Staff Story – Andrea Kelly
A special milestone for Andrea & Preston College
This year Preston College is celebrating 50 years of serving the people of Preston, the Fulwood Campus opened on 1 September 1974, and just over two weeks later Andrea was born. Andrea was a student at the Preston Information Technology Centre in 1991 and can trace her employment at Preston College for over 30 years.
“I studied business admin at the Technology Centre on an early version of an apprenticeship, alongside studying I worked on reception. It was during this time that the College took over the institute, which meant that my lessons moved to the Fulwood Campus.
Over the years I have worked at the Winckley Square, Trinity Annex, Park School, Stewart’s Training in Chorley, and at the Fulwood Campus. My roles were admin based and regularly included reception duties. It wasn’t until later that I came to work in a Central Admin team and then transitioned into Student Services.”
Andrea has seen some significant changes at the College, she has worked under six principals, seen the campus develop with the sports, visual and performing arts, construction centre and iSTEM buildings erected. However, the campus isn’t the only thing that has changed.
“I worked at the Trinity Annex centre with office equipment such as electronic typewriters, a franking machine, and a large dot matrix printer for student bursary cheques. We used to print them out and hand deliver these to the students. At some of the other centres we had computers and when emails came in, it changed everything.”
Preston College holds many memories for Andrea and she has many stories to tell, but one in particular stands out from her time as a student. In the early 90s the College held an open event with a special celebrity guest.
“I remember shortly after the College took over the Technology Centre that I attended an event where I got to meet and shake hands with Trevor McDonald (now Sir Trevor McDonald). I don’t remember what the event was for, as I was so excited to meet him. I went straight home to tell my family!”
Andrea’s employment for over 30 years was recently celebrated in the College’s Annual Staff Awards where staff are recognised for their long service. Andrea’s current role is in Student Services, supporting students in anyway she can.
“I work in Student Services and I wouldn’t change it for the world. I see the part that the College plays in supporting students achieve their goals. We offer support outside the classroom, bursaries to help with travel, lunch and childcare – without which some people wouldn’t be able to attend college. I recognised one of our students when I was in Preston and she remembered how I had helped her with childcare arrangements, she said she’s now at university and without the help and support she received from Preston College it wouldn’t have been possible. Stories like this are everyday at the College and I’m proud to work here even after all these years.”