John Swinney in pledge to promote college sector

Education secretary John Swinney said the Scottish Government would promote specialist skills in sectors such as science as he made the latest in a series of visits to colleges during his first week in the job.  

Swinney, who is also deputy first minister, said that the government wanted to place a greater emphasis on full-time courses that lead to employment, as he visited Forth Valley College today.  

The education secretary met engineering and life sciences students at the college’s Falkirk campus who he said will help meet the growing demand from Scotland’s employers for skilled workers. 

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Swinney, speaking after his visit, said: “Colleges are vital to Scotland’s success and the number of full-time students has grown as we have exceeded our commitment to maintain student places.

“By placing more emphasis on full-time courses that lead to employment, colleges are improving the life chances for all students, generating a well-trained, highly-skilled workforce to deliver economic growth. 

“As a government we are committed to making Scotland’s colleges accessible places of useful learning.

“Today’s visit to Forth Valley College has highlighted to me the fantastic work that is going on in our colleges to deliver a modern and dynamic education, which is producing highly-skilled students, who will no doubt go on to be very successful either in further studies or in employment.”