College "Sector-leading and innovative"
25 March 2008
HM Inspectorate of Education has described five projects at Oatridge College as "Sector-leading and innovative practice", as part of a glowing report.
The Inspectors, who visited the College in October and December last year, found that courses on agriculture, horticulture and greenkeeping, together with the student experience in farriery and engineering, were "Major strengths" but they reserved their greatest praise for special programmes developed by staff.
On the list were an agricultural initiative which involves HND students in real-world research for the industry; a scheme to make engineering students more aware of health and safety risk analysis; the Landbased Industries Support Service (LISS), which provides a one-stop-shop for business support for rural industry; a partnership between the College and a number of rural schools, which gives pupils in remote areas an introduction of landbased industries; and the Rural Skills Academy, which is helping the long-term unemployed in urban areas into training and jobs in the rural industries.
Oatridge Principal David James said: "We have set out to meet a significant number of key Government targets and I think this report shows we are doing so."
