Perth College UHI started as a day further education college in the old Academy building on Rose Terrace in 1961 teaching trades before going on to open a centre in Nelson St (site of the Southern District School) soon afterwards.
The range of courses grew and in1985 the College offered Scotland’s first popular music course (NC Rock Music).
Originally called Perth College of Further Education, the institution changed to Perth Technical College, then Perth College of Further Education, and finally to Perth College UHI.
Perth Technical College’s Brahan Building was officially opened on 16 October 1971 by the Secretary of State for Scotland, Gordon Campbell. Principal at the time was William McNeill. The building was on the site of the Pullars (of dry-cleaning fame) family home and cost around £1.25 million.
The workforce has gone from 24 full-time lecturers at the time of opening to around 500 full-time and part-time staff today.
There were originally 8 departments: Building, Engineering (mechanical, motor and electrical), Commerce, Retail Distribution, Catering, Homecraft & Women’s Trades, Hairdressing, General Studies.
In 1971 there were 700 students and in 2007, around 7000 student enrolments.
Perth College UHI runs a network of learning centres across the area, in Blairgowrie, Crieff (a joint project with Perth & Kinross Council), Kinross and Pathways in Perth. It also owns AST (Air Service Training) and delivers a range of aircraft engineering courses.
In more recent years Perth College UHI has continued its long tradition of innovation by launching the country’s only post-graduate degree in popular music performance and hosting a number of research centres with international reputations.
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