A £4 million Skills Transition Centre at Forth Valley College has had its business case approved by the Scottish Government as part of a package to support students into sustainable employment in the region.
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 more than 1,000 students annually 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.
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.”
Kenny MacInnes Principal of Forth Valley College, said: “We are delighted to get the Business Case fully approved so that we can begin the work of delivering the Skills Transition centre for the people of Falkirk and Grangemouth. We are excited about implementing our plans and can’t wait to do what we do best to make learning work for our communities.”
Colin McMurray, Vice Principal of Forth Valley, who will also be chairing the STC Steering Group, added: “I was honoured to Chair the first meeting of the STC Steering group on Monday 27 January and very pleased to report that we got off to a very productive start. We have a wide range of skills, expertise and experience on the Steering Group and I am confident that together we will deliver the skills needed to support the transition to Net Zero in the Falkirk and Grangemouth area.”
