Posted: Wednesday 25 November 2009

Cabinet Secretary announces ‘National Conversation’ paper at the launch of Kilmarnock College’s Customer Services Centre

Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, Fiona Hyslop, visited Kilmarnock College on Tuesday 24 November to launch the new Customer Services Centre.  The Cabinet Secretary was greeted by the College Principal, Heather Dunk, Chair of the Board of Management, Stephen Brannagan, staff, students and guests.

The Centre provides students with a ‘One Stop Shop’ where they can speak to qualified staff for information and advice on a range of support services including funding, learning support and career opportunities.

During the event the Cabinet Secretary announced the publication of The Scottish Government’s new ‘National Conversation’ paper on Employability and Skills.  The paper promotes the idea of a single system of support for those in training and those looking for a job.

Fiona Hyslop said at the event: “The Scottish Government today publishes the National Conversation paper on employability and skills. The paper provides all of Scotland’s people with the opportunity to think about the sort of country they want Scotland to be. We welcome all views. We have the ability to design and build a fairer, stronger Scotland – and that is an opportunity we must seize.

The excellent project I am opening here at Kilmarnock College demonstrates what can be achieved when organisations and agencies work together to provide co-ordinated support for those seeking employment in one place at one time.”

Principal of Kilmarnock College, Heather Dunk, said: “I would like to extend my thanks to the Cabinet Secretary for opening our new Customer Services Centre.  Kilmarnock College works tirelessly to ensure the needs of our students are met and an appropriate support structure is in place.

It is great to see The Scottish Government continuing to employ a variety of tools to address and improve employability in Scotland ensuring we can meet the country’s full economic potential.”

The Cabinet Secretary and Principal also visited students in the College’s innovative new centre which promotes hope, inspiration and vision in education (the hive). The hive is a hub of activity, encouraging the development and participation of harder to reach groups, school pupils, those who require additional support in the classroom and community learners through an engaging educational programme.

The event concluded with the Cabinet Secretary, Principal, Board Members, staff, students and guests enjoying a light buffet lunch at the College’s training restaurant, ‘The Gallery’.

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For more information, contact:

Angela Bonney, Halogen Communications, (T) 0131 202 0120 (F) 0131 225 3757 (E) angela@halogencom.com.

Notes to Editors

The Employability and Skills paper is the eighth in a series of papers being published by the Scottish Government as contributions to the National Conversation.

The aim of the National Conversation is to promote an inclusive, open and full debate about available constitutional options.

The paper sets out what a future Scottish Government and Scottish Parliament could do under further devolution or independence. Examples considered include what could be done to help people seeking employment support and people facing redundancy.

More information on the National Conversation and all previous papers can be found at:  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/a-national-conversation.

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