MORE than 4,000 people have already accessed the new learning hub’The Bridge’ in Dumfries, for a wide variety of activities and events but today ( May the 30th 2019) it officially opened.
From June, secondary school pupils in senior phase classes will be timetabled to make use of the building and its facilities.
The Bridge will be pioneering in delivering the aims of the national and local ambitions set out in Developing the Young Workforce and the recommendations of the 15 to 24 learner journey review.
As a community learning hub offering state-of-the art facilities, The Bridge is a key component in delivering the aspirations of Dumfries Learning Town, filling a gap between learning and work. Working in partnership with Dumfries and Galloway College and the business and voluntary sectors, The Bridge will be increasingly relevant in developing our workforce and ensuring that education and economy develop together.
Councillor Jeff Leaver, chair of the CYPLL committee, said: “Providing the best start for all our children and building the local economy are priorities for our Council. Dumfries Learning Town has always been more than a building project. It is a strategy to deliver learning within and beyond just schools. The Bridge will enable us to guarantee choices for young people through a mix of vocational and academic learning options with parity of esteem for both.”
Councillor Ros Surtees, vice-chair, said: “We’re determined to improve life chances for young people and The Bridge will enable this. It’s neither a school nor a college so it can be difficult for people to grasp its role. But, it will be key to delivering a range of previously unavailable learning options in post-15 education.”
