Brian Litherland MBE

A tribute to Brian Litherland MBE

Brian Litherland, a part-time lecturer in electrical engineering at Castle College Nottingham, has been appointed MBE for services to further education. He was one of six IfL members recognised in the 2011 New Year honours list. IfL is delighted that he has been honoured for his outstanding contribution to further education and electrical engineering training, after more than 48 years’ service at the same institution.

In September 1962, while still actively employed in the electrical industry, Brian began lecturing part-time at The People’s College in Nottingham. As graduate/student section secretary of the Association of Supervisory Electrical Engineers (ASEE), he was keen to ensure that the industry attracted young blood. His passion for education grew, and in 1967 he became a full-time lecturer, and in due course did his Diploma in Education (FE). Throughout his time at the college, which merged with Castle College Nottingham in 2006, Brian’s love of teaching and his commitment to high standards have remained constant.

Looking back on a career in which he has so far taught over 10,000 students, Brian says that it is difficult to pinpoint specific highlights. “Every week there was something that gave cause to praise students. Some students who, when they started, lacked confidence in their ability, to be part of watching them excel well beyond their own expectations through the teaching provided was always a highlight, whether it be in a single activity or a whole qualification.

“Something that very often happens now is that past students stop me and chat about when they were in my classes – indeed, some of those students are now the parents of students that come to me now. One area that pleases me is the number of students that I have taught who now own their own successful electrical businesses and employ people who they send to us to further their career.”

Over the years, there have been many changes in the sector, many for the better. Brian says that teaching methods have changed dramatically, as have the qualification requirements. “Coupled with that is the ease with which students and staff can access information,” he adds, “but the downside to that is some learners’ reluctance to use technology – or a pen and pencil – to produce work that is part of course evidence. I do remember the days when I used to write on a slate!”

Apprenticeships too have changed, as have employers’ patterns of releasing apprentices to attend college. “In the early days, it was mainly a 'captive audience',” he says, “but in the last 20 years attendance has moved to learner-driven needs and teaching has developed to ensure that the learners achieve the best for themselves and, when employed, for their employers too.”

Brian has stayed up to date with the world of electrical engineering through a process of continuous self-education, reading technical and professional publications and, in recent years, the internet. Another aspect of his continuing professional development (CPD) has involved personally developing, testing and modifying learning programmes and practical activities to meet the continually changing world of education and work.

As well as being a member of IfL, he is a member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and a chartered member of the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (CMIOSH).

He says that his teacher at the college for five years, who later became a colleague when Brian joined as a lecturer, has influenced him throughout his career. “David Gilks was a dedicated lecturer and a brilliant administrator. He had a relaxed personality, and many of the things that he allowed us all to do in our student days would cause people to have apoplexy today, but the experience gained during that time provided a sound basis for continuous self-development throughout a whole career.”

Brian has been married to Sheila for 50 years, and they have a son and daughter and five grandchildren. Now 71, he says, “I hope to be able to contribute to education for the next 29 years, and then I think that I would slow down.”