A DIGITAL revolution in education arrived this week with a new £6.6 million network going live across the south of Scotland.

While the Minister for Business, Jamie Hepburn, was in the Borders, Deputy First Minister John Swinney was in Dumfries.

And simultaneously they flicked on the switch to officially launch the Skills and Learning Network.

The digital learning platform and infrastructure aims to provide access to learning opportunities for students of all ages, irrespective of where they live.

It is hoped the innovative educational system address the immediate skills gaps in areas such as energy and engineering, as well as construction and care.

A series of digital spokes planned for schools, community venues and business premises will also improve the reach of the network across the region.

And a partnership with Digiskill Scotland will enable the hub and spokes method to grow its online flexible learning provision over the next five years.

While Mr Hepburn was shown round the region's hub at Borders College in Galashiels on Wednesday, Mr Swinney was being given a similar tour at Dumfries and Galloway College.

The Deputy First Minister said: "The South of Scotland Skills and Learning Network will broaden access to teaching for students and learners of all ages right across the region.

“With a clear focus on areas that have growing regional job opportunities, the ability to develop key skills without having to relocate will provide so many more people with an excellent start to their careers, or the chance to retrain to branch out into new areas.

“Today marks the launch of the network and I look forward to seeing how the colleges develop the technological platform that has been created here to its fullest potential."

Borders College has so far used its £2.3 million portion of the funding to provide new STEM and Care facilities in Hawick and Galashiels.

The Technology Enhanced Care Hub at the Netherdale campus builds on the success of its care career academy, delivering online and blended learning as well as assessments for the health and social care sector.

The STEM Construction and Renewables centre in Hawick offers training and development for new and emerging technologies in the construction and renewables industries.

The department boasts an ECO House, demonstrating the latest technologies in construction and renewables, and provides a range of technical and digital resources such as 3D printers, drones, virtual and augmented reality, and BIM software.

As well as the hubs in Galashiels and Hawick, digital spokes with conferencing facilities are being created across the Borders with Earlston, Eyemouth, Kelso and Selkirk high schools already identified.

Borders College Principal Angela Cox told us: "This innovative partnership enables us to better capitalise on the expertise and resources that exist across the south of Scotland and provide more accessible learning opportunities through our Digital Learning and Skills Network.

“Our schools and employers, such as NHS Borders and Eildon Housing, are already benefitting from the South of Scotland Economic Partnership investment in our Technology Enhanced Care Hub and STEM Hub.

"We remain committed to expanding the range of learning opportunities in conjunction with Dumfries and Galloway College in order to deliver on our joint vision of being regionally focussed and globally connected in the delivery of future skills.”

The new South of Scotland Skills and Learning Network is available to school and college students as well as local companies wanting to use latest technologies or upskill their current workforce.

The Network was funded by the South of Scotland Economic Partnership.