In this month's edition of LISS Online .....
Chris Wond, who has been project manager for the Landbased Industries Support Service since it was set up by Oatridge College four years ago, is leaving at the end of December 2008 to take up a new job.
One of the last major tasks taken on by Chris for LISS is a new funding application under the European Regional Development Fund to take business support to a new level with a project called "GrowBiz", which has won the support of Environment Minister Michael Russell and former Labour minister Mary Mulligan MSP. LISS was identified earlier this year by HM Inspectorate of Education as "sector leading and innovative" and "a model for other vocational areas".
Chris says: "Unfortunately the outcome of this application will not be known until April 2009. Everyone is aware that challenging times lie ahead for businesses across the rural economy. If approved the GrowBiz initiative would build on the legacy left by LISS in order to help landbased SMEs weather the economic storm and exploit new opportunities."
It is planned to maintain the LISS website and the monthly e-bulletin in the meantime, and LISS-related enquiries will still be dealt with if they are directed to enquiries@liss-scotland.org.uk.
For more on this and other stories download the latest edition of the LISS Online e-bulletin.
Oatridge News
Oatridge College also produces a newsletter three times per year called "Oatridge News". If you would like the latest edition, or to be placed on our mailing list, visit the Oatridge College website.
Other news .....
BECTA study into online learning for landbased SMEs
A summary of the recent BECTA-funded study into online learning in the landbased sectors is now available to download. This study, which was carried out by Oatridge College and LISS, investigated the learning preferences of landbased employers in Scotland, particularly those in remote areas some distance from training centres. Based upon an Online Survey of landbased employers and SMEs, the work focussed on assessing the potential of online learning and blended learning approaches in the industry using ICT and web-based learning tools. To view the Summary Report (PDF file) click on the link below :-
BECTA Study - Summary Report (Sept08)
BECTA is the British Educational Communications and Technology Agency (www.becta.org.uk).
Oatridge goes international
Oatridge College has launched a new drive to encourage more international students to study on its courses. A new section has been launched on the College website which promotes the appeal of studying at Oatridge College to overseas students. Click on International Students or visit our International Brochure.
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Event calendar 2009
For a full listing of Business Gateway workshops and seminars aimed at pre-startup, recently started and established businesses in your local area visit Business Gateway Training Directory.
For a full listing of events and competitions at the Scottish National Equestrian Centre (SNEC) click on SNEC Events & Schedules.
For details of College Open Days, School Taster Days and industry events which Oatridge is participating in visit the Events page on the Oatridge College website.
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Press Release Archive
Here are just some of the Press Releases relating to LISS activities which have been issued since the start of the project in January 2005. For more information on any of the topics covered contact enquiries@liss-scotland.org.uk:
Minister to support "model" rural business project (November 2008)
Oatridge to offer distance learning for farming clients (March 2008)
LISS warning over lack of training (June 2007)
Oatridge College explores potential of online business training (June 2007)
LISS & Lantra Conference (Press Release No.2) (January 2007)
LISS & Lantra Conference (Press Release No.1) (December 2006)
LISS survey reveals rural skills worry (March 2006)
LISS is sizzling (August 2005)
Oatridge plans to boost rural business (March 2005)