This week's blog is by Michael Jeffrey, Vice Principal at Edinburgh College.  Colleges Scotland is marking the diversity and variety of the work that Scotland's 24 colleges do with our new blog series, 24 in 2024.

Last month saw the release of the results of the latest iteration of the Scottish Social Attitudes Survey. Among the many interesting insights to be gleaned from diving into these results, one of those which stood out most to me was the huge rise in people who said that “improving the economy” should be the Scottish Government’s top priority (from 23% in 2019 to 42% this time around). The findings are unambiguous: the public is serious about economic growth. 

So, how can colleges support the Scottish Government to address this stated public priority and play their part in “improving the economy”? Well, one thing we know to be absolutely central to economic prosperity is human capital and, by extension, one thing that can support growth in human capital is investment in education and skills. 

The economic impact of colleges 

In Scotland, colleges are at the heart of the skills system. Through their work they drive improvements in productivity and help ensure the alignment of skills supply and skills demand in the regions they serve. In the process they provide opportunities for people from all backgrounds to access education and improve their life prospects. 

A recent report from the Fraser of Allander Institute showed the cumulative economic impact of colleges’ work. They estimate that the college graduate cohorts from 2016-17 to 2021-22 will provide a £52bn boost to the Scottish economy over their working lives, equivalent to a £72,000 boost to productivity per graduate. 

Data-driven innovation and digital skills

These top line numbers are abstract, and an example illustrates better how this works in practice. Research shows that there are growing digital and data skills gaps across a range of industries brought about by the introduction of new and evolving technologies and processes. 

Supported by Equate Scotland and the Data Lab Community, Edinburgh College delivers an upskilling and reskilling course for Women in Digital and Data innovation, which facilitates access to higher education and training and supports women into employment in tech and related roles. 

The course is part of the Data Education in Colleges initiative, a collaboration between Edinburgh, Fife, Borders, and West Lothian colleges, funded by the Data Skills Gateway programme, that aims to establish a Data Science skills progression pathway from SCQF levels 3 to 8. This pathway also offers opportunities for higher education at Edinburgh Napier University or direct employment as well as promoting digital, meta and transferable skills, whilst also ensuring intersectional equality is promoted and supported across the technology sector. 

The course caters to two distinct groups of learners; women seeking to improve their effectiveness in their current work roles (SCQF 7) and women aspiring to specialise in the field of data science or analysis (SCQF 8).  Through the course, a large cohort of women have achieved the SQA-recognised Professional Development Award (PDA) in Data Science. 

This course not only focuses on imparting essential skills like Data Analysis and Visualisation, but also emphasises the development of transferable skills such as numeracy, digital literacy, and meta skills like collaboration, critical thinking, and communication.

As well as this course, through its portfolio, the initiative provides a consistent, joined-up approach across colleges serving as a benchmark in integrating digital skills into education. Moreover, as digital literacy and data science expertise become increasingly sought-after, the initiative provides a model for effectively bridging the skills gap, equipping learners with the digital and data competencies needed in a rapidly evolving job market, and ensuring Scotland's workforce is equipped to meet the challenges and opportunities of the digital age.

An economic anchor for the capital region

Returning to the question of the economy, this example highlights the role that colleges already play in improving Scotland’s future economic prospects, and the potential they have to do more. It is part of a much wider array of work Edinburgh College is undertaking no only to support individuals, but also to address key economic challenges in the region, including innovation projects in collaboration with employers, green skills courses aligned to future skills needs, and a portfolio of reskilling and upskilling courses for partners across the region. Combined, these show that Edinburgh College is not just a place of social sanctuary and cultural diversity, but of economic dynamism for Scotland’s capital and the wider city-region. Programmes like this – and their impact – show how Scotland’s colleges continue to play a key role in addressing the economic challenges that the Social Attitudes Survey would suggest is currently the public’s number one priority.