Extra funding for Ayr College

Jul 17 2009

AN EXTRA £100,500 will be pumped into meeting demand for more places at Ayr College caused by the recession.

The move follows growing concern at the number of school leavers moving into further education instead of work.

Ayr MSP John Scott insists that it’s good news for his Ayr constituency.

He said: “As the recession continues, more and more young people – who would otherwise have moved straight from school into the workplace – are instead looking to take up places in further and higher education.

“That means extra pressure on colleges to provide additional places to meet this demand.

“The £100,500 announced this week, which is part of a wider financial package being targeted on areas where unemployment problems amongst 17 to 25-year-olds are most severe, is very welcome.”

The Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Council announced that it would give additional support to Ayr College this week.

And Mr Scott claims that the windfall will boost the chances of youngsters landing jobs in the future.

He added: “At a time when job opportunities for young people leaving school are less available than in the past, these extra college places will help local youngsters get the further skills and knowledge needed to maximise their chances of gaining employment.”

The award is part of £28.1 million of extra government funds that colleges are to receive over the next two years. £7.7 million is being allocated to 23 colleges across 14 local authority areas in Scotland.

College principal Diane Rawlinson said: “We are delighted to receive these additional government funds, which will help us meet increased demand for places, and allow us to offer more training opportunities, so that people are prepared with the skills and qualifications for employment when the labour market begins to upturn.”

For more information on Ayr College, please call 0800 19 97 98, text 07624 805 636, or visit www.ayrcoll.ac.uk