Latest news with #GraemeDey
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Future of dedicated complex needs college secured with up to £1.4 million in funding
SCOTLAND'S first dedicated college for students with complex and additional needs has been granted funding for another two years. The pilot scheme at Corseford College in Renfrewshire will receive up to £1.4 million to continue until 2027. The college offers opportunities to young people aged 18-25 whose needs cannot be met in a mainstream college and gives them the chance to carry on with education after leaving school. Since it launched in 2022 the pilot scheme has received more than £1m from the Scottish Government, which has helped give 35 students with complex and additional needs the chance to continue learning. READ MORE: My travels helped me explore the musical connection between Scotland and Poland Further education minister Graeme Dey said: 'Corseford College has delivered vital support to many young people with complex additional needs since its launch three years ago. 'This has been recognised in an independent evaluation of the model, which is why we are securing the College's future for another two years to ensure that its students can continue to be supported. 'We are keen to explore a sustainable approach for specialist provision going forward, and the continued pilot at Corseford will help inform this. 'The evaluation provided a number of important insights and recommendations which we will be reflecting on and will allow us to evolve the best possible model for the future. 'We are determined to support Scotland's young people with complex additional needs and disabilities. 'Last month, we published our first national strategy that ensures young disabled people can access the help they need as they transition to adulthood. Our continued funding for Corseford will support this work.' The Scottish Government said 41 young people will benefit from specialist support at the college in the 2025/26 academic year starting in August. Capability Scotland, which runs the college, welcomed news of the funding. Its chief executive Brian Logan, said: 'The Scottish Government's funding decision following the independent evaluation is a vital endorsement of Corseford College's pioneering approach to specialist post-school education. 'We would like to thank Minister Graeme Dey and his team for their co-operation and unwavering commitment in making this possible. 'This success reflects the dedication of the college's staff, whose work is transforming the lives of young people with complex needs. 'The funding secures Corseford College's future, but also marks a key step towards a national solution for those young people living with complex needs across the country.'
The National
07-07-2025
- Business
- The National
Future of dedicated complex needs college secured for 2 years
The pilot scheme at Corseford College in Renfrewshire will receive up to £1.4 million to continue until 2027. SCOTLAND'S first dedicated college for students with complex and additional needs has been granted funding for another two years. The college offers opportunities to young people aged 18-25 whose needs cannot be met in a mainstream college and gives them the chance to carry on with education after leaving school. Since it launched in 2022 the pilot scheme has received more than £1m from the Scottish Government, which has helped give 35 students with complex and additional needs the chance to continue learning. READ MORE: My travels helped me explore the musical connection between Scotland and Poland Further education minister Graeme Dey said: 'Corseford College has delivered vital support to many young people with complex additional needs since its launch three years ago. 'This has been recognised in an independent evaluation of the model, which is why we are securing the College's future for another two years to ensure that its students can continue to be supported. 'We are keen to explore a sustainable approach for specialist provision going forward, and the continued pilot at Corseford will help inform this. 'The evaluation provided a number of important insights and recommendations which we will be reflecting on and will allow us to evolve the best possible model for the future. 'We are determined to support Scotland's young people with complex additional needs and disabilities. 'Last month, we published our first national strategy that ensures young disabled people can access the help they need as they transition to adulthood. Our continued funding for Corseford will support this work.' The Scottish Government said 41 young people will benefit from specialist support at the college in the 2025/26 academic year starting in August. Capability Scotland, which runs the college, welcomed news of the funding. Its chief executive Brian Logan, said: 'The Scottish Government's funding decision following the independent evaluation is a vital endorsement of Corseford College's pioneering approach to specialist post-school education. 'We would like to thank Minister Graeme Dey and his team for their co-operation and unwavering commitment in making this possible. 'This success reflects the dedication of the college's staff, whose work is transforming the lives of young people with complex needs. 'The funding secures Corseford College's future, but also marks a key step towards a national solution for those young people living with complex needs across the country.'
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Future of Scotland's only ASN college secured until 2027
Scotland's first dedicated college for students with complex and additional needs has been granted funding for another two years. The pilot scheme at Corseford College in Renfrewshire will receive up to £1.4 million to continue until 2027. The college offers opportunities to young people aged 18-25 whose needs cannot be met in a mainstream college and gives them the chance to carry on with education after leaving school. Since it launched in 2022 the pilot scheme has received more than £1 million from the Scottish Government, which has helped give 35 students with complex and additional needs the chance to continue learning. Further education minister Graeme Dey said: 'Corseford College has delivered vital support to many young people with complex additional needs since its launch three years ago. Read more: Scotland's only ASN college saved by Scottish Government budget deal Additional Support Needs in schools – Read every article here New college is 'enhancing life' for disabled young people failed by education system 'This has been recognised in an independent evaluation of the model, which is why we are securing the College's future for another two years to ensure that its students can continue to be supported. 'We are keen to explore a sustainable approach for specialist provision going forward, and the continued pilot at Corseford will help inform this. 'The evaluation provided a number of important insights and recommendations which we will be reflecting on and will allow us to evolve the best possible model for the future. 'We are determined to support Scotland's young people with complex additional needs and disabilities. 'Last month, we published our first national strategy that ensures young disabled people can access the help they need as they transition to adulthood. Our continued funding for Corseford will support this work.' Corseford College The Scottish Government said 41 young people will benefit from specialist support at the college in the 2025/26 academic year starting in August. Capability Scotland, which runs the college, welcomed news of the funding. Its chief executive Brian Logan, said: 'The Scottish Government's funding decision following the independent evaluation is a vital endorsement of Corseford College's pioneering approach to specialist post-school education. 'We would like to thank Minister Graeme Dey and his team for their co-operation and unwavering commitment in making this possible. 'This success reflects the dedication of the college's staff, whose work is transforming the lives of young people with complex needs. 'The funding secures Corseford College's future, but also marks a key step towards a national solution for those young people living with complex needs across the country.'
