Dundee and Angus College Open Day

Whether you've recently left school, or are looking to retrain or learn new skills later in life, Dundee and Angus College is here to support you to make your mark.

The college's next open day next Saturday will give attendees the chance to meet staff, chat to them about all the courses available and the support the college offers, as well as the opportunity to explore the facilities.

Details :

📅 Saturday 18th January

⏰ 10am to 1pm

📍Gardyne Campus

Read more at www.dundeeandangus.ac.uk

Dundee & Angus College offer 'Discover Digital' learning

I wanted to make residents aware of a free online learning opportunity ‘Discover Digital’ which is being run by Dundee and Angus College to support learners looking to strengthen their ICT and digital skills to enhance their daily life.

In the current unprecedented business environment there may be individuals that you are aware of who have the time and could benefit from this opportunity and in those cases where work has been substantially affected as a result of the global pandemic, time may be available to upskill.

Dundee and Angus College appreciates the requirements associated with furlough. However if this is not considered as a mandatory training requirement for the business and individuals would like to undertake this for personal interest, this would be an available opportunity for them to develop and improve upon existing digital skills and knowledge.

The online programme is based on the UK Government’s Essential Digital Skills Framework and further information about this may be obtained here.

In summary, there are five categories around which the Essential Digital Skills Framework is based, namely :

Ø Communicating – including use of e-mail, messaging platforms and video communication tools

Ø Problem Solving – involving the use of the internet to find relevant information utilising digital tools and online services e.g. to help solving problems at work

Ø Transacting – setting up accounts online and managing transactions

Ø Handling Information and Content – developing the skills to critically evaluate available information as well as handling data securely e.g. via a cloud storage account

Ø Being Safe and Legal Online – gaining skills associated with staying secure, legal and confident online

The online programme is split into six sections based on key components of the Framework with a section on foundation skills for those not presently using digital technology, or if so in limited ways.

Learners will be supported online via the Dundee and Angus College Learning and Digital Resources Team at ldr@dundeeandangus.ac.uk.

Please note that prospective candidates must have registered by 1st May 2020 with the training programme having to be completed by 31st July 2020.

Individuals wishing to enrol should send an e-mail to ldr@dundeeandangus.ac.uk referencing ‘Discover Digital Course’ in the subject box.

Dundee & Angus College Open Days 2020

Interested in finding out more about D&A College? 

Then come along to its 2020 Open Days ...

From Tuesday 14th January to Thursday 16th January, there will be the opportunity to visit Dundee & Angus College at each of its campuses, chat to teaching staff about courses, get a copy of our new prospectus, see the campus facilities and get advice about funding, course options, additional support from the Student Services team.

Full details are here – all welcome!

Dundee and Angus College Open Days 2019

Gateway to College

From Dundee and Angus College :

This course offers an opportunity to gain qualifications and skills that will help you move onto the right programme/onto the right career pathway.

Available in a variety of formats (from flexible attendance to fully funded January-May courses to suit individual needs) Gateway to College Short Full Time is designed to develop the essential and soft skills you need to succeed in any career and at the same time lets you investigate different careers and discuss vocational interests so helping you be more informed about options open to you.

Successful candidates will have the option of applying for the vocational course of their choice in Session 19/20 or continue to develop confidence, social and soft skills and try out the vocational area they are interested in through a relevant Gateway course.

Want to know more? Then contact:

KINGSWAY CAMPUS – Vicky Hirst

Course Leader, Access

01382 834911 ext 7724 / 07793 267967/ v.hirst@dundeeandangus.ac.uk 

GARDYNE CAMPUS – Lisa Hill

Course Leader, Access

01382 834911 ext 7217 / 07515 053567 / l.hill@dundeeandangus.ac.uk 

Please note that whilst every endeavour will be made to deliver this course in Gardyne, this is subject to many conditions and may result in all of the Dundee provision being based in Kingsway.

Well done Dundee and Angus College!

I regularly attend meetings of the Bonnie Dundee group, the group that encourages improvements to the Dundee environment and helps local groups who keep Dundee's parks, open areas, streets and gardens in good shape.

