30 May 2025
Business Minister Richard Lochhead MSP visited Fife College this week (Thursday, 29 May) to learn how the College is driving innovation and developing skills to meet Scotland’s economic priorities.
The visit took place at the site of the College’s new Dunfermline City Campus, the first net-zero-ready tertiary education building in the country, which is set to open later this year.
During the visit, the Minister received an overview of several of the College’s pioneering programmes designed to equip learners with skills aligned to Scotland’s digital and green economy, many of which will be delivered in the new campus. These included Geospatial Foundation Skills, Nanogrid Technology, Data Science and the Net Zero Accelerator Hub.
These innovative areas of study prepare students for careers in high-demand sectors such as renewable energy, digital technology and sustainable infrastructure. The College’s Geospatial Foundation Skills course – the first of its kind to be delivered at college level in the UK – introduces learners to tools like drones, satellite imaging, and digital mapping, and is supported by partners including the UK Space Agency, Location Data Scotland, and AGI Scotland.
Part of the College’s wider partnership with Shell UK, the Nanogrid Technology will be centred around a purpose-built, small-scale electrical grid system housed at the new campus, providing students a unique, flexible learning environment in real-world renewable energy infrastructure.
Business Minister Richard Lochhead said:
“This project is a prime example of the growing innovation at the heart of our college sector. It will help ensure that we have the skills and talent to match the rapidly-expanding and evolving digital and green economies
“The Scottish Government stands square behind our innovative, high-growth industries which play an increasingly important role in driving economic growth, creating jobs and playing to Scotland’s strengths on a world stage.
“We of course need to ensure these cutting-edge sectors are backed by the right skills. I was delighted to visit the new Dunfermline City Campus to find out more about the exciting programmes being planned for this tremendous new facility.”
Jim Metcalfe, Principal of Fife College, said:
“We were delighted to welcome the Business Minister to our new Dunfermline City Campus and share the exciting work underway across a range of future-focused subject areas.
“Our programmes in fields such as geospatial technology, data science, and sustainable innovation are designed to meet the skills needs of Scotland’s economy – both now and in the future. As the first net-zero-ready tertiary education facility of its kind in the country, this campus is a testament to our vision for modern, impactful education.
“At Fife College, we’re committed to being an accelerator for jobs and opportunity, aligning skills with economic demand, and this new campus is at the heart of that mission.”
Fife College’s Dunfermline City Campus, which will welcome students later this year, is part of the new Dunfermline Learning Campus – a pioneering integrated project that will bring together Fife College, St Columba’s RC High School, and Woodmill High School in a purpose-built, collaborative new campus.
More information about Fife College’s new campus can be found here.
Launched last December, the College’s 18-week Geospatial Foundation Skills course introduces students to cutting-edge technologies, including drones, satellite imaging, and digital mapping – all essential tools across sectors such as renewable energy, climate action, urban planning and conservation.
For more information about Fife College’s Geospatial Foundation Skills course visit our course pages.
Photograph: (Left to right) Diane Mitchell, Assistant Principal - School of Business, Digital & Creative at Fife College, Aishling O'Sullivan, Academic & Quality Manager, Construction Craft & Low Carbon Transitions at Fife College, Iain Hawker, Assistant Principal - Enterprise and Partnerships at Fife College, Richard Lochhead MSP, Business Minister, Jim Metcalfe, Fife College Principal, Grzegorz Buszko, Geospatial Foundation Skills Student and Bruce Gittings, Chair AGI Scotland are pictured at Fife College's new Dunfermline City Campus.