ESP Annual Report 2019-20

ANNUAL REPORT
2019 -2020

Foreword

Another year and ESP continues to go and representing Scotland’s skills in- The range of CPD events run by ESP
from strength to strength. terests on the UK Investment in Talent in conjunction with Industry partners
Group. supporting over 1500 staff throughout
The thing that has impressed me most 2019/20.
in the last year has been the recogni- The work with Transport Scotland in
tion that is now being given to the role positioning ESP’s Automotive Training The setting up of a new Management
of ESP and the strategic influence it Network as a key partner in supporting Board to ensure the right level of stra-
now has. the transition to electric vehicles. tegic guidance.

Grant Ritchie The level of recognition for ESP by Working with Energy Savings Trust in ESP has developed over the years in
Scottish Government and agencies developing a Skills Framework that will line with government policy demands
Principal and industry bodies is having a signif- support Scottish Governments Energy and continues to support colleges and
Dundee and Angus icant impact on the college sector. Efficient Scotland Programme and se- provide direction though it’s Strate-
College curing £500k from the Green Economy gy Groups. I would personally like to
A number of highlights have been Fund to invest in the college sector to thank the team for all their efforts on
ESP’s involvement in supporting the support this. behalf of Scotland’s colleges, ESP is a
work of Scottish Government: model of what we can achieve working
The joint working between ESP and together to promote the whole College
Representing Scotland in the develop- Colleges Scotland to tackle the chal- sector, combining our expertise and
ment of the Offshore Wind Sector Deal lenges presented by changes to the talents to develop excellent skills and
and the subsequent establishment Modern Apprenticeship Framework training.
of the Scottish Offshore Wind Energy requirements.
Council with ESP as the Skills Lead

What an eventful year 2019-20 has been!! The team have secured significant funding, most of which Jim Brown
is going directly to colleges, to provide support and servic-
From a relatively normal start to the academic year to a very es for projects and investment in capital equipment and staff Director
interesting end followed by an action packed summer, it has development. ESP
been what can only be described as exceptional.
One real highlight was our work with IET in expanding First
ESP is working more closely than ever with Scottish Gov- Lego League through colleges and hosting the first ever
ernment and agencies on a range of policy interventions and Scottish Final at Perth College UHI.
industry in identifying future skills needs. In doing so, we
have worked with our Engineering and Construction Strategy Overall, an exciting, busy, eventful and most of all enjoyable
Groups to develop appropriate responses. year working with the team and our college members through
particularly challenging times to support industry and learn-
The college sector COVID-19 response and the exceptional ers to secure the skills Scotland needs for a positive eco-
work carried out by colleges. ESP committed to supporting nomic future.
college members through the sharing of teaching material,
securing online resources from partners and looking to the For the future, recognition that the Green Economy will drive
future in establishing the Digital Learning Strategy Group. economic recovery and growth presents another set of chal-
lenges for ESP and our college members but we are deter-
From a future skills perspective, we continue to work with mined and confident the college sector will respond to the
Catapults and Innovation Centres such as the National Man- challenge and ESP will do its utmost to provide the necessary
ufacturing Institute of Scotland (having now signed a Collab- support.
oration Agreement) and are looking at a similar arrangement
with similar organisations such as the Construction Scotland
Innovation Centre.

As Vice Principal at Dundee and Angus College I have had an overview of ESP and how
its remit and influence has expanded over the years.

Since being appointed and taking up the role of Chair from Grant Ritchie my awareness
has increased and I have been so impressed by the extensive range of activity the team
undertake in working with government, agencies, industry and of course colleges to en-
sure colleges have the capability and capacity to deliver the skills industry needs now
and in the future.

As COVID-19 is impacting on the college sector the role of ESP is becoming even more
significant and I’m really looking forward to working with the team through the next phase
as it enters its 10th year.

