Stirling to lead pathway in major new Scottish skills initiative

The University of Stirling has secured a share of a £18.8 million funding pot designed to strengthen skills provision, drive collaboration and support the long-term sustainability of Scotland's tertiary education sector.

Experts at Stirling will lead the health, society and environment strand of a major new national initiative in online learning that will create flexible, employer-led routes into education and employment across some of Scotland’s most important growth sectors.

ASPIRE (Accessible Scottish Pathways for Industry-Ready Education), a collaborative digital project led by Heriot-Watt University, and involving the University of the Highlands and Islands, has secured support through the Scottish Funding Council’s University Transformation Framework.

The initiative will work with employers to develop online learning pathways in health, society and the environment, energy transition, advanced manufacturing, and digital technologies, helping learners develop the skills needed to support Scotland’s future economy.

As part of the project, the University of Stirling will lead the health, society and environment pathway, building on its expertise in healthcare education, workforce development and partnership working.

The role reflects the University’s longstanding commitment to supporting the health workforce, including through the Forth Valley University College NHS Partnership, a collaboration between the University of Stirling, Forth Valley College and NHS Forth Valley that creates new opportunities for education, training and professional development across the region.

Professor Kirstie Blair, Deputy Principal (Academic) and Executive Dean Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Stirling, said: “The University of Stirling has a strong track record of working with employers, colleges and public-sector partners to meet workforce needs, particularly through the Forth Valley University College NHS Partnership. Developing online learning opportunities, especially in relation to the Health, Society and the Environment pathway, is a natural extension of that work.

“By bringing together universities, employers and wider partners, ASPIRE will help create new routes into rewarding careers while ensuring learning opportunities are aligned with the skills Scotland needs for the future.”

Professor Kirstie Blair

The programme will develop flexible online learning opportunities ranging from short courses and professional development programmes to degree-level study. It will also make greater use of digital technologies to improve access to learning and help learners navigate pathways into employment and career progression.

The Scottish Funding Council announced ASPIRE as one of five projects supported through the latest round of the University Transformation Framework, which awarded £18.8 million to initiatives designed to strengthen skills provision, encourage collaboration and support the long-term sustainability of Scotland’s tertiary education sector.

Helen Cross, Director of Investment and Research at the Scottish Funding Council, said: “These projects demonstrate the sector’s commitment to finding innovative and collaborative ways to respond to current challenges while building a stronger future.

“A common theme across the proposals is closer partnership working between universities, colleges, employers and regional stakeholders to create more flexible pathways for learners and deliver the skills Scotland needs.”

The latest awards bring total investment through the University Transformation Framework to more than £30 million.