Colleges are being left with tough choices

For tens of thousands of students, Scotland’s colleges are the vital conduit between full-time education and the workplace. They are a place where the academic and the vocational sit side by side.

And they are also a place where young people can grow their skills base and confidence while preparing themselves to go out into the world.

In short, the influence of colleges on Scottish society is hugely positive and important.

But, like every other publicly funded service, colleges are feeling the pinch right now.

The influence of colleges on Scottish society is positive

Dundee and Angus College principal Simon Hewitt has spoken of his frustrations as his charge faces up to a seven-figure black hole in its finances.

The choices he and his management team are facing are stark.

Cut courses that provide a useful start in life to students or cut staff and dilute the institution’s offering that way.

That’s an incredibly difficult choice. Part of Mr Hewitt’s frustration is that long-term financial planning – which might help avoid these pinch points – simply isn’t something that colleges can do.

Funding cycles are on a rolling 12-month basis, meaning there is very little stability built in to the system but a lot of red-tape hoops to jump through.

When the pinch comes, what that means practically is management are left with few options but to pull the most rudimentary of levers at their disposal and hack into the college’s core.

Surely there must be a better way when education and getting young people into jobs are such stated priorities?

Governments and funding bodies need to give colleges and other education institutions the tools they need to do the job.

Otherwise, we may not produce – or properly prepare – the talent we need to do all sorts of jobs in future.