A Fraserburgh-based centre to encourage science and technology has been hailed by the founder of Wood Group.
The new facility at North East Scotland College, designed as the catalyst for the next generation of engineers from Aberdeenshire, will be launched today in a ceremony headed by Sir Ian Wood, who has branded it “vital” for the future of the oil and gas industry.
The extension to Nescol’s Fraserburgh campus will offer new routes into science, technology, math, engineering and mathematics courses for pupils.
It will also provide greater space for its automotive and construction classes – and has even allowed lecturers to expand their offerings.
Science will be offered as a course for the first time since the campus launched as Banff and Buchan College in 1982.
Sir Ian Wood said: “North East Scotland College and its Fraserburgh campus will play a vital role in maintaining a strong and diversified regional economy in the decades ahead, by ensuring our young people, are aware of the career opportunities in the region and by working with industry to provide education and training linked to those.
“STEM now accounts for one in four new jobs created in Scotland, and 80% of jobs in the next decade will require technology skills.
“The centre will be very important for the development of our future workforce and enhancing the growth of our industry sectors.”
The chairman of the college’s board, Ken Milroy, added: “The existing accommodation for technology subjects was built in the 1970s and did not reflect the demands of today’s curriculum.
“The new extension completes the Fraserburgh campus, allows us to provide state-of-the-art facilities and maximises the use of new and emerging technology.”
Building work on the two-storey extension started in 2015 and was finalised last year.
Robertson Northern, which completed the construction, insisted the new space would help “inspire” future generations.
Frank Reid, regional manager for the construction firm, said: “We’re delighted to have played a part in bringing this to reality.
“As well as providing a useful and motivational area for students, we built the facility to achieve high environmental performance standards, which means it is energy efficient, uses environmentally sound materials and is designed to promote health and wellbeing for all users.”
The launch ceremony will take place at 11am.
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