College seeks your vote

LOCAL people are being asked to put their voice behind a Shetland College funding application to help sustain rural learning centres for the next 12 months.

The Gremista-based college has been shortlisted for a £35,000 grant from the Royal Bank of Scotland’s skills and opportunities fund.

Around half of the 12 Scottish projects shortlisted are expected to be successful, and the outcome of the application can be heavily influenced by the response to a public voting appeal.

Details of the Scottish projects and how to vote can be found at http://skillsandopportunitiesfund.rbs.com/vote/vote-in-scotland.html

Senior lecturer with Shetland College, Andrew Anderson, said the funding would secure the future of the learning centres in the north mainland, on the islands of Yell, Unst and Whalsay, as well as in Lerwick, for another year.

Around 220 people benefit from the learning centres undertaking a wide range of training courses.

“Shetland College Learning Centres currently provide locally accessible learning, which allows students who are not able to travel to Lerwick, to improve their confidence, skills, qualifications and employment prospects.

“Voting for Shetland College will help to ensure these learning centres continue to meet local learning needs in a flexible manner,” he said.

The public vote is open until midday on Friday 22 April.