A successful conference showing the value and importance of ‘Entrepreneurial Skills’ for the future of education, industry and society, was held at Forth Valley College’s Falkirk Campus on Tuesday 24 March.
More than 90 delegates attended the Entrepreneurial Futures Conference – part of the College’s Campus Catalyst initiative - including representatives of local businesses, schools, universities, other colleges, FVC Industry stakeholders and partners and current students and Modern Apprentices.
FVC Principal Kenny MacInnes welcomed everyone to the event and introduced the keynote speaker Professor Ross Tuffee – one of the main drivers of the Entrepreneurial Campus Blueprint at the national Further Education level, which is a key government action as part of the National Strategy for Economic Transformation - who delivered a presentation on ‘Why Entrepreneurial Mindsets Matter Now’.
The event also included a range of presentations, workshops, case studies, networking tours and panel discussions from organisations such as: Screen Scotland (Education), Scottish Enterprise, Celtic Renewables, Beautiful and Bronzed, Secure Nexus, LCCI Global Qualifications and Fab Lab: Iceland, before FVC’s Vice Principal for Business and Innovation Colin McMurray brought the conference to an end with his closing remarks.
Colin McMurray, FVC Vice Principal for Business and Innovation, said: “It was a real pleasure to welcome such a diverse and engaged group of delegates to our Entrepreneurial Futures Conference on Tuesday. The event created an excellent opportunity for colleagues from education, industry, business and community organisations to come together, share ideas and explore why entrepreneurial skills and mindsets will be so important for the future of learning, careers and the economy.
“What stood out throughout the day was the energy in the room, the quality of the conversations and the clear appetite to keep building momentum around this agenda. It was also fitting that we closed the conference using our Proto Luma, a full size hologram unit and the first of its kind in Scotland, which reflects our commitment to innovation and to using emerging technology in bold and practical ways.
“The feedback we have received so far has been extremely positive, and we hope this will be the first of many opportunities to continue that conversation with our partners and stakeholders across the region.”
Steven Ramage, FVC Project Manager for Campus Catalyst, who also took the photos on the day, said: “It was really quite humbling to hear from everyone involved about not just what they do, but about how their values and passion are driving things forward within the space. There was an incredible sense of shared responsibility across all the sessions, and that was clear in the presentations given, the contributions offered, and the conversations being had all through the day.
“What that meant is that the day was characterised by a critical and reflective stance, only made possible because of everyone’s willingness to engage in the conversation, as well as a tangible sense of momentum behind thinking about next steps. I’d personally like to say thank you to all of our speakers, delegates, and also to my colleagues on the Project Board and beyond for sharing your knowledge, experience, expertise, and most of all your enthusiasm as part of the Campus Catalyst project."
Jamie Campbell, FVC Project Manager for Campus Catalyst, said: “After many weeks of planning, we had a clear vision for how the day would run. What we couldn’t have anticipated was the level of interaction between speakers, delegates, employers, students and young people throughout the event.
“Wherever you turned, there were passionate, meaningful conversations taking place. That energy and openness to collaboration is a powerful indicator of what lies ahead for entrepreneurial education, with Forth Valley College playing a central role in bringing partners together.”
Campus Catalyst - is FVC’s ambitious approach to entrepreneurial futures – has been leading the way in entrepreneurial skills teaching and learning across the region, since it was launched in January this year after receiving funding of £77,348 from the Scottish Government’s Entrepreneurial Education Fund.
Led by FVC, the project works in collaboration with regional partners including Stirling Council, STEP, Code Base, Connect ED network and the University of Stirling. It runs alongside a host of other entrepreneurial activity at the college including the Meta-preneur project being led by FVC’s Entrepreneur in Residence, Kirsty Thomson-Gillespie.
The initiative has been piloting a programme of entrepreneurial skills development in 2026, focused primarily towards FVC learners and staff, that includes colleagues and pupils from their existing 18 school partners, championing the importance of promoting an entrepreneurial mindset across the curriculum and ensuring FVC’s learners are prepared for helping establish Scotland as a world-class entrepreneurial nation.
For more info visit: https://www.forthvalley.ac.uk/news/entrepreneurial-skills-boost-through-campus-catalyst
Anyone looking for more information can contact Steven and Jamie on steven.ramage@forthvalley.ac.uk or jamie.campbell@forthvalley.ac.uk
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