LONG serving staff at Bradford College have been honoured for their dedication to education.

Staff who have spent more than 30 years at the college were honoured at a lunch hosted by chief executive Chris Webb.

The 15 members of staff have a massive 506 years of experience in areas including teaching, finance, admin, technical support and customer service.

One person honoured for Dilshad Arshad, who has taught thousands of students to cook during her long career.

She said: “I learned to cook from my mother and still use her recipes and my own in my lessons.

“I enjoy passing on my knowledge and sharing my passion for Asian food and feel happy and appreciate the recognition from the college.”

The longest serving employee is Margaret Appleyard, who has spent 39 years working at the college, following her time as student at the college gaining secretarial qualification.

She began work as a secretary and currently works as Student Finance Team Leader.

She said: “My role is very different to when I started and the college is very different too, which is probably why it doesn’t feel as long as it is.

“I have stayed because I enjoy it. It is a job with real rewards, knowing you are helping students.”

Science technician Andrew Wade is the second longest serving staff member.

He added: “I enjoy working with students and I have made many friends amongst both staff and students along the way.

“I was very pleased to be recognised at the lunch. It was a thoughtful gesture by the college and I felt a certain amount of pride at being recognised for my long service.”

Chief executive Chris Webb, who has only been at the college for three months, said: “It was a privilege to present a token of appreciation to each of the long-serving staff members and to recognise what they have given to the College, to their colleagues, to students and to the city of Bradford.

“It is important to recognise the enormous effort and commitment people give to College.

“Working in further education is very rewarding but it is often very frustrating too given the constant change and pressures in the sector.

“For so many members of staff to have reached three decades’ loyal service and hard work is outstanding.”