This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Funding for college facilities
14/02/2005
Five Scottish further education colleges are to share in up to £35 million to upgrade and improve their premises, it was announced today.
The investment from the Scottish Further Education Funding Council (SFEFC) was welcomed by Lifelong Learning Minister Jim Wallace, who said that it will help ensure students have access to the very best education provision.
It is part of £47.9 million that the Executive has made available to SFEFC in this year for college estates renewal.
The colleges to benefit from today's funding package are:
- Borders College - funding will assist in the college's plans to
re-locate from its Melrose Road campus in Galashiels to a shared campus with Heriot Watt University at nearby Netherdale. The College also plans to provide new community facilities at Hawick.
- Jewel & Esk Valley College - funding will help the college to refurbish and extend its Milton Road campus in the east side of Edinburgh, and provide a new campus at Eskbank near Dalkeith.
- James Watt College - plans to extend its Kilwinning Campus in North Ayrshire by 3,400 square metres in Phase 2 of a PFI development.
- Falkirk and Clackmannan Colleges - funding to support the colleges' involvement in Stirling Council's Raploch community project.
Mr Wallace said:
"Students deserve to learn in the best possible environment. I want college students to have access to the very best education provision, with buildings and resources which meet their needs.
"These colleges have recognised this, and are investing in their students' futures by driving forward ambitious plans worth up to £60 million to create world class facilities.
"The record funding we are providing for FE through the Budget - including £47.9 million this year for estates renewal and development - will go a long way towards helping meet this aim.
"FE colleges continue to make a key contribution to Scotland's economic growth, by delivering employment skills and encouraging people into post-school learning. Today's funding will keep colleges at the heart of that agenda."
Roger McClure, Chief Executive of SFEFC, said:
"The Council strongly supports the Minister's aim to provide fit-for-purpose facilities for all FE learners in Scotland. This is good not only for the students but for the businesses who need to work with colleges to help boost the economy."
In 2004-05 the Executive has make available £47.9 million to SFEFC for estates purposes, building substantially on the £20.9 million made available in 2003-04. SFEFC will work closely with the colleges to identify estates requirements, based on the colleges' estates strategies.