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We’re pleased to share the latest developments, milestones and insights from across the Ayrshire Growth Deal Programme.
In this quarter Business Case development has been a key focus, with concentrated efforts on developing and finalising the International Marine Science and Environment (IMSE) project’s first business case as well as latter phase business cases for projects such as Ayrshire Innovation Park and i3 Flexible Business Space.
Most significantly in recent weeks, the Prestwick Proposition’s Commercial Build Full Business Case (FBC) has received conditional endorsement from the UK and Scottish Governments, as well full approval from the Ayrshire Economic Partnership Board and Joint Committee. This is a key milestone in unlocking significant investment for the AGD’s Aerospace theme which is set to bring about significant job and economic benefits for the region.
This quarter has seen exciting progress across the delivery of projects, including:
- the start of demonstrator retrofit works and engineering skills programme through the Community Renewable Energy (CoRE) project
- the launch of a new industry‑led skills programme (IGNITE) through the Ayrshire Skills Investment Fund (ASIF)
- the i3 Flexible Business Space Topping Out Ceremony
You can read more detail about these projects below
Engagement sessions
In addition to ongoing development and delivery, in January and February the AGD PMO and Partners hosted key engagement sessions with MPs and MSPs oulining the progress of the Deal to date.
As requested by local elected representatives we now plan to run more regular engagement sessions.
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The Ayrshire Skills Investment Fund (ASIF) continues to deliver training interventions to upskill and increase skills within the key growth sectors across the Ayrshire region.
The ASIF INGITE programme was launched during this quarter. It takes an industry led approach, with local employers creating accredited training pathways for unemployed people to prepare and secure employment in identified growth sectors. The initial ASIF IGNITE programme is underway and will deliver welding training for candidates as well as vehicle mechanic training.
Read our Case Study Spotlight at the end of this newsletter. for more insight into the newly launched welding training.
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WfHE continues to deliver health interventions across Ayrshire. It helps unemployed individuals to manage health conditions so they can progress to employment.
The project also supports employed individuals in SMEs who are at risk of being unable to retain employment through ill health. WfHE continues to work closely with the delivery partner and key stakeholders to deliver this service across Ayrshire.
Success
To date 1,758 unemployed individuals have engaged with the Working for a Healthy Economy service and the clinical outcomes are:
- 28% anxiety levels reduced
- 35.1% depression reduced
- 45.3 % health and wellbeing improved
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Work continues onsite for the Ayrshire Innovation Park in Kilmarnock. The official launch took place in December 2025, an occasion marked by a Ministerial visit. Construction of the on site road infrastructure is progressing well, with works expected to significantly increase during spring and summer months to enable anticipated completion during October 2026.
Whilst delivery of the first phase is ongoing, the Full Business Case to unlock delivery for the non-food units within the Ayrshire Innovation Park is being finalised ahead of submission to the UK and Scottish Governments for review and approval.
The Digital Process Manufacturing Centre (DPMC) continues to host events and visits to raise its profile and engage with businesses and stakeholders. Recent positive publicity has promoted the DPMC's collaboration with Bacardi to improve efficiencies in their whisky maturation process.
Schools engagement
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 The handover of Phase 1 is underway. We recently celebrated its construction milestone with a topping out event which took place on the 17 February 2026.
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Councillor Eleanor Collier, North Ayrshire Council Cabinet Member for Green Environment and Economy said:
“We are delighted that the work on this fantastic new facility has been completed and we are looking forward to seeing the new tenant in place here very soon.
The i3 Business Park is a key strategic site not only for us as a Council but also Ayrshire as a whole. It already consists of a wide and varied business base including antibiotics manufacturer GSK, engineering technology business Booth Welsh and natural and herbal remedy manufacturer Vogel. It also hosts the Digital Process Manufacturing Centre (DPMC) and is a real skills hub for industry and academia. This new development, which will be followed by the second phase of development, will provide even more opportunities to attract large-scale inward investment opportunities to support advanced manufacturing uses.”
Phase 2 of the project received planning permission in early October 2025 for a unit of similar size and specification to Phase 1, including some internal fit out.
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 Delivery of the first phase of the CoRE pathfinder projects is under way. Work has started at Meagher Court in Cumnock to retrofit three entire blocks of flats into a modern, low-carbon, energy efficient housing development as part of a demonstrator project for CoRE.
The aim of the CoRE project is to support the creation of long-term sustainable jobs whilst tackling fuel poverty and deprivation in some of Ayrshire’s most rural and deprived areas.
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“CoRE aims to showcase how a green recovery can transform our rural towns and villages and make our communities better connected, with healthier and improved standards of living.
