Colleges Scotland has today released the first part of an ambitious new vision for the country’s college sector, titled Colleges – Anchor Institutions Fuelling Scotland’s Economic Success. This foundational document sets the stage for a Strategic Plan for the sector, which will be published in spring 2025. 

Dr Graeme Jackson, Interim CEO of Colleges Scotland, highlighted the transformative role of colleges in Scotland’s future: 

“College leaders are committed to shaping the future of education and skills training in a way that drives economic growth, improves lives, and strengthens communities. 

“This publication marks the first step in a collective journey towards success. College chairs and principals, as experts in their field, are determined to lead and deliver tangible results. This initial document celebrates the proud history of the college sector while emphasizing its essential role as a key enabler of Scotland’s economic success through skills-based education.” 

Dr Jackson underscored the unique position of colleges as “anchor institutions” within their communities and expressed a call to action: 

“With the right changes and support from the Scottish Government, Scottish Funding Council, and other partners, colleges can not only thrive but also deliver transformational outcomes for current and future generations.” 

A Major Contributor to Scotland’s Economy 

Each year, Scotland’s 24 publicly funded colleges serve approximately 248,000 students, delivering 68 million hours of learning. The economic impact is profound: 

• The cumulative benefit to the Scottish economy from college graduates over their 40-year working lives is estimated at £52 billion.
• Every college graduate adds £72,000 to productivity in the Scottish economy. 

Tackling the Skills Gap 

The demand for skilled workers has reached unprecedented levels. Recent data reveals: 

• 31% of all vacancies in Scotland are classified as “skills-shortage vacancies,” meaning they are hard to fill due to a lack of qualified applicants.
• 15% of employers report skills gaps within their existing workforce, affecting 5% of all employees. 

Dr Jackson noted the critical role colleges play in addressing these challenges: 

“Colleges have enormous potential and already receive significant taxpayer investment. With targeted support and changes from stakeholders, they can further enhance their ability to deliver locally-focused education and skills training while scaling the exceptional work they already do. 

“The evidence is clear: colleges drive the Scottish economy and as a result they help reduce poverty and create life-changing opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds. This moment calls for bold change, and the college sector is stepping forward to lead the way.” 

Colleges – Anchor Institutions Fuelling Scotland’s Economic Success is now available, with the Strategic Plan to follow in spring 2025.