College Partners with Moroccan Institute on Sustainable Skills
West Lothian College has secured a grant to work with the Higher Institute of Civil Engineering of Marrakech (ISTPM) in Morocco.
The year-long collaboration with the British Council International Skills Partnership, will help the college develop new and innovative approaches to sustainable construction training, giving staff and students valuable international learning opportunities.
Through this partnership, the college will work directly with Higher Institute of Civil Engineering of Marrakech (ISTPM)- one of Morocco’s longest-established civil engineering institutes- to explore how both institutions can strengthen their training for the growing green economy.
As Morocco expands its sustainable infrastructure and prepares for future global events, the project will give West Lothian College unique insight into how another country is embedding environmentally responsible building practices at a national level.
Steven Morrison, Faculty Director for Computing, Engineering and Built Environment at West Lothian College, said: "This partnership represents an exciting opportunity for meaningful collaboration that will benefit both our institutions. By working alongside our colleagues at ISTPM Marrakech, we'll be able to share best practices in sustainable construction education while learning from Morocco's ambitious approach to green infrastructure development.
“The reciprocal nature of this collaboration means our staff will gain fresh perspectives on integrating sustainability into vocational training, and our students will benefit from teaching resources enriched by international expertise. We're particularly enthusiastic about exploring innovative approaches to attracting more women into construction careers and advancing digital learning tools together. This kind of shared learning strengthens our ability to prepare students for the green economy, wherever they choose to build their careers."
The partnership will focus on areas that directly support the college’s strategic priorities, including integrating new digital tools into vocational teaching, strengthening sustainability and climate awareness across construction programmes, encouraging more women to pursue careers in sustainable construction, developing knowledge of green construction materials and techniques, and deepening understanding of energy-efficient building design.
As part of the project, staff from West Lothian College and ISTPM will take part in reciprocal visits, joint workshops, and the creation of shared teaching materials. These experiences will support professional development for the college’s teaching team and expand the international relevance of its curriculum.
The partnership runs from September 2025 to September 2026 with support from the British Council.