#LoveScotlandsColleges 2025

#ScotlandLovesColleges

For the last four days, colleges the length and breadth of the country have come together to celebrate their success under the banner of #LoveScotlandsColleges.

Each day has focused on different things that make colleges special; the people who work there, the people who learn there, partners in businesses and the community – and finally, the many ways in which colleges give back to society.

We’d like to round off the week by taking a look at some of the other qualities of Scottish colleges revealed beneath the main themes of this week; in other words, what else did we learn? Here’s our end-of-campaign pick:

Colleges change people’s lives

Here’s a wonderful and inspiring collection of student success stories promoted by West College Scotland as part of this week’s activities – Student Success Stories.

One of the students featured, Karola Pribranszki, moved to Scotland in 2020 and her studies have now secured her a position in the finance industry. As well as the qualifications gained she puts her success down to opportunities for hands-on experience and networking.

Colleges enrich communities

Our colleagues at SCQF Partnership posted this story about an SFC-funded programme provided by Newbattle Abbey College and the Mayfield and Easthouses Youth 2000 (Y2K) Project.

According to one of the young people who benefitted, the community learning initiative worked because “it wasn’t about forcing us to do something we didn’t want to do – it was more about helping us figure out our own goals.”

Colleges are part of the green revolution

West College Scotland talked on Thursday about how its connections to industry help make its courses dynamic and future focused.

This case study describes how the College’s collaboration with CWP Energy created placement opportunities for students to deepen their understanding of the wind energy sector.

For one student the experience gave him “a fantastic insight into the renewable energy industry” and made him “even more excited about a career in engineering.”

Colleges are fun

There have been so many images this week showing the joys of college life; special events, graduations, and just the sheer pleasure of learning – and teaching! This LinkedIn post from Glasgow Clyde College sums all it up.

We love… giving back

Dundee and Angus College won the College Community Learning Award for its Empowering the Linlathen Community the 2024 CDN College Awards

Working as part of a unique and intensive Scottish Government Child Poverty Pathfinder and Linlathen Fairness Commission partnership, Dundee and Angus College have led a journey of co-design and empowerment that has redefined the traditional routes to education in one of Scotland’s most challenged and impoverished areas.

Linlathen is the most deprived council ward in Dundee and one of the most deprived communities in the UK. The challenges this community faces are well known, from unemployment, poverty, poor educational attainment, drugs dependency, physical and mental health challenges, and crime, it is an area of intergenerational deprivation. It is also an area where multiple engagements and projects have failed to make any impact.

Addressing barriers to education within the community, the Learner and Community Engagement team at Dundee and Angus college have delivered bespoke, individual, support for the participants, engaging them to achieve their full potential and create futures that they never thought possible.

Addressing a historic lack of change through 100% completion and 70% progressing into mainstream education their work in Linlathen has been a huge success, creating a model of holistic engagement that delivers systematic change in our most deprived communities.

We love… our partners!

Ayrshire College was highly commended in the Employer Connections category of the 2024 CDN College Awards for its Renewable Energy Careers partnership with XLCC.

Ayrshire College and XLCC have formed a pioneering partnership to support the development of Scotland’s renewable energy sector. XLCC, based in Hunterston, is the UK’s first HVDC subsea cable manufacturing factory. Their ambitious plans to employ 900 people by 2028 are set to transform local communities and establish the region as a key renewable energy hub.

To meet the specialised demands of cable-jointing, Ayrshire College collaborated with XLCC to create a bespoke training pathway. This programme enables Performing Engineering Operations (PEO) students from Ayrshire and South West Scotland to gain vital skills and enter high-value Modern Apprenticeship roles. In 2023, 12 apprentices were recruited, with another 10 expected in 2024.

The partnership has been instrumental in developing specialised skills, with training supported by MarCable Consulting, which delivered a ‘Train the Trainer’ course to upskill the college’s staff. The programme also includes a summer pre-apprenticeship school and a tailored Engineering Modern Apprenticeship that blends college-based learning with practical, industry-specific training.

Looking ahead, the collaboration between Ayrshire College and XLCC will continue to provide valuable opportunities for local students and contribute to the growth of Scotland’s renewable energy sector. The college’s flexible, innovative approach ensures ongoing benefits for students, employers, and the community as a whole.

We love… learning

Dumfries and Galloway College’s ‘Digiplan’ won the Project Digital Learning Award at the 2024 CDN College Awards

Dumfries and Galloway College’s ‘Digiplan’ project addresses the significant challenges of delivering high-quality education in rural areas, where geographical barriers, limited transport, and infrastructure can restrict access to learning. To counter these challenges, the college’s Skills Delivery Team developed an innovative and personalised digital solution that enables work-based learners to access education remotely. Through the ‘Digiplan’, candidates receive one-to-one support and tailored digital assessment plans, allowing for flexible, location-independent learning.

This digital approach has revolutionised the delivery of qualifications, allowing candidates to schedule assessments at times that suit both them and their employers. By eliminating the need for travel, ‘Digiplan’ also contributes to reducing the college’s carbon footprint. It is highly adaptable, extending beyond business administration to sectors such as engineering and construction.

Employers across various industries, including local councils, healthcare, and international firms, have embraced ‘Digiplan’ to upskill their workforce without the need for day-release, ensuring employees can learn while staying productive at work.

With its focus on sustainability, flexibility, and inclusion, ’Digiplan’ has seen strong uptake across the region, demonstrating a scalable model that can be adapted to other areas. It’s a unique solution that offers rural learners the opportunity to develop professionally without the constraints typically posed by distance or infrastructure.

We love… our people

Micole Cochrane from West Lothian College won the Professional Services Colleague of the Year Award at the 2024 CDN College Awards

Micole Cochrane has been the Student Association Development Officer at West Lothian College for fourteen years and over that time has led the Student Association to many successes.

In 2023-24, in direct response to student feedback, Micole led a cross-college group of students and staff to successfully achieve the LGBT Youth Scotland Gold Charter, the first college to achieve this.

This required careful coordination and leadership through effective project management, yet it was achieved in record time (6 months rather than the typical 12-18 months!) The way that Micole worked across college, enthusiastically and effectively pulling all the evidence together, gave the college a blueprint to follow for future awards.

Micole’s leadership was the key ingredient for the result. Alongside this huge project management task, Micole still managed the smooth running of the Student Association due to the efficient structures she has created over many years. It is to Micole’s credit that the Student Association has achieved its multi-award winning status.

In March 2024, the college’s Student Association won an NUS Scotland Award for their work in supporting students experiencing poverty. This was another demonstration of Micole’s commitment to enabling elected presidents to support their students.