Celebrating a decade of NESCol success!
November 1, 2023
North East Scotland College marks the institution’s 10th anniversary today.
The merger of Aberdeen College and Banff and Buchan College on 1 November 2013 created one of the largest providers of vocational education and training in Scotland.
NESCol delivers to more than 20,000 full-time, part-time and distance learning students each year. The College, with a turnover in excess of £50 million, employs around 850 staff and operates from its main Aberdeen Altens, Aberdeen City and Fraserburgh campuses as well as the Scottish Maritime Academy in Peterhead.
For the £44m of Scottish Government funding received annually, it is estimated NESCol is responsible for an economic impact of £400m.
Newly published research by the Fraser of Allander Institute estimates Scottish college graduates will contribute £52 billion over their 40-year working lives and help to support the equivalent of an additional 203,000 full-time jobs nationally over that period.
NESCol Principal and Chief Executive Neil Cowie said: “The College is proud of its leading role in the evolution of traditional industries and fundamental to supporting new and emerging sectors as an anchor institution in a diverse and innovative region.
“Relationships with employers continue to grow, with more than 1,200 supported by and collaborating with the College. Almost 600 Modern Apprenticeships are delivered each year, alongside around £1.7m of activity linked to the Scottish Government’s Flexible Workforce Development Fund to drive the upskilling and reskilling required to underpin economic growth.
“The College works in partnership with 32 secondary and 15 primary schools across the region, enrolling in excess of 6,000 pupils each year across a range of subject areas as part of a burgeoning schools-college partnership programme.
“The College continues to contribute successfully to the socio-economic goals of the region. We have responded positively to the needs and demands of our stakeholders and continue to evolve activities and ambitions to become the high-quality educator, progressive employer and partner of choice that NESCol seeks to be.
“I am incredibly proud of the efforts of colleagues over the past 10 years to create an award-winning institution and very enthusiastic about what the next decade holds for our students, staff and partners.”
NESCol is also integral to the Scottish Funding Council’s Pathfinder Project. The work focuses on developing innovative educational initiatives, progression pathways and employment opportunities for the North East that can be implemented nationwide.
Susan Elston, Chair of the NESCol Regional Board, said: “We are very fortunate to have the best of both worlds. The important heritage of the legacy institutions is something that will never be forgotten, coupled with the energy and vibrancy of what is still a young College.
“Innovation and collaboration have been hallmarks of NESCol over the past decade. Those qualities will be incredibly important as we move forward and are central to the exciting plans we have to grow and develop.“
The 10th anniversary celebrations were launched at the College’s recent graduation ceremonies and will include activity on campus as well as during the forthcoming winter open day. Registration for the event is open now.
Explore our anniversary page for more on the history and heritage of NESCol.
More like this
