Dumfries and Galloway College is being backed by the Scottish Government in its bid to launch a new project aimed at embedding entrepreneurial skills into the heart of modern apprenticeship programmes for the net zero economy.
The groundbreaking initiative ─ in partnership with Ayrshire College and South Lanarkshire College – will be spearheaded by the new Entrepreneur in Residence (EiR) Champion, Wendy White Finnigan, from University of Strathclyde’s Inspire network of entrepreneurs.
Her expertise in mentorship, as an Enterprise Fellow at The Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship at Strathclyde, will create pathways across the three institutions which will foster innovation and career opportunities; specifically with rural communities across the South of Scotland, Ayrshire and South Lanarkshire.
The project will specifically target apprentices and educators in low carbon and net zero sectors, such as construction, while the EiR Champion will lead a dynamic professional development programme for educators, equipping them with the tools to nurture the next generation of innovators.
Key focuses of the programme include:
- Cultivating entrepreneurial competencies such as initiative, resilience and opportunity spotting.
- Embedding intrapreneurial behaviours like systems thinking and strategic influence.
- Enhancing digital fluency and adaptability to meet the evolving demands of green industries.
- Preparing apprentices to become the business founders and innovators of tomorrow.
The project will also foster a strong collaborative relationship with BE-ST (Built Environment – Smarter Transformation), sharing expertise and co-designing resources to align with industry-led innovation priorities in the net zero construction sector.
Through immersive workshops, industry-informed resources, and peer mentoring, the initiative will ensure educators are confident and capable of nurturing apprentices to become the future innovators and changemakers driving Scotland’s sustainable economic growth.
Douglas Dickson, Principal and CEO, Dumfries and Galloway College, said: “We are thrilled to have the support of Scottish Government for this ambitious project, which will put entrepreneurial thinking at the heart of apprenticeship programme.
“By empowering both educators and apprentices with the skills to innovate, we are helping to create a resilient workforce ready to meet the demands of the net zero economy. This initiative will not only benefit individuals and employers but will also contribute to the growth and sustainability of rural communities.”
Leona Seaton, Director of Skills and Marketing, Dumfries and Galloway College, added: “Colleges play a vital role in helping learners and future leaders develop creativity, innovation, and business skills. This role is a welcome addition that will strengthen colleges’ work in this area.”
Gavin Donoghue, CEO of Colleges Scotland said: “Entrepreneurship, enterprise and innovation take place as a core part of the offer for college students and for businesses working with colleges, and the Entrepreneur in Residence programme is a welcome addition that should embed this further.
“Colleges are Scotland’s skills engines and are community anchors across the country where great ideas are brought to life. The support of established entrepreneurs on campus is a great boost for students and staff.”