Simon Hewitt

Principal
Dundee and Angus
College

1 Strategic Focus
2 Influence
3 A college sector for the future
4 SUPPORTING CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENTS
5 Engineering
6 Construction
7 STEM
8 ESP KEY projects
9 ESP FUTURE VISION
10 ESP Key facts

CONTENTS

1

STRATEGIC FOCUS

ESP is a collaboration of Scotland’s colleges and industry partners established to increase Scotland’s

capability and capacity to deliver the right skills for the energy, engineering and construction sectors to meet
industry demand.
By working in a cohesive partnership Scotland’s colleges demonstrate a responsiveness and collective capa-
bility to provide the technical skills required by industry.
Following the publication of a number of key policy documents and changes to existing organisational struc-
tures ESP has extended it’s partnerships across our priority areas as summarised below:

ESP GROUPS

• Management Board
• Steering Group
• Engineering Strategy Group
• Construction Strategy Group
• STEM Leads Forum

ENGINEERING

• Advanced Manufacture Training Network
• Wind and Marine Training Network
• Oil and Gas Training Network
• Automotive Training Network
• Marine and Maritime Training Network
• Hydrogen Training Network

CONSTRUCTION

• Energy Efficiency Training Network
• Quality and Skills Working Group
• Building Services Engineering

Working Group
• Construction Technician Working

Group
• Construction Crafts Working Group

STEM

• Scottish Government STEM Strategy
External Advisory Group

• STEM Hub Steering Group
• STEM Leads’ Forum

2

INFLUENCE

Throughout 2019-20 ESP has continued to be recognised by There has been a particular focus on working with industry
government and agencies as a strategic partner. Direct en- and industry bodies on several fronts resulting in a number
gagement with a wide range of Scottish Government depart- of formal partnerships and groups being established.
ments and government agencies has seen ESPs influence
increased significantly. ESP is now actively working with a Engagement with colleges has also increased as a re-
range of government departments/agencies including: sponse to COVID-19 with a number of new strategy groups
and working groups established to better support the college
• Offshore Wind network.
• Energy Efficiency
• Construction
• Hydrogen
• STEM

ENERGY ENGINEERING

Government & Agencies Government & Agencies
• Offshore Wind Energy Industry Council’s • Scottish Government
• Transport Scotland
Investment in Talent Group • Energy Savings Trust (EST) Transport
• Scottish Offshore Wind Energy Council • National Manufacturing Institute Scotland

(SOWEC) (NMIS) Network Capability Forum
• Energy Skills Alliance • Michelin Scotland Innovation Parc (MSIP)
• Engineering Construction Industry Training
CONSTRUCTION
(ECITB)
Government & Agencies • Energy & Utility Skills
• Scottish Government Construction • Enginuity
• Scottish Government Energy Efficiency • Scottish Motor Trade Association (SMTA)
• Construction Scotland Modern Apprentice Task • Engineering Skills Leadership Group (ESLG)
• Scottish Hydrogen Fuel Cell Association
Force
• Energy Savings Trust (EST) (SHFCA)
• Energy Efficiency Scotland Skills Group • Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI)
• Scotland Futures Trust (BIM Group)
• OPIT Skills & Expertise Group STEM
• Homes for Scotland Skills Group
• Construction Industry Leadership Skills Group Government & Agencies
• HCI Delivery Group • STEM Strategy Advisory Group
• Local Authority Building Standards Scotland • STEM Hub Steering Group
• STEM Leads’ Forum
(LABSS) • Education Scotland
• The Construction Industry Coronavirus (CICV) • Developing the Young Workforce (DYW)

Supply Chain Resilience Group COLLEGE SECTOR
• CICV Skills Group
• Federation of Master Builders (FMB) College Sector Engagement
• Scottish Decorators’ Federation • Colleges Scotland
• Scottish Building Federation (SBF) • College Principals’ Group
• Civil Engineering Contractors Association • Skilled Workforce Forum
• Managing Agents’ Working Group
(CECA) Scotland Ltd • Digital Learning Strategy Group
• Leadership CPD Programme
• Lecturer CPD Programme

3

A college sector for the future

ESP CPD, Events and COVID Engagement

Throughout 2019-20 our main focus has been future technologies, government policy developments and the COVID-19 response
engaging more proactively with more college staff than any previous year and establishing additional Training Networks and Working
Groups to support our Strategy Groups’ priorities.

