Quality Report 2015 | Page 45

Creative Arts Introduced an entrepreneurial workshop and SQA units into HNC and HND courses to help prepare students for working in a sector made up largely of sole traders and micro businesses. This was well received by students. Live project briefs were incorporated into most higher level courses and were very successful in keeping them industry relevant. Through them, students were able to road test their skills to industry standards in, for example, managing projects within a budget and to a deadline. As a result of feedback from part-time and evening students, we expanded modes of delivery to offer more flexibility and transition to full-time courses. This resulted in a group of volunteers who were in the community studying on an NPA progressing to full time programmes, with a further cohort of people who were volunteering in the community enrolling on a part time programme to gain a qualification. Programme design was changed on some courses to improve outcomes for students, for example by introducing full-day practical sessions which helped reduce withdrawals and increase successful outcomes. AYRSHIRE COLLEGE / QUALITY REPORT 2014/15 45