Three more Scottish colleges are set to merge

THREE more of Scotland’s colleges have announced their decision to join together after the Scottish Government called for mergers as a way of saving money.

James Watt College, which has its main campus in Greenock, will merge with Reid Kerr College in Paisley and Clydebank College. The Scottish Government wants colleges to merge around regional hubs and has also talked of closer collaboration between universities.

Sue Pinder, principal of James Watt College, said: “I view this as an extremely positive time for learners in the west of Scotland region.

“This merger will see schools, businesses, universities and employers working in tandem to ensure the best possible skills and learning opportunities are available to our communities.”

The announcement came as members of the Further Education Lecturers Association at James Watt College said they would take part in one-day strike on Wednesday in a dispute over pay.

Last month, Telford College announced it would join Stevenson and Jewel & Esk in creating the latest of the country’s new “super colleges”.