Forth Valley College’s flagship Skills Transition Centre (STC) project has achieved a new milestone, with approval now received from the Falkirk and Grangemouth Growth Deal through a formal grant offer.
The grant offer confirms the funding award for the project, enabling the College to continue with the project plans into 2025/26. This will include further investment in state-of-the art equipment and kit, building on the investment already made in augmented reality welding and drones.
In early January 2025, the College became the first project within the £100million Falkirk and Grangemouth Growth Deal to have its full business case approved by the Scottish Government and Falkirk Council as part of a package to support the area’s transition to net zero and future skills requirements.
Over the next 10 years the STC aims to drive innovation in skills delivery, promote inclusive growth and align closely with business needs. Additional expertise and insight to the project is provided through the STC Stakeholders Steering Group with representation from key stakeholder including public sector, sector skills organisations and business. Going forward, exciting STC developments planned for 25/26 include investing in Net Zero Domestic Kit, LIDAR (scanning and ranging), immersive and interactive classrooms, simulators and robotics all ensuring FVC continues to be at the forefront of meeting skills needs.
The photo shows a demonstration using Augmented Reality (AR) welding equipment purchased using the STC funds.
Kenny MacInnes Principal of Forth Valley College, said: “We are delighted to have received the formal grant offer and that we can now purchase this new technology and really begin the work of delivering the Skills Transition Centre, for the industries and people of Falkirk and Grangemouth. We are excited about implementing our plans that will ensure we deliver hi-tech industry training where we make learning work for our communities.”
Colin McMurray, Vice Principal of Forth Valley College, who will also be chairing the STC Stakeholder Steering Group going forward, added: “Securing the formal Grant Offer is a significant step forward for the Skills Transition Centre and for the wider Falkirk and Grangemouth area. As Chair of the STC Stakeholders Steering Group, I’m proud to be working alongside such a committed group of partners to ensure we deliver a bold, forward-looking response to the region’s evolving skills needs. This funding enables us to move at pace, bringing cutting-edge technology and industry-aligned training to learners and employers alike. Together, we are creating the conditions for a resilient, future-ready workforce that will power the transition to Net Zero and help unlock inclusive economic growth.”
Forming part of the £100 million Falkirk and Grangemouth Growth Deal which was signed by the UK and Scottish Governments as well as Falkirk Council in November, the STC will support students into employment over the next 10 years.
Forth Valley College hosted the inaugural meeting of the STC steering group at its Falkirk Campus on 27 January, where representatives from industry, training bodies, public sector organisations met to agree the way forward for bringing together partners to develop the skills to support the transition to net zero.
The STC will focus on skills development to respond to the needs of emerging sectors and support transitioning industries including down-stream petroleum, chemicals and polymers based in the adjacent Grangemouth cluster. This will be delivered through the £4 million planned investment in state-of-the-art equipment, and new and enhanced courses. Over the next 10 years this will be accompanied by an associated skills development programme.
New equipment will include virtual reality and augmented reality simulation, robotics, drones, bioreactor kit, a digital studio and digital classrooms.
After the launch in November, Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes, said: “The Scottish Government's £50 million investment in the Falkirk and Grangemouth Growth Deal will ensure the area continues to thrive, attracting new jobs and providing future skills.
“It includes £4 million for the Skills Transition Centre, with training to grasp the opportunities of the move to net zero in a region which sits at the forefront of innovation and manufacturing in Scotland.
“I am pleased that this is moving ahead to ensure we equip the regional workforce for the just transition to a greener economy.”
