The Access to Industry Project (AI) establishes a strategic training consortium aimed at inclusive pathways into the training and employment opportunities emerging from within new growth sectors in Edinburgh. In an initiative bringing together the community and public and private sectors, the three partner Edinburgh Universities and Further Education Colleges will provide the programme of courses. These will deliver an integrated strategy of education and training developed in conjunction with potential employers. The strategy will deliver:- • Prevocational courses • Vocational taster courses • Access courses • HNC / HND level courses The strategy will cover the disciplines of music, design, media, multimedia, and performing arts and, in the future, will also include sport and ICT learning.

We have established five courses and six taster courses, supplemented by an industry placement and training programme, Cultivate, and supported by delegated voluntary agencies working in relevant communities. The delegated agencies, as well as offering the participants the benefit of their expertise and experience, provide pastoral care and are actively involved in the marketing and recruitment drive, which will precede each course. A key component of each course will be the development of essential core skills such as Numeracy, Communications, Working with others and Problem solving. Access to Industry is a brokerage service, acting as:- - A gateway - an accessible point for beneficiaries - A facilitator - working as an intermediatory between partners - An information source - to provide access to knowledge and training and employment - An initiator - to lead local and national debate on approaches to education and training