Forth Valley College is gearing up for a major role to help the Falkirk and Grangemouth Growth Deal – which was officially signed today (Thursday 14 November) – become a success.
A delegation from the College including Principal Kenny MacInnes, Chair of the Board of Management Dr Abhishek Agarwal, Pauline Jackson FVC Development and Fundraising Manager and Laura Fraser FVC Business Transformation Manager, were invited to the Rosebank Distillery in Falkirk to see The Rt Hon Ian Murray MP Secretary of State for Scotland and Kate Forbes, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic, and Falkirk Council Leader Cecil Meiklejohn, officially sign the £100 million Growth Deal into action.
The multi-million-pound Falkirk and Grangemouth Growth Deal has been signed by UK and Scottish Governments as well as Falkirk Council, as part of a package that will strengthen the local economy and create more than a thousand jobs over the next 10 years.
It is understood that up to 1660 jobs and £628m worth of economic benefits are expected to flow into the area as a result of the delivery of the initiative.
As part of the Deal, the College will take the lead on a new £4 million Skills Transition Centre (STC) project based at the Falkirk Campus, bringing together partners to develop the skills needed to support the transition to Net Zero.
The STC will invest in state-of-the-art, equipment and kit with the associated skills programme development over the next 10 years, which will respond to emerging sectors as well as supporting transitioning industries including down-stream petroleum, chemicals and polymers based in the adjacent Grangemouth cluster.
It will respond to the needs identified through planned investment in new state-of-the-art equipment/kit, tailored curriculum development (new courses) and enhancement of existing delivery.
New equipment will include: virtual reality (VR), simulation, immersive learning, robotics, drones, renewables (wind turbine), bioreactor kit, digital studio and digital classrooms.
FVC Principal Kenny MacInnes, said: “We are delighted to be involved as an integral partner in the Falkirk and Grangemouth Growth Deal which was signed today and are grateful to the Scottish and UK Governments and Falkirk Council for their trust in us to deliver plans for the new Skills Transition Centre.
“This new £4 million Centre at our Falkirk Campus marks a transformative milestone in our journey toward Net Zero. By bringing together industry partners and investing in state-of-the-art equipment and tailored skills training, we are equipping the workforce for emerging sectors and supporting the transition of established industries in the Grangemouth cluster. This initiative demonstrates our commitment to driving sustainable economic growth while fostering innovation and adaptability within our community and beyond.
“I have been very impressed with all the hard work done by my colleagues to get us to this stage, and I am excited at the prospect of showing once again how Forth Valley College can make learning work for the people of Falkirk, Grangemouth, Forth Valley and beyond.”
The agreement means 11 projects can be taken forward that include the development of a Carbon Dioxide Utilisation Centre and a Bioeconomy Accelerator Pilot Plant in Grangemouth; a new Canal Centre and workshop at Loch 16 in Camelon; the Skills Transition Centre at Forth Valley College; and the transformation of unused land at three sites in Grangemouth to create development-ready investment opportunities.
The £80 million Growth Deal is jointly funded from the UK and Scottish Governments and is complemented by a further £10 million from the UK Government (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero) for future energy related projects in Grangemouth and £10 million allocated to the Greener Grangemouth programme from the Scottish Government. With Falkirk Council investing £45m and Scottish Canals investing £3.7m, the overall Growth Deal investment is £148.7m.
Kate Forbes, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic said: ““The Falkirk and Grangemouth region has a rich history with a strong industrial heritage, a proud community and significant tourist attractions.
“The Scottish Government’s £50 million investment will deliver projects to ensure the area continues to thrive, bringing jobs, active travel links, future skills training and new arts and cultural spaces.
“The Growth Deal will support the region to grasp the opportunities of the transition to net zero and remain at the forefront of innovation and manufacturing in Scotland, complemented by a community-led programme of projects in Grangemouth."
Ian Murray, Secretary of State for Scotland, said: "The signing of this deal shows our commitment to the Falkirk and Grangemouth area as it delivers £50 million in UK Government funding. It is part of the £1.4 billion the UK Government is investing in Scottish growth projects over the next decade.
"Growth is a key mission for the UK Government and a top priority of the Scotland Office. Our funding, coupled with investment from the other partners, will drive renewal and generate more than 1,000 jobs and hundreds of millions of pounds of economic benefits for these communities.
"The area's economic potential is huge and I look forward to seeing this and many other examples of partnership working deliver growth for Scotland."
Councillor Cecil Meiklejohn, Leader of Falkirk Council said: “The Growth Deal is a turning point for our community, bringing jobs, investment, and sustainable development. We are proud to partner in this project, which will elevate Falkirk and Grangemouth as vibrant, connected, and forward-looking areas for residents, businesses, and visitors alike.
“It is one of a suite of programmes and major investment opportunities set for delivery in 2025. The Growth Deal Skills Transition Centre, Canal Centre and Falkirk Arts Centre will progress at pace in 2025, the Falkirk Tax Incremental Finance programme is already delivering results with projects such as the A9/Grandsable Road junction completed earlier this year, and the Forth Green Freeport now open for business and actively promoting investment opportunities in the area. It is an exciting time for the Falkirk Council area”
