13
expanding as a result of acquiring major railway maintenance contracts. Destination data for this
course is very strong with 100 per cent of completing students last year gaining employment, many
of whom started up their own tree surgery or landscaping business. Having recently acquired
Lantra approval to support Modern Apprenticeships in Horticulture and Greenkeeping, the
College will encourage employers to offer these to their employees. The College is also working
with SRUC to enhance progression opportunities for students who wish to develop their learning
and skills further.
Towards the Ayrshire classroom
48.
The College has developed strong partnerships with all local authorities and schools in Ayrshire
to optimise pupil choice. Amplifying the recommendations of the interim report from the
Commission on Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce, the College introduced the concept
of the Ayrshire Classroom in September 2013 to head teachers across the three local authorities.
There has been significant buy-in from the local authorities to ‘rub out the lines’ between
institutions, provision and delivery, and offer a wide range of learning opportunities at a range
of levels to support individual need.
49.
The College is working with the three local authorities, as they make progress on enhancing their
respective school estates, to identify how to make best use of our collective resources to support
more effective transitions for school pupils. This includes being involved in the early design phase
of new school buildings such as the new Ayr Academy which will be built on land between the
College and UWS, as well as considering how to be more innovative in using existing school and
college estate to support our shared commitment to the principles underpinning the Commission
on Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce.
School College partnerships
50. 2014-15, in line with the direction of travel articulated in the interim report of the Commission on
In
Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce, and responding to the demand demonstrated by CPPs,
there will be a significant increase in the College’s three main campuses in the number of learning
opportunities offered to schools, from 47 programmes to 95 and representing 5,880 SUMs. As well
as offering an increase in successful programmes such as Games Development, Motor Vehicle and
Construction, there will be additional Advanced Higher and Higher provision.
51.
The College already offers a successful Performing Engineering Operations programme, where
S5/S6 pupils attend school for three days a week and college for two days. This model will be
introduced to subject areas such as Hospitality and Creative in 2014-15. We also plan to offer
HNC courses over 2 years for S5/S6 pupils from 2014-15.
Supporting communities
52. 2014-15, the College will increase provision to 3,000 SUMs to address demand from the CPPs and
In
JobCentre Plus to prepare people for learning and/or employment by developing their confidence
and essential skills, as well as providing vocational tasters where appropriate. ESOL activity will
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