banff and buchan college

Richard Lochhead MSP visits new College

MSP Richard Lochhead visited Banff and Buchan College in Fraserburgh today to see progress of the College 2012 refurbishment programme.

Mr Lochhead, who is the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment spent time with the Class 2 Deck Officer (Mates) fishing students who had come from all areas of the UK and Ireland to study at the College. Mr Lochhead discussed with them the future of the fishing industry; fishing methods, scientific input and gear technology. The fishing students found the dialogue extremely useful and left them with positive outlook for the future of the fishing industry.

David Cook, Banff and Buchan College Assistant Principal for Business and Skills said “Mr Lochhead was very interested in future developments of the College’s fisheries training , the opportunities to develop in Peterhead and our vision for the future. It was an excellent opportunity to discuss the College and training for the fishing industry and the wider community.  It is reassuring to know that the College’s vision and Mr Lochhead’s aims to support fishing communities to become more resilient, and to create new employment opportunities for local people, are in harmony.”

Richard Lochhead said “To ensure Scotland has a positive future as a fishing nation, we need to provide the right education and development to support the industry. Therefore it was great to find out about the excellent fisheries training that Banff and Buchan College are providing and see the impressive new campus. The fishing communities of the north east are vital to the wider Scottish fishing industry and Banff and Buchan College is ideally located.”