New green training skills facilities open in Stornoway

It is the first capital project to be delivered under the Islands Growth Deal, a ten-year package that seeks to drive economic growth and the creation of sustainable jobs across Shetland, Orkney and the Outer Hebrides.

The project has received funding from the Scottish Government through the Islands Growth Deal (£1.5m) and the Islands Programme Fund (£250,000), Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) (£250,000), Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (£236,000), and UHI (£102,000).

It includes modern training facilities for engineering students and apprentices including virtual welding simulators, a Future Energy Lab supporting research in renewable energy technologies. A Newton Room will provide primary and secondary school pupils with hands-on experience in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects. Social spaces for students on campus have also been improved.

The investment will allow UHI North, West and Hebrides to support the Just Transition to Net Zero and the skilled workforce needed by employers, developers and major investors in the renewable energy sector throughout Scotland.

Across the curriculum, the college offers a range of qualifications available to study on campus, in work, and online, to support a talent pipeline for the renewable energy sector.

It is working with 26 employers in the Outer Hebrides to deliver Modern Apprenticeships to around 90 apprentices across carpentry and joinery, electrical engineering, and fabrication and welding, including 27 employed by Navantia UK, operators of the Arnish Yard.

UHI North, West and Hebrides - a partner in the Creed Hydrogen Skills and Innovation Centre – is also leading Scotland’s hydrogen technology skills training as the only provider of Scotland’s only SQA recognised qualification for engineering technicians dedicated to hydrogen.

The modernised facility will give UHI North, West and Hebrides capacity to increase the number of learners on campus and expand its curriculum in areas like renewable energy, engineering, construction and the built environment, sustainability and net zero.

Welcoming the opening of the Technology and Innovation Centre today, Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said:

“These facilities will equip people from the islands with skills to grasp the career opportunities afforded by renewable energy. The centre will help rural communities to thrive by helping them to attract and retain more young people. It is the first project to be completed within the Islands Growth Deal, which has been supported with £50 million from the Scottish Government. The Deal aims to drive growth and create up to 1,300 jobs across Orkney, Shetland and the Outer Hebrides by boosting housing, tourism, creative industries and renewable energy.”

Joanna Peteranna, director of area operations at Highlands and Islands Enterprise, said: “This project, which we are very pleased to support, will transform education and training for UHI NWH students, making the campus more attractive to learners through new technologies. Modern training facilities especially those that support STEM skills are vital for equipping people to seek employment the growing renewable energy sector, retaining young residents and attracting more students to the Outer Hebrides.”

Lydia Rohmer, principal and chief executive of UHI North, West and Hebrides, said: “The once-in-a-generation strategic investment associated with green energy and the Just Transition to Net Zero in the Outer Hebrides is set to drive increased demand for skills based vocational courses and apprenticeships, continuous professional development, as well as undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications.

"This investment ensures our campus has the engineering, technology and innovation facilities required by industry, and strengthens our capacity to support STEM skills and meet both current and emergent workforce needs from island-based, national and international employers, investors and developers. It will allow more people to study, live and access high value jobs locally, and further positions UHI North, West and Hebrides as the go-to academic provider for education, skills and research for the energy sector.”

Employers, major developers from the renewable energy sector, and representatives from local organisations toured the new facilities at the Technology and Innovation Centre on Tuesday, meeting staff and students, including Navantia UK fabrication and welding apprentices, SECTT electrical apprentices, HNC and BEng engineering students and local school pupils.

Councillor Paul Steele, Leader of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, said: “It is hugely pleasing to see the Technology and Innovation Centre at UHI North, West and Hebrides opened. For the island to fully benefit from future major developments it is vital that we invest in the development of a highly-skilled local workforce. This new facility will allow individuals the opportunity to live in the Outer Hebrides while receiving high quality education and training in areas specific to key local growth sectors. I would like to congratulate all involved in taking the project to this stage and our Islands Growth Deal partners for their continued work in achieving real economic benefits for our islands.”

UHI North, West and Hebrides will be holding a series of open afternoons at the Technology and Innovation Centre throughout May for members of the public, employers, and prospective students to tour the facilities and find out more about studying engineering.

Fosgladh Goireasan Trèanaidh Sgilean Uaine ann an Steòrnabhagh

Chaidh Ionad Teicneòlais is Nuadhachd fhosgladh ùr air fhosgladh aig àrainn Steòrnabhaigh UHI a Tuath, an Iar is Innse Gall às dèidh tasgadh de £2.3 millean.

