Ayrshire College plays a key role in helping to develop the economy in Ayrshire, by ensuring that students develop the right skills and positive attitudes to support the local, regional and national workforce needs.

They work in partnership with employers and other stakeholders to provide opportunities which meet demand in key industry sectors in Ayrshire and beyond and develop the high quality skills required for the economy.

A new-build campus is in development at Kilmarnock, which is due to launch late summer 2016.

Key facts

• 14,189 students
• Serviced by 800 staff
• With a turnover of £42m
• And £10m disbursed in student funding

Vision

• Raising aspirations
• Inspiring achievement
• Increasing opportunities

Ayrshire College supports Modern Apprenticeships in: hairdressing, engineering, aircraft engineering, health and social care, hospitality, construction/plumbing, fashion and textiles, IT professional, life sciences, learning and development and vehicle maintenance and repair.

The college is extending its partnership with the Open University to deliver OU level 2 diploma at the Kilwinning campus on a part-time basis and is open to anyone who already has a 15 credit HNC in social sciences at SCQF level 7. Students will receive first class teaching and regular support and guidance from college and university lecturers as they progress through their diploma. Following the two years study at level 2 there is an opportunity to progress to the level 3 OU honours programme at the Kilmarnock campus. In year 1 of the level 2 programme students will study a module that engages with issues relating to social policy, sociology and criminology.