There has been a particular focus on curriculum developments, the need for blended learning and sharing and securing teaching
resources, and capital investment funds whilst sharing best practice.

The COVID-19 response has been a real focus with ESP groups and networks supporting college staff as outlined below.

COVID Response Meetings Attendance (since March 2020)

• Engineering Strategy Group 103 • S TEM Leads’ Forum 34
• Automotive Training Network
• Core Skills Workshop - Automotive 103 • Construction Strategy Group 329
• Hydrogen Training Network
• Wind & Marine Training Network 19 • Energy Efficiency Training Network 33
• Marine & Maritime Training Network 40 • Quality and Skills Working Group 0
• Digital Learning Strategy Group
26 • Building Services Engineering Working Group 51

40 • Construction Technician Working Group 36

186 • Construction Crafts Working Group 110

Total college staff supported overall in 2019/20 by sector

STEM ENGINEERING

97 713

790

CONSTRUCTION

Figures taken from CPD training and attendance at ESP meetings and events held during Academic Year 2019-20

4

Supporting Curriculum Developments

Through our Strategy Groups we have made a significant impact in 5. Developed two online awareness courses in:
supporting curriculum developments, including:
a. Hydrogen
1. COVID-19 Response b. Offshore Wind

a. Shared teaching materials 6. Working with Construction Scotland Task Force to lead the
b. Secured Online Learning resources from industry development of a new Construction Pre-Apprenticeship.
partners
c. Promoted best practice via the Digital Learning Strategy 7. Partnered with New College Lanarkshire to develop a pre-
Group course in Electric Vehicle training for body repair staff, an
emerging need identified by our Automotive Training Network.
2. Working with our Advanced Manufacture Training Network to
develop two Professional Development Awards in: 8. Digital Learning Strategy Group was established to develop a
COVID-19 response and blended learning and sharing of best
a. Advanced Automation practice.
b. Advanced Manufacture
9. Working in partnership with CITB to help recruit and train 100
Eight colleges worked collaboratively through MS Teams to new assessors across all Scottish Colleges. Assessors will be
develop learning and teaching materials. Throughout lock- upskilled with current qualifications and will also participate
down restrictions due to COVID-19 this work continued and in a national training campaign to standardise process and to
all of our member colleges are now in a position to deliver enhance quality. An e-portfolio is also currently under devel-
these awards to industry for re-skilling and up-skilling. opment to standardise the delivery of construction VQ’s.

3. Our Marine & Maritime Training Network collaborated to de- 10. ESP secured substantial funding in partnership with Scottish
velop learning and teaching materials for the newly validated Power Energy Networks as part of the Green Economy Fund
NPA Maritime Studies. to provide capital investment in college facilities.

4. Developed a competency framework that will underpin gov- 11. In construction ESP have also supported the development of
ernment’s Energy Efficient Scotland programme. battery storage learning materials, these are currently availa-
ble for all members.

