WIREDGOV

New state of the art facilities in Lanarkshire.

Students in East Kilbride and Coatbridge can enjoy learning new skills in brand new facilities which have been officially opened this week.

Cabinet Secretary for Education Angela Constance will today open a new teaching block at South Lanarkshire College’s East Kilbride campus, following the launch of new dental facilities at New College Lanarkshire in Coatbridge by Minister for Learning Alasdair Allan.

Both sites have been funded by their respective colleges arms-length foundations, with the East Kilbride teaching block also benefiting from £700,000 from the European Regional Development Fund.

Ms Constance said:

“South Lanarkshire’s new low carbon teaching facility has been the first building in Scotland to achieve an ‘outstanding’ rating from BREEAM, which is the world’s leading sustainability assessment method. This award confirms the building’s environmental credentials and its features will help embed sustainability within the college’s construction and energy curriculum.

“This new block, and the new dental suite in Coatbridge are strong examples of colleges using both their initiative and own resources to create exciting learning spaces for their students as they continue to focus on our economic growth and supporting young people into jobs.

“Since 2007, we have invested £530 million in college estates and supported the development of state of the art buildings in Glasgow, Kilmarnock and Inverness. In addition, we have committed to support investment of £140 million for Fife and Forth Valley colleges.”

“I’d like to thank everyone connected with delivering real change in the college sector in recent years while continuing to deliver high quality teaching that is delivering real results.”

Dr Allan added:

“The new Coatbridge dental suite boasts state-of-the art teaching and houses specialist rooms that are the equal of high-end dental clinics and other top class dental training facilities.

“The new teaching area will truly offer dental students in the area the very best training available and New College Lanarkshire and its staff can be immensely proud of this facility.

“This is an exciting time for Scotland’s college sector. Under this government, the number of students successfully completing full-time courses leading to recognised qualifications increased by 24 per cent and a year ago we saw record successful completion rates in our colleges with most recent figures showing continuing high standards. I would like to wish students taking up courses at these new facilities the very best of success.”

Shona Struthers, Chief Executive of Colleges Scotland also said:

“This investment ensures that colleges have the facilities to deliver the highest quality learning opportunities for students seeking to become part of the skilled workforce for the future. Both new facilities will provide cutting edge learning environments for college students, benefitting employers and the whole economy.

“The new dental suite at New College Lanarkshire in Coatbridge is a high calibre dental training institution and the new teaching block in East Kilbride will be a fantastic resource for the students at South Lanarkshire College.”