Employer relations strengthened with key appointments

July 3, 2026

NESCol has underlined its commitment to working in partnership with the region’s employers with two key appointments.

Fiona Ritchie has joined as Business Operations Manager and Miranda Aitken has been appointed Employability and Partnerships Manager as part of the expanded commercial development function.

Fiona has moved to NESCol from her role as School Manager at the University of Dundee, having previously served with the University of Aberdeen for more than 18 years.

Miranda was a Service Manager for Barnardo’s prior to her switch to NESCol, leading its employment, training and skills service across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, having spent 17 years with Aberdeenshire Council and Aberdeen City Council in skills development, employability and strategy roles previously.

They will play a central role in bolstering the College’s links to businesses and organisations across public, private and third sectors, as well as enhancing the delivery in areas including Modern Apprenticeships and workforce development.

Priorities will include supporting new initiatives at NESCol in 2026/27, with funding awarded to the College to provide free training to parents earning less than £33,000 per year to enhance their skills and support them to enter the workforce or upskill for new roles.

Duncan Abernethy, Assistant Principal Curriculum and Commercial Development, said: “We work closely with more than 1,200 employers across the North East, not to mention in partnership with a range of aligned organisations with a focus on employability and skills.

“Fiona and Miranda have crucial parts to play in fostering those relationships and also building on the provision we have in place, ensuring that those businesses and external bodies benefit from a seamless College experience that meets their needs.

“We have reinforced this area of our operations, recognising the potential for growth and the role of NESCol during such a significant period of opportunity as the region’s economy develops.”

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 in addition to approximately 1,000 Modern Apprentices. 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.