5

Engineering

Governance 4. Diversity in the Workforce partnership with SGN, Orkney College and
5. Supporting and influencing the UK Dundee and Angus College we developed
ENGINEERING STRATEGY GROUP an online hydrogen awareness course. Ac-
agenda ademic year 2020-21 will focus on curricu-
advanced manufacture training network lum development and further engagement
Low Carbon Transport with industry with a focus on hydrogen for
automotive training network transport.
We continue to engage with Transport Scot-
hydrogen training network land to further develop the capacity and ca- Fit for the Future
pability across Scotland, raise awareness Curriculum
marine & maritime training network amongst industry and to look at the wider
transport sector. Several colleges have During Academic year 2019-20 ESP (fund-
oil & Gas training network delivered successful awareness events for ed and) facilitated a number of curriculum
independent garages for electric vehicle re- developments in collaboration with 11 col-
wind & marine training network pair and maintenance skills and training. A leges. This included development of learn-
significant number of college staff took part ing and teaching materials and assess-
The Engineering Strategy Group is a part- in CPD at IMI L3 Hybrid and Electric Vehicle ments in:
nership of Heads of Engineering across Repair and Replacement. This continues
Scotland’s colleges. the aim of positioning colleges well to work • Advanced Manufacture
with their local industry. • Industrial Automation
The group work collectively, hold regular • Maritime Studies
meetings, conferences, and networking NMIS Network Capability Forum • Offshore Wind and Hydrogen
opportunities in partnership with Scottish
Government, agencies and sector bodies to There has been a repositioning of NMIS We have piloted the use of online interac-
share best practices and generate solutions workstreams and ESP engaged with the tive platforms and will continue to develop
to ongoing challenges making colleges the new NMIS Network Capability Forum. ESP curriculum and resources that are fit for the
choice of our future. and NMIS now have a Memorandum of Un- future.
derstanding and a collaboration agreement,
Our Priorities signed April 2020, focussing on skills spe- Building Capability and
cifically upskilling and re-skilling. Capacity
1. Curriculum development
2. Industry demand SQA Engineering Qualifications ESP has continued to build capability and
3. Industry-led CPD capacity throughout academic year 2019-
ESP facilitated two workshop meetings with 20, even with the restrictions that COV-
Policy Drivers SQA to position colleges in the HN Next ID-19 brought. The majority of automotive
Generation pilot for engineering qualifica- staff across Scotland’s colleges, including
Scottish Government: tions. Work is now underway with the aim technicians, are now trained to IMI Level 2
to have a draft framework by 2021. or 3 Electric Vehicle Repair. We have ex-
• National Transport Strategy panded our Wind and Marine Training Net-
• NMIS Network Capability Forum PDAs in Advanced Manufacture and Indus- work from three colleges to seven.
• Energy Strategy trial Automation have now been validated
• Net Zero Targets and ESP’s Advanced Manufacture Training From the start of the year we encouraged
• Climate Emergency Network have collaborated on development the use of MS Teams as a collaborative tool
• Energy Skills Alliance of teaching and learning materials for these to assist 11 colleges in developing learning
units. and teaching materials, offering support to
Influence individuals where required. We facilitated
Highlands and Islands Enterprise college attendance at Offshore wind road-
SOWEC shows for the Forth and Tay Wind Cluster.
ESP are continuing to engage with High- (We are working with our industry partners
ESP was approached by Scottish Govern- lands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) over on alternatives to our planned CPD events
ment and asked to be the skills lead and the year with several meetings to explore such as a visit to Siemens Congleton and
engage with the Offshore Wind Sector mutual collaboration in the areas of Mari- a hydrogen conference for senior college
Deal which was launched March 2019. As time, Advanced Manufacture, Automotive staff).
a result of this Scottish Government estab- for Electric Vehicle Maintenance and Wind
lished the Scottish Offshore Wind Energy Turbine Maintenance for the Offshore Wind COVID-19 response
Council (SOWEC). ESP were asked to take sector and emerging opportunities.
on the role of Skills Lead and to establish a Using our existing industry partners and
Skills Group which has agreed a number of Industry partnerships relationships, ESP was able to provide
priorities including: links to a wide range of online materials
ESP are continually engaging with key in- for colleges to use, free of charge during
1. Understanding Skills Demand dustries creating strategic partnerships with lockdown period of COVID-19. Across our
2. Skills Supply Capacity and Capability regional colleges that will increase job mar- engineering networks we supported and of-
3. Sector Recruitment and Attractiveness ket demand. fered guidance to college staff through MS
teams meetings. ESP continued to engage
Emerging Technologies with SFC on a weekly basis around COV-
Summary ID-19.

