressing and beauty therapy, but due to her disruptive behaviour, she couldn’t continue with the course and was left unsure about her next steps.

Elizabeth’s doctor referred her to a psychologist, and the appointment led to a diagnosis of ADHD. This outcome sparked her interest in human behaviours, including psychology, helping her better understand herself and others.

To take her interest further, Elizabeth chose to apply for an Introduction to Social Sciences Level 4 course at Dundee and Angus College. She enjoyed the course and continued to learn by working her way through the levels of Social Sciences courses.

During her college years, Elizabeth was diagnosed with Dyspraxia, which makes planning and motor tasks challenging. However, with the support of the college teams and her determination, Elizabeth succeeded in her courses and graduated with an HNC in Social Sciences.

She remarked: “The support I received after my diagnosis to help me get through my coursework was amazing, and everyone was very approachable.”

Following her college graduation, Elizabeth directly entered into the second year of a degree in Psychology with development and education at Abertay University.

She aspires to become an Education Psychologist in schools, using her training and personal experiences to help children with the educational support they might need.

Introducing Dougie Bertram, a Motor Vehicle student who proves that it's never too late to learn and that you can balance studying with a busy family life.

A neighbour who happened to be an engineering lecturer at Dundee and Angus College suggested that Dougie gain a qualification in motor vehicle engineering. Dougie was initially reluctant due to his age; however, after being reassured that many mature students were at the college, he applied and got accepted.

Dougie enjoyed the course, but when lockdown hit, it became very difficult for him to concentrate and complete college work at home while contending with his young children running around.

With the support of college staff, he opted to postpone his journey until things had settled down. Deciding when to return to college was tricky for Dougie, as his children had gotten used to him being at home. However, with the encouragement of his partner (and his neighbour), he picked up where he’d left off.

Dougie has praised college staff, describing their teaching methods as fantastic. One particular lecturer recently joined the college from industry and is passing on up-to-date industry knowledge to his students while pushing them to aim high and be the best they can be.

Dougie’s course included a work experience element in a local garage, which he was initially apprehensive about. “I was a bit scared, to be honest with you; I am 45 years old, and I thought it might be difficult for them to approach me and for me to approach them due to my age and there being a stereotype that apprentices are young people.”

Dougie said he shouldn’t have worried, “We get on like a house on fire. In fact, I think they were glad to have someone more mature as I did not stand around waiting to be given jobs; I would pick up a brush and clear up if I was finished with any tasks and keep the workshop clean and clear. I am hoping to see out my apprenticeship there, and then in three to four years, I will be a fully qualified mechanic.”

Dougie has a lot going on outside of college. Most weeknights, he is involved in after-school activities with his children and also makes time for his hobby of building LEGO models, including Star Wars and Technic cars. He explained that balancing all his commitments is easy as his partner is very understanding.

Once he has completed his apprenticeship, Dougie’s goal is to become a mobile mechanic offering valet and mechanic services.

Dougie encourages mature learners to choose college, “I would have to say that if anyone my age is thinking about coming to college, they should just do it! I had no fear about coming here after having a conversation and finding out that college and learning are not just for the young ones!”

Meet Anna Stricker, who was planning to study dance only for her gap year but loved it so much that she stayed for another two years and gained a degree in Professional Dance Practice.

Anna came to Scotland during her gap year to study HNC Contemporary Dance Performance at the Scottish School of Contemporary Dance, part of Dundee and Angus College, and intended to return to Switzerland to study law.

The course sparked a greater love for dance, and Anna's positive experiences in Scotland and college led her to continue her dance education to the degree level.

Anna loved the sense of community and support the lecturers and her peers created and the diversity of subjects the course provided. She enjoyed that students could improve their performance skills, choreograph their own pieces, and learn how to facilitate classes.

Anna’s favourite memory of college was the pre-show warm-up class on stage. She explains, “Emotions were always high, and everyone was equally excited and nervous. In that state, the need for perfection completely fell away. You knew warm-up was just to get your body warm and not to improve your technique. This meant lots of laughter ensued (even more than in the usual classes) and we were all just enjoying dancing together, postponing the worries for the show until later. That moment never failed to remind me why I loved doing what I do”.

During Anna’s first year at college, she participated in a workshop led by the Emergence dance company and saw them perform. She was blown away by their expressiveness, intricacy, physicality, and sheer power, which they brought to the stage and the studio.

Anna was deeply impressed and inspired, and her lecturers' continued support and encouragement gave her the confidence to apply for masters-level programmes. Anna successfully applied to join Emergence and will start with this postgraduate dance company at the University of Salford next month.

Anna is excited to continue to learn and grow as an artist and is grateful for her time at the Scottish School of Contemporary Dance, which sparked her joy for dance and changed her life.

Anna advises anyone thinking about choosing college, “Get excited to be a part of a community that makes it worth going to college for, even on those rare days when anything, possibly even that law degree, sounds better than moving!”

Meet Liam Rennie, a 26-year-old self-employed bricklayer whose time at Dundee and Angus College laid the foundation for his career and continues to inspire his future goals.

As a child, Liam aspired to join the fire service; however, taking part in school link courses at D&A College while in high school opened his eyes to construction careers.

He came to the college to do an overview of the trades and completed 3-month blocks at a time on different aspects, such as painting and decorating, roofing, joinery, and brickwork.

Liam really enjoyed the hands-on practical learning that was different from school, so he left school at 15 years old to enrol on the Introduction to Construction course. His experience on the school link courses led to Liam wanting to be a joiner; however, due to his great experience with the bricklaying lecturers, he chose to follow the bricklaying programme and enjoyed it so much that he followed it up with an NC in bricklaying.

The course included a work experience element, which Liam spent with a local company. This gave him experience working on a real site and an idea of what working would be like.

During the course, with support from college staff to put together a CV and cover letter, Liam applied for apprenticeships. He successfully got one of two bricklaying apprentice positions with Stewart Milne, beating hundreds of other applicants.

Liam continued to study at college during his apprenticeship, and when he’d completed his apprenticeship, he was offered a full-time bricklayer contract with Stewart Milne.

One of his highlights was being awarded Trade Award finalist (2021) for Trade Person of the Year, a Scotland-wide competition. Liam was incredibly proud to have been put forward for the award; he thought it was a fantastic experience and good to be recognised for the hard work that he had put into everything.

Liam continued to work for Stewart Milne for eight and a half years after his apprenticeship, then moved to Persimmons for one year and then decided to become self-employed.

He is proud to be his own boss now and takes great pride in his work, knowing that everything he does is to a high standard.

In the future, he’d like to return to D&A College as a lecturer to inspire a new generation of bricklayers and give them the chances he was given. “I would be so proud to come back and work at the place where it all started for me.”