Quality Report 2015 | Page 6

CO N T E X T Analysis outlined in the College Outcome Agreement and evidence in the Regional Skills Assessment for Ayrshire demonstrate the economic and social challenges which continue to face the region in the aftermath of the recession and continuation of the UK Government’s austerity programme. Working with partners, the College has played an important role in providing opportunities to prepare people for employment, particularly in economic sectors identified as critical to economic growth in Ayrshire, such as engineering, hospitality and care. Click to view ‘Skills Centre of Excellence Launch Event’ Importantly, the College continued to be the destination of choice for more than half of all 2014 Ayrshire school leavers who moved onto study further or higher education qualifications - 85% who moved onto FE study chose Ayrshire College, as did nearly one in four moving onto HE study. Considerable progress was made throughout the year in providing students with high quality modern learning environments. The opening of the Skills Centre of Excellence at Irvine Royal Academy, an innovative shared campus developed in partnership with North Ayrshire Council, helped to make progress on realising the ambitions of Developing the Young Wo ɭ