College Innovation the Heart of Scotland's Future
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FOR SCOTLAND’S COLLEGE SECTOR 2020 THE HEART OF SCOTLAND’S FUTURE An interview with Karen Watt, Chief Executive of the Scottish Funding Council p11 COLLEGE INNOVATION Innovation has never been more important, says City of Glasgow College p12 PROJECT PLASTIC How Dundee and Angus College is tackling the climate emergency head on p30 REACHING NEW HEIGHTS Colleges have a crucial role to play in the new vision for Scotland’s tourism and hospitality sector 11 28 2020 Editor Wendy Grindle [email protected] Assistant Editor Tina Koenig [email protected] Front Cover The cover photo shows Rūta Melvere with her snowboard. She completed the West Highland College UHI Outdoor Leadership NQ and came back to study BA (Hons) Adventure Tourism Management. She has gone on to start her own tourism business. The photo was taken by Simon Erhardt, who CONTENTS studied BA (Hons) Adventure Performance and Coaching at West Highland College UHI and graduated in 2018. 4 ROUND-UP 24 COLLEGE VOICE The latest projects and initiatives The CDN Student of the Year and Colleague of the Year speak to Reach Reach is produced by Connect Publications (Scotland) 9 ADULT LEARNING Limited on behalf of College Development Network Richard Lochhead MSP on a new national strategy 26 DIGITAL COLLEGES A digital learning network has been formed by 11 INTERVIEW Dumfries and Galloway and Borders Colleges Karen Watt, Chief Executive of the Scottish Funding Studio 2001, Mile End Council (SFC), reflects on the role of colleges 12 Seedhill Road 28 INCLUSION Paisley PA1 1JS Fife College has made a commitment 12 INNOVATION to care-experienced students Tel: 0141 561 0300 Web: www.connectcommunications.co.uk Douglas Morrison, City of Glasgow College, examines the importance of innovation 30 CLIMATE EMERGENCY Dundee and Angus College has made huge 14 INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT inroads into improving campus sustainability Colleges play a key role in the new strategy for Scotland’s tourism and hospitality sector 33 EMPLOYER CONNECTIONS Ayrshire College has been building strong relationships between students and businesses College Development Network 18 MEET THE PRINCIPALS Airthrey Castle Three new Principals share their plans University of Stirling 36 HEALTH AND WELLBEING FK9 4LA 20 EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP Glasgow Clyde College teamed up with SAMH to E-mail: [email protected] Preparing for leadership roles raise awareness of mental health and wellbeing Web: www.cdn.ac.uk Company Limited By Guarantee 22 PARTNERSHIPS 38 THE LAST WORD Registered in Scotland No: 143514 Implementing My World of Work skills profiling Looking at the role of Secretary to the College Scottish Charity No. SC021876 VAT No. 617148346 tool for school-college collaboration Board of Management 2 | 2020 Adventure Tourism student from West Highland College UHI; photograph by Simon Erhardt, who also studied at West Highland College UHI 12 30 WELCOME Welcome to the 2020 issue of Reach, the Effective adult learning is key to that prosperity explores how colleges are integral to this key magazine for people across Scotland’s college and Richard Lochhead, Minister for Further sector, and the subject and photographer of our sector. This expanded issue is packed full of Education, Higher Education and Science, fabulous cover picture are adventure tourism inspiring best practice, innovation and latest introduces the new work taking place to develop students at West Highland College UHI. thinking. I am delighted that it also introduces adult learning (page 9). The Adult Learning Efforts are under way across the sector to CDN’s vibrant new brand style. Strategic Forum is taking that work forward and accelerate our response to the global climate Hot off the press we announce a suite of its Chair, Mhairi Harrington OBE, explains how emergency, and it’s great to see innovation in exciting new online courses from CDN, covering adult learning develops better skilled people who campus sustainability discussed (page 30). Here a range of areas including data science, cyber contribute to connected communities. We’re at CDN, we’re committed to doing all we can as security and safeguarding (page 8). delighted that Mhairi also continues to work the sector’s development agency to help staff In this issue three new principals talk to us with CDN as an expert Fellow. and students address this critical challenge. about their aspirations for their colleges (page Tourism is a sector which contributes I hope you find this and all the other pieces in 18). Meanwhile, Karen Watt, Chief Executive of significantly to Scotland’s economic connectivity this issue to be uplifting, informative and thought the Scottish Funding Council, reflects on her first and