Glasgow Kelvin College praised by Minister during visit to engineering and air conditioning workshops

Scotland’s Minister for Further Education, Higher Education, and Veterans Graeme Dey has praised the work of Glasgow Kelvin College, which supports more than 1,200 apprentices each year and showcases the range of career opportunities available to young people.

Dey visited the college’s Building Services Engineering workshop, which supports sectors such as retail, hospitality, and manufacturing in Scotland. 

He also visited the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration workshop, which is the only college apprenticeship training programme in this area located in Scotland. 

“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,” Dey says.

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

Students past and present met with the Minister, including five current apprentices. Dey also met with incoming Student President Jon Craig and discussed the issues most affecting students. 

“We are passionate about providing opportunity and opening up entry routes into college, with progression onto higher qualifications and job opportunities for young people,” adds Glasgow Kelvin College Principal Joanna Campbell. “These are often the key points to addressing poverty in communities like many of the ones we serve in Glasgow, demonstrating the vast array of opportunities available.”

“Our facilities and programmes - including our Building Engineering Services and air conditioning and refrigeration workshops - are great examples of how colleges can contribute to the country’s economic prosperity by combining skills development with net zero goals, meeting industry skills demands and helping people from all backgrounds into potentially lucrative careers.

“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. They are shining examples of the incredible stories coming out of our college every day and indicative of the bright futures we want all of our students to achieve.”