New Campus Glasgow

Minister For Skills And Lifelong Learning Opens Marine Skills Centre

Keith Brown, Minister for Skills and Lifelong Learning,  officially opened the new 5.6 million Marine Skills Centre, the first building to be completed for the new City of Glasgow College, on Monday 21 June.

The Minister was greeted by the Principal Designate and some of the uniformed cadets who will be using the Marine Skills Centre to gain their maritime qualifications. Keith Brown, Minister for Skills and Lifelong Learning, commented: "I was delighted to be able to celebrate the opening of this terrific, state-of-the-art asset for Glasgow and indeed for Scotland.

"The centre adds further to a regenerated college estate in Glasgow which is simply unrecognisable from that which existed until only relatively recently. Glasgow now has some of the finest college facilities in Scotland.

"I am sure both staff and students enjoy being able to teach and learn in the world-class facilities they now enjoy."

The Marine Skills Centre, situated on the banks of the River Clyde, is a state of the art training centre which forms the first phase of construction for the New Campus Glasgow project. The visionary project will deliver high-quality, sustainable learning environments for the new City of Glasgow College, formed through the merger of Glasgow's Central, Metropolitan and Nautical Colleges. Keith Brown joined Paul Little, Principal Designate of City of Glasgow College at the evening reception, along with guests from the education sector, maritime industry and Glasgow City Council. 

Paul Little, Principal Designate of City of Glasgow College, commented: "We are delighted that the Minister was able to come and open this facility, which is the first new learning space to be delivered as part of the new City of Glasgow College. The Marine Skills Centre will form an integral part of the new City of Glasgow College's teaching space and will ensure that Glasgow's reputation as a world leader in nautical training will continue for years to come."

Iain Marley, Project Director for New Campus Glasgow, commented: "This is the first phase of the delivery of the new estate and is a fantastic example of the quality of facilities that will be delivered through the New Campus Glasgow project. The Marine Skills Centre was delivered on time and within budget and replaces facilities that are no longer fit for purpose."

The Marine Skills Centre overhangs the Clyde with elevated gangways connecting the building to both the Clyde walkway and the jetty of the refurbished workshop building. The building includes specialist new classrooms and provision of launch facilities. 

The Centre will facilitate the teaching of mandatory courses in: Personal Survival, Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats and the Efficient Deck Hand programme. This will further enhance Glasgow's reputation as an international centre of excellence for marine skills training.