What is the Planner?

Jim left school at 16 in 1976 with no formal qualifications and returned to work in the family retail busines. He married in 1982 and now has two children of 17 and 15.

In the year before Jim's parents retired and sold the business in 1997, he started an Access to Computing Course and Banff & Buchan College. He had bought a computer some years before and had introduced computerised accounting and stock control to the business. After completing the Access Course he decided to continue his studies in computing by working towards an HND in Computing at Banff & Buchan as he was determined to set up his own computing business. He did particularly well and was accepted onto the BSc course in Computing for Internet and Multimedia at RGU.

Jim funded his way through college and universiy by taking a series of part-time jobs. He has set up his own business, working from home, as a computing and IT adviser to small businesses.

Julie worked since leaving school in 1988 as a receptionist in a large firm. She did not perform particularly well as school, as the work did not really interest her.

She developed at that time a great love and concern for the outdoors and the countryside. Since then, in her spare time, she has been involved in various outdoor and environmental projects on a voluntary basis and gradually realised that she would like to have a career in this area of work.

Having sought advice from Careers Scotland and others she decided to leave her job, take the Access to Sciences Summer School at the University of Aberdeen which gave her admission to a degree course in Countryside Management. On graduating she was employed as a Ranger by Aberdeenshire Council.

Ann joined the 3rd year degree class in Business Management (Agri-Food) in October 2000 after completing an HND in Business Administration at Banff & Buchan College of Further Edcuation in Fraserburgh. (BBC)

"I decided to go to BBC as it has really good reputation with other FE establishments and students who had attended. Once I had obtained my HND, I thought perhaps I had the capability to complete a degree. BBC had promoted the Scottish Agricultural College (SAC) as a potential next move for its students who wished to follow through on their qualifications. In addition, the SAC course content appeared to be compatible with that done at BBC so I was able to gain a degree after one year."

Ann successfully achieved her degree in June 2001, and said of her time at SAC:

"SAC is an excellent college with exceptional facilities, coupled with the fact that SAC is held in high esteeem locally. Having joined in year three, I was impressed with the friendly atmosphere within and soon felt at ease, this in turn helped when trying to juggle coursework with family obligations.

It is certainly challenging to study full-time, work and raise a family, but there is a definite sense of satisfaction in the fulfilment of your objective."

Stewart graduated recently with a BSc technology and Business from RGU.

Stewart, from Kemnay, went to school at Inverurie Academy leaving at the age of 16 with very few qualifications. "At the time I wasn't very interested in my studies and decided to leave school and get a trade behind me. I did my apprenticeship as a joiner and attended college. It was during this time that I started to realise the importance of getting formal qualifications if I wanted to enhance my career."

Stewart had already completed an ONC in Building Technology and an HNC in Construction Management when he went to RGU to do an HND in Mechanical Engineering. He then transferred to the BSc Technology and Business.

Stewart did his student placement with Hunting Tubular Services and obviously made an impression as the company kept him on while he completed his degree. Stewart is now a permanent member of staff, currently seconded to BTS (Batentoy Tubular Services) at Portlethen. " I'm working on BTS's contract with BP making sure that the tubular goods they require for their drilling operations are int he right place at the right time."

Stewart acknowleges that his degree has opened up new career opportunities to him. He said, "The degree was something I just had to do. If I hadn't, I know I would have regretted it probably for the rest of my life. I would certainly consider doing further courses in the future as you have to keep your knowledge at the cutting edge if you want a good career."