Issued: 28 January 2005
Cash Boost For Training
ANGUS Council is to introduce a vocational training grant - thanks to a £200,000 cash boost from the RGIT Trust.
The money will allow the council to offer people across the community the opportunity to improve their skills and learn new skills.
The RGIT Trust was formed in 2003 following a multi million pound management buy-out of RGIT Montrose with the proceeds being shared between Robert Gordons University and the RGIT Trust.
In her capacity as a member of the trust, Councillor Kitty Ritchie successfully negotiated a £200,000 donation, to be used in Angus as part of a vocational training fund.
The objective of the fund is to offer vocational training opportunities to the people of Angus without duplicating existing provision, and to welcome applications that meet the vocational needs of the community.
Any programme that targets residents in the Montrose area will be viewed more favourably - a desire expressed by the RGIT Trust.
Angus Council's Infrastructure Services Convener David Selfridge said: "Skills have often remained the poor relation in Scotland. Today, however it is widely recognised that lifelong learning lies at the heart of our, and every other advanced nation's, competitiveness with so many of the traditional industries in decline.
"This funding boost for training in Angus is very welcome and the council will ensure that it is used to give local residents the opportunity to benefit from vocational training that enhances their job and employability skills."