Forth Valley College’s new Principal Kenny MacInnes and Interim Chair of the College Board, Trudi Craggs, welcomed the new Minister for Higher and Further Education and Minister for Veterans – Graeme Dey MSP – to the College’s Falkirk Campus for first time on Monday 21 August.
The visit coincided with new students beginning their courses and returning students embarking on academic session 2023/24.
Trudi Craggs and Kenny MacInnes met the Minister on arrival at 10.30am in the College’s Steeple Suite and introduced him to the College’s Senior Management Team. The Principal then delivered a presentation outlining the College’s current position and plans and aims for the future. This was followed by a round table discussion with the Minister, Board Interim Chair and Senior Management Team.
After the presentation and discussion the Principal led the Minister on a tour of the College’s £78 million HQ campus, which was opened in January 2020, completing FVC’s ambitious £128 million estates plan, along with the opening of the Alloa Campus in 2011 and the Stirling Campus in 2012.
Graeme Dey MSP, Minister for Higher and Further Education and Minister for Veterans, said: “It was good to see the amazing work that Forth Valley College does in the local area and learn more about its ambitious plans for the future.
“Forth Valley College is a great example of how a college can have a significant impact on the local community it serves, through its vast range of learning opportunities and partnerships with schools, universities and businesses.”
Kenny MacInnes, Principal and Chief Executive of Forth Valley College, said: “We were delighted to welcome the Minister to our Falkirk Campus HQ and show him how we are making learning work for our students, staff and our local community. The Minister was openly impressed with what he saw.
“The College – and the entire education sector - has been facing challenging circumstances in recent months. But we feel that the measures we have taken, have put Forth Valley College on a sound financial foundation– and we will continue to work, to ensure we secure the College’s finances for the future. We also had a positive roundtable discussion with the Minister and were able to show him our positive plans for moving forward.”
Trudi Craggs, Interim Chair of the College Board of Management, said: "It was a pleasure to meet the Minister today to showcase the College’s successes. We welcomed the open and frank discussion about the challenges, and opportunities, facing the sector. We look forward to further dialogue and interaction with him in the future."
