Forth Valley College - Outside Visit Falkirk Campus

Following a visit last year to the recently opened Stirling Campus of Forth Valley College, the club paid a return visit, this time to Falkirk College. We were again hosted by College Principal Dr. Ken Thomson and Head of Business Development, Bob Armstrong. Following a presentation by Dr. Thomson which included the first public viewing of plans for the new college to be opened in 2019, members were given a tour of the existing facilities.

Forth Valley College was formed in 2005 when the then 43 colleges in Scotland were reorganized into 13 Regions. Falkirk and Clackmannan along with a small centre in Stirling merged to become Forth Valley College (FVC).Now with over 500 full time equivalent staff and 3,500 full time students, FVC is one of Forth Valley’s biggest employers with an annual income of £30m.

Falkirk College focuses on science and engineering with advanced level courses in Computing, Construction, Sport, Hairdressing, Beauty Therapy, Healthcare and Early Years; Alloa leads on business and Stirling on Creative Industries, Hospitality & Salon Services. Alloa opened in 2011 and has 5,000 square feet and cost £20m; Stirling College opened in 2012 with 7,000 ft² costing £30m; and the new Falkirk College to be built on adjacent ground will have 20,000 ft² at a cost of £70m. The design layout will be similar to Stirling but uniquely will include a 500 seat Theatre and Arts Centre, following discussions with Falkirk Council. The new state-of-the-art facility will provide the headquarters for the college and offer state-of-the-art learning environments.  There will be a regional approach in terms of provision with clear links to local employment opportunities.  

The college works closely with businesses to identify training needs and uses the latest industrial equipment rather than out of date hand downs. There is even a working model oil and gas training rig from Ineos, albeit it does not use the petrochemicals but in all other respects it provides a real working environment.

Following the presentation, Dr. Thomson and Bob Armstrong took members on a tour of strategic sites in the college which clearly demonstrated the college’s commitment to producing the best quality environment for its training programmes. One of the most impressive was an oil rig control room where trainees had to deal with simulated emergencies complete with all the warning noises and flashing lights they would encounter in a live situation. The students were wired up to monitoring devices to check heart rate and other vital signs which provides invaluable data.

Following the tour, we enjoyed an excellent buffet prepared by the students.

Wiesiek Chodyniecki gave the club’s vote of thanks to Dr. Thomson and Bob Armstrong for a most interesting presentation and tour.