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Council axes skills courses at Nicolson Institute       8/2/10

 

 

 

Western Isles Council has axed a number of popular skill courses at the largest school in the Western Isles it has emerged.

 

The council previously pledged to provide a wide range of skills but now only three male dominated subjects are allowed leaving the local authority open to allegations of sex discrimination.

 

Pupils are being directed to limit their vocational choices to just three subjects compared to the seven on offer a couple of years ago.

 

All 300 or so second-year pupils on Lewis are currently picking their subjects for entering third and fourth year at the Nicolson Institute.

 

The choice form given to students asked them to pick shows five skills courses run in partnership with Lews Castle College in Stornoway.

 

The courses provide valuable hands-on experience and are hail by educationalists as important as youths gaining a helpful grounding before taking out an apprenticeship or applying for further training.

 

But at the last minute the council has unexpectedly cancelled the retail business and hairdressing options - which are widely preferred by the majority of female students to the remaining “heavy trades” choice of engineering, construction and maritime studies.

 

Last year the local authority cut the care and catering options.

 

The skills courses are a valuable legacy from the Lews Castle School which was the first in the country to offer them to pupils.

 

The government replicated the idea of introducing a trade to youngsters while still at school and now the courses are available in most Scottish regions.

 

When it shut the Lews Castle School a few years ago the Council faithfully pledged to continue the range of skills at the Nicolson Institute. The promised safeguard was an important lever in swinging the vote to close the school.

 

It is unclear if councillors voted to go back on the policy. The issue does not appear to have been debated at any recent education committee.

 

It is unknown if councillors discussed cutting the courses at an education seminar held behind closed doors three ago. But any decisions at that forum would have the substance of a legal vote though the private seminars are often used to inform strategy.

 

Education bosses did not respond to requests for comment.