This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Fife receives new rural business centre
02/05/2006
Land based businesses and rural entrepreneurs in Fife will have access to a new one-stop shop providing them with business advice and training.
The new rural business centre at Elmwood College was opened today by Rural Development Minister Ross Finnie.
Speaking at Elmwood College Mr Finnie said:
"New skills and and an eye for new opportunities are key to the sustainability of Scotland's agriculture and land based industries.
"In a changing business environment for farmers and other land managers the demands for advice, training and business support are constantly evolving.
"The Rural Business Centre here at Elmwood College is an excellent example of local partners working with the enterprise and education sectors to support and promote a more diverse rural economy and sustain thriving rural communities."
Elmwood College was established in 1953 as an agricultural centre and after steady expansion developed its present campus in Cupar in 1972. The college fulfils a national strategic role in serving the education and training needs of land-based industries. More recently it has developed a wider portfolio of programmes to meet the needs of the rural communities it serves in North Fife. The college is a leading training provider to Scotland's golf industry.
The college draws students in equal numbers from Fife and from the rest of Scotland and beyond, in particular its greenkeeping provision attracts students from countries around the world. The college meets the needs of community learners through an outreach centre in St. Andrews and the use of Fife Council and other community premises throughout North East Fife. This provision helps students to overcome the poor transport links and geographic isolation that exist in the rural parts of Fife. The college residences provide single study bedrooms for up to 72 students.
The college has a number of additional facilities such as an organic farm which provides practical teaching facilities for land-based programmes; an animal care centre; stables and an outdoor menage for equine programmes; and a 18-hole golf course and clubhouse at nearby Springfield which supports programmes in greenkeeping and golf management.
The college has strong links and collaborative arrangements with Barony College and Oatridge Agricultural College and with the Scottish Agricultural College (SAC) for land-based education, the UHI Millennium Institute and Abertay University for golf developments, and other Fife colleges for community provision. It has articulation arrangements with nearby universities, and works with four local schools to provide choices for senior pupils as well as an alternative curriculum for pupils aged 14-16 years. The college profile of programmes, influenced by national and local trends, now extends well beyond the original focus on land-based industries to include equine studies, golf, hairdressing and beauty therapies, sport and fitness, health and care and hospitality. The college also works with external agencies to ensure that its educational provision takes due account of social inclusion. The college has strong partnerships with the land-based industries, and with the Royal and Ancient Golf Club and the British and International Golf Greenkeepers' Association and the Greenkeepers Training Committee.