Inverness College, University of the Highlands and Islands, has been awarded a European Social Fund grant to invest in engineering and technology skills.
The funding is designed to support and improve curriculum delivery for apprentices and pre-apprentices in the engineering trades including manufacturing, fabrication and welding, electrical and motor vehicle. As a result, an increased range of skills development courses will be available.
Three colleges in the north of Scotland will share almost £1.95m to help tackle youth unemployment in the Highlands and Moray, and has targeted manufacturing as a career that young people will benefit from.
The European Social Fund grants are part the latest round of European Structural Funds and follow £5.3m announced in February to aid economic growth in the area.
The Minister for Youth Employment, Angela Constance, announced the funding on a visit to Inverness College. Ms Constance said: “Not having a place in work, education or training can be highly damaging to the life chances of Scotland’s young people and can seriously dent their ambitions. There are considerable challenges involved in addressing the problem and we are determined to tackle this head on.”
Ms Constance added: “We have guaranteed every 16-19-year-old a place in education or training and I have already outlined how some of the additional £30m to support Opportunities for All will be spent, with an emphasis on the third sector working in partnership with employers.
“Today’s funding will build on that activity and help us nurture the potential of our young people, provide routes into work and harness their ability and creativity to contribute towards future economic growth.”
Inverness College UHI principal John Spencer added: “We are extremely pleased to welcome the money from the European Social Fund, which will make an important contribution to creating opportunities for young people in the area.”
