issue 05 SPRING 2014
The Newsletter of Ayrshire College
A WORD
FROM THE
PRINCIPAL
A lot has happened since
the last edition, a particular
highlight was the inaugural
graduation ceremonies.
I hope you enjoy reading
about these and other
exciting developments in
this issue.
enormous privilege to lead Ayrshire
College as it serves the region’s people,
communities and businesses. My
ambition for Ayrshire College is for it to
be the best in Scotland. Working in
partnership with businesses and key
stakeholders, we will provide
opportunities for our students which
meet demand in important industry
sectors in Ayrshire and further afield.”
In November, we were delighted to
announce the appointment of respected
local entrepreneurs and industry leaders
Marie Macklin and Bill Costley to the
Board of Management. Following a very
busy five months, the Board started 2014
with a Strategy Day with the involvement
of the chief executives of the three
councils, representatives from the
Scottish Funding Council, Scottish
Government and JobCentre Plus, and
a leading Ayrshire engineering employer.
We now have all executive and senior
managers in post and good progress has
been made with phase 1 of organisational
development.
Heather Dunk,
Principal, Ayrshire College
Ayrshire College was designated as a
regional college on 3 March and Willie
Mackie was appointed as the regional
chair by the Cabinet Secretary for Life
Long Learning. Regional chairs have been
appointed to ensure that each region has
a strong voice as the colleges interact
with employers, universities and each
other. Regional chairs will also provide
collective leadership to the sector in
Scotland.
Willie said, “I am delighted to accept this
appointment as Chair of Ayrshire College,
at what is a historic time for the college
sector in Scotland. I have worked with
colleges for a number of years and it is an
We started 2014 with a visit on 31 January
from Scottish Government ministers.
Over 100 students, school pupils and staff
attended a question and answer session
with Education Secretary Michael Russell
and two of his ministerial team, Angela
Constance, Minister for Youth
Employment and Aileen Campbell,
Minister for Children and Young People.
Students came prepared with questions
ranging from the impact of welfare reform
on students to revitalising Prestwick
Airport.
All three ministers were very open and
enjoyed it so much that they plan to hold
similar events across the country!
In November 2013 we awarded the
contract for our new £50m campus in
Kilmarnock to the C3 Consortium.
The building is due to open in early
2016 and is the largest single public
sector investment the town has ever seen.
As well as creating a world class learning
environment, the new campus project will
offer employment and training
opportunities for our students.
On 29 October we hosted a dinner at our
campus in Kilmarnock for all members of
the East, North and South Ayrshire
Community Planning Partnerships to
celebrate the launch of Ayrshire College
and reaffirm the College’s commitment to
helping them to achieve the objectives of
the Single Outcome Agreements. Sixty
people took part in a wonderful event
where video testimonies demonstrated
the important role the College plays in
raising the aspirations of people and
communities across Ayrshire.
On 4 February, the refectory on the Ayr
Campus was transformed into a
spectacular setting to welcome 120
guests - including 70 employers - to a
dinner to show how the College is
supporting businesses. Just four days
after she took part in the question and
answer session at the College, Angela
Constance returned to join us and deliver
a keynote speech at the event.