’S e seo a’ chiad phròiseact calpa a chaidh a lìbhrigeadh fo Chùmhnant Fàs nan Eilean, pasgan deich bliadhna a tha ag amas air fàs eaconamach agus cruthachadh obraichean seasmhach a bhrosnachadh air feadh Sealtainn, Arcaibh iss Innse Gall.

Air a chrìochnachadh ann an àm agus taobh a-staigh a’ bhuidseit, tha am pròiseact air maoineachadh fhaighinn bho Riaghaltas na h-Alba tro Chùmhnant Fàs nan Eilean (£1.5 millean) agus Maoin Prògram nan Eilean (£250,000), Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd agus nan Eilean (£250,000), Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (£236,000), agus UHI (£102,000).

Tha goireasan trèanaidh ùr-nodha ann airson oileanaich innleadaireachd agus preantasan, nam measg innealan-samhlachaidh tàthaidh brìgheil, Obair-lann Lùtha san Àm ri Teachd a’ toirt taic do rannsachadh ann an teicneòlasan lùtha ath-nuadhachail, agus Seòmar Newton a bheir eòlas practaigeach do sgoilearan bun-sgoile agus àrd-sgoile ann an cuspairean saidheans, teicneòlais, innleadaireachd agus matamataig (STEM). Chaidh àiteachan sòisealta airson oileanaich air an àrainn a leasachadh cuideachd.

Leigidh an tasgadh le UHI a Tuath, an Iar is Innse Gall taic a thoirt don Ghluasad Dìreach gu Neoni Glan agus don luchd-obrach sgileil a tha a dhìth air fastaichean, luchd-leasachaidh agus prìomh luchd-tasgaidh ann an roinn an lùtha ath-nuadhachail air feadh Alba.

Thar a’ churraicealaim, tha UHI a Tuath, an Iar is Innse Gall a’ tabhann raon de theisteanasan a tha rim faighinn airson ionnsachadh air an àrainn, ann an obair, agus air-loidhne, gus taic a thoirt do loidhne-phìoban tàlant airson roinn an lùtha ath-nuadhachail.

Tha e cuideachd ag obair le 26 fastaiche anns na h-Eileanan Siar gus Preantasachdan Ùr-nodha a lìbhrigeadh do mu 90 preantas thar saorsainneachd agus obair-chòmhnaidh, innleadaireachd dealain, agus saothrachadh agus tàthadh, nam measg 27 air am fastadh le Navantia UK, luchd-obrachaidh Gàrradh Arnish.

Tha UHI a Tuath, an Iar is Innse Gall – com-pàirtiche ann an Ionad Sgilean is Nuadhachd Haidridein Creed – cuideachd a’ stiùireadh trèanadh sgilean teicneòlais haidridein na h-Alba mar an aon sholaraiche den aon teisteanas aithnichte SQA ann an Alba airson teicneòlaichean innleadaireachd a tha coisrigte do haidridein.

Ann a bhith a’ cur fàilte air fosgladh Ionad Sgilean is Nuadhachd Haidridein Creed thuirt an Leas Chiad Mhinistear Ceit Foirbeis an-diugh: “Bheir na goireasan seo sgilean do dhaoine às na h-eileanan gus na cothroman dreuchdail a tha lùth ath-nuadhachail a’ tabhann a ghlacadh. Cuidichidh an t-ionad coimhearsnachdan dùthchail gus soirbheachadh le bhith gan cuideachadh gus barrachd dhaoine òga a thàladh agus a chumail. ’S e seo a’ chiad phròiseact a chaidh a chrìochnachadh taobh a-staigh Aonta Fàs nan Eilean, a fhuair taic bho £50 millean bho Riaghaltas na h-Alba. Tha an Aonta ag amas air fàs a bhrosnachadh agus suas ri 1,300 obair a chruthachadh air feadh Arcaibh, Sealtainn agus Innse Gall le bhith a’ brosnachadh taigheadais, turasachd, gnìomhachasan cruthachail agus lùth ath-nuadhachail.”

