03
AYRSHIRE UPDATE
PARTNERSHIP
WORKING ACROSS
AYRSHIRE
VAL RUSSELL – AYRSHIRE
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
AYRSHIRE’S college merger heralds a new beginning for staff,
students and businesses across the region, according to
Chamber of Commerce chief executive Val Russell.
She explains: “This is a fantastic
opportunity to put Ayrshire on the map.
It is the chance to do things differently,
to build on our successful links with
education and to encourage firms, large
and small, to invest in their employees,
both present and future.”
“We’re looking forward to working
closely with Heather Dunk and her team
in the months and years ahead.”
Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce, the
largest non-city centre chamber in
Scotland, has around 800 members
and is the only one in the country
delivering a work experience
programme in local schools.
Val adds: “By forging close links with
Ayrshire College, we hope employers’
voices will be heard when national
policies in education are being
decided.”
Through a number of initiatives,
including the publication of its recent
e-book, Ayrshire’s Famous People, the
Chamber is keen to play a key role in
raising the aspirations of the area’s
young people.
“We’re also working hard to make sure
Ayrshire businesses get the staff they
need and the learning and skills agenda
in schools, colleges and universities,
is at the heart of our plans for the
future,” Val adds.
“And as a business support organisation,
we want to ensure our members, and
the wider business community, are
aware of what training and support
opportunities exist for their employees.”
“Some businesses are struggling, given
the financial climate – there is a lack of
confidence in the future of the economy
– and we have many young, unemployed
people in Ayrshire.”
“If we can convince firms to invest in
their existing and future staff, it will
greatly benefit not just our young
people and local companies, but also
the economy of Ayrshire and Scotland
as a whole.”
“Ayrshire College has a critical role
to play in supporting the business
community in Ayrshire.”
PROJECT MANAGER’s UPDATE
Vesting Day – 1 August – is fast approaching and
many more milestones have been achieved since our
last edition of CONNECT.
We are continuing to focus our efforts on
key areas such as connectivity and
communication as well as re-branding
(including signage and stationery) and
implementing and testing critical business
systems such as payroll, finance and
student records.
The Merger Information Pack mentioned
in the last edition of CONNECT is on
track to be published on the microsite in
June and will provide guidance on a
range of topics to support business as
usual and ensure a seamless transition
across all campuses.
Of course, the vital work being carried out
by workstreams and subgroups continues
beyond Vesting Day, as we look at longer
term strategies. The next phase will
increase involvement in subgroup
activity – so you may well find yourself
included in the next edition of CONNECT
as a new subgroup member.