Joining West Suffolk College in February 2003, Liz Creasy works with employers to provide training. This has been both a significant income from the EEG over the years and a major support to employers. She discusses the work she has done and her family connection to the EEG – her mother also worked here and her daughter is joining Abbeygate Sixth Form as an A-Level student this September.
What made you join Eastern Education Group?
I was working for a private training provider in Cambridge and wished to move work closer to home. I also wanted to work for a larger organisation with more prospects and West Suffolk College had an interesting position and I applied.
I joined West Suffolk College in February 2003 as a Project Co-ordinator, working with ESF (European Social Fund) projects with employers working under Elizabeth Bray. When Elizabeth Bray’s department took on ‘Services to Business’ from Marketing, I was moved across to Services to Business Co-ordinator, due to my previous experience of course organising with a commercial training provider.
Services to Business (now Commercial Training) is the department within EEG that runs the full cost, short training courses for employers and individuals across all different occupational sectors. The role grew and I was promoted Senior Services to Business Co-ordinator to oversee the provision and supervise the Administrators. Within this time, I completed my NVQ Level 4 Management and I had my first child and returned to my role in a part-time capacity under the leadership of Ginny Idehen, following Elizabeth Bray’s retirement. The role and targets grew, and we were teamed within Apprenticeships and became Business Development. Ginny moved on to pastures new and Phil Stittle returned to West Suffolk College and stepped into the role of Head of Business Development. The department grew even further, and under his leadership more opportunities were forthcoming with employers and working across West Suffolk College. I then had my second child and, following a year’s maternity, returned in the same part-time post. I undertook my ILM Level 5 Certificate in Leadership and Management and was promoted to Commercial Training Manager, and increased my days from 3 to 4 as my children were getting older. I had 5 members of staff within my team and have several Associate Trainers that work with me for all the different provision.
I am now Head of Commercial Training and have recently moved within the Personal and Professional Learning Department to work under Debbie Barton. I have worked with hundreds of learners and employers over this time. We are developing our Commercial Eventing and Conferencing and working with Local, Regional and National employers, along with supporting our local community and charities.
Do you have any special memories from your time with us?
Being recognised for my hard work and resilience and rewarded with promotion in September 2019. When my Dad died in March 2019, I felt truly valued by my Line Manager, Phil Stittle and Senior Manager, Laraine Moody and supported through a very challenging time in my life.
Are there any family members who have connections to EEG?
My Mum, Ann Taylor, worked for West Suffolk College when I was young on a short-term basis in the early 1980s. She worked as a typist within the ‘Caring Department’. Ann Williams was Head of the Department at that time.
Our daughter is heading to Abbeygate Sixth Form College in September 2025 to study Maths, Biology and Chemistry A-Levels and is really excited to take the next step in her academic journey.
I also worked for SLI Miniature Lighting (previously Vitality Bulbs, then VCH International) which is now the Built Environment Campus, firstly within my placement year of my 4-year Business Studies Degree in 1997 and then returned following graduation to work within the Accounts department.
Is there a message you would like to share as we celebrate our 100 years of history?
How education has changed and evolved, and the amazing work that EEG does – not only with 16–19-year-olds, but with adults, employers and communities. We have helped mould and support our local and regional employers and their staff for 100 years and the relationships just keep getting stronger.
Lastly, do you have any advice for future students and staff at EEG?
Be proud to be a student and a member of staff and make the most of the opportunities.
