Ayrshire College was delighted to welcome Ben Macpherson MSP, Minister for Higher and Further Education, this week to explore how partnership working between education, industry, and government is driving skills, innovation, and opportunity across Ayrshire.

The visit focused on the College’s contribution to Scotland’s skills and innovation agenda, particularly in aerospace, engineering, and STEM. Discussions highlighted how collaboration can help unlock Ayrshire’s full potential and support regional economic growth.

During his visit, the Minister met with students, apprentices, and industry partners, learning more about the College’s strong partnerships with employers such as Prestwick Aircraft Maintenance Ltd (PAML) and Storm Aviation. He heard how these collaborations are helping to strengthen both the regional and national skills pipeline, creating new pathways into high-value careers in Scotland’s growing aerospace and engineering sectors.

The Minister also joined discussions with College leaders on how the Scottish Government can continue to support the region’s ambitions for growth and innovation, while recognising the College’s central role in delivering Scotland’s Strategic Ambition for Skills.

Ben Macpherson MSP, Minister for Higher and Further Education, said:

Ayrshire College is successfully delivering skills development in innovative and remarkable ways, particularly in sectors like aerospace and engineering. It was impressive and inspiring to hear more about how the college is working collaboratively with employers to ensure that apprentices have the skills that they need to succeed in work, and how this is positively impacting those in training, local communities and the regional economy.
Ayrshire College’s commitment to innovation and partnership is an excellent example of how regional collaboration can help to deliver positive strides forward in skills development.

Angela Cox, Principal and Chief Executive of Ayrshire College, said:

Ayrshire College is central to Scotland’s skills and innovation story. We connect education, industry, and opportunity through developing the talent and ambition that drives progress.
We were delighted to welcome the Minister for Higher and Further Education to Ayrshire College. Visits like today’s are an opportunity to show the impact of that work and the strength of partnerships that sit behind it. We’re proud of what’s been achieved and even more ambitious about what comes next.

Ayrshire College, established in 2013, employs around 840 staff and supports 13,500 students across its campuses in Ayr, Kilmarnock, and Kilwinning. The College has a long-standing reputation for excellence in aerospace and engineering, green energy and construction, sport and leisure, hospitality, and healthcare.  It currently supports around 1,500 apprentices, including 500 in engineering.

The College continues to work with key stakeholders to position itself as a recognised National Centre of Excellence in Aerospace and Engineering, contributing to the skills needed for Scotland’s future.

Watch our documentary Powering Scotland’s Future in Aerospace to see how Ayrshire College is shaping Scotland’s aerospace and engineering success story.