Press Release, 27th March

College Meet

Greenock and Inverclyde MSP Duncan McNeil met with the new head of James Watt College - Audrey Cumberford - to discuss a range of concerns relating to the merger plans.

Ms Cumberford is principal of the new West of Scotland College which will incorporate James Watt, Reid Kerr and Clydebank colleges, due to merge in August.

Commenting on the meeting Mr McNeil said:

"I was pleased to meet with Audrey Cumberford to discuss the future delivery of further education service in Inverclyde. It was clear that she was very focused on the challenges that face the college sector, including the decline in budgets, balancing population shift against unmet need and the formidable task of bringing the three colleges together under the west of Scotland regional model. It is also encouraging that she is keen to engage the community and staff on these challenges.

"We discussed a range of issue including the need to maintain part-time places for adult learners, the need to ensure that people with complex needs continue to get access to education locally as well as the issue of voluntary redundancies"