College takes home three wins from awards ceremony

The college was shortlisted in six categories at this year’s College Development Network Awards – the highest number of finalists from a single college in Scotland.

Championing the achievements of staff and students in colleges across Scotland, 169 entries were submitted for this year’s awards, with winners announced at a ceremony in Glasgow on 14 November.

Construction lecturer Raymond Bremner took home Lecturer of the Year for his innovative project-based teaching approaches with younger students on full-time carpentry and joinery courses. Raymond said:

"For me, even though this is an individual award, what we do on our courses is truly a team effort. I’ve been at the college for less than three years and the support from my team and managers has been absolutely amazing.”

The winner of Professional Services Colleague of the Year Award went to Micole Cochrane who is the student association development officer at the college. She supports the elected student presidents and earlier this year led the project to achieve the LGBT Charter Gold in recognition of how inclusive the college is.

Micole said: “I am truly honoured to receive this award. The recognition is a testament to the support from all my colleagues, as well as the Student Association officers I have had the pleasure of working with. I am incredibly grateful for this recognition and I am proud to be part of such a dedicated and inspiring college.”

The college picked up a further award in the Sustainability Action category highlighting the progress it is making to tackle the climate emergency by decarbonising two of its campus buildings and using its Skills Centre for Sustainable Living to develop the green skills needed by the current and future workforce.

As well as winning three of the thirteen national awards, the college received a highly commended award in the Inclusive College category and two commended awards for Health and Wellbeing, and Innovation.

These awards came just a week after the college won another national award for its ground-breaking work in providing green skills for a net zero future. At the recent Accelerate to Zero Awards in Glasgow, the college’s construction team won the Skills Impact Award, beating of competition from the private sector.

Jackie Galbraith, Principal of West Lothian College said: “I am very lucky to work with such fantastic people at West Lothian College and it is lovely that so many are recognised nationally for the work they do. Our staff really care about our students, our communities and our environment, and that it why we continue to a top performing college in Scotland.”