We have been pleased to have input from a staff representative from Dundee and Angus College whose horticulture students kindly agreed to undertake a project to improve the site at the back of the Overgate Centre.

The project has gone well and the students have done a great job with a good floral display and new seating now provided – see below :

Unleashing Creativity at Dundee and Angus College

Over 30 budding creative entrepreneurs from Dundee and Angus College have been working with Dundee Heritage Trust partners on an exciting range of projects for the new High Mill Open Gallery. The entrepreneurs consisted of 3D designers and interactive media developers.

The 3D design entrepreneurs developed plans and sketch perspectives to illustrate their design ideas for the interior of the new Hill Mills Open Gallery.    These designs were then developed into 2D digital models using specialist 2D software.

The brief for the Interactive Media entrepreneurs was to develop a mobile friendly website for the gallery.    The website allows visitors to access architects drawings and get the latest news and images on the development of the gallery.

This exhibition is open daily at Verdant Works until 18th January and will demonstrate the development phases for both these projects, along with the finished products.   It is well worth a visit.

The Skills Express Art Exhibition at @VerdantWorks with @skillsharednd and @dundee_angus students

Maiden Voyage official launch event

This afternoon, along with a number of other city councillors and other invited guests, I had the pleasure of attending the Maiden Voyage official launch event at the Wellgate Centre.

Created by students at Dundee and Angus College studying NQ Advanced Enterprise in Business, this pop-up shop is an excellent initiative.    As the students say, "As part of our studies we are open and run a pop up shop in the Wellgate Centre for a period of 6 weeks in the lead up to Christmas. 

"Our group of 14 students have been directly involved in all aspects of this project, from restoring and painting the fixtures and fittings that will be used to display stock, to planning the store layout and selecting merchandise. The shop has been designed to allow for a classroom at the rear of the sales floor. We will be working in the shop as well as learning about knowledge and skills required by businesses to be successful and so are gaining valuable experience at many levels. 

"The shop, called ‘Maiden Voyage’ opens on 6th November and is located on the 2nd floor of the Wellgate Shopping Centre. The design, created by last year’s HND Retail Management students, is inspired by a vintage cruise liner featuring a mix of opulent and industrial themes. We are selling a range of ladies fashion, accessories and gifts."

Here's Grant Ritchie, Depute Principal of Dundee and Angus College, at the opening of 'Maiden Voyage' this afternoon:

Nick Clegg at Dundee College #sldconf

Further to my update on Friday about the first day at the Scottish Liberal Democrat Conference at the West Park Centre, and with thanks to Dundee College, here's a photo of Nick Clegg MP, Liam McArthur MSP and myself with some of the team at Dundee College, during Nick's visit:

On Tay AM News - on SNP college cuts

I was on Radio Tay News yesterday about the SNP cuts to part-time places at Dundee College and right across Scotland.   Click 'play' below to listen:

SNP college cuts damaging the chances of Dundonians wanting to study

Figures obtained by the Scottish Liberal Democrats have shown that there are over 80 000 fewer part-time places in Scotland’s colleges since 2009.    Answers to freedom of information requests have shown that there are only 8 000 more full time places in the same timeframe.  

Scottish Liberal Democrat education spokesperson Liam McArthur MSP has warned that the £25 million SNP government cut to college budgets combined with the pace of reforms being demanded by ministers could put a further chokehold on opportunities when thousands remain out of work. 

Commenting on the figures, Liam said, “College principals have already warned that the government’s £25 million cut from college budgets next year will undermine the sector’s ability to cope with reforms being demanded by ministers. These figures show that colleges have already cut part-time places in their thousands. With over 80 000 fewer part-time places in Scotland’s colleges since 2009, Scottish Liberal Democrats are concerned about the impact a further £25 million cut will have on students.

“The complexity and pace of the regionalisation reforms are challenging enough.  However, they are made almost impossible to manage successfully by the depth and scale of the funding cuts being applied by Mike Russell. This cut puts a further chokehold on opportunities at a time when thousands remain out of work.

