COLLEGE'S ENVIRONMENT CHAMPION BOWS OUT AFTER 43 YEARS
| Published: 19th June 2008 21:58 |
Tamworth & Lichfield College's highly respected health, safety and environment champion is retiring following a career spanning 43 years.
Barbara Hayward, who lives in Amington, has seen fundamental changes at the college since joining its staff in 1965, including the demolition and construction of a host of new buildings and wide ranging changes in FE policy.
"At the start of my career, things were very much aimed towards the academic side of education and even though it was the age of mini skirts and flower power, I was once asked by the principal to go home because I was setting a bad example by wearing high heels!
"Things are different now. The site is very friendly and relaxed and we work much more towards vocational qualifications, while also offering a progression route through higher qualifications and our links with Staffordshire University."
Barbara's first position at the college was in its science laboratories following a background in medical research. "I only came for a term while I was deciding on what I wanted to do in the future, but the place grew on me and I never left! I took health and safety qualifications and became a manager for health, safety and environment 20 years ago. I think it's a really excellent place and I'm proud to have been associated with an organisation that has always striven to be there for the young people of Tamworth."
College Principal Ann Neville said, "Barbara has been a loyal and very valued member of staff over the last 43 years, and has used her considerable experience and knowledge to help the college achieve a position at the forefront of health, safety and environmental issues across the UK - in many cases long before other colleges had even addressed such matters. She has certainly made her mark here and helped to make Tamworth & Lichfield College a beacon in this field."
Barbara is married with one son and two grandchildren, and her daughter-in-law is now continuing the family presence at the college, working in the hairdressing department as a technician and assessor.
Barbara now plans to divide her time between a new voluntary position on the Board of four hospital trusts in Birmingham, occasional consultancy work and her hobbies of reading and travelling. She said, "It will be strange when I am not working here anymore, but I have really enjoyed it, and have received so many lovely gifts from students that I really don't know what to say."
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