More funding, more flexibility, and clearer priorities need to be given to Scotland’s college sector according to a report issued by Holyrood’s Education, Children and Young People Committee.

The Committee has been looking at the progress of the regionalisation of Scotland’s college system.

Their new report has found that while the reforms have had some positive impacts, Scotland’s colleges are being held back by funding issues. The Committee is now urging the Scottish Government and Scottish Funding Council to do more.

Scottish Government reforms to the college landscape began in 2012, resulting in the creation of 13 college regions.

It was hoped that college provision would be better aligned with employer and learner needs, helping meet national ambitions for jobs and growth.

The report finds that the reforms have had some positive outcomes. The creation of ‘colleges of scale’, which is better placed to engage with educational and economic partners, is one such positive. The report also credits regionalisation with helping to widen access to higher education.

The Committee compliments colleges for their good work in the report, noting that they support skills development and platforms for lifelong learning. The report also says colleges play a critical role in helping the Scottish Government deliver its economic strategy.

However, the financial issues identified by the report are likely to become more pronounced. Colleges must meet net-zero commitments by 2045.

To help, the report asks the Scottish Government and Scottish Funding Council to ensure colleges have greater flexibility.

Changes to colleges’ finances and goals are viewed as vital in ensuring their financial sustainability and delivering on their ambitions to support both the learner and the economy.

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