The Open University in Scotland is the largest provider of part-time undergraduate higher education in Scotland. We are a world leader in providing innovative and flexible distance learning opportunities. We are open to everyone, regardless of age, income, geography and background and with no requirement for entry qualifications.

The HCI Skills Gateway is part of the Edinburgh & South East Scotland City Region Deal and is funded by the UK and Scottish Governments. It is based at Edinburgh Napier University. The ambition is to deliver clear, integrated and inclusive progression routes into construction careers. This encompasses all skill levels, from introducing basic skills in schools across South-East Scotland, to advanced postgraduate training for people under-represented in senior construction roles.

The Edinburgh South East Scotland City Region Deal (ESES CRD) is a mechanism for accelerating growth by pulling significant UK and Scottish Government and regional partners investment to deliver transformational change across the regions economy. The ESES CRD is a collaboration of six local authorities (Edinburgh, East Lothian, Midlothian, West Lothian, Scottish Borders and Fife), regional universities, colleges and the private sector. The 15 year Deal was signed in 2018 and has an investment value over £1.5billion to drive productivity and growth while reducing inequalities and deprivation. The Deal has five themes which include Research, Development and Innovation, Integrated Regional Employability and Skills (IRES), Transport, Culture and Housing.

The IRES Programme and its cross-sector partnership is a change programme, seeking to evolve regional labour market policy and practice to drive inclusive growth. The IRES partnership benefits from a £25 million investment (over eight years) and will deliver an additional 14,700 skill improvements; 5,300 people into employment; and a further 500 career enhancements through its seven themes: Integrated knowledge management systems, Labour market analysis and evaluation, Integrated employer engagement, Intensive family support service, Housing construction and infrastructure (HCI) targeted skills gateway, Data-driven innovation (DDI) targeted skills gateway and Workforce mobility.

To find out more about IRES and the wider ESES CRD, visit our website https://esescityregiondeal.org.uk/

ESP (Energy Skills Partnership) is the college sector agency in Scotland for energy transition, zero carbon transport, engineering, construction and STEM whilst leading on the Climate Emergency Skills Action Plan.