Education classes back on in new venues

Perth College has announced that new locations will host some of the further education classes that were once housed in the region’s now closed learning centres.

The college has announced its new range of community education, leisure classes and accredited learning provision programmes which will be offered in alternate venues in Kinross, Crieff and Blairgowrie as well as the Crieff Road main campus from September 16.

There was disappointment in June when the learning centres in Kinross, Crieff and Blairgowrie were axed by Perth College UHI due to financial difficulties.

The facilities provided a range of classes and courses and was designed to support people as they attempted to gain qualifications or learn skills and hobbies.

And now Lochleven Community Campus, Strathearn Arts Centre and Blairgowrie Recreation Centre are among those that will house the courses for the coming term, with former learning centre tutors and staff taking up roles.

Blairgowrie classes will be held in the recreation centre, where the closed learning centre is based, but in a different room.

The Crieff classes will be provided on the lower level of Strathearn Arts Centre – which was the site of the first Crieff Learning Centre before it moved to the now closed centre at James Square.

It is hoped that further classes may follow if the new venues prove a success.

Margaret Cook, Perth College UHI principal, explained: “The new timetable reflects many of the popular courses previously run in Perth and in the wider community.

“Community education and leisure courses include cake decoration, upholstery, digital photography, French, Spanish and jewellery making - as well as parttime and online accredited learning courses such as NC engineering systems, European computer driving licence (ECDL) and BAH childhood practice.

“Going forward, an ongoing review of our program will refresh our community offer in a sustainable way.”

The class timetable can be viewed at www.perth. uhi.ac.uk/leisure

Bookings can be made by contacting 0345 270 1177 or by emailing pc.admissions. perth@uhi.ac.uk