£178m programme backs training, regeneration and construction work 

A £178 million investment programme is backing new training, construction work and regeneration across Falkirk and Grangemouth. 

Backed by £100 million from UK Government and Scottish Government, Falkirk Council and its partners are delivering one of the largest packages of investment ever secured for the area. 

The first annual report on the Falkirk and Grangemouth Growth Deal highlights work is underway with the Skills Transition Centre at Forth Valley College and Lock 16 - Scotland's Centre for Traditional and Canal Skills among the first projects to reach key stages. 

The Skills Transition Centre is already helping people gain skills linked to net zero and new industries. So far, 934 students have taken part in education and training, 154 employees have completed workforce training and 131 businesses have worked with the centre. New courses are now in place, supported by specialist equipment for practical training. 

Construction is also underway on the £12.9 million Lock 16 project in Camelon, following approval of its Full Business Case and completion of demolition works. Once complete, the project will turn former industrial buildings on the Forth and Clyde Canal into a skills, education and business hub, and bring a vacant site back into use. 

Councillor Cecil Meiklejohn, Leader of Falkirk Council, said: “This is a major investment in Falkirk and Grangemouth, and it is good to see work happening on the ground. 

“People are gaining new skills, construction work is underway and partners are bringing in additional funding to support the programme. 

“The Growth Deal is about making sure local people and businesses benefit from that investment, while putting Falkirk and Grangemouth in a stronger position for jobs and training.” 

Work is also progressing on a range of other major projects, including the new Falkirk Town Hall, Falkirk Central Sustainable Transport Network, the Strategic Sites programme in Grangemouth and the Greener Grangemouth programme. 

For Grangemouth and the wider Falkirk area, the Growth Deal brings together work on skills, innovation, infrastructure and regeneration. 

Over the lifetime of the programme, the Growth Deal is expected to support around 1,660 jobs and generate an estimated £628 million in economic benefit. It will also support transport improvements, cultural projects and local business activity. 

The figures are outlined in the first annual report published since the Falkirk and Grangemouth Growth Deal was formally signed in November 2024. The report also notes that additional partner funding secured during the programme's first 18 months has increased the overall value of the Growth Deal from £149 million to more than £178 million. 

Notes to editors 

The original Growth Deal investment package was £148.7 million, made up of £100 million from the UK and Scottish Governments, £45 million from Falkirk Council and £3.7 million from Scottish Canals. Additional partner funding secured during the programme's first 18 months has increased the overall value to more than £178 million. 

Projects within the programme include the Skills Transition Centre, Lock 16 - Scotland's Centre for Traditional and Canal Skills, the new Falkirk Town Hall, Falkirk Central Sustainable Transport Network, Strategic Sites Grangemouth and Greener Grangemouth.