New £6.6m digital learning network now up and running in Borders

Launching a new skills and learning network at Borders College's Galashiels campus are, from left, interim South of Scotland Enterprise chief executive Nick Halfhide, college principal Angela Cox, business and skills minister Jamie Hepburn, college regional board chairman Tony Jakimciw and council chief economic development officer Bryan McGrath.

That network, given the thumbs-up by the South of Scotland Economic Partnership in July 2018, was launched simultaneously yesterday, February 12, by Scottish Government business, fair work and skills minister Jamie Hepburn in Galashiels and deputy first minister John Swinney in Dumfries.

Its aim is to improve access to online learning opportunities for people of all ages and educational backgrounds in the hope of enhancing their job prospects and helping bridge skills gaps flagged up by employers in various sectors.

The digital hub at the Galashiels campus will focus on teaching skills needed in the care industry and its counterpart in Hawick will do likewise for construction.

Mr Swinney said: “The south of Scotland skills and learning network will broaden access to teaching for students and learners of all ages right across the region.

“With a clear focus on areas that have growing regional job opportunities, the ability to develop key skills without having to relocate will provide so many more people with an excellent start to their careers or the chance to retrain to branch out into new areas.

“I look forward to seeing how the colleges develop the technological platform that has been created here to its fullest potential.

“Alongside the south of Scotland enterprise agency, which will launch on 1 April, the work of the partnership will help us maximise the full economic potential of the south.”

College principal Angela Cox added: “This innovative partnership enables us to better capitalise on the expertise and resources that exist across the south of Scotland and provide more accessible learning opportunities.

“Our schools and employers, such as NHS Borders and Eildon Housing Association, are already benefiting from investment in our technology-enhanced care hub and science, technology, engineering and maths hub.

“We remain committed to expanding the range of learning opportunities in conjunction with Dumfries and Galloway College in order to deliver on our joint vision of being regionally focused and globally connected in the delivery of future skills.”

Courses are open to school and college students wanting to enhance their job prospects and employers wishing to boost their current workforces’ skills.

What are described as digital spokes will be located across the region in schools, community venues and businesses, and lessons delivered elsewhere will be open for others to participate in, along with online learning resources.

Borders College has spent its £2.3m portion of the funding for the network on a care hub in Galashiels and construction hub in Hawick.