Edinburgh College guarantees a place to local school leavers
Edinburgh College is guaranteeing a place to study to all school students in Edinburgh, East Lothian and Midlothian, to make sure they can achieve their education and career ambitions. The college is promising to help every eligible school student who applies find a course for 2016/17 at the right level in the right area.
The new offer covers Edinburgh College’s range of full-time courses starting in August, which are now available for application online. Courses suit anyone looking to gain qualifications, boost skills, and increase job prospects and study opportunities. They cover business; construction and building crafts; creative industries; engineering; English as a second language; health, wellbeing and social sciences; and tourism and hospitality, as well as access courses.
Edinburgh College Principal Annette Bruton said: “We’ve never been able to guarantee a place to all school leavers before but it’s really important that we find new ways of providing more opportunities so everyone gets a chance to make the most of themselves. We’re the only college in our area and it’s up to us to give people enough options to get on track for education and careers. The college already has courses to suit most levels but, where people don’t have the qualifications needed for a certain level of study, we’re looking at how we can shape our curriculum to make sure everyone has a good entry point into education at the right level for them.
“We’ve worked really closely with schools to learn what their students need and make sure no one misses out. We have a responsibility to the young people in our communities and we’re confident this will give them what they need to succeed.”
Local schools are supporting the scheme. Michael McGee, head of St. Augustine’s RC High School in Edinburgh, said: “We are in full support of this exciting new initiative. At St. Augustine’s we are working on developing Scotland’s young workforce. This new guarantee is ensuring that every young person will continue lifelong learning to help them in their chosen career pathway.”