Tory MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries Finlay Carson has made the case for a proposed ‘Green Jobs Workforce Academy’ to be based in the region.
The project, included in the Scottish Government’s newly-published 2021/22 budget, is part of a multi-billion pound pledge by the executive to create new environmental jobs and opportunities across the country in the hope it will boost the economy post-pandemic whilst tackling climate change.
The academy will focus on retraining employees for low-carbon jobs, developing wind and solar technologies and preparing for a boom in offshore wind projects, expected in the coming years.
However, a location for the green hub is yet to be decided — and Mr Carson is working to convince ministers that there is no better home for it than the south-west.
“Given our involvement in renewable energy over a long number of years it makes sense to house the academy in Dumfries and Galloway,” the MSP said in a statement.
“I can honestly think of no better place than to bring it here,” he added. “What a wonderful opportunity this would be for the region to showcase its talents to a wide audience.
“There are vast forests here which could be put to good use and further strengthen our case for encouraging this welcome investment to be brought here.”
Mr Carson, who is the shadow minister for rural affairs and natural environment at Holyrood, said he believes that the existing green energy hub at Dumfries and Galloway College makes his case for investment even stronger.
“The hub already features a range of green technologies, including a wind turbine, heat pumps, solar arrays and battery storage for power and heating,” he added.
Meanwhile, South Scotland MSP Emma Harper has declared in parliament that Dumfries and Galloway would be the perfect place for a new medical school.
Contributing to a debate, she highlighted a recommendation made at a recent committee to create a new educational institute for prospective doctors in Scotland.
In her speech, the MSP and deputy convenor of the health and sport committee, argued that the region would be an ideal location, proposing the Crichton Campus as a possible site — already home to the Universities of Glasgow and the University of West of Scotland.
After the debate, she said: “I used the opportunity whilst contributing to the debate to reiterate the importance of greater access to medical training for students across Scotland, particularly in our rural areas such as Dumfries and Galloway.
“I look forward to continuing to engage with the Cabinet Secretary and with local campaigners on this issue.”
