Seven Scottish Further Education Colleges have been awarded up to £3000 in travel grants to participate in an exciting new partnership opportunity in the Middle East, Near East and North Africa, as part of our Skills for Employability programme.

Skills for Employability aims to support the development of skills internationally, in sectors as diverse as construction and beauty therapy. It focuses on positive engagement between employers and education institutions, and supports education and training which helps people gain the skills needed for productive employment. The programme also helps to address the challenges of globalisation and the demand for skills in a global economy.

With the grants, representatives from colleges across the UK will travel to a country in the region to visit institutions specially chosen by the local Ministry of Education. They will work with their counterparts to develop ideas for innovative partnerships in skills education. The proposals will focus on specific sectoral areas including information technology and tourism.

The joint project proposals will then be submitted to the British Council to be considered by an expert international panel in August 2009. The best proposals will win funding of up to £15,000 a year for up to two years.

Scotland has been highly successful in responding to this opportunity with seven Scottish colleges representing over a third of the UK educational institutions selected for travel grants.

One of the Scottish colleges chosen was Anniesland College in Glasgow, which visited Palestine in May. The college’s Project Manager, Dr Robert Maguire, commented: ‘I'm happy to say a mutual enthusiasm is developing between ourselves and colleagues in Palestine, most of whom remain enthusiastic and upbeat in spite of the difficult circumstances in which they operate and the challenges they face. We have already identified and agreed some joint actions for our mutual benefit.'

Motherwell College also travelled to Morocco in May and their International Manager, Alistair Baker, reflected: ‘A visit to institutions’ industrial partners was useful to gain insights into the relationships that have developed and their effectiveness. Speaking with students allowed us to get their perspectives on the programmes and placements offered. Overall, the visit achieved a good overview of the potential partner institution and a solid basis from which a workable partnership can emerge’.

Neil Shaw, Vocational Education and Training Adviser for the Middle East, Near East and North Africa said of the Skills for Employability travel grants: 'The British Council is delighted to make these grants available to educational institutions. The grants can pave the way for immensely rewarding partnerships that can make a real difference in enhancing the skills-focussed education that people of all ages receive, both in the UK and the partner country.

'Scotland has a strong track record of international educational engagement and it's fantastic to see such a high proportion of institutions from Scotland winning these grants. We're really looking forward to the partnerships and projects that result.'

For more information telephone the Skills for Employability team on +44 (0)16 1957 7821 or e-mail SkillsforEmployability@britishcouncil.org.