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22 October 2024

West College Scotland Ferguslie Centre Receives Additional Funding from Connecting Scotland to Support Learners with Digital Access

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West College Scotland is pleased to announce that its Ferguslie Centre has received additional funding from the Scottish Government's Connecting Scotland initiative. This support will directly benefit local learners, enhancing their access to digital tools and empowering them to develop essential skills for future employment.

Jacob Kirkwood

The Ferguslie Centre, based in Paisley, is dedicated to helping residents of Ferguslie and the wider Renfrewshire communities acquire the skills, qualifications, and experience they need to transition into work. Through a wide range of activities and programmes, the Centre engages with learners to increase their employability and strengthen the capacity of the community.

Thanks to Connecting Scotland’s funding, three students at the Ferguslie Centre have been provided with essential digital resources, including laptops and mobile Wi-Fi devices (Mifi), to support their studies. This initiative is a key part of Connecting Scotland's broader mission to ensure everyone in Scotland has access to the devices, connectivity, and skills necessary to fully participate in the digital world.

Speaking to the recipients of this digital support they expressed their gratitude:

Esther Misajel, a photography student at the Ferguslie Centre, said:

I can't believe I get to keep this laptop, I thought it was just a loan for my Photography course.

'This will be a good help with my photography class as I'm not completely confident with the camera and editing software but my daughters will be able to help me with some of the technical things! Thank you so much, I'm overwhelmed."

Jacob Kirkwood, commented,

This is going to make a massive difference to us as a family as we just use our phones to access information and it can be difficult sometimes, especially since both myself and my partner are studying courses with the College.

'And having the Mifi means we can study out with our home. This is absolutely brilliant."

Margaret McCrorie, another learner benefiting from the support, said: "I don't have a computer at home so this is great.

It's going to work wonders for me and will be a really good help.

By providing learners with laptops, Mifi devices, and SIM cards, this funding helps bridge the digital divide, allowing students to access online resources, complete coursework, and study more flexibly. It also reduces the barriers that many Ferguslie residents face in accessing education and upskilling opportunities.

The partnership between West College Scotland and Connecting Scotland exemplifies the importance of collaborative efforts between the public, private, and voluntary sectors in delivering essential digital services to communities.