ESP formally established a Hydrogen
Training Network in November 2019 based
around colleges where existing hydrogen
projects or activity was taking place. In

6

Construction ESP established a Quality and Skills Work- Building Capability and
ing Group made up of all relevant sector Capacity
Governance bodies to map accredited minimum qual-
ifications to the Energy Efficient Scotland Construction Scotland MA Task Force
construction STRATEGY GROUP Route Map. Scottish Government are cur-
rently reviewing these recommendations As a response to the impact of COVID-19
Building Services Engineering and considering these as part of EES. Construction Scotland established a Mod-
Working Group ern Apprenticeship Task Force to consider:
VQ Assessor Recruitment and Training.
Construction Technician Working Group 1. Modern Apprentice intake
Working in partnership with CITB to help re- 2. Contingency Planning
Construction Crafts Working Group cruit and train 100 new assessors across all 3. Skills Test response
of Scotland’s construction colleges. 4. Redundancy and new intake support
The Construction Strategy Group (CSG) 5. The industry Led Pre-apprenticeship
is a partnership of Heads of Construction The project will support:
across Scotland’s colleges. model.
• A national assessor recruitment
CSG work collectively, hold regular meet- campaign COVID-19 response
ings, conferences, and networking opportu-
nities in partnership with Scottish Govern- • National training of assessors This year has brought in challenges beyond
ment, agencies and sector bodies to share • Development & Implementation of an anyone’s control due to COVID-19. ESP
best practices and generate solutions to adapted to this pandemic using MS Teams
ongoing challenges making colleges the Electronic Portfolio video calls.
choice of our future. • Funding towards assessors/internal
We continued to support colleges and host-
Our Priorities verifier training ed more regular meetings than normal to
meet our member’s needs. ESP coordinat-
1. Curriculum development Emerging Technologies ed key stakeholders’ meetings that were
2. National statistics analysis Summary invaluable to the Construction Strategy
3. Industry demand Group.
4. Articulation Renewable & Energy Efficiency College
5. Industry-led CPD Training Equipment Key stakeholders such as Skills Develop-
6. College accreditation ment Scotland, Scottish Funding Council &
7. Industry co-investment Working closely with leading manufacturers Construction Industry Training Board pro-
to identify emerging technologies to shape vided vital guidance that helped colleges
colleges curriculum and commercial activi- prepare for returning students due to COV-
ties. This has generated new partnerships ID-19.
with colleges securing the latest equipment
to be at the forefront of educational training.
Manufacturers are also working closley with
ESP to upskill college staff involved in the
delivery of these training courses.

Policy Drivers Fit for the Future ESP increased their CSG meetings from 4
curriculum – 12 to coordinate and standardise commu-
• Construction Scotland Industry Strategy nication during this pandemic.
• The Energy Efficient Scotland pro- Development of an e-portfolio
We recorded a total of 312 College man-
gramme West College Scotland are developing an agers and 47 government/agencies in at-
• Protecting Scotland, Renewing Scot- e-portfolio, (available December 2021) to tendance. During this period ESP’s CSG
standardise the delivery and training. developed a National COVID-19 recom-
land mendations paper.
• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions Digital collaboration
• SIP for Scotland’s Historic Environment This paper outlined a number of scenarios
ESP established subject specific virtual net- and set recommendations for all colleges to
Sector works on behalf of the CSG. These groups prepare for apprentices to continue or com-
• Offsite construction allow national collaboration between all col- plete their qualifications.
• Building information modelling in con- lege staff.

struction
• New housing and future construction

skills: report
• Construction Leadership Council,

Roadmap to Recovery
• COVID–19 Labour Market Insights,

Preparing for the ‘new normal’

Influence

Scottish Government Energy Efficiency
Route Map

In response to the launch of Scottish Gov-
ernment’s ‘Energy Efficient Scotland’ (EES)
programme, Scottish Government, ESP
and the Energy Saving Trust worked in
collaboration with Sector Bodies to identify
existing qualifications and training related
to energy efficiency and micro renewables
to develop a minimum skills competency
framework.