Thuirt Lydia Rohmer, Prionnsapal agus Àrd-oifigear UHI a Tuath, an Iar is Innse Gall: “Tha an tasgadh ro-innleachdail seo, a tha a’ tachairt aon uair ann an ginealach, co-cheangailte ri lùth uaine agus an Gluasad Ceart gu Neoni Glan anns na h-Eileanan Siar gu bhith a’ brosnachadh iarrtas nas motha airson cùrsaichean dreuchdail stèidhichte air sgilean agus preantasachdan, leasachadh proifeasanta leantainneach, a bharrachd air teisteanasan fo-cheum is iar-cheum. Tha an tasgadh seo a’ dèanamh cinnteach gu bheil na goireasan innleadaireachd, teicneòlais agus ùr-ghnàthachaidh a dh’fheumas gnìomhachas aig an àrainn againn, agus a’ neartachadh ar comas coinneachadh ri feumalachdan sgilean is luchd-obrach gnàthach is a tha a’ tighinn am bàrr bho luchd-fastaidh, luchd-tasgaidh agus luchd-leasachaidh stèidhichte air eileanan, nàiseanta agus eadar-nàiseanta. Tha e gar comasachadh a bhith ag obair leis a’ ghnìomhachas gus tairgse STEM a chruthachadh a tha deiseil airson an ama ri teachd a leigeas le barrachd dhaoine ionnsachadh, fuireach agus faighinn gu obraichean àrd-luach gu h-ionadail, agus a’ cur UHI a Tuath, an Iar is Innse Gall nas làidire mar an solaraiche acadaimigeach as fheàrr airson foghlam, sgilean agus rannsachadh airson roinn an lùtha.”

Chaidh luchd-fastaidh, prìomh luchd-leasachaidh bhon roinn lùtha ath-nuadhachail, agus riochdairean coimhearsnachd air chuairt timcheall nan goireasan ùra aig Ionad Teicneòlais is Nuadhachd Dimàirt, a’ coinneachadh ri luchd-obrach agus oileanaich, nam measg preantas saothrachaidh is tàthaidh Navantia UK, preantas dealain SECTT, oileanaich innleadaireachd HNC agus BEng agus sgoilearan sgoile ionadail.

Thuirt an Comhairliche Pòl Steele, Ceannard Comhairle nan Eilean Siar: “Tha e air leth tlachdmhor Ionad Teicneòlais is Nuadhachd aig UHI a Tuath, an Iar is Innse Gall fhaicinn air fhosgladh. Gus am faigh an t-eilean làn bhuannachd bho leasachaidhean mòra san àm ri teachd, tha e deatamach gun dèan sinn tasgadh ann an leasachadh luchd-obrach ionadail le sgilean àrda. Leigidh an goireas ùr seo le daoine fa leth cothrom fuireach anns na h-Eileanan Siar fhad ’s  a gheibh iad foghlam is trèanadh àrd-inbhe ann an raointean a tha sònraichte do phrìomh roinnean fàis ionadail. Bu mhath leam meal-a-naidheachd a chur air a h-uile duine a bha an sàs ann a bhith a’ toirt a’ phròiseict chun na h-ìre seo agus ar com-pàirtichean ann an Aonta Fàs nan Eilean airson an obair leantainneach ann a bhith a’ coileanadh fìor bhuannachdan eaconamach airson ar n-eileanan.”

Thuirt Joanna Peteranna, stiùiriche obrachaidhean sgìreil aig Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd is nan Eilean: “Cruthaichidh am pròiseact seo agus tha sinn glè thoilichte taic a thoirt dha, foghlam is trèanadh do dh’oileanaich UHI a Tuath, an Iar is Innse Gall, a’ dèanamh an àrainn nas tarraingiche do luchd-ionnsachaidh tro theicneòlasan ùra. Tha goireasan trèanaidh ùr-nodha, gu h-àraidh an fheadhainn a tha a’ toirt taic do sgilean STEM, deatamach airson daoine uidheamachadh gus cosnadh a shireadh anns an roinn lùtha ath-nuadhachail a tha a’ sìor fhàs, luchd-còmhnaidh òga a chumail agus barrachd oileanaich a thàladh gu Innse Gall.”

Bidh UHI a Tuath, an Iar is Innse Gall a’ cumail sreath de fheasgaran fosgailte aig an Ionad Teicneòlais is Nuadhachd tron ​​Chèitean airson buill a’ phobaill, luchd-fastaidh, agus oileanaich san amharc tadhal air na goireasan agus barrachd ionnsachadh mu bhith ag ionnsachadh innleadaireachd.