Friday September 4th 2026
Galashiels Netherdale Campus
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly
The Scottish Borders is to benefit from a share of £25m UK Government funding to create a new skills training centre, it was announced today.
The funding will provide a green light for five major new housing and green skills hubs across south east Scotland, including the Borders.
The investment is part of an overall award of £37.8m for Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region from the UK Government’s Local Growth Fund and will support future housing delivery, retrofit and green economy jobs in the region.
Additionally, the funds will drive regional employability and business growth initiatives, while financing transport planning and research into the impact of AI.
The UK Government has now released £14.09m to Edinburgh and South East Scotland Regional Partnership after signing off on its locally designed three-year Local Growth Fund investment plan, which targets areas with the lowest household incomes to create jobs and boost living standards.
Funding for Years 2 and 3 will be rolled out as the region progresses through its plans.
Councillor Euan Jardine, leader of Scottish Borders Council, said: “This investment is an important opportunity for the South of Scotland and will help ensure we have the skills needed to support future housing delivery, retrofit and growth in the green economy.
“It will create valuable opportunities for our young people and existing workforce to gain new skills and qualifications, while helping local businesses meet the demands of a changing economy.
“I look forward to seeing the training hub develop and the benefits it will bring to communities and employers across the Scottish Borders.”
A partnership between the four regional colleges of Borders, Edinburgh, Fife, and West Lothian plans to train over 20,000 new entrants across the region over the coming decade as well as upskill existing workers.
South East Scotland is the fastest growing region in Scotland, with some of the highest housing demand for now and into the future.
The new training hubs will be strategically important in the delivery of 40,000 new homes across the region’s seven strategic housing sites.
Pete Smith, Principal of Borders College, said: “Increased capacity in the delivery of skills in sustainable construction, retrofit, maintenance and heating is absolutely essential if we are to meet the needs of the Scottish Borders in the coming years and decades.
“I am delighted that this initiative will enable Borders College to reach more learners, and to develop and deliver new programmes to add to our already rich portfolio, designed to meet the needs of our region and our industry partners.”
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