News
Mark is Building a Secure Future with Lomond Homes
A former student of Adam Smith College is on the road to success after securing his dream job with Glenrothes family run company Lomond Homes.
When Mark McLelland (25), from Glenrothes, left school he joined a plumbing course at Adam Smith College and progressed on to study HND Architectural Technology. This enabled Mark to further his studies for a further year to gain a degree – BSc Construction Project Management which he completed in 2010.
Mark was driven to gain as much as he could through education as his son Tyler was born with a limited range of mobility which meant he would require expensive purpose built aids to allow him to be as independent as possible. This might have tested the resolve of many, but Mark and his partner Emma were determined to give Tyler everything they could to allow him to lead a normal life like his friends.
Mark and Emma have had the support of family, friends and the local community in a series of fund raising activities to raise over £7,500 for specialist equipment for Tyler now in Primary 2 at Carlton Primary School, Glenrothes.
Though there have been tough times, Mark has filled his lecturers with great pride as he balanced the needs of his family along with his studies. When the opportunity came to study for a degree in BSc Construction Project Management (validated by Heriot-Watt University) Mark didn’t hesitate. Not only was it being taught on his door step, it was one of the courses delivered in the College’s new £17.5 million Future Skills Centre in Glenrothes.
Alice Kinnaird, Department Manager at Adam Smith College, said: “We are all in sheer admiration of Mark’s determination to succeed at everything he takes on. He was a wonderful student who was totally committed to his studies. We recognised quite early on whatever challenge Mark had to face he would always overcome it. He is a credit to himself and his family and we know that he will give 100% to his career in the construction industry.”
Grant Ritchie, Managing Director of Lomond Homes Ltd said: “The partnership approach with Adam Smith College is paying dividends with the recent acquisition of Mark McLelland to the Lomond Homes team. Following an intensive interview process, which included a practical test, Mark competed well against the stiff competition which the College students had to offer. He proved himself to be worthy of appointment to the position of Apprentice Architectural Technician.
“In these difficult economic times we are proud that Lomond Homes still have the ability to make such appointments and in doing so support local employment. I am sure that Mark will enjoy his time here, benefiting from the wealth of experience in the company, allowing him to develop a career in the construction industry.”
Mark said: “I love working for Lomond Homes. I knew they have a lot to do with the College so when the opportunity came to apply for a position through their interview process I jumped at it and gave it 100%. It’s been a long journey through the education system and its not all been plain sailing but with the support of my partner Emma I feel we achieved it together and balanced the needs of our son Tyler. I’ve a lot to thank the lecturers at the College for – they’ve been a great source of support and continuous encouragement.”
For more information on construction or any other courses available at Adam Smith College, please telephone the hotline on 0800 413 280 or visit www.adamsmith.ac.uk.
