A partnership of colleges in southern Scotland has set up a network of ‘digital learning spokes’ with £6.7 million from the Scottish Government.
Borders and Dumfries and Galloway Colleges have launched the Skills and Learning Network through the South of Scotland Economic Partnership.
It will use a ‘hub and spoke’ approach to provide access to training and learning opportunities, with the hubs focused on care, renewable energy, constructions and engineering. Students will be able to part in classes online.
The hubs will be at college campuses in Dumfries, Galashiels, Stranraer and Hawick, while the spokes will be located in high schools, community facilities and business premises.
In addition, there are plans to increase the provision of online learning by the colleges over the next five years through a partnership with Digiskill Scotland.
Deputy First Minister John 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.”
Image by Les Chatfield, CC BY-SA 2.0
