Latest NESCol donation takes benefactor support to £1million

April 14, 2026

North East Scotland College has been awarded £100,000 by a long-standing benefactor – taking the total gifted by the company to £1million.

The local firm, which has remained anonymous since making its first gift to the College in 2020, has underlined its commitment to initiatives designed to enhance opportunities for individuals served by the Fraserburgh Campus.

The latest tranche of funding includes £50,000 to enable a pilot project to be established to provide tailored support for young people at risk of disengaging from education. There will also be a £30,000 investment in facilities for students in the care professions, with a simulated environment to be created to aid the teaching of practical skills. The remaining £20,000 will fund a cyclonic separation chamber, which will improve extraction in joinery workshops.

Neil Cowie, NESCol Principal and Chief Executive, said: “When the first generous donation was made by our benefactor in 2020 we could not have predicted the way this relationship between the two organisations would grow and evolve.  To be marking the £1m milestone in 2026 is a significant achievement and our thanks go to all who have been so supportive of our College’s ambitions during this period.

“Throughout the past six years we have worked in partnership with the benefactor to identify opportunities to make a real difference to the individuals and communities we serve from our Fraserburgh Campus, as well as for enhancements to the Scottish Maritime Academy (SMA) in Peterhead.

“The latest donation will enable us to continue improving facilities as well as also providing seed funding for a pilot initiative that we see huge potential in. Further details on that will be shared as we develop the concept further, but at its core is a determination to ensure that every individual has the chance to fulfil their potential. By working with secondary school counterparts, we hope to demonstrate what is possible when new approaches are embraced.”

To date the benefactor’s contributions have funded projects including the Future Skills Zone and Future Skills Workshop at Fraserburgh Campus, showcasing emerging technologies and practical STEM learning, as well as the creation of the first NESCol Esports Hub.

The purchase of specialist machinery for construction and engineering workshops, a revamp of the campus fitness suite and upgrades to the hair and beauty department have been funded as well as the installation of a videowall and procurement of bespoke staging to support College and community events in the Atrium area.

Model classrooms, showcasing the latest in learning technology and design approaches to optimise the experience for students, have also been created.

At the SMA in Peterhead, radio room equipment and enhancements to the centre have been carried out with benefactor support.

Duncan Abernethy, Assistant Principal Curriculum and Commercial Development at NESCol, said: “We’re hugely appreciative of the faith the benefactor has shown in NESCol, recognising the importance of investing in education and training to improve outcomes and open up opportunities for the communities in and around Fraserburgh. We’re delighted to be part of this very strong partnership, built on the foundations of shared aspirations for our corner of the country, and we’re very enthusiastic about the way this financial support has enabled us to elevate what we do. The next group of projects will continue that progress and we look forward to seeing them brought to life.”

A spokesperson for the benefactor said: “NESCol plays an important role in the community life of Fraserburgh and the surrounding area. We have seen at first-hand the positive change the College is making to the lives of hundreds of students at Fraserburgh Campus each year. We also understand the funding constraints that have become particularly stark in recent years and, by providing a regular stream of additional funding, our aim has been to help NESCol to thrive. The projects to date have achieved that goal with the impact they have made and we’re proud to support the new initiatives that are being developed.”

NESCol is one of the largest providers of vocational education and training in Scotland, delivering to more than 20,000 full-time, part-time and online learning students each year. NESCol serves an area covering more than 2,500 square miles and directly supports more than 1,200 businesses. The College operates from its Aberdeen Altens, Aberdeen City and Fraserburgh campuses as well as the Scottish Maritime Academy in Peterhead. The Altens Campus incorporates the Energy Transition Sills Hub, launched in 2025 to drive the North East’s net zero ambitions.