Latest news with #HigherNationalCertificate
Glasgow Times
03-08-2025
- General
- Glasgow Times
Bearsden man celebrates 40 years of service with Scottish Water
John MacLeod, who lives in Bearsden and works with Scottish Water, began his career in Lochgilphead straight out of school, joining the Divisional Engineer's office as a "chain boy"—now known as a surveying assistant. Mr MacLeod said: "I started out holding the end of the tape for surveyors in freezing cold weather. "Since then, the technology, the safety standards, and the way we work have transformed beyond recognition – but the satisfaction of delivering something that benefits people has remained the same." Over four decades, Mr MacLeod has risen through the ranks, taking on senior roles and contributing to major infrastructure projects across Scotland. After earning a Higher National Certificate in civil engineering, he moved to Glasgow in the mid-1980s and began working in sewerage design. He later transitioned into project management, where he now oversees a team of project managers and handles a multi-million-pound budget. His work has included key projects in the west of Scotland, such as the Dalmarnock Sludge Pumping Station and the Kilbarchan Flood Alleviation Scheme. He also introduced new sewer lining techniques in Scotland, improving both worker safety and operational efficiency. Mr MacLeod said: "Looking back, I'm proud of the part I've played in making these improvements happen." Reflecting on his long career, Mr MacLeod credits the people and the purpose behind the work. He said: "It's the people, the variety of the work, and knowing that what we do matters. "Most people don't think twice when they turn on the tap or flush the toilet, but there's a lot that goes into making sure it all works. "I've worked with some fantastic people over the years, many of whom I've seen come and go. "There aren't many of us left from when I started – but the time has absolutely flown by." Outside of work, Mr MacLeod is a talented bagpiper who competed for 25 years, including with the Scottish Power Pipe Band. Mr McLeod pictured participating in the World Pipeband Championship (Image: Supplied) His creative influence extends to his family, with his sons now pursuing careers in music and film. He has no immediate plans to retire but is uncertain about reaching a 50-year milestone. He said: "Who knows what the future holds but I'm not sure my wife would let me work that long!" Brian Campbell, delivery manager at Scottish Water, praised Mr MacLeod's service. Mr Campbell said: "John is an asset to Scottish Water and a pleasure to work with. "His commitment, knowledge and experience are second to none. "He truly embodies the values of Scottish Water."
Daily Mirror
20-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Students can get up to £28k payment for health condition - check if you're eligible
The allowance is a payment that helps students living with certain health conditions and disabilities, covering the cost of study-related expenses Some students could receive as much as £27,783 in financial support to assist with t heir studies. The Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) is a payment designed to aid s tudents living with certain health conditions and disabilities, covering the cost of study-related expenses. The allowance doesn't need to be repaid and can be claimed alongside any additional student finance. However, the amount you receive from the allowance and the type of support you receive will be entirely dependent on your individual needs, rather than your household income. Full list of eligible conditions for DSA DSA is only available to claimants who live in England and have a disability or health condition that may affect their ability to study. This can include: physical disability, for example if you have to use crutches, a wheelchair or a special keyboard mental health condition, for example anxiety or depression long-term health condition, for example cancer, chronic heart disease or HIV specific learning difficulty, for example dyslexia or ADHD sensory disability, for example if you're visually impaired, deaf or have a hearing impairment To also be considered, your course must be one of the following: a Higher National Certificate (HNC) a Foundation Degree a Postgraduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) a level 4 or 5 course with Higher Technical Qualification approval Initial Teacher Training a first degree, for example BA, BSc or BEd a Higher National Diploma (HND) a Certificate of Higher Education a postgraduate course a Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE) How to apply for DSA When you apply for DSA, you will need to provide proof that you're eligible. This can include submitting evidence from a doctor or consultant or a copy of a 'diagnostic assessment'. You may also need to fill in a disability evidence form which will ask you to fill in details of a medical professional supporting your claim as well as your own personal details and details of your situation. Once you have this evidence on hand, you can send it through your online Student Finance England account or by emailing dsa_medical_evidence@ If you've not yet applied for student finance, you can send in an application for DSA at the same time. However, if you don't need student finance and only want the support from DSA, you can fill in the DSA1 form. Generally, you will receive a confirmation fo your application being successful within six weeks. However, it can take up to 14 weeks for DSA support to be implemented as this is a separate process. Further details on DSA can be found here.
