South of Scotland Skills & Learning Network PROJECT UPDATE
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South of Scotland Skills & Learning Network (SOSEP) PROJECT UPDATE JUNE 2019 NO. 2 South of Scotland Skills & Learning Network PROJECT UPDATE Hawick Campus Stranraer Campus This eNewsletter aims to highlight some of the progress being made. The south of Scotland is benefiting in schools, community venues and in from an investment of just over local business premises, provide inclusive 6.6 million pounds as part of plans Globally access. Lessons delivered elsewhere will connected, approved by the South of Scotland Regionally be open for others to participate in, along Economic Partnership (SoSEP), in July focussed with online learning resources. 2018, to enable the creation of a digital Through this investment, the colleges are learning platform and infrastructure collaborating to develop their offer within that aims to provide access to learning their respective regions, especially at opportunities for individuals of all ages, irrespective higher levels, and grow their online flexible learning of location. provision over the next five years. The investment sees a partnership between This newsletter aims to report on the progress Dumfries & Galloway College and Borders College and developments being made. to develop a network of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) Hubs across the South of Scotland, to address the immediate skills gaps in areas such as Energy and Engineering, Construction and Care. These will be accessible to school and college students and employers wishing to try the latest technologies or upskill their current workforce. A number of digital Spokes, located across the south of Scotland 1 South of Scotland Skills & Learning Network (SOSEP) PROJECT UPDATE BORDERS COLLEGE Construction progress – Ogilvie begins Hawick Innovation Hub revamp Ogilvie Construction has started work on a and sustainable construction, linked to flexible redevelopment of the Borders College Hawick workshop areas for the studying and testing of Campus Innovation Hub. renewable technologies, such as air tightness The firm will undertake internal works to extend insulation and thermal imaging. the upper floor of the Hub, creating flexible The Hub will give local and national businesses space for businesses and individuals to meet or the opportunity to find out about, and be undertake training and development sessions. trained in, technologies that are transforming the The project will be completed in July this year construction industry, and will include 3D printing, and is part of a wider investment by the South of augmented reality, Business Information Modelling Scotland Economic Partnership. (BIM) software, analytical software and the use of Donald MacDonald, Managing Director at Ogilvie drones. Construction, said: “We are delighted to be working with Borders College and look forward to delivering a high quality facility that will play an important part in supporting business support and development in the area.” Hazel Robertson, Vice Principal at Borders College, said: “This investment shows our long- term commitment to the Hawick campus and the exciting and flexible ways in which businesses need to learn to operate if they are to compete successfully in the 21st century.” As well as hosting the successful Business Development Unit, which provides business and training opportunities for businesses across Scotland, the investment will see the launch of a number of forward thinking technological developments, which both local and national businesses will be able to benefit from. These include the expansion of a partnership with Worcester Bosch, allowing access to renewable technologies in the provision of heat and power. Added to this there will be an ‘Eco’ room which will house the latest technologies in low-carbon 2 South of Scotland Skills & Learning Network (SOSEP) PROJECT UPDATE BORDERS COLLEGE STEM Hub Manager for Hawick Campus appointed Holly Farnham, our new STEM Hub Manager, talks about her priorities and plans for the development of the Hawick Campus I am delighted to get the opportunity to with local businesses with both in-reach and be involved in such an exciting project, outreach events which will hopefully enable the in the role of STEM hub co-ordinator. College to work closely with local businesses Having spent time working as a Medical Physicist in to set up new career pathways, placements and “the NHS and then as a Physics teacher, I can’t wait apprenticeships so that our students leave the to bring my passion for STEM to College inspired and site- a new platform. ready. An example of this is As a Medical Physicist, I the College’s partnership with specialised in radiation Worcester Bosch, which we protection and this meant