College in step with a changing city

How many organisations can boast international links in countries across four continents, expertise in event management, restaurant and catering services, two theatres, a business incubator and bespoke courses for commercial clients – not to mention more than 12,000 students?

The answer is D&A College, which can justifiably boast to being more than just a college.

From venue hire – which attracts business tourism – to providing training for the city’s taxi drivers, the college’s contribution to the economy is immense.

Last month D&A College principal Grant Ritchie acted as MC and facilitator at Dundee’s annual Economic Summit – the fifth time he has taken the role.

With the theme of “Opportunity”, Mr Ritchie remains convinced D&A’s presence at the 6th annual event was essential.

“The economic summit brings a really large audience of private and public sector partners together to catch up on the latest economic development news and to hear from a range of speakers,” he said.

“This year looked at opportunities for micro businesses and academic opportunities, as well as spending some time looking at the opportunities for the city and region in growing our economy around the increase in visitors to the area when the V&A opens.

“A keynote speaker from Tripadvisor was advising on how to maximise the impact of the forthcoming attractions.

“D&A College has to be at the heart of those discussions as we need to provide young people with the skills and attitudes that are going to be required to fit the changing patterns of employment in the city.

“We are going to need events staff, hospitality staff, digitally literate young people for all aspects of the data-driven businesses that will emerge.”

Mr Ritchie recognises the challenge facing the college to modernise the curriculum and prepare for a different world in terms of future employment in the city and its environs.

Training now and in the next few years will determine whether residents have the skills needed to fill the job opportunities on offer thanks to the waterfront development.

Conservative estimates put the number of new jobs being created at around 7,000 and D&A College is preparing the way to ensure people benefit from this upsurge in employment.

“We are already facing up to the challenge of updating our curriculum and are looking very carefully at where improvements can be made,” Mr Ritchie added.

“The launch of an investment programme in staff training and new subject development is imminent, to maintain the college position as leading provider of top-quality training.

“D&A has a whole new strategy to transform the learning experience and to focus on the types of skills and personal attributes that are needed to work in the new digital world.”

He and the staff at D&A College are well aware job types are changing and there is a growing need for agile learners who can work across a range of disciplines.

“Anyone coming to D&A College will find their education and training has been planned and executed in a fashion to fit the demands of not only today’s employers but for those of the future as well,” he said.

For more on the courses on offer visit www.dundeeandangus.ac.uk

D&A College offers variety... and is adapting to the region’s new economic reality.