“If we are to build a stronger economy in a fairer society we must provide a range of opportunities which enable people to get on in life. The SNP government’s focus on full time opportunities for young people should not be at the expense of lifelong learning opportunities for all other age groups. 

“In the face of these worrying figures the Education Secretary can no longer afford to ignore the resounding chorus of concerns from the sector. Colleges must be given the funds and the flexibility to deliver courses in a way which best meets the needs of their students and their local areas.”

Commenting on the Dundee College situation, I have pointed out that, in Dundee College alone there are 9 591 fewer part-time enrolments this year compared to 2009, but only 18 more full time students.    There are therefore vastly fewer opportunities for Dundee people who wish to learn.   

This reduction in part-time places could affect Dundee parents, carers and others who find it impossible to study full time.   It is really bad news for the local college sector and SNP bad choices are having a really detrimental effect.

Notes :   We asked: how many students have enrolled in the institution in each of the last three years (2009-2012) broken down by part-time (PT) students and full-time (FT) students?   Dundee College figures below:

Carbon Reduction and Energy Efficiency Day

For more information, or to book your place, please visit 

http://carbonreductionandenergyefficiency.eventbrite.co.uk

On Wave 102 News about college applicants being turned away

I am on Wave 102 News today speaking about the concerns regarding the number of college applicants being turned away - click 'play' below to listen:

Concern over thousands of college applicants being turned away

Dundee College

As reported in today's Courier, figures obtained by Scottish Liberal Democrat education spokesperson, Liam McArthur MSP, have revealed that colleges across Scotland are unable to offer places to thousands of applicants.   Full details of the figures obtained by the Scottish Liberal Democrats are given below.

In the Courier, I made the point that it is very concerning that Dundee College was unable to offer a place for 3,191 applicants in the 2012/13 academic year.      That is up from 2,957 applicants in 2011/12 and 2,037 applicants in 2010/11 and shows a worrying trend that is letting down Dundonians wishing to take up a college place.    

Dundee College does an excellent job but the Scottish Government has continually cut its funding.  The Education Cabinet Secretary should reconsider his decision to further cut college funding.

Liam McArthur has criticised the SNP government for planning to slash a further £34 million out of the college budget at a time when unemployment remains far too high and demand for college places is outstripping supply.  

Commenting on the figures across Scotland, Liam said:

“The Education Secretary needs to think again on his planned college cuts. These figures show that up and down Scotland, colleges are being forced to turn away applicants due to a lack of places. How can the SNP government seriously expect to tackle unemployment if it is slashing over £30 million out of college budgets when they need it most?

“James Watt College was unable to accommodate 1,261 students in 2012/13. That is 1,261 missed opportunities. It rings alarm bells that many of our colleges are turning applicants away due to a lack of places.

“Those who attend colleges often face different circumstances than university applicants. They tend to look for courses on their doorstep and family commitments may mean they cannot relocate to another city. What happens when there’s no room at their local college? These figures show that the SNP’s decision to cut college budgets could have serious ramifications to the lives of our aspiring learners.  

“Interestingly, our figures also show that applicants may also be languishing on waiting lists. City of Glasgow College had 8,021 applicants on waiting list this year alone. I hope that the college waiting list audit can shed some light on this but it is clear that there are questions to be answered about whether this really is best practice.  

“I remain concerned about the pace and extent of college mergers being demanded by the Education Secretary. These figures demonstrate a need to review access and seek to widen it across both further and higher education sectors. In our universities and our colleges, it is clear that we still have a long way to go to achieve fair access to education.

“Mike Russell will only be stoking the flames of unemployment if he goes ahead with plans to cut £34 million out of the college budget.”

Figures obtained by the Scottish Liberal Democrats :    We asked: Can you tell me how many applicants have been turned away due to a lack of places in the last three years? 

How colleges responded:

No Response provided for:

Angus College, Kilmarnock College, Cardonald College, Stevenson College Edinburgh, or Motherwell College

Students NOT turned away at: 

Orkney College, Perth College, North Highland College, Inverness College, or at Coatbridge College.

