The Programme for Government announced today in the Scottish Parliament sets out some key points for Scotland’s college sector, including: 

•    Investment of £22 million to help parents access the skills and training they need through the new Colleges RISE, Training Access Fund and Flexible Workforce Development Fund.
•    A commitment to Regional Economic Partnerships to deliver regional interventions that respond to employers’ skills needs and support people into training and jobs - colleges will play a key role in creating opportunities for education and training across Scotland’s regions. 
•    Investment in a programme to develop engineering and maritime skills in Glasgow City Region, regionally focused skills programmes supported by the Growth Deals, and 10-year regional skills programmes in Scotland’s two investment zones to address critical skills shortages key sectors. 
•    A commitment to expanding apprenticeships, funding at least 150,000, and developing a new Apprenticeship Accelerator Grant. 
•    Build on the record levels of young people already going into positive destinations when they leave school by investing in apprenticeships for disabled young people.
•    A focus on improving the digital and vocational skills of Scotland’s working-age population and create new schemes to support disabled people into work.
•    The production of a single National Skills for Scotland by 2027.
•    Work to ensure our tertiary education sector meets the needs of the people of Scotland and our economy, including by delivering and responding to the College Sector of The Future workstream.

Gavin Donoghue, CEO of Colleges Scotland, welcomed the commitment to embedding colleges into the commitment to eradicate child poverty, and to increase economic growth. He said:

 “Colleges are Scotland’s skills engines and strong community anchors. Today's Programme for Government clearly sets out a focus on preventative spending, where colleges already play a huge role. Recent research has shown the positive difference colleges make to reducing the benefits bill, and equipping people with the skills they to enter the workforce and contribute the taxes that pay for our shared public services.

“Eradicating child poverty is key part of the valuable work colleges undertake in their local communities. The investment of £22 million to help parents access the skills and training they need through Colleges RISE, the Training Access Fund and Flexible Workforce Development Fund will provide thousands of college places across the country in the coming 18 months, positively impacting people’s lives quickly and decisively. 

“There is a clear emphasis from the First Minister on developing the skills needed for Scotland’s economy to thrive, by addressing workforce challenges and supporting employers and young people with improved pathways from education into training and employment. Colleges already play a huge role in driving their regional economy, and providing the skills required. They can contribute even more in the future to any reformed local and regional delivery.”