7

STEM

Governance and influence stem highlights for 2019/20 young people and key workers’ children.
39 Inspire sets + WeDo2.0 robots (worth
STEM Strategy External Advisory Group Institution of Engineering Technology £200 each) were donated to these schools
(IET) across 10 regions of Scotland, providing
STEM Hub Steering Group activities for up to 1,140 pupils.
As an Education partner for the IET, ESP
STEM Leads’ Forum continues to support the delivery of a num- IET FIRST® LEGO® League Discover (4 to
ber of initiatives which have significantly 6 years)
ESP supports and influences the Govern- widened IET Education’s outreach in Scot-
ment’s STEM: Strategy for Education and land. ESP is also a member of the IET This season, the IET funded 9 Discovery
Training via its membership of the STEM Scotland Committee; advising on STEM. sets for Education Hubs and 10 sets to sup-
Hub Steering Group and the STEM Strate- port 180 ASN pupils in Falkirk. The online
gy External Advisory Group. As Chair of the IET FIRST® LEGO® League and Scottish @home activities allowed children to con-
Regional Partnership STEM Leads’ Forum Final. tinue with the activity during lockdown with
in partnership with the Scottish Funding around 360 participating. Through introduc-
Council (SFC), This season’s theme for ages 9 to 16 was tions by ESP to Education Scotland, work is
City Shaper: now underway to formally align this activity
ESP is well positioned to support and ad- with CfE.
vise colleges on a wide range of suitable of • 11 Tournaments.
activities and resources to aid their STEM • 77 teams - 700 participants. Step into Renewables
development and delivery. • First ever Scottish Final at Perth Col-
With restrictions on physical events, ESP,
Policy Drivers lege UHI, live streamed on You Tube working closely with Education Scotland,
with Scottish teams qualifying for: DYW, and in partnership with NnG, ORE
The STEM Strategy - Second Annual Re- • World Festival in the USA. Catapult, Coast Renewables Ltd and Dun-
port identified four key outcomes for STEM • International Tournament in dee & Angus College evaluated virtual op-
Education and Training; Inspiration, Excel- tions to provide increased awareness on
lence, Connection and Equity. Brazil. career opportunities within the Renewa-
• International Tournament in bles’ sector and routes into the industry via
The report highlights a number of activities college.
which have been delivered via Scotland’s Greece.
Colleges with ESP’s support, demonstrat- The short video presentations available on
ing that colleges are central to the delivery COVID-19 response the ESP website, You Tube and E-DYW
mechanism of the Scottish Government’s have had over 500 views to date. Work is
STEM Strategy. IET FIRST® LEGO® League Junior (now now underway to produce a similar event
Explore) for the North East of Scotland which will
provide greater awareness of opportunities
Due to COVID-19, this season’s Boomtown in the Renewables’ supply chain and its
Build Expos (now Festivals) for ages 6 to supporting organisations, including ROV
9 were cancelled. Working with the IET operators, a helicopter company and the
and Education Scotland’s Primary Science Fraserburgh Harbour Master.
Development Officers (PSDOs), ESP man-
aged to identify education hubs running
throughout Scotland to support vulnerable

