New courses for 2021 for people impacted by the economic downturn

HNC Digital Creative Media

West Lothian College has unveiled a range of new courses to support individuals impacted by unemployment caused by the ongoing pandemic.

Supported with funding from the Scottish Government through the Young Persons’ Guarantee and National Transition Training Fund, these courses come off the back of a new collaboration launched last month consisting of West Lothian College, Edinburgh College, Fife College and Forth Valley College.

The East Central Scotland College Collaboration has created a range of reskilling and upskilling proposals for colleges to provide much-needed support to individuals and employers who are set to be hit by the economic downturn caused by the Coronavirus pandemic. Each of the proposals closely aligns with the skills-related commitments set out in the Scottish Government’s Programme for Government and target areas that are seen as an economic priority for Scotland.

Each college will offer a comprehensive skills programme – including Accelerator and Skills Boost Academies - designed to help meet the skills needs of their communities. Courses were developed in response to labour market information, unemployment rates, levels of furlough, growth sectors and the local knowledge that each college has of its region. Course options range from HNCs taught over six months, to shorter qualifications taught over two to twelve weeks.

New short training courses through Skills Boost Academies will help people develop skills to get into in jobs in a range of industry sectors. Accelerator Higher National Certificates (HNC) will offer accelerated versions of existing qualifications in areas such as business, computing and care. New courses include:

Business

 

Computing 

ACCELERATED HNC CYBER SECURITY

Care

SKILLS BOOST IN CHILDCARE FEBRUARY

SKILLS BOOST IN CHILDCARE MARCH

SKILLS BOOST IN HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE FEBRUARY

SKILLS BOOST IN HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE MARCH

Jackie Galbraith, Principal of West Lothian College, said:

“I am delighted that we are expanding our courses to support people in West Lothian affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. These new courses will be available to school, college and university leavers as well as people who have lost their job or need to retrain to secure a different job.

“Colleges are at the forefront of the economic recovery in Scotland and this collaboration of four colleges will support those hit financially by the pandemic. At West Lothian College we continually adapt our courses to meet the needs of individuals, the local economy and our communities. By sharing good practice across the four colleges we can tap into each other’s expertise to make learning work for the people of the central belt and east of Scotland.”

To find out more about this partnership and apply for a course starting in January, February or March at West Lothian College visit: Spring 2021 courses