For Castlerock mother Melissa McMullan, Northern Regional College has become an important part of her family’s story. Two of her children have already studied there and taken different paths after their courses. Now her youngest son hopes to follow in their footsteps.

Melissa’s son Zac was just 15 when he attended an open day at the College’s Coleraine campus. That visit helped him decide where he wanted to study.

“Zac came away from the open day knowing that Northern Regional College was the place for him,” Melissa said. “He was excited about the Construction course and could see a path towards the kind of work he wanted to do. As a parent, it was lovely to see him so sure of his choice.”

Zac went on to study Level 3 Construction at the College, achieving results that made his family proud. Melissa credits his lecturers, Chris Keating and Richard King, with helping him throughout the course.

“Chris and Richard were fantastic with Zac. They gave him so much support and encouragement, and they helped him achieve amazing results,” she said. “Knowing he had lecturers who cared about his progress made a real difference to us.”

His time on the course also included a research trip to Leuven in Belgium with fellow students. The visit focused on building projects across the city and how they were planned and developed, giving students an opportunity to connect their classroom learning with real examples of construction.

For Zac, the trip offered further insight into the subject he wanted to pursue and was an experience Melissa remembers as one of the highlights of his studies.

Zac has since taken the next step in his career. He is completing a Higher Level Apprenticeship through Northern Regional College while working for Wills Bros. His Level 3 course provided a foundation of construction knowledge and skills, while experiences such as the Leuven visit helped him understand how his learning could be applied beyond the classroom.

This foundation, alongside the guidance of his lecturers, supported his progression into employment and further study, where he is continuing to develop his skills in the workplace.

“It’s brilliant to see where Zac is now,” Melissa said. “He has gone from visiting the College as a teenager and knowing it was where he wanted to be, to working for Wills Bros and continuing his education through a Higher Level Apprenticeship. We’re very proud of him.”

Zac’s sister also studied at Northern Regional College, choosing Health and Social Care before progressing to University of Ulster at Magee study Criminology and Criminal Justice.

Melissa said both of her older children benefited from the knowledge and skills developed through their courses, alongside the encouragement they received when considering their next steps. Although their ambitions were different, their time at the College provided a foundation for progression into employment and higher education.

“They each had their own ambitions, and Northern Regional College gave them a good foundation for what came next,” she said. “My daughter enjoyed her course and felt supported there too. Seeing her go on to graduate from Ulster has been another very proud moment for our family.”

With two positive experiences behind them, the McMullans may soon have a third student at the College. Melissa’s youngest son, Max, wants to study bricklaying there next September.

“Max has seen his brother and sister go through the College and do well, and now he wants to go himself,” Melissa said. “Every child is different, but it means a lot to us that all three have seen a future for themselves there.”

For Melissa, the quality of teaching and the reassurance of seeing her children supported throughout their studies are central to her recommendation to other parents.

“I would absolutely recommend Northern Regional College,” she said. “Zac and his sister both had such positive experiences, and it’s wonderful that Max is looking forward to going too. The quality of teaching, along with the support and encouragement they’ve received, has meant so much to our family.

“For any parent who is unsure about their child’s next step, I’d encourage them to go along to an open day, meet the lecturers and explore the courses available. That first visit made such a difference for Zac. Having seen where the College has helped take my children, I would recommend it to any parent.”