Work-based Assessor Spotlight - Lorraine McMillan
Work based training allows you to work towards a vocational qualification relevant to your employment, so you can learn while you earn and gain a recognised qualification.
Whether you are a young person looking for an apprenticeship, or an employer who is keen to train and develop staff, our business team can guide you.
Our apprentices are supported throughout their journey by our work-based assessors and in this week’s blog, we meet one of our newest staff members - Lorraine McMillan.
What is your role at UHI Perth?
Work-based Assessor in Professional Cookery.
What’s the best part of your job?
My favourite part of the job so far is the variety on a week-to-week basis. One day I could be at a lovely hotel driving through the spectacular scenery, and the next day I could be at UHI Perth planning upcoming visits.
What essentials do you always take with you on visits?
The main things I need are my diary and a flask of tea and snacks!
Why do you think apprenticeships are important to businesses?
Apprenticeships are crucial for businesses - nurturing new talent whilst the candidate progresses through their qualifications.
Within your trade, how can training and apprenticeships help you to move you up the career ladder and expand your skill set?
Training is crucial in the hospitality Industry; I began working as a chambermaid in a large hotel in Pitlochry in 1989. Throughout raising my children, I have undertaken all hospitality roles and when my youngest child left school l came to UHI Perth in 2019 for one year to do my Gold Award. I then proceeded right through to a degree in Event Management.
I have now achieved my goal of working at UHI Perth and this allows me to share the knowledge I have gained throughout my career.
What might people be surprised to know about you?
My skill set is varied, whilst living in the Western Isles, I made fishing creels to supplement my income due to no tourism through the winter.
Who, or what, inspires you?
The Hospitality Team at UHI Perth are the most amazing team, as a student they coaxed the best from me and as a colleague, the support has been outstanding. I know I can ask anyone the silliest question, and someone will know the answer.
What is the best advice you have ever received, and who did it from?
My very first boss as a sixteen-year-old always told us: “There are always going to be tricky customers but kill them with kindness and it will usually help.” This has proved to be true.
