The full-time course, entitled ‘Joinery and Decorating – Internal Refurbishment and Refit’, will begin in August and is designed for school-leavers or career changers wishing to pursue a career in the industry.

There are places for 32 students in the first academic year, with plans for 64 students in 2020/2021.

Work will soon begin to convert a workshop space within the campus – and students enrolled on the course will use their new skills to fit out and decorate this space.

Students will learn skills in joinery, painting and decorating that can be applied to securing jobs in the renovation of domestic, industrial or retail properties.

To be taught by lecturers Donny MacDonald and John McLean, the course is being launched following the popularity of a similar construction skills course at our Motherwell Campus.

Martyn Campbell, curriculum and quality leader, said: “This is an exciting and new course that is based around a City & Guilds diploma in Construction, with the added opportunity to build real-time, permanent structures within the college environment and workshop areas.

“Students will work with staff to create small rooms in which they will install plasterboard, coving, skirting boards and doors, as well as completing all the painting and decoration.

“From a bare, empty workshop, they will help create a series of small rooms that will be used in years to come by future students.

“We’ve had great success in the Motherwell Campus through establishing links with industry, which has directly led to many of the students securing Modern Apprenticeships.”

Lecturers from New College Lanarkshire currently teach in the technical classrooms of a number of secondary schools in the area, including Kilsyth Academy, Cumbernauld Academy and Greenfaulds High School, which draw pupils from schools across the wider region.

Martyn added: “There’s an identified need here to bring what we do in Motherwell to Cumbernauld and do it well and hopefully progress all students into work or further education.

“And next year we’re looking to start specific trade courses in painting and decorating and joinery as an advancement or second year.”

There are no specific entry requirements for the course and all candidates must be aged 16 or over in August 2019.