8

ESP KEY PROJECTS Energy Efficient represented the renewable
Scotland Skills and energy efficiency sector in
Wind and Marine Training Network Scotland.
Expansion
Competency The group developed key
Following the publication of the Offshore Wind Sector Deal de- recommendations mapping
velopment of the Forth & Tay and Deepwind clusters ESP recog- Framework accredited qualifications to
nised the need to expand our Wind and Marine Training Network. the Energy Efficient Scotland
In response to the Scottish Route Map. It is proposed
Supported by Scottish Government, we have successfully ex- Government’s ‘Energy Efficient these recommendations would
panded our network from three colleges to seven. This sup- Scotland’ Route Map, Scottish be formally recognised as a
port has included knowledge transfer from our established wind Government, ESP and the En- standard for local authorities
technician colleges to our new colleges, accreditation or re-ac- ergy Saving Trust worked in and will also serve as standard
creditation for all seven colleges to the Global Wind Organisa- collaboration with Sector Bod- for construction tradespeople,
tion (GWO), additional shared resources to enable our colleges ies to identify existing qualifi- providing them with a clear and
to deliver GWO approved courses (Sponsorship of candidate’s cations and training related to direct route to market generat-
health & safety training, a requirement of GWO to work on any energy efficiency and micro ing a more experienced and
wind turbines.) renewables to develop a min- qualified workforce for Scot-
imum skills competency frame- land.
Recognising the Scottish wind industry in not yet mature, ESP work.
developed an online awareness course for individuals interested Scottish Government are re-
in increasing their knowledge of offshore wind which can be ac- ESP established a Quality & viewing these recommenda-
cessed here. We have also developed Step into Renewables, a Skills Working Group made tions and will be open to con-
section of our website specifically aimed at young people and the up of all sector bodies that sultation in the near future.
offshore wind industry.
Hydrogen Training Network 
National Assessor Recruitment
& Training project ESP’s Hydrogen Training Network was established in September
2019 to address the expected demand for hydrogen skills. Initially
ESP are leading on a con- it is based around 7 colleges where hydrogen projects exist and
tract for CITB to help with with some expertise already in place. Colleges involved - Lews
the recruitment and training Castle UHI (Stornoway), Orkney UHI, North East Scotland, Dun-
of 100 assessors across all dee & Angus, Fife, Forth Valley & South Lanarkshire.
of Scotland’s construction Col-
leges. This project is target- Online Hydrogen Awareness Course
ing experienced and qualified
construction tradespeople to ESP, in partnership with SGN, Orkney College UHI and Dundee
become workplace assessors. and Angus College, developed an online awareness course in Hy-
drogen aimed at a broad audience with the purpose of introducing
Funding to support development and delivery of: a future career in hydrogen.

• A national assessor recruitment campaign Green economy fund
• National training of assessors (9 Virtual Assessor Training
ESP received £500,000 funding from SP
Programmes) Energy Network’s Green Economy Fund
• Development & Implementation of an e-Portfolio to support the establishment of 9 special-
• Funding towards assessors gaining L&D9i, L&D11 and CSCS ist renewable and energy efficiency train-
ing centres covering central and southern
cards Scotland’s colleges.

engineering Curriculum Developments • Capital equipment for colleges
• 8 Colleges installing air source ground source heat pumps
Through our training networks ESP have developed in partnership
with colleges a number of new curriculum developments. training equipment
• 3 new specialist insulation centres
Advanced Manufacture Training Network: • 5 battery storage training centres
• 2 mechanical heat and ventilation training centres
PDA Curriculum development in: • 2 new rainwater harvesting centres
• Over 10,000 students to benefit in first year after centres
• Advanced Manufacture
• Industrial Automation opening.
• 5 SMART home control training centres
Wind and Marine Training Network:
Safe Working With Electric Vehicles
Curriculum Review and refresh of:
• City & Guilds Power Engineering Diploma Building on earlier work within our Automotive Training Network,
• Global Wind Organisation ESP embarked on a programme of CPD for college staff and
• Basic Technical Training a programme to raise awareness of Electric vehicle repair and
• Development of Performing Engineering Operations maintenance courses for independent garages. Supported by
(Level 2) Transport Scotland, over 90 (95) college staff have been trained
• Development of Offshore Wind Awareness Unit to IMI L3 Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Repair and Replacement.
Over 130 (138) attended awareness events for independent ga-
Marine and Maritime Training Network rages with several more planned. We have purchased a number
of shared resources for use by the colleges within the network.
• National Progression Award (NPA) in Maritime Studies An Automotive Training courses in Scotland brochure to provide
an overview of relevant training available through the network
was also produced. Future plans/priorities include HGV, outreach
(started in Academic Year 19-20).

