College principal Christina Potter said, “We are ambitious for ourselves as a college and want to be very successful in everything we do.

“Above all, we are ambitious for Dundee and want to make a contribution to the overall success of one of Scotland’s greatest cities.

“I believe that our contribution to education goes without question.”

Mrs Potter said the college’s links with city schools and with Dundee and Abertay universities were crucial to that mission, as was its partnership with local employers.

“During this challenging period of economic downturn, skills and training have been recognised by the Scottish Government as being key to future recovery.

“Colleges have an important role to play in assisting those not currently in employment in acquiring the sort of skills that will be in demand when the job market improves.”

The Tele takes a look at some of the stories from the day.

HELEN

Among the students marking the end of their courses today was a woman who has had to battle serious illness to complete her HNC in early education and childcare.

Mother-of-two Helen White was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy, a condition, which could put her in a wheelchair.

She was also told by doctors there was a chance her children, Jamie (10) and Robyn (8), might have inherited it.

She said, “To say I was devastated on hearing this is to put it lightly.

“On top of my increasing mobility problems I now had the emotional trauma of coping with the thought I had passed on this degenerative condition to my children.

“I received massive support from Jamie and Robyn and from my partner Mark and that helped to keep me strong and determined to finish my course successfully.”

Thankfully, tests a few months ago confirmed that Helen’s illness is non-hereditary — meaning her children will not be affected.

She is now taking a break from her studies to consider her future.

NATALIE

Celebrating today is Natalie Orchiston, who has completed her Modern Apprenticeship and become a qualified motor mechanic.

She said, “I had thought about having a career in childcare and even hairdressing, but I wasn’t until I tried the pre-apprenticeship course that I decided that working with cars and vans was for me.

“I thoroughly enjoyed coming to college and the lecturers were really helpful and supportive.”

ANNETTE

Today is a special day for Annette Ferguson, who has been a college employee for ten years.

While continuing her full-time job she has also been doing evening classes for a certificate in management — and it has already paid off by helping her to move up from janitor to become team leader caretaker.

“I can’t pretend it was easy, working all week and having to study in the evenings.

“But not only have I gained a qualification, I also have a great feeling of achievement,” Annette said.

KIRSTY

It is also a double success for Kirsty Skinner, who has gained HNDs in architectural technology and construction management — getting an A in both subjects.

She said that after hearing her husband talking about his job in construction she decided, “If I couldn’t beat them, I’d join them!”

She is now working for road maintenance company.

Lecturer David Dow said, “It is really unusual for someone to gain both of these qualifications in the same year. It was only because of the hard work and commitment that Kirsty displayed that we considered allowing her to enrol on both programmes.”