The Courier
06-06-2025
- Health
- The Courier
Angus South SNP hopeful vows to fight for 'scunnered' locals and independence
The SNP's Angus South hopeful Lloyd Melville says he'll fight ruthlessly for 'scunnered' locals who are concerned about health and education. Mr Melville, a councillor for the Monifieth and Sidlaw ward, will stand under the SNP banner at the Scottish Parliament election next year as incumbent MSP Graeme Dey stands down. Speaking to The Courier, the 24-year-old Holyrood hopeful set out his priorities in the local school estate and rural healthcare. Mr Melville, who party insiders say is among the 'next generation' of leaders in the SNP, told The Courier: 'We're listening to people at the moment. 'What they are telling us is that there are particular challenges around healthcare, the cost of living, around education. 'People are feeling a bit powerless and scunnered at the moment. My priority is to act on those areas. 'In healthcare, for instance, the Scottish Government is investing targeted sums to bring down waiting times, which is good progress but there is much more that needs to be done. 'What I pledge to do as the candidate is listen to communities across Angus South and ruthlessly and relentlessly stand up for those priorities in the Scottish Parliament.' He added: 'As a local councillor one of the things I've helped to do is deliver record investment in the education estate. 'I think there is more that needs to be done there in terms of rejuvenating the school estate in Angus and making further improvement. 'I want to make sure that we protect our rural healthcare setting and look at what more can be done to ensure that housing developments pays towards the cost of local services like health and social care. 'We know the impact that has, particularly in places like Monifieth.' Asked about his other priorities, Mr Melville says it would be 'remiss' not to say that he wants Scotland to be an independent country. 'That's very much up there on my list of priorities,' he adds. Asked how he would seek to convince voters in Angus, he explained: 'The onus is on us to make sure that independence is relevant. That's what the first minister is seeking to do. 'We have to make independence relevant and interesting again to ordinary folk. That's going to be my focus. It's about delivery in the here and now and relating independence to people's everyday concerns.' SNP MSP Graeme Dey has represented Angus South since 2011 and was re-elected in 2021 with 50.7% of the vote and a majority of more than 6,000. The Scottish Conservatives have selected anti-pylon campaigner and councillor Tracey Smith to face off against Mr Melville. She is founder and chair of the Save Our Mearns pressure group. The party came second at the last election.
Edinburgh Reporter
13-05-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Reporter
DataFest explores real world examples of AI
A conference being held in Assembly Rooms continues until Tuesday afternoon is centred on discussion of data, AI and tech. The theme this year is exploring real world examples of the application of AI. Graeme Dey MSP, Minister for Higher and Further Education, visited the conference on Monday to attend the launch event of DataFest 2025 of a Data and AI Skills Framework. The Data Lab is Scotland's innovation centre for data and AI, and has identified a way of filling the skills gaps in this area. The organisation has devised a framework to create training routes both in education and employability. The framework emphasises the importance of 'foundational skills in establishing a strong baseline in data and AI. These skills equip learners to navigate and leverage data effectively, setting the stage for more advanced studies and professional roles'. Mr Dey said: 'This is an exciting time to be involved in the world of data and AI and the impressive programme for this year's DataFest is testament to the vitality of the sector here in Scotland. 'It is clear that technological advances are transforming how we live and work, driving growth and innovation across a range of sectors. 'The Data Lab's Data and AI Skills Framework will be a vital asset across sectors and communities, driving the knowledge and learning needed to shape Scotland's future – setting the course for success and a future built on the talent that surrounds us.' Anna Ashton-Scott, Head of Skills at The Data Lab, said: 'It can be daunting to know where to get started with data and AI skills, so we created our skills framework to make it easy for people to chart their learning journey and know what skills to build next, for themselves or for their employees. 'Foundational data and AI literacy is becoming essential across job roles in every sector, regardless of seniority, but we know that there are still significant gaps. We hope our updated framework will be a powerful tool to help individuals and organisations progress across foundational, intermediate and advanced literacy levels to ensure no-one is left behind.' The Data and AI Skills Framework builds on the work of the Data Skills for Work project, part of the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal Data Skills Gateway Programme. The Framework aligns with Scotland's Digital Economy Skills Action Plan (2023-2028), which emphasises the importance of equipping the workforce with the necessary digital competencies to support Scotland's economic vision. Despite advancements in digital education, challenges persist, particularly concerning data skills, the adaptation of AI technologies, and regional disparities, which the Skills Framework hopes to address. Photo of Anna Ashton-Scott, Head of Skills at The Data Lab and Graeme Dey MSP, Minister for Higher and Further Education and at the launch event at DataFest yesterday. The 80+ strong audience at the launch event at DataFest Photo of the DataFest exhibition hall with (l-r) Fash Fasoro, Founder and CEO of DataKirk, Heather Thomson, CEO of The Data Lab, Louise Meikleham, Senior Data Policy Officer at the Scottish Government and Graeme Dey MSP, Minister for Higher and Further Education. Like this: Like Related