9

ESP FUTURE VISION

A number of priorities have emerged over the last year that provide a real focus for ESP at a strategic level. Across our sectors there
have been real challenges in developing a programme to support colleges of the future which fall into the following
three main categories:

1 2 3

Continuous Professional Development Developing new curriculum to sup- Ensuring effective
to ensure capability and capacity port new and emerging technologies communication with
though our leadership and establishing appropriate support members, industry,
and lecturer programmes. and training networks to respond to government and agencies.

emerging priorities.

A number of priorities have emerged over the last year that provide a real focus for ESP at a strategic level. Over and above
the COVID-19 response six new future priorities have also emerged as areas for ESP to focus on which fall into the following

• COVID-19 response • Shift to Net Zero
• Digital Learning • Acceleration of Digital
• Transition Training • Renewable Heat

These priorities will align with our key themes of Energy, Engineering, Construction and STEM as outlined below.

Construction Engineering

• Assessor training • Curriculum
• Renewables and energy • Transport (Electric vehicle

efficiency training networks technology)
• Pre 1919 energy efficiencies • Hydrogen technologies
• Digital • Virtual CPD for college staff
• Fire safety • Wind turbine blade repair
• Hydrogen • Technology partners
• Battery technology

STEM

• STEM Strategy External Advisory
Group

• STEM Hub Steering Group
• STEM Leads’ Forum
• IET First Lego League Tournaments

and Scottish Final
• Subs in Schools – pilot
• Step Into STEM
• Step Into Renewables
• e-sport

ESP KEY FACTS £114,960AUTOMOTIVE 10

95 college staff trained to IMI L3
Total college staff supported Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Repair and
overall in 2019/20 by sector
Replacement.
790CONSTRUCTION
713 ENGINEERING 138 attended EV awareness events for
independent garages.
97STEM £270,300 for
wind & marine
Training
3 7Network

expansion from
colleges to

ENERGY EFFICIENCY
£500k2 7training centres and
to support New
energy efficiency
upgraded centres

Over 10,000 learners will be directly
impacted by the renewable and energy
efficient training equipment that is being
installed in the 9 colleges.

ESP received a third
Contribution to Skills
Award at the Scottish
Green Energy Awards
for the expansion of the Wind and Marine
Training Network

funding of £460,000 £19,000

for ESP to lead on a contract to help Curriculum
with the recruitment and training of Developments
100 new construction assessors across
all of Scotland’s construction Colleges. ESP’s Advanced Manufacture
Training Network collaborated
O V E R views on YouTube
of the STEP INTO on the development of PDAs in
Advanced Manufacture and
500 RENEWABLES industry
video presentations. Industrial Automation which are
now SQA validated.
£49,000 for 11 £10,000
77 700 Tournaments Marine & Maritime Training Network
Hydrogen
Teams participants Training collaborated to develop learning and teaching
Network materials for the newly validated National
First ever Scottish Final held at Perth
College UHI and live streamed on You Tube Established with 7 Progression Award (NPA) in Maritime Studies
colleges to address
2,146with views to date. the expected demand
for hydrogen skills.
including develop-
ment of an online
awareness course in
Hydrogen aimed at a
broad audience with

the purpose of
introducing a future
career in hydrogen.

ESP
Argyll Court
Castle Business Park

Stirling
FK9 4TY
web: www.esp-scotland.ac.uk
email: info@esp-scotland.ac.uk

www.linkedin.com/in/espscotland
@ESPScotland