Students turned away at and the numbers:

Dundee College was unable to offer a place for 3,191 applicants in 2012/13. That is up from 2,957 applicants in 2011/12 and 2,037 applicants in 2010/11.

In 2012/13, 400 applicants were turned away from Carnegie College. This is an increase from 343 in 2011/12.

Banff & Buchan College turned away 180 applicants in 2012/13, which is up from 130 applicants in 2011/12. In 2010/11 the college turned away 131 applicants.

West Lothian College turned away 638 students (excluding January programmes) in 2012/13. In 2011/12, the college turned away 489 applicants, and in 2010/11, the college turned away 461 applicants. 

South Lanarkshire College saw 4,999 applications for 1,800 full-time places in 2012/13. As a result, “569 suitable applicants did not receive a place in 2012/13.” In 2011/12 they had 4,747 applications for 1,800 places and in 2010/11 they had 4,093 applicants for 1,800 places.

Reid Kerr College turned away 1,968 students (excluding January programs) in 2012/13. The College turned away 2,217 students in 2011/12 and 2192 students in 2010/11. In 2009/10, the College turned away 2,121 students.

At Moray College there were 64 rejected applicants in 2012/13 which is up from 52 students in 2011/12 but down from 89 students in 2010/11. 

Langside College turned away 2,781 students in 2010/11, 573 students in 2011/12 and 270 students in 2012/13.

Forth Valley College has 734 applicants on their waiting list for 2012/13. This is up from 579 in 2011/12 and 410 in 2010/11.

Dumfries College and Galloway College turned away 86 applicants in 2012/13. This is up from 60 students in 2011/12 and 23 students in 2010/11.

Anniesland College rejected 883 applicants in 2012, compared with 976 applicants in 2011 and 1587 applicants in 2010, due to a lack of places. 

96 applicants to Borders College for 2012/13 did not get a place due to the oversubscribed courses. This is up from 53 applicants in 2011/12 but down from 114 applicants in 2010/11.

At Ayr College 536 applicants were unable to secure a place in 2011/12 this is up from 247 in 2010/1 and 377 in 2009/10.

Barony College, Dumfries turned away 59 people in 2012/13 which is down from 154 people in 2011/12 and 74 people in 2010/11. On 1 October 2012, Barony, Elmwood, Oatridge and SAC merged to form Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), so I replying on behalf of all four former colleges.

Elmwood College turned away 465 students in 2012/13, 206 students in 2011/12, and 29 students in 2010/11.

Oatridge College turned away 185 students in 2012/13, 138 in 2011/12, and 154 in 2010/11.

Scottish Agricultural College turned away 80 students in 2012/13, 68 students in 2011/12, and 0 students in 2010/11.

City of Glasgow College had 8,021 applicants on a waiting list in 2012/13. In 2011/12, 2,951 applicants were on a waiting list and 2,128 applicants were on a reserve list. In 2010/11, no applicants were on a waiting list.

Glasgow Metropolitan College had 4,908 applicants on its waiting list in 2010/11. For 2011/12 and 2012/13, the college responded saying “Glasgow Metropolitan College kept waiting lists which could be interpreted as the number of applicants failing to get a place.”

North Glasgow College turned away 104 students in 2010/11, 456 students in 2011/12, and in 2012/13, 936 students were turned away due to a lack of places.

Glasgow Central College had 377 applicants on a waiting list in 2010/11. For 2011/12 and 2012/13, “if a course was full applications were not accepted even onto a waiting list.”

John Wheatley College had no place for 424 students in 2012/13, compared with no places for 183 students in 2011/12 and no places for 224 students in 2010/11.

Stow College turned away 4,716 applicants in 2010. In 2011, they turned away 6,914 applicants. In 2012, the College turned away 6,207 applicants.  

James Watt College was unable to accommodate 542 students in 2010/11; 900 students in 2011/12, and 1,261 students in 2012/13. 

Aberdeen College does not hold information about college applicants turned away.

