North East Scotland College hosted its first graduation ceremony of 2026 on Saturday as newly qualified students and apprentices gathered with guests at Fraserburgh Campus.
The event recognised the achievements of those who have completed Higher National Certificate, Higher National Diploma, Professional Development Award and Modern Apprenticeship qualifications.
It will be followed by two ceremonies on 6 October at the Music Hall in Aberdeen, for those who attended the Aberdeen City and Aberdeen Altens campuses.
Neil Cowie, NESCol Principal and Chief Executive, said: “The class of 2026 walked into the venue this weekend as graduands and left as NESCol graduates – a very proud moment for each individual and for everyone who has supported them in learning and life. It is always a day of joy and celebration and one we always look forward to sharing with all who are be part of the occasion.
“The qualifications that were recognised this weekend are the result of hard work, determination and talent. They represent a significant milestone and achievement – but, for our new graduates, it is just the beginning of something special.
“Those qualifications provide the platform to build for the future and we always take great interest in where the path beyond the College leads. Our former students and apprentices make a major contribution to the North East, to Scotland and, in many cases, to their professions worldwide. The class or 2026 are well equipped to follow in those footsteps.”
The weekend graduation ceremony included a guest address from Kirstie Langan, Global Business Development Director at PDi, reflecting on her experiences in education and work. BBC Scotland presenter and journalist Fiona Stalker was the event host.
The ceremony included the presentation of six special awards. The Endeavour Award, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Fraserburgh and presented by President Bob Watt, was won by Morgan Dawson in recognition of her resilience and commitment to her studies towards becoming an Early Years Practitioner.
Five engineering awards, sponsored by Score and presented by Gregory Smedley, were also announced: HNC Electrical Engineering - Caleb Duthie; HNC Engineering Practice - Daniel Reeves; HNC Mechanical Engineering -Taylor Wilson; HNC Measurement and Control - Kenzie Mutch; HND Mechanical Engineering - Lewis Brown.
NESCol is one of the largest providers of vocational education and training in Scotland, delivering to more than 20,000 full-time, part-time and online learning students each year. The College serves an area covering more than 2,500 square miles and operates from its main Aberdeen Altens, Aberdeen City and Fraserburgh campuses as well as the Scottish Maritime Academy in Peterhead. The Altens Campus incorporates the Energy Transition Sills Hub, launched in 2025 to drive the North East’s net zero ambitions.
FRASERBURGH GRADUATION CEREMONY
MODERN APPRENTICESHIP BUSINESS AND ADMINISTRATION
MODERN APPRENTICESHIP FABRICATION AND WELDING ENGINEERING (MANUAL WELDING)
HND ACCOUNTING
- Olha Bondarenko
- Iryna Hrytskiv
- Emma Smith
HND ART AND DESIGN
- Alana Jade Miller
- Lorrae Riddell Charlesworth
HNC CHILDHOOD PRACTICE
- Morgan Dawson
- Cassie Noble
- Daria Shearing
- Shaylyn Watt
- Marizhka West
HNC SOCIAL SCIENCES WITH CRIMINOLOGY
- Rachel Barclay
- Elysia Emslie
- Pauline Forbes
- Natasha Skorodihina
- Melody Smith
PDA ADVANCED CARPENTRY AND JOINERY
- Caden Buchan
- Tristan Hughes
- Adam Ireland
- Summer Junor
- Grant Stewart
- Jacob Watt
HNC ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
HNC ENGINEERING PRACTICE
- Dylan Buchan
- Drew Campbell
- Daniel Reeves
HNC MEASUREMENT AND CONTROL
- Ross Hendry
- Lauren Mackie
- Kyle Strachan
HNC MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
- Alyssa Buchan
- Lewis Dey
- Stirling Donald-Moellinger
- Lachlan Grady
- Alanna Gray
- Ross Hadden
- Drew Latta
- Sophia Morrison
- Calum Sivewright
- Phillip Stephen
- Taylor Wilson
HND MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
- Leah Brown
- Lewis Brown
- Krystian Patryk Pezik
- Taylor Sim
HNC SHELL ENGINEERING SCHEME
- Archie Buchan
- Luke Dunbar
- Kai Fraser
- Lewis Jack
- Kenzie Mutch
- George Stephen