The Principal of Oatridge College in West Lothian has revealed that he was forced to turn away hundreds of potential students this year, after it was sidelined when more than £28 million in additional funding over two years from the Scottish Government was handed out to the Further Education sector.

David James used the College’s annual awards ceremony to tell graduating students, their families and friends that despite the landbased industries facing a shortfall of 22,000 workers between now and 2017, none of Scotland’s Rural Colleges or any others specialising in preparing recruits for the sector had received anything from the pot of cash allocated to ease the pain of the economic downturn.

He praised almost 250 students who have successfully completed their studies – among them the 32 top prizewinners - and told them that they would have a vital role in sustaining the landbased sector and the rural economy, but he made it clear that he was far from happy about having to refuse 300 new applicants due to a lack of resources.

“During these challenging times, we have seen a 74% increase in learners seeking full-time courses here at Oatridge College,” he said. “This is good news for the industries we support, given the need for new workers. We were delighted when we heard that extra money was to be made available to colleges in Scotland to respond to the needs of individuals and business, but that delight was short-lived: Not one penny is coming to us, or any of the country’s rural or landbased colleges.”

James said he was frustrated by the failure of government to recognise the importance to Scotland of the landbased sector: “We are told on occasion that it is not seen as one of the key priority sectors, but let’s remember that without the learners like those graduating from here today, where would Scottish tourism be? A significant number will have a role in becoming guardians of the countryside.

“Another key sector is food and drink however we have been told at times that the primary producer is not seen as being part of this. We all need to consider how we can continue to place pressure on decision makers to ensure that the landbased sector is given recognition for the role it can play in supporting Scotland’s economy.”
 

The 32 prizewinners from agricultural, engineering, animal care, countryside management, equine studies and farriery, greenkeeping, horticulture and landscaping received their awards from George Anderson, the President of the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society and a former chairman of the Board of Management at Oatridge College.

The event saw the top five equine students receive their prizes.

Kirsty Laird from Kirkcaldy in fife, one of the team of Higher National Diploma Equine students who earlier this year organised the first Scottish inter-college equestrian competition, was named best student in Year 2, having completed her course with distinction.

Kirsty Downie from Edinburgh was one of two students who completed the Higher National Certificate in Equine Studies with distinction and she received the prize for best student.

Gemma Murphy from Stewarton in Ayrshire was selected as best student on the Advanced Certificate in Equine Studies, with Sarah Simpson  from Livingston taking the prize in the Certificate in Equine Studies. Tracy Duncanson from Strathaven, Lanarkshire, was top on the College’s unique Preparation for Racing course.