having are extending with regards to to communicate with a huge renewable technologies in heat spectrum of society, a part of the and power. job I thoroughly enjoyed; it also The Hubs and Spokes enable meant the use of a huge range of the community to upskill as it is technologies in teaching, learning a priority that this technology and regarding room shielding is available to all and used as and construction. I am hoping much as possible. As someone this insight will serve me well as who loves teaching and sharing I navigate this role. my passion for all STEM My priority going forward is to subjects, I could not resist connect with industry contacts applying for this role when to discuss emerging construction I saw it. Whilst I will not be technologies with regard to teaching directly, I am thrilled current sector gaps and needs. A progressive to have the opportunity to be part of something workforce will future-proof the construction that will impact the process of learning and industry within the south of Scotland. My aim is tackle the geographical barriers some face by the to implement a Hub that is a synthesis of learners, implementation of cutting-edge distance-learning local businesses, community and industry that technology. I am so looking forward to meeting all enriches all parties, implementing best practice as those involved in the Hubs and being a standard. This would include continually identifying part of such an incredible project. new technologies within the construction sector (with a particular focus on renewable and sustainable technologies and approaches) and For further information, please being a champion for local businesses through contact Davie Lowe, Assistant Principal –” email development, innovation and entrepreneurship. [email protected] or call 08700 50 51 52. Therefore, key within the College is collaborating 3 South of Scotland Skills & Learning Network (SOSEP) PROJECT UPDATE BORDERS COLLEGE College commits £100k to Digital Hub project to aid equity of access Borders College has committed £100,000 to create seven ‘Digital Hubs’ across the region. DN Rev . Date Amendment The new suites, which are being installed at its learning across the Borders. fire exit Galashiels, Newtown St Boswells, Hawick and “TheseUP new delivery modes are designed with the pass door Tweedbank campuses, will be fitted with top video aim of improvingHUB ENTRANCE students’ equity of access to a energy conferencing facilities and will give students who widerteaching wall range of displaysubjects. wall m e d gallery above ia live further afield the chance to work remotely “Where currently a student located further away w a ll STEM TEACHING SPACE glazed link store – by connecting them with their (renewables) from a College site may find the lecturers online. sliding / folding partition reception travel time and cost prohibitiveSTEM OUTREACH SPACE The College has teamed up audio- for study, future College visual specialists Mediascape to courses will offer opportunities link to main building CARE HUB install the equipment, and Ajenta platform tea to participate remotely via a lift point UAWC DN to provide the video conferencing teaching wall combination of remote delivery service. over video conferencing and New screens, microphones and video cameras will onlineUWC UWClearningUWC UWCmaterials. DN be put in the Hubs over the coming months as “The College is pleased to be working with platform part of the project, which is being partly funded by Mediascape and is looking forward to firedelivering lift oberlanders exit Project Name Dumfries and Galloway College the South of Scotland Economic Partnership. new ways of accessing learning to students.” New STEM Facilties Renewables / Care Hubs, Dumfries Title E-learning Manager for Borders College Conor Ground Floor Plan as Proposed For further information, please contact Bradley said: Status Ground Floor Plan Planning 1 Conor Bradley, E-Learning Manager – email Project no. - Drawing no. - Rev “The Digital Hubs will provide opportunities 1 : 100 2417 - (00) 1011 - Drawn By EM Oberlanders Architects LLP 16 Melville Street Edinburgh EH3 7NS [email protected] or call 08700 50 51 52. Drawn date T: 0131 225 9070 for new ways of delivering remote teaching and 11/29/18 F: 0131 220 3783 Scale(s) @ A3 E: [email protected] 1 : 100 www.oberlanders.co.uk 4 South of Scotland Skills & Learning Network (SOSEP) PROJECT UPDATE BORDERS COLLEGE Campus redevelopment pays additional local benefits Apart from the obvious benefits from getting my CSCS of the redevelopment of the card (Construction Skills Hawick Campus, which is Certification Scheme), as well currently underway, there is also as first aid and Health and an additional advantage for one Safety training.” local man who has gained full- Ben Allard, the site Manager time