Fife College 'integral' to region's business recovery from Covid-19

Fife College has outlined the key role it can play in helping the region’s economic recovery after lockdown.

It took part in a Fife Chamber of Commerce event last week to detail the support its campuses can offer as businesses re-start and adapt to new ways of working after coronavirus.

Susan Dunsmuir, the college’s chief financial Officer, and Dorothee Leslie, vice-principal led the latest in the ‘Chamber Chat’ series which highlighted how the college can support local businesses in their post-pandemic recoveries.

It the event brought together businesses from a range of sectors across Fife to discuss a number of topics with representatives from the college.

They gave an overview of the college’s plans which include changes being made to maximise support such as the introduction of fast track and pre-apprenticeship courses.

Funding streams available for businesses were also highlighted during the presentation which was followed by four breakout calls on digital upskilling, leadership, engineering and health at work.

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Dorothee said: “The economic situation created by the Coronavirus pandemic has posed significant challenges to businesses of all sizes across the region, and many are in need of support at this tough time.

“With our emphasis on supporting business engagement and growth, on vocational and academic skills, and on community and lifelong learning, Fife College has an integral role to play in our economic and social recovery.

“We are uniquely placed to react and adapt to the needs of our local economy in order to provide the skilled workforce that will be needed by employers in and around Fife.”

Alan Mitchell, chief executive of Fife Chamber of Commerce, said: “The college is vital in Fife’s recovery from the pandemic and will play a crucial role in giving the Kingdom’s businesses the tools that they need to rebuild.

“It is the skills of the workforce in those companies that will drive innovation, expansion and success, so it is critical that those companies tell Fife College what skills their workers need so that it can design courses that deliver them.

“We are delighted that we have been able to encourage this dialogue through this event.”

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