News / College loses head as NAFC claims back Gray
A THREE year experiment merging Shetland’s two colleges under one director is being brought abruptly to a halt after just 18 months.
The NAFC Marine Centre’s board is recalling its director David Gray to focus all his attention on the Scalloway college he has been running for the past four years.
The NAFC board said taking on responsibility for Shetland College in Lerwick as well had created an “excessive workload” and they needed him to concentrate on the current surge in demand for new courses and cadets.
That leaves Shetland College needing to find a new director as the Scottish government begins a massive shake up of further education to save money by creating new regional boards.
Gray has helped Shetland College through a tough period sorting out its finances, taking it through a major inspection and preparing the way for the £4.6 million college extension, on which construction commenced just last week.
At the time of his appointment in February 2011 it was considered important the colleges start to speak with one voice.
Government plans to put the University of the Highlands and Islands in charge of all higher and further education changed that priority, Gray said.
“This is a challenging time for the further education sector, as the largest reforms Scotland has seen for 25 years – in the shape of the FE regionalisation agenda – are put in place.
“The two tertiary education institutions in Shetland must be fully represented throughout this process and so a full-time director for both makes a lot of sense.”
SIC development director Neil Grant said everyone expected that every college would soon have to fight harder for their “share of the pie”, but stressed the importance of maintaining the link between the two colleges that Gray built up.
“It achieved a joined up approach and we need to watch that we don’t lose that,” Grant said.
NAFC board chairman Ertie Nicolson said they were pleased to be getting their director back.
“Professor Gray is a dynamic and hugely effective figure with a well-deserved international reputation, and his leadership of the NAFC Marine Centre is vital for its continual development,” he said.
The college, which receives an annual £1.7 million stipend from Shetland Islands Council, is attracting growing levels of external funding for more courses and students.
The shipping industry has approached them to train more cadets and significant opportunities have been identified in the offshore energy industry, creating a demand for more teaching and student accommodation in the Scalloway area.
Shetland College is now looking internally to recruit a new director on a temporary basis as soon as possible. College board chairman Drew Ratter said: “I am confident that suitable interim arrangements can be put in place quickly. This is essential, and I will work hard to achieve that end.”
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