A closer look at the five new College Business and Community reps

Five “exceptional” candidates have joined the College Management Council Sub-committee to contribute towards the development of Orkney College.

They are: Business representatives - Tracey Phillips and Liz Stevenson and Community representatives - Gail Anderson; Lorraine Bichan and Harvey Johnston.

They join reappointed members – Beccy May and Steven Sinclair as business representatives and community representative Beverly Clubley.

We have asked each of the new representatives to share their reasons for getting on board.

Harvey Johnston

First up is former Councillor and Council Convener, Harvey Johnston.

He said: “I have a long association with the College and its predecessors having joined the then Weyland Agricultural Centre in 1978 as a lecturer in agriculture.  It then became Kirkwall College of Further Education and I became a Section Head in charge of part of an ever growing education and training portfolio.

“I was heavily involved in the birth and growth of UHI as an institution and in the formation of Orkney College and the creation of the new College campus. I retired as Depute Principal having given over 30 years of my life to further and higher education in Orkney.

“On being elected onto Orkney Islands Council in 2012, I found myself on the College Management Council for five years in my capacity as Vice Chair and later Chair of Education Leisure and Housing, followed by another five years as Convener.

“My knowledge and experience of the College over many years, and my experience of committee procedures well equip me for a place on the Management Council, albeit in a different role and looking at it from a slightly different perspective.

“However, my vision for the College remains the same as it has always been:  firstly that Orkney College UHI provides relevant education and training for our own young folk and secondly provides for the needs and aspirations of the wider community.”

Gail Anderson

Gail Anderson was appointed a Community representative on the College Management Council Sub-committee to contribute towards the development of Orkney College.

We have asked each of the new representatives to share their reasons for getting on board.

Gail said: “Orkney College plays an important role in our community and economy and I hope to work with colleagues on the Management Council to support the College’s continuity and development.

“We are very lucky to have such a range of learning opportunities, spanning further and higher education, accessible to local people whatever their age and ability.

“From personal experience I am aware of the valuable role that volunteers play in Orkney.  Having recently retired from a senior third sector role, I wish to continue my commitment to the community by contributing to a valued local service.”

Lorraine Bichan

The third new Community representative to join the Orkney College Management Council Sub-committee is Lorraine Bichan.

She shares her reasons behind helping further the work of the College.

“Having worked at the College for many years, ending up as Senior Lecturer in Business, I feel I have a working knowledge of the College and the UHI.

Having experience in being a lecturer for the UHI and as a student when I enrolled for a Masters in the Literature of the Highlands and Islands, I have first-hand knowledge of blended learning and the many advantages it can bring both economically and socially.

“I see the initiative ‘Developing the Young Workforce’ as being essential to the continued success of the College. It is important to work with the schools and the business community to ensure as many young people as possible can benefit from this exciting initiative.

“DYW makes the connection between local academic institutions and local businesses, thereby halting the movement away from Orkney by young people.

“The college enjoys a good reputation across the county due to several factors including the success of the college restaurant which is run by students and open to the public.

“I am happy to give up my time in order that I can help to improve the profile and the success of the college.  I thoroughly enjoyed working there and am happy to be able to give something back in any way I can.”

Liz Stevenson

Business rep  Liz Stevenson, has worked in Orkney for over 35 years, gaining experience in the business community in various financial and administration roles in engineering, construction, farming, and latterly in the renewable energy sector - the last 10 years at Orbital Marine Power at Hatston.

Liz said: “Throughout my career I have been able to develop my knowledge and abilities with the support of courses at Orkney College and therefore appreciate the potential for people, and especially young people, to gain valuable qualifications and skills at a local college.

“My hope is that I can contribute experience and insight from the Orkney business community to enable Orkney College to provide the learning and skills that local business needs and therefore give opportunities for the students to live, work and have fulfilling and rewarding careers right here in Orkney.”

Tracey Phillips

Tracey Phillips is an accountant running her own practice working from home in Orkney, having relocated here from Hertfordshire in March, 2021.

She’s a Fellow Member of the AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians).

Tracey said: “I hope to be able to offer some of my financial expertise to the sub-committee, together with my accounting experience from the various clients that I look after.

“The college has their finger on the pulse in terms of safeguarding of students and a good team of administrative employees as well.”

But there are challenges.

“The main challenges for the College and indeed any business today, is the day to day running costs, in terms of energy prices, maintenance etc.  It is important that the College look to ensure that they receive the best possible price for the everyday items.”

Tracey does not see this as giving up her time but more giving something back.

“I have been made to feel welcome by everyone that I meet and by offering my experience in terms of my profession and life experience, I feel that I am giving something back to the people of Orkney as a thank you. I do not see it as giving up my time, I see it as a “thank you” for all the support I have been offered since arriving.”