Regional Tertiary Pathfinders
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Register hereThe Regional Tertiary Pathfinders programme explored how regional collaboration among tertiary institutions, employers and stakeholders could lead to more coherent, well communicated and sustainable education pathways and provision that align with regional economic and skills priorities.
As part of the programme, seven pilot projects were developed in the South and North-East of Scotland. They were designed to establish simpler pathways to developing skills as well as providing improved outcomes.
On this page you will find the final reports and accompanying videos from each of the seven pilot projects as well as background papers from a variety of expert sources. Other reports bring together insights from those involved in the Pathfinders programme.
Regional Tertiary Pathfinders
Programme Reports
Pilot Project Reports and Videos
The programme included seven regional Pathfinders projects. These were used as test beds for innovation and they exemplified the programme’s hands-on, learning by doing approach.
The projects were located in the South and North-East of Scotland and were regional partnerships that went beyond colleges and universities to include organisations such as enterprise boards, local councils and health authorities.
The pilots began delivery of new course provision and pathways from August 2023.
As well as designing, developing and delivering the pilot projects, the partners reflected and drew lessons from their experiences. In doing so, they created resources for the sharing of best practice and foundations for future system improvements.
You can view the final reports and short accompanying videos from each of the seven projects.
Project governance
Pathfinders Tertiary National Advisory Board
The Pathfinders Tertiary National Advisory Board was established in Autum 2022 to provide strategic direction, support, and constructive advice to the Pathfinder programme. It consisted of experts from across tertiary education, academic and civil society, key employers, and beyond. Drawing on their experience in Scotland and elsewhere, it played a key role in shaping our work as it progressed.
Membership
- Karen Watt (Chair) – former Chief Executive, Scottish Funding Council.
- Robin Ashton – Vice Principal, Curriculum and Quality Enhancement, Glasgow Kelvin College.
- Chris Brodie – Director of Regional Skills Planning, Skills Development Scotland.
- Gillian Docherty – Chief Commercial Officer, University of Strathclyde.
- Kirsty Evans – Associate Director, UK Education and Skills Funding Agency.
- Linda Hanna – Chair, SRUC.
- Professor Colm Harmon – personal Chair in Applied Economics & Vice-Principal Students, University of Edinburgh.
- Mhairi Harrington OBE – Scottish Funding Council Board member.
- Professor Ewart Keep – Chair in Education, Training and Skills at the Department of Education, Oxford University, and Scottish Funding Council Board member.
- Gavin Lee – Director of Strategic Planning, University of the West of Scotland.
- Gerry Lyons – Head of Service, Glasgow City Council, ADES.
- Jane Martin – Managing Director of Innovation and Investment, Scottish Enterprise.
- Professor Ron McQuaid – Professor of Work and Employment, University of Stirling.
- Professor Chris Millward – Professor of Education Practice, University of Birmingham.
- Sara Rae – Director Business & Enterprise, West College Scotland.
- Professor Neil Simco – former Interim Deputy Principal (Tertiary and Research), University of the Highlands and Islands.
Meeting Papers
- Papers from the NAB meeting held on 28 March 2023.
- Papers from the NAB meeting held on 6 December 2022.
- Papers from the NAB meeting held on 4 October 2022.
Regional Delivery Boards
Regional Delivery Boards were established by SFC in Autumn 2022 for each Pathfinder region, and included institutional representatives and key regional stakeholders, to support, monitor, and oversee the delivery of regional projects. They made strategic decisions relating to the development of tertiary learning provision, coordinate the efforts of regional partners, and ensure the alignment of projects with regional and local needs and priorities.
South of Scotland Delivery Board Membership
- Gillian Brydson, Dumfries & Galloway Council.
- Joanna Campbell, Dumfries and Galloway College.
- Sara Carter, University of Glasgow.
- Grieg Robson, Skills Development Scotland.
- Anne-Marie Sturrock, Borders College.
- Karen Jackson, South of Scotland Enterprise.
- Lesley Munro, Scottish Borders Council.
- Jamie Newbold, SRUC.
- Marcus Ross, University of the West of Scotland.
- Elizabeth Shevlin, Scottish Funding Council (Chair)
North-East of Scotland Delivery Board Membership
- Allison Carrington, Skills Development Scotland.
- Duncan Cockburn, Robert Gordon University.
- Neil Cowie, North–East Scotland College.
- Jennifer Craw, Opportunity North-East.
- Peter Edwards, University of Aberdeen.
- Laurence Findlay, Aberdeenshire Council.
- Matthew Lockley, Scottish Enterprise.
- Maggie McGinley, ETZ.
- Eleanor Sheppard, Aberdeen City Council.
- Elizabeth Shevlin, Scottish Funding Council (Chair).
SFC Strategic Plan 2022-27
Building a connected, agile, sustainable tertiary education and research system for Scotland.