Graeme Dey visits Glasgow Kelvin College, praises impact

Graeme Dey, Minister for Further Education, Higher Education, and Veterans, visited Glasgow Kelvin College's Springburn Campus on Wednesday, August 13.

He commended the college's contribution to the community by providing young people with a wide range of career opportunities.

Graeme Day MSP with Principal & CEO Joanna Campbell (Image: Supplied) Mr Dey said: "Glasgow Kelvin College is a great example of an institution helping young people in the communities it serves to develop and enhance their skills for the future needs of Scotland’s economy.

"There are many options open to building a successful career, regardless of circumstances and background, and colleges like Kelvin are central to that."

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The college supports 14,000 students, 41% of whom live in the 10% most deprived areas in Scotland.

It collaborates with 300 industry partners to help thousands of people into positive career destinations each year.

The minister was shown around the Building Services Engineering workshop and the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration workshop - the latter is said to be Scotland’s only college apprenticeship training programme in the area.

Graeme Day MSP with apprentice students Kyle Davidson &  Darren Wheeler(right) in Building Services Engineering Workshop (Image: Supplied) He also interacted with students and alumni, including five current apprentices and Aiden McGhee, an alumnus who now works at ACTS Engineering Consultancy and chairs the Chartered Institute of Building Service Engineers’ (CIBSE) Young Engineers Network.

He also met with the college's incoming student president, Jon Craig, to discuss issues concerning students and how the student association is helping to tackle poverty and support students in financial difficulty.

Joanna Campbell, the college principal, said: "We are passionate about providing opportunity and opening up entry routes into college, with progression onto higher qualifications and job opportunities for young people.

"Showing Mr Dey the impact of these programmes first hand was an absolute privilege, and I’m particularly pleased the Minister had the opportunity to hear from some of our current and former students about the positive impact Kelvin has had on their lives."