Month: March 2019

Southside Conservation Area extended

A group of Category ‘A’ listed buildings, with special architectural and historic importance are now part of Edinburgh’s South Side Conversation Area. 
In a report approved by the city council’s Planning Committee on Wednesday, The Royal Commonwealth Pool, the Scottish Widows building and the first phases of Pollock Halls were all described as having distinct character and significant value and were cited as good examples of their architectural styles.
The South Side Conservation Area boundary line will now be amended and follows consultation with local residents, businesses and other local institutions as well as city-wide amenity groups.
The South Side Conservation Area was originally designated in May 1975.
Cllr Neil Gardiner, Planning Convener, said: “Thanks to all those who took part in the consultation process. I’m delighted that the Committee was unanimous today in approving this report.
“The Widows building is hexagonal in shape after the rock face of the nearby Crags and is surrounded by a water pool. ‘Commie’ pool is a well-loved Edinburgh institution which has received substantial investment in recent years and has contributed to the success of medalists from David Wilkie onwards.
“Our conservation areas are not just about the individual icon but building groups which make great places to be. In the 1960s and 70s much of the South Side was under threat of the wrecking ball. Several streets were demolished and you can see pictures in the City Art Centre’s Blomfield exhibition, which runs to mid-March and is well worth a look.
“We can be grateful to past generations of Edinburgh folk who campaigned to save the South Side. The new City Plan consultation is ongoing and this will help the area to continue to be a great place where people want to live, work and visit. When developing the City Plan we need to think about sustainable communities for the twenty-first century which can become conservation areas of the future.”

Cuddle blankets for St John’s Mother & Baby Unit

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Project Linus UK is a voluntary organisation that aims to provide comfort, security and a hug through quilts and blankets to ill, injured or traumatised babies, children and young people up to the age of 18. Continue reading Cuddle blankets for St John’s Mother & Baby Unit

Over 1,300 Graduate Apprenticeship places for 2019/20.

More than 1,300 new Graduate Apprenticeship work-based learning opportunities will help boost Scotland’s economy and give people a head-start in their careers.

Fair Work Secretary Derek Mackay announced that the target for Graduate Apprenticeships in 2019/20 has been increased to 1,300. This builds on last year’s achieved target of 800 and recognises the increasing demand for gaining degree level qualifications whilst in employment.

Graduate Apprenticeships have been developed by Skills Development Scotland, in partnership with industry and the further and higher education sectors, to provide work-based learning opportunities up to Master’s degree level.

Supporting sectors that have a need for highly skilled jobs, such as civil engineering, digital and cyber security, graduate apprenticeships provide learning and development opportunities for new and existing employees and enable employers to upskill their workforce.

The growth of Graduate Apprenticeships supports the Scottish Government’s ambition to create 30,000 apprenticeship jobs a year by 2020.

Making the announcement ahead of Scottish Apprenticeship Week, Mr Mackay said: “Apprenticeships are a vital piece of the jigsaw to improve Scotland’s productivity, benefitting individuals, employers and the wider economy. That is why we are investing in more apprenticeship opportunities than ever before, ensuing more people benefit from work-based learning.

“We remain firmly on track to achieve our ambitious target of 30,000 new apprenticeship starts by 2020, with a focus on higher level apprenticeships. By increasing the number of Graduate Apprenticeships available for 2019/20 to more than 1,300, more people will have the opportunity to study while they earn and gain first-hand experience of their industry.”

The expansion includes the wider roll out of the Graduate Apprenticeship in Data Science, following a successful pilot funded by the Scottish Government and run in partnership with St Andrews University, University of Edinburgh and global accounting and business services firm, PwC.

Access to Graduate Apprenticeships has also increased through provision, with opportunities available for the first time through University of Aberdeen.

Skills Development Scotland Chief Executive Damien Yeates said: “Apprenticeships offer employers a unique opportunity to invest in and develop the skills their business needs for the future.

“SDS continues to work with business to increase the number of new apprenticeship jobs through Modern and Graduate opportunities – creating skills that meet their needs.

“Scottish apprenticeships now allow employers to introduce young people to their business while they are still at school and keep them in their workforce until they are degree qualified.”

Scottish Apprenticeship Week is the nationwide campaign aimed at encouraging more employers to take on apprentices.

This year’s theme is ‘Skills for the Future’, recognising the importance of investing in the workforce. The hashtag for the week is #ScotAppWeek.

Graduate Apprenticeship delivery partners include:

  • Edinburgh Napier University
  • Glasgow Caledonian University
  • Glasgow Kelvin College
  • Heriot-Watt University
  • Open University
  • Queen Margaret University
  • Robert Gordon University
  • University of the West of Scotland
  • University of Aberdeen
  • University of Dundee
  • University of Edinburgh
  • University of Glasgow
  • University of Strathclyde
  • University of the Highlands and Islands

 

Letters: Essential utilities must be publicly owned

Dear Editor

Every one of us needs the supply of electricity and a lot of people also need gas for heating and cooking. We all need a supply of fresh water: yet all of these industries are owned by private companies, able to fix prices to maintain multi-million pounds of profit for investors.

This supply of electricity, gas and water is essential and is provided by workers in those industries.

Why, then, should such essential services be in the hands of private companies? These basic essential services should be publicly owned.

The control of these basic essential services cannot be left to private individuals and groups of investors. It is backward thinking; it is greedy and immoral however measured.

A. Delahoy

Silverknowes Gardens