Colleges Scotland is the Membership organisation for colleges across the country: campaigning, advocating and influencing policy on behalf of the sector, and at the heart of a world class college sector that is recognised, valued, and available to all. Colleges Scotland is a connecting organisation, harnessing the capacity of wider sector resource to produce greater impact and have more influence with key stakeholders.  Our organisation is proud to support the delivery of Scottish Government objectives, and facilitate sustainable funding to the sector, while at the same time developing
opportunities for further funding in a challenging financial climate.

Our outputs are accountable, transparent and accessible. We are making and will continue to make positive changes in the policy landscape, and we demonstrate our impact effectively to our Members, decision makers, the media, college students and staff, and the general public. We listen to our Members and are highly responsive to developing events which may impact on their success. Colleges are recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic and this Strategy is designed to help our Members succeed in that recovery.  Last year the sector published a refreshed Statement of Ambition which also aligns with the work Colleges Scotland will take forward. When colleges thrive, Scotland thrives.

Colleges Scotland is proud to serve the college sector and has been actively working on its behalf throughout the year.

The Annual Report highlights just some of the key activities and achievements in the areas of policy, communications, and employment services.

The harm which has been caused to young people, individuals in work of all ages, and to the structure of the economy, requires a strong skills-led recovery over the coming years.

Scotland’s colleges are the best place for the seeds of recovery to take hold and flourish, already holding the expertise and ability to deliver reskilling, upskilling, career improvement and holistic support to people locally and regionally, across the country.

Colleges already tackle poverty and provide equity in society by moving people of all ages into employment and opportunities.

In our Budget Submission to Scottish Ministers, we are therefore asking for investment which will reduce the harms caused by the pandemic, deliver stable and sustainable funding to colleges as a core part of the Scottish public sector, through multi-year settlements which would help colleges invest wisely and spend carefully.

This year’s edition of our Keyfacts has been published, containing the latest facts and figures on the college sector in Scotland.