“Cumnock and Doon Valley is a community which has experienced economic and population decline and a primary focus of CoRE is to maximise the socio-economic and community health and wellbeing benefits associated with the net-zero transition.
“This retrofit project will help tackle fuel poverty by making these homes more energy efficient and comfortable for people to live in and will ultimately help communities to heat and power their homes more affordably and sustainably.”
Councillor Douglas Reid, Leader of the East Ayrshire Council and Chair of Ayrshire Economic Joint Committee
At Hunterston, work continues to focus on scoping and developing relevant interventions for the project to maximise the outcomes and outputs for the region.
The International Marine Science and Environment (IMSE) project, aims to harness the region’s blue economy potential by fostering innovation and collaboration between industry and academia in marine sciences, technology, spatial planning, and education.
Work continues to finalise the Outline Business Case for IMSE. Board meetings are taking place between partners, as well as stakeholder engagement sessions with leading academics.
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The Commercial Build project continues to be driven at pace to enable expansion demands. The conditional approval of the Full Business Case from the Governments as well as the Ayrshire Regional Economic Partnership Board and Joint Committee, allows the project to progress towards delivery and further insight will be given in future updates.
This project is set to attract significant additional investment from key businesses, generate significant jobs and enhance Prestwick as a centre for aerospace maintenance in the UK.
As leads for the project South Ayrshire Council teams are working closely with the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) and the existing partnership with Ayrshire College, to ensure it is complimentary with existing innovation infrastructure.
A draft business case is being developed for review and approval, bringing the project closer towards delivery.
The Roads project continues in its developmental stage. Ayrshire Roads Alliance (ARA) is engaged in dialog with Transport Scotland and work is ongoing to bring the project in line with the Prestwick Commercial Build project and ASTAC.
The Outline Business Case (OBC) is in development with the first full draft expected in Autumn 2026.
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Construction work is ongoing for Phase 1, the Coastal Hub, with the completion date anticipated by the end of Spring 2026 and the official opening event planned for Summer 2026.
Phase 2, the Maritime Mile, has reached the detailed design stage.
Marine Tourism comprises two projects: Cumbrae and Arran. The Cumbrae OBC was approved by the Scottish Government in November 2025. The Arran OBC is being further progressed with site working groups and stakeholders to appraise designs and Operating and Leasing/Legal requirements. Programme-wide approaches and partnerships continue to be developed for this programme.
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The change management request has been conditionally approved by the UK and Scottish Governments and fully approved by the Regional Economic Partnership and Ayrshire Economic Joint Committee, for the Building Digital Capital Programme to progress.
This should allow the pan-Ayrshire programme to move at pace through its business case processes in clear alignment with associated projects and host sites in both Aerospace and Economic Infrastructure themes of the AGD.
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 In this edition, our Case Study Spotlight focuses on the newly launched Ayrshire Skills Investment Fund IGNITE Programme:
In January a brand new course was launched to provide a unique opportunity for six unemployed people to be trained to the international welding standard.
The IGNITE Welding Course, a transformative training initiative delivered in partnership with industry leaders J and D Pierce (Contracts) Ltd, has been funded through the Ayrshire Skills Investment Fund.
This intensive program aims to tackle a skills shortage by providing six unemployed individuals from across the region with the elite training required to become “Coded Welders”.
About the programme
The IGNITE programme is designed to bridge the gap between unemployment and high-skilled industrial roles. Over the coming weeks, participants will undergo rigorous training at J and D Pierce’s state-of-the-art facility in Glengarnock, one of the UK’s largest and most advanced structural steelwork engineering sites.
On successful completion of the course participants will have the opportunity to be become a “Coded Welder” by being tested to the standard BS EN 9606 for welder approval a recognised international standard.
If successful they will receive their welder approval certificate to BS EN 9606 as confirmation the welder is capable of producing high quality, safe and reliable welds. Gaining them industry ready qualifications and real career prospects.
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“We are proud to be working with North Ayrshire Council to be launching this course. As a local employer, we are always looking to provide pathways and opportunities, and we are delighted to have the support of this Ayrshire Growth Deal fund to create even more.
“Welders are the backbone of the structural steel industry, and there is currently a significant demand for skilled professionals across Scotland and the UK. We are proud to host these six individuals and provide them with hands-on experience in a real-world engineering environment. We look forward to seeing them develop the precision and expertise required to thrive in this sector.”
Derek Pierce,
Chairman at J and D Pierce
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That brings us to the end of the quarterly progress update for the AGD. Thanks for reading and engaging. In the meantime, please get in touch with the team if you wish to further engage or have any questions.
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