JEC revamp offers chance to expand business links

Published on Sunday 13 July 2008 21:48

JEWEL and Esk College (JEC) aims to double the number of businesses with which it has links to more than 500.

The college plans to increase the number of companies its students can carry out work experience and to better tailor its courses towards the needs of industry.

The move is part of the further education college's plans to capitalise on its 55 million redevelopment. JEC, which has about 10,000 students, is revamping its Milton Road campus in Edinburgh.

Students moved out of the Milton Road buildings in June, with the college operating from its Eskbank Campus in Midlothian. Both the Edinburgh campus and the college's new campus in Midlothian – which will replace two older facilities – are scheduled to open in November this year.

The Milton Road campus will house the college's hospitality, health and fitness, beauty and complementary therapies, catering and hairdressing courses.

Courses in oil and gas construction will be taught on the Eskbank campus, along with courses in health and social care, childcare, computing and business studies. Peter Malcolm, depute principal at JEC, told The Scotsman: "Employers are always looking for students to make an immediate impact.

"We have around 450 business contacts with whom we have had work placements over the last three years. We also deal with several hundred businesses in the areas of day and block release for the likes of plumbing and joinery.

"The contracts we have with companies such as Asda, Ikea and Dobbies Garden Centres have been hugely successful and, with the new build, we will enhance our approach and make work placements an even greater part of the curriculum.

"In doing this, we will be responding to a need from industry with a resulting increase in our students' employability."

JEC plans to expand the team of college staff who work with employers to arrange work- experience placements.

Neil Cuthbert, head of public affairs at the Association of Scotland's Colleges, said: "Scotland's colleges are vital resources for businesses the length and breadth of the country and it's great to see that Jewel and Esk will be able to expand the number of businesses it is working with thanks to its new facilities.

"Colleges provide vital skills for business and industry and by working in close partnership with local employers they can ensure the right skills are available to help businesses grow and support Scotland's economic development."

Malcolm added: "The specifications of our new facilities are what employers would expect – they would recognise the kit and from this it is a natural step for them to think that 'anybody trained at Jewel and Esk College will understand my place of work'.

"That's an ambitious goal, and I don't think any college has got it completely right so far, but with our new facilities and focus I am confident we can be successful."