Innovative training course created from NHS and college partnership shortlisted for national award

The joint initiative, Transforming Orthopaedic Workforce Development through Co-Produced Innovation, is developing specialist orthopaedic skills and supporting high-quality patient care.

The course has been shortlisted for the Employability in Action Award category at the 2026 College Development Network (CDN) Awards.

Finalists will find out if they have been successful at the CDN Awards ceremony which will be held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Glasgow on Thursday, December 3.

Co-developed by Forth Valley College (FVC) and NHS Forth Valley, the 10-week course aims to address a specialist skills gap through providing accessible, Scotland-based training for staff working in orthopaedic and plaster room services.

The course provides training in the anatomy and physiology of the musculoskeletal system as well as hands-on education and experience with assessing, selecting, fitting, and evaluating a range of splints, braces, casts, and orthopaedic supports.

Being named as a finalist for the title follows the recent success of the local health board's first group of nurses who recently completed the pioneering Trauma & Orthopaedics course which is the first and only of its kind in Scotland.

CDN recognised the training programme for its partnership approach, positive impact on workforce development and patient care, and its potential to be duplicated throughout the wider health and education sectors.

Ross McGuffie, chief executive of NHS Forth Valley, said: “We are delighted that this innovative partnership with Forth Valley College has been recognised at a national level.

“By working together, we have been able to create a unique learning opportunity which supports professional development, strengthens our orthopaedic workforce and ultimately benefits patients across NHS Forth Valley.

“The success of our first graduates demonstrated the value of this approach, and we are proud to see the programme shortlisted for a national award.”

Kenny MacInnes, principal of FVC, added: “We are delighted to be shortlisted for these awards and well done to everyone involved. The annual College Development Network Awards showcase examples of best practice across the Scottish further education sector and for us to once again be in contention for top awards this year is great recognition of the work we do.”