Metro
21-05-2025
- Business
- Metro
Martin Lewis warns parents of 16-year-olds to 'act now' or lose £1,355 a year
Martin Lewis has urged parents with children born in 2008 or 2009 to 'act now ', or risk losing Child Benefit of up to £1,354.60 each year. This Government allowance is available for anyone with responsibility for a child up to 20 years old, providing they're in approved education or training. However, many people don't realise you have to reapply after your child's 16th birthday — otherwise the payments are automatically stopped. In the latest edition of his Money Saving Expert (MSE) newsletter, Martin warns that the deadline to do this is August 31 after they turn 16. HMRC will send you a letter asking if they're still in full-time education, and 'you'll need to reply, or let HMRC know online' before this date to keep receiving Child Benefit. Forms of 'approved' education include A-levels, International Baccalaureates, T levels, pre-apprenticeship courses, Scottish Highers, NVQs and home education, but not university degrees and BTEC Higher National Certificate qualifications. In terms of training, this should be unpaid, with traineeships qualifying but not apprenticeships or any training that's part of a job contract. 'Once your child's approved education or training comes to an end, benefit payments will come to an automatic stop, at the end of February, May, August or November (whichever is soonest),' adds MSE. To avoid any nasty surprises, your best bet is to keep HMRC posted of when your child turns 16 and if anything changes after this (like they move college or take a break from training or education). A few minutes of your time could be the difference between an extra £100 in your bank account every month — and given the cost of raising a teenager, that's a helping hand you won't want to miss out on. There are two different rates of Child Benefit for the 2025/2026 financial year: £26.05 a week for a first-born or only child £17.25 a week for each additional child Every parent or guardian is entitled to apply for this, as long as the child you're claiming for lives with you, or you're paying at least the same weekly amount as the benefit towards looking after them. According to the MSE website, 'if two people are responsible for the same child, only one will get the payment'. Parents who live together can either decide who receives it between themselves or let HMRC choose, while if the two parents live apart, it'll go to whoever the child lives with most. If you or your partner have an individual income over £60,000 a year, you can still claim the full Child Benefit, but may have to repay some of it at the end of each tax year due to what's known as the 'high income Child Benefit tax charge'. As a general rule, you need to pay back 1% of the maximum you're entitled to for every £200 you make above £60,000. For example, if you earn £70,000 a year, you'll pay 50% back, which means you'd end up with around £600 around a year for one child. More Trending 'Once you hit £80,000 a year, the charge you'll pay back is 100% of your entitlement, meaning you won't get any benefit,' MSE adds. If you're not sure what that means for you, use the Government's Child Benefit tax calculator for a more accurate estimate. After you've checked whether you're eligible, it's easy to apply for Child Benefit through the website. View More » Bear in mind though, while you can claim at any time after you've registered the birth of your child, it can only be backdated by up to three months — so if you've held off for whatever reason, it's better to get in there sooner rather than later to avoid losing out. Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: The 'hero' 11-year-old boy who has saved his mum's life again and again MORE: Designer shares 7 top tips to create a tastful bedroom every child will love MORE: I didn't know how to react when Mum mistook me for her mother
The Herald Scotland
30-04-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Learn how to fast track your future from college to career
It also shows the importance of the pathways that exist between colleges, universities and employers in Scotland, and there is growing recognition that flexibility and accessibility in education are key to supporting students in achieving their goals. The publication comes as the Scottish Parliament considers the Tertiary Education and Training Bill, introduced in February 2025. The Bill aims to simplify the landscape across colleges, universities, and training providers, and improve outcomes for learners and employers alike. One example of how these ambitions are already being realised in practice is through college articulation routes. These pathways allow students to progress from college qualifications - such as HNCs and HNDs - straight into a degree. At the Open University articulating students are often able to start at third-year level which means that in some cases they will gain a full honours degree in as little as one year. Sara Haldane from Fife is among those who have benefited. A mum of four, she completed her HND in Social Sciences at Fife College and was able to move directly into the final year of a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in Social Sciences with the OU. (Image: Sara Haldane from Fife) 'I am so proud of myself for having achieved my degree,' says Sara. 'I am a mum of four and for a long time I thought a degree was impossible for me and now I'm studying my postgraduate degree in Psychology, also with the OU.' Sara had previously studied towards a history degree with the OU, so she was familiar with how the flexible model worked. 'I studied Social Sciences at Fife College and completed my Higher National Certificate and HND. 'They offer a link course with the OU to finish the Bachelor's degree so, in 2023, I decided this was a good fit for me. Studying in my own time but still having the same lecturers as I had at college helped secure this decision.' She studied at home while caring for her children and navigating a challenging family situation. 'I studied at home and because there is no set timetable for the OU, just a weekly guide, I was able to organise my time to suit my day-to-day responsibilities. I study best in the evenings when my children are in bed and The Open University allows this freedom to study at unusual times.' Sara credits the OU not just for helping her gain a degree, but for transforming her career: 'The OU has had an impact on my career. I am now a lecturer at Fife College in social studies, which would not have happened without the OU, and I am a much more organised person after studying.' She adds that supportive lecturers and her children's resilience were crucial to her success. 'My lecturer was a big inspiration. My children inspired me too. Their dad received a liver transplant while I was studying for my HND and they were just incredibly strong during it.' With the Scottish Government focused on building a more integrated and flexible education system, the Open University's college articulation model stands as a working example of how learners can access life-changing opportunities without compromising on location, income, or family commitments.