National Convention on Youth Employment

The Principal of Dundee College opens
the National Convention on Youth Employment

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of attending part of the National Convention on Youth Employment at Dundee College's Gardyne Campus, along with a large gathering of national and local politicians, major employers, JobCentre Plus, the further & higher education sectors and many others.   The event was organised by the Scotland Office.

Tackling youth unemployment is a major challenge for both the Westminster and Scottish Governments and it was refreshing to see Ministers from both governments speaking on the same platform and emphasising the close working relationship between the two governments on this vital issue.    

I heard three of the Ministerial presentations - by Mike Moore MP, Secretary of State for Scotland, Iain Duncan Smith MP, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, and John Swinney MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth - and all spoke in a positive way about what their government is doing to create youth employment and their willingness to co-operate to ensure that public expenditure on this vital area is best-spent by each government.

The Youth Contract gives a package of support worth almost £1 billion to help young unemployed  people prepare for work and find a job.   Yesterday's event underlined the need to do all we can to support young people find good employment opportunities.

Forthcoming musical play about the life of Mary Slessor

Willie Rennie visits Dundee College

Willie and me at Dundee College yesterday

Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats Willie Rennie MSP was in Dundee yesterday to visit Dundee College with me, touring the new Gardyne Campus and also discussing college funding cuts with Principal Christina Potter, Depute Principal Grant Ritchie and Assistant Principal Leslie Dick.    

Speaking after the meeting, Willie said:

“It was great to visit Dundee College today with local Liberal Democrat Councillor Fraser Macpherson.

“Dundee College helps people from a range of backgrounds to get up and on in the world with new skills and knowledge.  Improving the life chances of thousands of people of all ages is something we should support and nourish.

“That’s why it makes no sense to cut £40 million from college funds next year which could mean fewer places students and teaching posts might have to go.

“The Scottish Government has the money available to fill this gap as a result of consequentials from Westminster. So the SNP should get the year of to a good start and reverse this cut.

“This would support colleges like Dundee and the great work it does with students and communities.”

What was obvious from yesterday's meeting is that the new Gardyne Campus facilities are superb but for the college to grow and provide the educational benefits for Dundee students, it is vital that there is clarity from Scottish Government about funding for Dundee College and other further education colleges across Scotland.

The recent announcement from the Education Secretary still leaves colleges across Scotland in the dark about their individual funding allocations and, as a result, planning for next year has been made extremely difficult.

What is obvious is that last year’s 10.4% cut is to be followed by a cut of up to 8.5% next year and this has a hugely detrimental consequence for college places, courses and staff jobs.      Our colleges are vital to the future of the Scottish economy.

Dundee College - fabulous Gardyne Campus

Later yesterday afternoon, I had a very interesting tour of the fabulous newly opened Gardyne Campus of Dundee College and I am most grateful to the Depute Principal of the college for the guided tour of what is a superb learning facility - see right.

My main reason for the visit was to see the TV facilities, given my interest in the Fife and Tayside television consortium.

Dundee College's new facilities are tremendous but, as I have already highlighted, the Scottish Government is disproportionately cutting college funding - and this will affect the life chances of thousands of local young people.   

In the forthcoming period, Scotland’s block grant from Westminster for the period represents a cash increase of 1.9%.   The way in which the Scottish Government has chosen to distributed these slightly increased funds is as follows in cash terms:

Local authorities     -5.2%

Universities     +14.6%

Colleges     -13.6%

Despite having slightly more cash (albeit a real terms cut given the challenges of budget deficit) from Westminster, the SNP government has chosen to cut colleges disproportionately, with a 13.6% cash cut representing a real terms cut of around 20%.   This comes on the back of both colleges and universities having had a 10.4% cash cut this year - 2011/12.   Over the 4 year period (including this year), total college budgets will have reduced in cash terms by almost 25%.   

Frightening.

Willie Rennie MSP, Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, has already called on the First Minister to use the Barnett consequentials of the English Council Tax freeze (£67 million) to plug the college funding gap.   Time for the SNP government to act.

Wave 102 News - on Dundee College Cuts

I am on Wave 102 News this morning about the concerns over Dundee College funding cuts - click 'play' to listen :