Gary joined EEG as a 15-year-old student in 1971 and later returned as a lecturer in 1986, progressing to become Head of Faculty and finally Assistant Principal. He would later be involved in the decision to purchase his old employer’s building and set up EEG’s Built Environment Centre (then called the Milburn Centre). Gary is proud of his involvement in West Suffolk College; achieving an Outstanding grade by Ofsted in 2006 and the opening of the Milburn Centre. After taking early retirement, he remains a committed advocate for the importance of the construction sector.
What made you join Eastern Education Group?
My memories of joining are both of as a student and as a member of staff. I started at the college in 1971 under an EITB (Engineering Construction Industry Training Board) scheme at the age of 15 years old. This involved a year full-time at the College undertaking engineering-based skills and studying one day a week for my electrical installation qualification.
I was employed by Vitality Bulbs, which was a manufacturing plant in what is now the Built Environment centre (formerly the Milburn Centre). I spent the year in the new Industrial Training Centre – situated at the rear of the college – which now includes Engineering and Automotive workshops. I recall having some fantastic tutors, including Ivan Sharpe, Peter Dorrington and welding and fabrication tutor Roger Mathers, all very talented engineers.
I spent a total of five years on day release successfully completing an Ordinary National Certificate (ONC) in 1976, equivalent to Level 3 qualification today. This then enabled me to move onto Hatfield Polytechnic (now University Hertfordshire), where I achieved a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Electrical and Electronic Engineering.
I returned to the College in 1986 as a lecturer in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. I was fortunate to be working with many fantastic members of staff and meeting many enthusiastic and talented students. My interview panel was chaired by the Chair of Governors at the time, Richard Stewart, and I can fondly remember working for Principal John Shipston. Then Nick Foster, Ann Williams and finally Nikos. I was involved in the design and the running of a new area of engineering called Mechatronics, which combined engineering, electronics and robotics. It was very much the cutting edge of technology in early 2000.
I spent my final years at the College as Head of Faculty for Arts and Technology, reporting to Phil Thirkettle and achieving some fantastic results: we gained an outstanding Ofsted inspection for the construction sector – which was the first in any college in over nine years at the time. We then went on a number of staff development events across the country to share our success and spread the good work.
Could you tell us the story of Anglian Lane and the Milburn Centre (now called the Built Environment)?
It was decided to expand the construction department, since it had outgrown its space on the main site. We moved to two industrial units on Anglian Lane site, which were built as bespoke facilities. The units were used as models at many other colleges.
With the success of the construction department, a decision to purchase my old manufacturing site (Vitality Bulbs) was made, and a year of refurbishing and building new workshops was undertaken. Milburn Centre became one of the country’s foremost construction training facilities, culminating in gaining the Grade 1 Ofsted; a fantastic achievement led by heads of departments Ben Mayhew, Ian Minor and Phil Clark, and, of course, supported by the most fantastic delivery team.
Do you have any special memories from your time with us?
Many proud moments including an “Outstanding” Ofsted inspection in 2006, the opening of the Milburn Centre in what was my old manufacturing premises, and processing in Prizegiving ceremony at the Cathedral.
At the end of each year, we had a staff versus students cricket match. One funny story I remember was John Shipston insisting on opening the batting, and employing the services of his Vice Principal at the time (Nick Foster) as his runner. It was not a role Nick really enjoyed.
What did you go onto to do after college?
After taking an early retirement, I developed my love of construction and engineering and completed a new build property, as well as continuing my Friday afternoon golf relaxation (all my staff knew not to book a meeting with the Head of Faculty on Friday PM).
Is there a message you would like to share as we celebrate our 100 years of history?
I do wish the college every success in the next 100 years and hope they continue to inspire and give chances to students of the future across vocational skills that are so important to the country. Gaining recognition of the importance of the construction area to the nation.
Lastly, do you have any advice for future students and staff at EEG?
Further Education does give the opportunity of a second educational chance; I left school with absolutely no qualifications, but went on to gain a degree and progressed to a role as an Assistant Principal in 2015, after 29 very happy years at the College.