prosperity. It employs over 200,000 people provoking. Please do let me know what else you’d year in post and explains the role of colleges in more than 14,500 companies – and it is our like to see included in Reach, and I look forward to in ensuring Scotland’s future prosperity (page 11). featured industry spotlight (page 14). The feature working with you in 2020. Jim Metcalfe, Chief Executive, CDN Effective adult learning is key to Scotland’s future prosperity and Richard Lochhead, Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science introduces the new work taking place 2020 | 3 Bridge 2 Business - Supporting enterprise throughout ROUND-UP colleges in Scotland NEW LOOK FOR CDN Welcome to the new-look CDN! We are delighted to unveil our refreshed brand identity. Last year we tested several design concepts with college colleagues and the one which SCOTLAND’S NATIONAL evolved from our acclaimed College Awards’ emblem was the run-away winner. Our new, but already familiar logo, is well-established CHEF INDUCTED INTO CDN and associated with celebration of the sector. The new look incorporates a bold and upbeat COLLEGE HALL OF FAME colour palette, which has given CDN a vibrant start to 2020. We hope you like it! Scotland’s National Chef and BBC Masterchef: He said: ‘It is both humbling and a privilege The Professionals winner Gary Maclean was to be inducted into the College Hall of Fame. To inducted into the CDN College Hall of Fame at be recognised in this way is an honour for me CDN’s College Awards 2019. Gary is the second personally, but also for City of Glasgow College and inductee of the CDN College Hall of Fame the incredible team I am fortunate to work with and was presented with his award by Aileen and whose dedication and expertise are shaping McKechnie, Director of Advanced Learning and and inspiring the next generation of chefs.’ Science at the Scottish Government, recently The 47-year-old is passionate about creative appointed Principal of South Lanarkshire College. cooking and mentoring young chefs. He has Jim Metcalfe, Chief Executive of CDN, said: worked at City of Glasgow College for more than ‘The CDN College Hall of Fame is a way of 17 years where he is culinary team coach, and highlighting and recognising the outstanding has led his team to victory at many national and contribution that college graduates make to international competitions. His links with industry society and the economy; and demonstrates and respected position means he has been able to the variety of pathways to success from college. help and support many students throughout their COLLEGE Gary is an inspiration and we are delighted to learning journey and directly into employment. extend our congratulations to him on being Since winning Masterchef: The Professionals EXPO20 awarded this accolade.’ in 2016, Gary was appointed the first National Gary grew up in Knightswood, Glasgow, where Chef of Scotland by the Scottish Government in We’re excited to announce that College he enjoyed cooking from a very young age and November 2017. The role is all about celebrating Expo20 will take place at the brand new was inspired to become a chef at school – his Scottish produce, as well as teaching people Falkirk campus of Forth Vally College, in favourite subject was Home Economics. After how to make the most of locally sourced, healthy, June 2020. leaving school he went to college, to study HND sustainable and affordable food. A free landmark event for everyone involved Catering and Hospitality Management at Glasgow Paul Little, Principal and Chief Executive at in post-16 education and training, College College of Food Technology, now known as City City of Glasgow College, said: ‘We are very Expo is a celebration of college excellence, of Glasgow College. proud of all that Gary has achieved. He is a great a hub for staff development and practical Gary has worked alongside some of the UK’s ambassador for Scotland as its first National Chef innovation, and an opportunity to participate in and Scotland’s top chefs. During his distinguished and continues to be an inspiration to our college discussion on vocational learning. career he has created more than 80 restaurants students who see for themselves, every day, the Keep up to date at cdn.ac.uk and he continually creates and tests his unique power of an innovative, hands on technical and recipes, using locally sourced and fresh food. professional education.’ 4 | 2020 Bridge 2 Business - Supporting enterprise throughout colleges in Scotland 2020 | 5 WINNING STREAK The 20th anniversary of the CDN College Awards was, as always, an uplifting and inspirational event. The Awards demonstrate the impact the sector is having every day on our learners, communities and the wider DIGITAL LEARNING economy. Will 2020 be your AWARD INNOVATION winning year? Keep an eye AWARD on cdn.ac.uk for