College Welcomes Government Investment in Ambitious Campus Vision

The College has secured £700k of investment from the Scottish Funding Council to support the outline business case required to take the ambitious project onto the next stage of development. This first phase will focus on the plans for a state of the art Green Skills Hub at the College’s Gardyne Campus as the first step in the transformational redevelopment of both the Arbroath and Kingsway campuses as part of the vision to move into the town and city centres and create 21st century learning and employability hubs which will breathe new vitality into the centres of both communities.

Simon Hewitt, Principal of Dundee & Angus said: “We have been working on these plans for almost two years now and it is fantastic to finally get underway in earnest.

“A detailed business plan for phase one will enable us to secure funding and get going at Gardyne. In parallel we will continue to pursue the funding for the more substantial projects for the centre of Dundee and Arbroath which will ultimately enable the full withdrawal from our Kingsway and Keptie Road campuses.

“With each step, we are getting closer to bringing much needed investment into our communities and realising our ambition to create first class educational and employability services that will help give future generations the chances they need to succeed in life.”

The Scottish Government has announced investment worth around £2 million, that will support D&A and eight other colleges to create detailed plans for major building projects. It represents a major step in the national College Infrastructure Investment Programme led by the Scottish Funding Council (SFC).

Dundee & Angus College’s ambitious Vision plan is forecast to generate £1.8 billion for the region. Working with a range of local and national partners, the College is developing a collaborative model that would bring education, employability and related services and support together under one roof for the first time in Scotland.

Higher and Further Education Minister Ben Macpherson said: “The Scottish Government recognises the vital role that Scotland’s colleges play in our economy and wider society and that’s why we’re determined to continue to work closely with the sector to ensure a successful and sustainable future.

 “We’re fully supportive of the work the Scottish Funding Council is leading with the sector to explore its infrastructure needs and develop a strategic plan to ensure learners have the environment they need now and in the future.

 “That’s why we made additional funding available which supports SFC with this ‘first wave’ of infrastructure development support, including Dundee and Angus College.”

A report by the respected consultants BiGGAR Economics into the impact of the plans have shown that there would be a 30% return on the initial investment of £265 million in the project with £10 worth of benefit for every £1 spent.

Francesca Osowska, Chief Executive of the Scottish Funding Council, said: “SFC’s long-term ambition is for college campuses that are high quality, smart and sustainable places to learn, and which support the best possible outcomes for people, society and Scotland’s future economy. 

“We have been working hard with colleges across Scotland to be in a position to start making this happen, and I am delighted that the Minister has been able to announce this significant step forward.”

Mr Macpherson visited the Kingsway Campus today to see for himself the skills being developed for regional employers through the courses being delivered by Dundee & Angus College.