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Chapter 14: Conclusion
In this report we have outlined the breadth of the activities that colleges undertake in providing further and higher education and in transforming the lives of many learners.
They make a key contribution to economic prosperity and help tackle poverty and disadvantage. The acquisition of skills is the key to unlocking opportunity, both in terms of general skills for employment and for technical skills for particular vocations. Colleges have a crucial role in delivering learning to many individuals, including to those most in need of educational advantage, such as young people not currently in education, employment or training.
Colleges contribute directly to the achievement of the Executive's priorities across the range of its responsibilities. These include their support in delivering the Executive's Framework for Economic Development and its strategy for A Smart Successful Scotland. It is pivotal for achieving Life Through Learning; Learning Through Life and has an important role in meeting its Closing the Opportunity Gap targets and in delivering A Curriculum for Excellence through the provision of enhanced educational opportunities for school pupils.
The acquisition of employability skills developed by colleges is crucial in supporting rural development, community regeneration and exploiting new business opportunities arising from the Executive's pursuit of sustainable development.
College learning opportunities help narrow the gap in employment and reduce economic inactivity.
They help the Executive achieve its health targets by supporting directly training for the National Health Service and in raising skills levels, which have a positive impact on individuals' health.
They contribute to the rehabilitation of prisoners.
Colleges through activities such as the promotion of Gaelic and support to creative industries, including the performing arts, also enrich the cultural fabric of the nation. They provide opportunities for asylum seekers and others to become active members of their communities.
Colleges help Scotland connect globally both in terms of promoting Scotland as an attractive place to live and work and in terms of exporting Scottish expertise to the rest of the world.
Many learners benefit from college learning, not only in the acquisition of qualifications that can provide a passport to employment, but in terms of increased confidence and personal fulfi lment.
The economic and social case for colleges is also compelling. Skills are the key driver of economic growth and provide the most effective route out of poverty. Even on the most conservative economic analysis of the benefit of colleges, which by its nature cannot capture many of the clear but unquantifiable (in cash terms) benefits of colleges, for £1 invested in Scotland's colleges Scotland's economy benefits by at least £3.20. This represents an excellent return on investment.
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