Forth Valley College has received a £259,000 funding boost to help attract the next generation of engineers.
The money comes from the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) as part of a £2 million investment in its Regional Skills Hubs initiative.
The college, which has campuses in Alloa, Falkirk, and Stirling, will use the funds to purchase augmented reality (AR) welding simulators and run training courses.
It will also support outreach activities using a new, dual-branded vehicle and will cover staffing costs, including the appointment of a project manager and STEM outreach staff.
This funding comes after the UK and Scottish Governments announced a £225 million investment to transform the area into a hub for low-carbon and renewable energy.
The plan aims to support jobs, unlock investment, and drive growth in the Grangemouth industrial cluster, which is supported by Forth Valley College.
Andrew Hockey, ECITB chief executive, said: "The ECITB is committed to playing its part in delivering the support necessary to make the vision of a thriving Grangemouth industrial cluster a reality for generations to come.
"This funding for Forth Valley College will help to support the long-term pipeline of new entrants to the engineering construction industry (ECI) and support inclusive growth.
"The new equipment and planned outreach work will also support under-represented groups to find a route into sustainable employment within the ECI."
Forth Valley College (FVC) is also making a matched-funding contribution towards the purchase, delivery, and installation of the AR equipment.
This will be used to deliver STEM workshops for women to help address gender imbalances in welding careers.
These workshops will look to engage 300 young women in hands-on AR sessions.
In its first year, around 240 school pupils will get involved in a series of interactive workshops, mini competitions, and an awards ceremony to help attract more young people to jobs in engineering construction.
The college will also collaborate with industry to bring real-world insights into the classroom, using guest speakers, career talks, and mentorship opportunities.
Kenny MacInnes, principal of Forth Valley College, said: "As part of our work helping to establish a sustainable talent pipeline for Scotland’s engineering construction industry, this programme will create a steady flow of skilled entrants equipped to meet evolving industry demands.
"Through outreach activities and gender-specific workshops, we aim to foster greater inclusivity, offering women early exposure to traditionally male-dominated fields and encouraging long-term gender balance within the industry."
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