Prosper has today launched a key publication - Prosper Scotland’s Blueprint: The Art of the Possible - which recommends "essential actions for the UK and Scottish Governments to unleash the full potential of Scotland’s industries, people and places to achieve our vision of world class prosperity."

Commenting on the Blueprint, a Colleges Scotland spokesperson said: "We welcome the publication of Prosper's Blueprint today and the strong emphasis the report puts on the need to prioritise investment into skills and expanding capacity at Scotland’s colleges.

"Importantly, the Blueprint highlights the need for real-terms funding increases to colleges, as part of a long-term investment plan, and the requirement to reform the post-school education funding model more generally.

“Colleges have long-called for the return of the Flexible Workforce Development Fund, which had a very positive impact on skills for Scotland's workers, and we welcome the Blueprint’s focus on this and the requirement for building improved regional skills planning.

"Colleges Scotland also welcomes the Blueprint's focus on the importance of innovation, place-based partnerships, the need for part-time students to be able to access opportunities, and the emphasis on successfully deliver the International Education Strategy.

"It is right that there should be a keen focus on supporting Scotland's colleges so they can provide high-quality work-based learning and the  upskilling and re-skilling required to help solve the current - and future - skills shortages in critical industries."