Funded places available for retraining at NESCol

April 27, 2021

 North East Scotland College (NESCol) is delighted to announce that funded places are now available on a range of courses aimed at retraining tradespeople who have lost their jobs or are at risk of redundancy as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

One of nine colleges across Scotland receiving funding through the National Transition Training Fund (NTTF) from the Energy Skills Partnership (ESP), NESCol is offering places on five courses aimed at enabling individuals to upskill and move into roles with better potential for future growth and job retention.

Supported by the Scottish Funding Council and the Scottish Government, the NTTF funding is aimed at people resident in Scotland aged 25 or over who are either facing redundancy or who are unemployed having been made redundant after 1 March 2020.

One-day courses on offer at NESCol’s Aberdeen Altens Campus include Water Byelaws and Unvented Hot Water. Both are suitable for SVQ Level 3 qualified plumbers or HVAC engineers. For those with suitable qualifications in any construction operative/trade, IOSH Managing Safely (3 days) and NEBOSH General Certificate (10 days) will also be taught at Altens. 18^th Edition Wiring Regulations will be taught over 8 evenings at the college’s Fraserburgh Campus and is suitable for those with appropriate industry-recognised qualifications at SVQ Level 3 or above.

NESCol Principal Neil Cowie, said: “North East Scotland College is delighted to be working in partnership with ESP to support the economic recovery of the region by giving opportunities to retrain or upskill to those in the construction sector who have been made redundant or had their employment put at risk as a result of the pandemic. This is one of a number of initiatives we are working on to limit the impact of the current crisis on people’s livelihoods.”

John Renwick, from ESP, said: “The National Transition Training Fund, in association with the Scottish Funding Council and the Scottish Government, is another excellent opportunity for already skilled tradesmen and women over 25 years-of-age and whose employment has suffered due to the COVID -19 pandemic to retrain in renewable technology installation and maintenance as we move our nation towards a zero emissions future for heating our buildings, reducing demand for heat and decarbonising our supply and making Scotland’s homes and buildings warmer, greener and more efficient.”

James Dunphy, Scottish Funding Council – Director for Access, Learning and Outcomes, said: “The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on our economy and on the employment of thousands of people across the country.  Colleges will play a vital role in supporting economic recovery and providing reskilling and upskilling opportunities.  We are delighted to be supporting this initiative which is being run by the Energy Skills Partnership in collaboration with colleges to deliver training opportunities in areas of potential growth that will meet the needs of employers and individuals impacted by the economic downturn.”

Training needs to be completed by 31 July 2021. Find out more and apply.