Digital hubs for college students to learn online

New digital hubs will extend access to training and learning opportunities in college campuses in the South of Scotland, allowing students to participate in classes online.

Hubs focused on Care, Renewable Energy, Construction and Engineering will be based at college campuses in Dumfries, Galashiels, Stranraer and Hawick.

The £6.7 million Skills and Learning Network is a partnership between Borders and Dumfries and Galloway Colleges, funded by the Scottish Government through the South of Scotland Economic Partnership (SOSEP).

Spokes will be located in high schools, community facilities and business premises enabling more students to participate in learning opportunities across the region.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney will launch the network at Dumfries and Galloway College and Minister for Business and Skills, Jamie Hepburn, will open the hub at Borders College in Galashiels.

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 .

“Today marks the launch of the network and I look forward to seeing how the colleges develop the technological platform that has been created here to its fullest potential.

“The Scottish Government has now approved funding for 30 SOSEP projects. Alongside the South of Scotland Enterprise agency which will launch on 1 April, the work of SOSEP will help us maximise the full economic potential of the south.”