An English language project, using major European investment to provide training and employment opportunities to 250 immigrant workers living in the Highlands and islands, is to be expanded to more towns for another year.
The English for Speakers of Other Languages course has been introduced at North Highland College and various further education and learning centres in the north and west of Scotland after securing more than £107,000 from the European Social Fund.
The project will assist more than 25 companies across the Highlands and islands.
A major barrier faced by immigrant workers coming to live and work in the Highlands and islands is the issue of poor English language skills.
Of 252 students who took the 2007/08 batch of training, 225 achieved positive outcomes.
The workers arrived in Scotland from countries including Poland, Russia, Kazakhstan, Brazil, Morocco, Thailand, Bangladesh and Iran.
The project has proved such a success that additional funding has been secured to provide another 12 months of the SQA training to 250 workers from Thurso to Campbeltown and many towns in between. More than 50 students enrolled in the Inverness area alone.
Debbie Gray of North Highland College, said: “For immigrant workers to play a full part in the economic and social development of the Highlands and Islands area, the teaching of English language combined with the promotion of social justice and cultural understanding is of significant importance.
“We are delighted to have the funding to continue delivering high quality English language tuition via certificated classes on a ‘needs led' basis.
“Any shifts in the demographic of the Highland immigrant workers can therefore be quickly identified and acted upon.
“We are beginning two new classes in Alness next month and currently continue to deliver in Thurso, Dornoch, Dingwall, Inverness and Aviemore.
“Additionally Argyll College deliver in Islay, Campbeltown, Dunstaffnage, Tobermory and Lochgilphead as part of the fund’s project.
“These courses make a real difference to the lives of the people involved and also help them make an invaluable contribution to everyday life in the Highlands and islands.”
In addition to training in the main college campuses, the programme is also delivered in Inverness, Aviemore, Grantown, Dingwall, Argyll, and Skye – the latter working in partnership with Argyll College and Skye and Lochalsh Learning Centre Network.