College grants to help young jobless
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
GRANTS worth more than £1.5 million have been awarded to North Highland College UHI in a bid to help tackle youth unemployment.
The money – part of a £1.95 million package for three Highland colleges – has been provided by the European Social Fund and follows grants of £5.3 million announced last month to aid economic growth in the area.
North Highland College UHI principal Gordon Jenkins said he was delighted with the award, which will help fund four programmes.
"I am very, very happy that we have received £1.5 million out of a total package of £1.95 million. The money will be used to help students in Thurso, Wick, Dornoch and Alness," he told the Caithness Courier.
"We will now have to discuss with our partners at the University of the Highlands and Islands, Schools Development Scotland and the Pulteneytown People’s Project how we can develop these programmes for the benefit of our students and the community."
He added that £559,342 was awarded to the college’s Highland Energy Collaboration project which will provide places for 12 engineering apprentices.
It is aimed at the marine and tidal development projects in the Pentland Firth and Orkney and will give the apprentices practical and academic experience.
Mr Jenkins pointed out the college was also granted £439,142 for its Developing Digital Literacies programme which will make its financial and business services and tourism packages available for distance learning.
In addition, £311,837 was awarded to the college’s Personal Empowerment Programme which is run in conjunction with Wick-based PPP. It will enable the college to provide training for 16 to 24-year-olds and is aimed at people who underachieved at school.
"This initiative will give students an opportunity to experience college life and get on to college programmes," explained Mr Jenkins, who said the project was in its second year.
"This money will allow the training to continue."
A further grant of £190,372 was awarded to the college’s English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) scheme which will deliver tuition to migrant workers and others whose first language is not English.
The bulk of the money went to NHC but £320,914 was awarded to Inverness College to help meet the demand for full-time college places and to develop engineering and technology skills. Moray College received £128,328 for its e-hospitality programme.
The Scottish Government minister for youth employment, Angela Constance, announced the funding on a visit to Inverness College.
She said the grants were designed to boost economic growth and create jobs in the Highlands and Islands.
She added: "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."
The minister also acknowledged there were "considerable challenges" involved but said the Government was determined to tackle them head-on and include business leaders and young people.
"I am aware of the particular challenges being faced in the Highlands and Moray. That’s why I am pleased with the quality of applications for ESF funding and am confident the successful projects will make a difference and improve the employability of young people in the North," she said.
The minister stressed the Scottish Government had guaranteed every 16 to 19-year-old a place in education or training. She added: "This funding will 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."
