Thousands of families to gain new opportunities to learn, earn and thrive. As a result of £21 million of new, targeted investment in colleges and skills, families at risk of poverty will receive additional support to train, to help them enter stable, well-paid work or progress in their career.
Primary school pupils in Caithness and Sutherland will have the chance to dive into engaging science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) activities, thanks to a new funding agreement from NRS Dounreay. The three-year commitment will enable the Science Skills Academy (SSA) to deliver practical STEM learning at the Newton Room in Thurso, helping young people aged 10-14 explore how STEM connects to real-world applications.
The latest College Statistics 2024-25 report from the Scottish Funding Council shows a clear decline in the number of students participating in further and higher education at colleges across Scotland. Between the 2023-24 and 2024-25 academic years, the total number of college students decreased from 218,145 to 209,285 This is a fall of more than four per cent in just one year and part of a broader downward trend amounting to roughly 16 per cent fewer students over the last two years.
Last week Wick High School was delighted to welcome guests from The Highland Council, Wick High Parent Council and the wider community to the open day of a new facility for children with additional support needs. Avonlea, which was previously a residential unit, has now been repurposed, and this enhanced provision represents a significant step forward for pupils with complex additional support needs.
Thurso is to benefit from £100m investment in education and community facilities and are rolling out the first phase of public consultations on 9 and 10 December 2025. The Highland Council is inviting people that live, work, or study in Thurso, to come along to the public consultation events to have their say; this is an opportunity to help shape the future of Thurso, to gather views and ideas.
EMPLOYERS and educators from across the Highlands have gathered to hear how a new initiative is aiming to transform the region's economy. Workforce North - A Call to Action brought together business leaders and teachers from primary and secondary schools from across the Highland Council area with a wide range of partners geared towards education, learning and skills development at Strathpeffer Pavillion.
Students from across the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) partnership have been challenged to design a tartan and be in with a chance of winning a £1,500 cash prize. Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has launched THE COMPETITION to mark 60 years since the regional development agency (then named Highlands and Islands Development Board) was established in November 1965.
Staff at University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) have commenced a series of strike actions beginning 30 October 2025, in protest at proposed job cuts and the use of compulsory redundancies. The walk-out is set for four days this month today 30 October and further dates on 5, 17 and 18 November.
Scotland's colleges face changing how they operate due to ongoing financial pressures. The sector has experienced a 20 per cent real terms cut in funding over the last five years.